Energy Myths and Realities: Bringing Science to the Energy Policy Debate

Imagine waking up in a world where the lights, the comfort, and the very hum of daily life are powered by an invisible force—so constant, so reliable, that you almost never think about it. This force is energy, the quiet architect of modern civilization. For much of the last century, energy was like the air we breathe: everywhere, unnoticed, taken for granted. Cities grew, factories boomed, and families thrived, all on a foundation of cheap coal, oil, and natural gas. Yet, for decades, neither the public nor policymakers gave it much thought. There were no ministries of energy in Western governments, and news headlines rarely mentioned the topic. Energy simply worked—until it didn’t.

The first sign of trouble came in the 1970s, when the world was jolted awake by a sudden, orchestrated spike in oil prices. Overnight, the cost of a barrel of oil jumped more than fivefold, not because the earth was running dry, but because a handful of oil-rich nations decided to flex their collective muscle. This was the oil crisis, and it shattered the illusion of endless, effortless energy. Suddenly, everyone—from presidents to parents—became acutely aware of how much their lives depended on the flow of fuel. Gas lines snaked around city blocks, and the global economy staggered under the weight of soaring costs.

But the crisis revealed something deeper: a pattern of neglect and complacency. For all the marvels of modern technology, the average American car in the early 1970s was no more efficient than its 1930s ancestor, guzzling gas and wasting over 85% of the energy it consumed. It wasn’t that progress was impossible—transistors, jet engines, and fluorescent lights had all transformed other sectors—but energy had simply been too cheap to worry about. When prices fell again in the 1980s, old habits quickly returned, and the lessons of the crisis faded into the background.

Yet, as the new millennium dawned, energy concerns resurfaced, this time joined by worries about climate change and global stability. The world was, once again, reminded that the invisible engine of civilization cannot be ignored. Energy, it turns out, is not just a commodity—it is the lifeblood of everything we value.

As we journey deeper into this story, let’s explore the myths that have grown up around energy, shaping our hopes, fears, and policies. In the next section, we’ll uncover how myths—both old and new—can cloud our understanding and lead us astray, even as we search for solutions.