Switzerland carries a wonderful image of a peaceful country of mountains and clear air. Small towns dot the intermittent valleys. Farmyard animals graze on pasture land. Leisure and entertainment fill the air with merriment.
Switzerland also has one of the best census records and has encompassed relatively the same area for a long time. This makes for a ready balance of the country’s energy flow.
The people of Switzerland have dietary energy needs. With a population at 7.5 million and assuming each needs 10.5 MJ per day. This amounts to 2.87e16 Joules annually. But, only some, actually two-thirds of this, is grown locally. The Swiss rely upon imports for the other third.
As well, these people have a high standard of living which requires energy. In 2005, the country’s raw energy consumption amounted to 8.9e17 Joules for electricity, heating, transportation and similar tasks. However, as well known, Switzerland has no indigenous supplies of fossil fuels. Thus 70% of its raw energy comes from outside the country.
In total, dietary and raw energies amount to 9.187e17 Joules a year. In the early 1800s Switzerland’s population was closer to 2 million people. No fossil fuels or farm fertilizers aided their seeking of energy. Then, they likely consumed about 6e16 Joules each year if we reduce the population and remove the raw energy from fossil fuels.
The area of Switzerland may be able to support this much lower annual energy consumption for long into the future. But, their standard of living would become quite different. Also, where on Earth would the other 5.5 million people go to? Should we address this concern when making plans for the future?
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