The United States is the world's biggest consumer of energy. With 5 percent of the world's population, the U.S. uses about 25 percent of the world's energy, nearly $1 million worth every minute. Americans consume six times as much energy per capita, on average, as the rest of the world. According to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, dependence on foreign oil costs the U.S. economy about $350 billion dollars a year.

Demand for oil is increasing, and competition for oil is growing worldwide. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 20 years from now the world will need 44 percent more energy than it needs at present.

Energy demand in the emerging economies of Asia, including China and India, is expected to  double over the next 20 years and surpass the current U.S. consumption. These countries' growing economies, and those of other countries like South Korea and Brazil, will intensify competition for oil.

Alongside these economic concerns is a growing concern over the health and environmental effects of pollution from burning fossil fuels. We are challenged not only to produce more energy, but also to produce and consume energy more cleanly and efficiently.