The Kardashev Scale: A Type I Civilization -- Living in a Planetary Culture

To measure the level of a civilization’s advancement, the Kardashev scale focuses on the amount of energy that a civilization is able to harness. Obviously, the amount of power available to a civilization is linked to how widespread the civilization is (you can’t harness the power of a star if you are confined to your home planet, and you certainly can’t harness the power of a galaxy if you can’t even get out of your solar system). In short, according to the Kardashev scale, Interstellar Travelers = Advanced society.

To learn what it will take for us to reach this level, see:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/10829/

Image source:
http://www.epicwallpapers.net/random-wallpapers/sci-fi-city-wallpaper-1604.html