I wonder at what point the relations are so tightly correlated that we can safely say it is causative. At this point, can't we say the link between energy consu

I wonder at what point the relations are so tightly correlated that we can safely say it is causative. At this point, can't we say the link between energy consumption and wealth is pretty much causative. Or at the very least, energy consumption is one of the necessary causative conditions for wealth and rising living standards. From the US to Japan to Germany to China, energy consumption is the most glaring predictor of rising wealth and standards of living. I suspect this is also hold true for India, ASEAN and Africa in the coming decades. Either they are going to start consuming a lot more energy or they are going to be stuck in poverty. I don't see how can justify keeping billions of people in poverty.