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How effective is
energy efficiency improvement as a means of reducing overall use and
emissions? The track record indicates emissions they actually increase . How can that be?
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The cost
reduction resulting from efficiency improvement makes energy use affordable
for a greater population. Individuals identify more useful applications of
energy contributing still more to increasing emissions. More energy also
results in more people and overall emissions increase again.
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Until recently I
thought this phenomena was as universally known and appreciated as the wheel.
Apparently it was actually documented
back in 1865 and is known as Jevons paradox.
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I have some
recent personal experience with this. Our household took on the One Tonne
Challenge early in 2003, installing some 40 plus fluorescent bulbs, dimmers,
timers, and motion detection switches.
Our emissions, particularly from electricity, went up the next year.
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I suspect my
wife countered any savings with those perverse water cooler/heaters
and some new light fixtures.
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Energy
efficiency improvement is not a stand
alone way to control greenhouse gas emissions long term and thus does not
qualify as sustainable greenhouse gas management in the context of this
discussion.
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