In 2013, the estimated world population of 7.14 billion people consumed 13.6 Gtoe of energy (at an average rate of 18.0 TW). Globally, burning of carbon-based fossil fuels supplies over 81% of the energy demand, and hence the prospering industrial societies are responsible for the observed increase in carbon dioxide levels form preindustrial 280 ppm to the record high of 409.5 ppm measured this year. The constantly increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration is highly likely to result in global warming, sea level rise and ocean acidification. To reduce the environmental footprint of modern societies and address the limitations of fossil recourses, the projected increase in global energy demand must go along with the implementation of carbon neutral energy production and carrier systems. In this presentation, the current energy status and future options will be discussed. It will then be concluded with the introduction of some of our research efforts in addressing related energy issues.