A study conducted by economist Benjamin Tal has produced a new term: “the efficiency paradox”. It suggests that as overall energy efficiency of products has improved, consumers have compensated by driving bigger cars and buying more air conditioners and refrigerators. Kind of like gorging on fat-free Snackwells and Diet Coke.
The study's conclusion, that energy efficiency isn't the answer to climate concerns, seems a bit suspect: after all, there are a lot of reasons Americans are buying bigger gas guzzlers and suburban castles than they did in 1975. It's pretty flimsy to blame improvements in energy efficiency rather than, say, greed. But nonetheless, it's a reminder that consumers can't simply rely on technology to offset their Super-Sized Nike-clad ecological footprints.
Comments (1)
Great blog!
If the economics don't work, recycling efforts won't either.
As our little contribution to make this economics of recycling more appealing, http://LivePaths.com blogs about people and companies that make money selling recycled or reused items, provide green services or help us reduce our dependency on non renewable resources.
Posted by Livepaths | January 4, 2008 7:33 PM
Posted on January 4, 2008 19:33