A Diffident Approach
•Recommended by some
–Still more improvement in energy efficiency
–Conserve
•This approach is not a solution
–Improving efficiency increases applications
–Counters conservation
–Emissions increase
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Some diffidently propose that we limit greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency and conserving fossil fuel resources. That is a good thing, but experience tells us this approach will not  work.

 It is a fundamental creed of engineers to improve the efficiency of their processes and machines. Efficiency has improved immensely since our use of fossil fuel  began in earnest some 200 years ago. Indeed heat engines have gone from some 1% efficiency then to the near perfection of combined cycle power plants today.

The resultant expanded use of energy has escalated overall emissions. Jevons documented this aspect of energy use in a free society back in 1865 and it is sometimes referred to as Jevons paradox..

This phenomena is so well known that it is hard to understand the emphasis placed on efficiency and conservation in plans to manage greenhouse gases.