Local wave energy estimate ($E_{B_r}(T)\le E_{B_{r+T}}(0)$)

For the unit-speed wave equation, the integral of $(u_t^2+|\nabla u{|}^2)/2$ over $B_r(x_0)$ at time $T\ge 0$ is at most its initial integral over $B_{r+T}(x_0)$. On a shrinking ball the outward energy flux minus the loss from its moving boundary is $-((u_t-{\partial }_{n}u{)}^2+|{\nabla }_{\tan }u{|}^2)/2$, hence nonpositive. This estimate establishes the domain of dependence and finite propagation speed without any assumptions at spatial infinity.