First, watch video from National Public Radio that illustrates the rate and demographics of world population growth since 1000 C.E. Then take a look at this graph from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that shows the energy sources and various sectors the U.S. distribution of power is divided among. 

In your opinion, how will continued population growth at the rate you observed in the video affect energy production and consumption around the world? What do you think will happen to prices of energy resources (coal, natural gas, solar, wind) as a result of increased population and energy consumption

Continued population growth will likely increase the demand for energy, leading to increased production and consumption. This could potentially lead to higher prices for energy resources, especially non-renewable ones like coal and natural gas. However, the impact on renewable energy sources like solar and wind might be different, as technological advancements could lead to lower costs over time. 

As the world's population continues to grow, the demand for energy also increases. More people means more homes, more businesses, more transportation, and more industries, all of which require energy. This increased demand can put pressure on energy production, leading to increased consumption. In terms of prices, the basic economic principle of supply and demand applies. If demand increases faster than supply, prices are likely to rise. This is particularly true for non-renewable energy resources like coal and natural gas, which are finite and become more expensive to extract as supplies diminish.

However, for renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the situation might be different. For instance, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) regularly publishes reports on the cost trends of renewable energy. In their "Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2019" report, they noted that the costs of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, have been decreasing over the years due to technological advancements and economies of scale.

The process can be explained as follows:

Technological advancements: As technology improves, the efficiency of renewable energy sources increases. This means that more energy can be generated from the same amount of resources, which reduces the cost per unit of energy.

Economies of scale: As the demand for renewable energy increases, manufacturers can produce more units, which reduces the cost per unit. This is because the fixed costs (like the cost of building a factory) are spread over more units.

Innovation: Increased demand can also drive innovation, as companies have more incentive to invest in research and development to create more efficient and cost-effective technologies.

Market competition: As more players enter the renewable energy market, competition increases, which can also drive down prices.

So, while the basic economic principle of supply and demand suggests that increased demand leads to higher prices, the unique factors at play in the renewable energy market can actually lead to lower prices over time.

Technological advancements are continually making these energy sources more efficient and less expensive. So, while demand may increase, prices might not necessarily follow the same trend. In fact, increased demand could drive further innovation and economies of scale, potentially leading to lower prices over time.

It's also worth noting that government policies and regulations can significantly influence energy prices. For example, subsidies can lower the cost of certain energy sources, while taxes or penalties can make others more expensive. Therefore, the actual impact on prices can vary depending on a range of factors.