Visualizing U.S. Consumption of Fuel and Materials per Capita
Wealthy countries consume massive amounts of natural resources per capita, and Americans are no exception. According to data from the National Mining Association, each American needs more than 39,000 pounds (17,700 kg) of minerals and fossil fuels annually to maintain their standard of living.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: overview
The United States is about to undergo another sharp turn in its energy policies, following the Trump administration’s switch from President Obama’s focus on addressing climate change to an unfettered commitment to boosting fossil fuel production. The administration of President Joe Biden is restoring climate change as a key driver of energy and environmental policies, while also coping with roiling global natural gas markets in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.