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The European Transition from Oil

The European Transition from Oil The use of primary energy in Western Europe was around 400 million tons oil equivalent (Mtoe)2 in 1950. Oil accounted for 40 million tons, and coal and some hydroelectric power for the remainder. In 1973 Western Europe used around 750 million tons of oil, out of a total of 1200 Mtoe of primary energy. Thus, oil use increased almost by a factor of 20, while non-oil use increased by one-third. This observation, oversimplified as it is, illustrates the fundamental role of oil in Western Europe's postwar economy. Oil fueled profound social changes: suburban life, upheld by the automobile, became possible. Cities, urban areas, and entire regions learned to function in a more specialized and economically efficient manner. The automobile industry became one of the main pillars of the Western European economies, as did several other industrial sectors driven by the changing patterns of living that followed from oil and the automobile. The period in which this occurred is by now often seen as unique. The end of World War II marked the demise of a world order dominated by the European powers. The United States replaced Britain as the unquestioned leader of a new international economic and political http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Environment and Resources Annual Reviews

The European Transition from Oil

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Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1983 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
1543-5938
DOI
10.1146/annurev.eg.08.110183.000245
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The use of primary energy in Western Europe was around 400 million tons oil equivalent (Mtoe)2 in 1950. Oil accounted for 40 million tons, and coal and some hydroelectric power for the remainder. In 1973 Western Europe used around 750 million tons of oil, out of a total of 1200 Mtoe of primary energy. Thus, oil use increased almost by a factor of 20, while non-oil use increased by one-third. This observation, oversimplified as it is, illustrates the fundamental role of oil in Western Europe's postwar economy. Oil fueled profound social changes: suburban life, upheld by the automobile, became possible. Cities, urban areas, and entire regions learned to function in a more specialized and economically efficient manner. The automobile industry became one of the main pillars of the Western European economies, as did several other industrial sectors driven by the changing patterns of living that followed from oil and the automobile. The period in which this occurred is by now often seen as unique. The end of World War II marked the demise of a world order dominated by the European powers. The United States replaced Britain as the unquestioned leader of a new international economic and political

Journal

Annual Review of Environment and Resources – Annual Reviews

Published: Nov 1, 1983

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