Brigham McCown explores research by Professor Vaclav Smil regarding energy transitions and their connection to quality of life. Smil believes that while the shift to non-fossil fuel energy is inevitable, it will take longer than anticipated. Brigham highlights that renewable energy only accounts for 12% of energy sources in the United States. He emphasizes the importance of understanding energy usage and historical transitions, particularly the role of fossil fuels in current prime movers. The transition to renewables will require careful consideration of policy, technology, infrastructure, and physics. Obstacles such as policy problems and infrastructure limitations hinder progress. Additionally, the lower energy density of renewables compared to oil and gas necessitates significant changes to infrastructure. This prompts the question of whether the transition to renewable energy will improve our quality of life or require reduced energy consumption.

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