In the article “The Efficiency Dilemma,” David Owens argues
that efforts to increase environmental sustainability through energy efficiency
are not just impossible but actually creates greater problems. Owens wrote the
article in the New Yorker in late 2010. Earlier in that year, the U.S. federal government
had passed new standards for higher fuel economy in vehicles, while the World
Economic Forum had published a report titles “Toward a More Energy Efficient
World.” In general, most people see energy efficiency as a path for reducing
fuel consumption and becoming a greener world. However, Owens worries that
increasing energy efficiency has allowed us to consume so much more that this
new energy consumption offsets and soars higher than our past levels.
Owen’s main argument comes from the 19th Century
British economist William Stanley Jevons and his theory referred to as the Jevons
paradox. Jevons proposes that technological progress meant to increase
efficiency with an energy resource tends to increase instead of decrease the overall
consumption. This reversal of intentions is also named the rebound effect. Owen
notes how this paradox has been present throughout the history of civilization,
and fears that recent trends could lead to environmental hazards.
Owens uses the examples of refrigerators and air
conditioners as to how increased efficiency has led Americans to drastically
increase consumption. To begin with, when a more energy efficient model comes
out, many families still continue using their original model. This means they
are just adding more energy costs to their daily lives. As more households are
able to afford cheaper models, they are then tempted to purchase more
complimentary products; people buy more food for their refrigerator or buy more
items for their home since they can live more comfortably with the AC. Thus
more energy is used to distribute all these products. As a result, this
increased consumption outweighs the initial energy savings.
Throughout his article, Owen looks at the claims of
advocates of energy efficiency. Advocates say the rebound effect exists, but
only in such little numbers that the actual effects are trivial. They also believe
that the decrease in energy’s percentage of GDP proves that we are moving
toward a world less dependent on energy. However, Owen counters the efficiency advocates’
arguments. Owen believes they are not accounting for a variety of factors, such
as that a decrease in carbon emissions in one region can be offset by the
increase in emissions in another. Furthermore, the fact the energy is less of
our GDP means we are actually more dependent on energy than ever; if we
eliminated energy out of our economy, modern life would not exist as we know
it.
Owen also finds it troubling that few people are debating
the effects of energy efficiency and assuming it is the best way to gain
sustainability. Because efficiency doesn’t call for a surrender of comforts
like decreasing fuel emissions or telling consumers to purchase less, no one
argues against it. Owens urges that energy efficiency should not continue to be
given this treatment, and more solutions must come up if we ever wish to
increase environmental sustainability.
I found the article very intriguing to read and logical. I
especially enjoyed learning about the Jevons paradox because it correlated with
past economics classes I have taken. Before reading this, I had always
correlated energy efficiency with automatic environmental benefits, but Owen’s argument
makes me concerned that we must work harder to save the environment. One
possible solution could be combining energy efficiency with smarter
consumption. Government and schools could advocate better consumer habits so we
decrease wasteful consumption. Also, we could encouraging purchasing local
products and food, since transporting these goods would use less energy.
Here are a few interesting links I found if anyone wants to do further reading.
Jevons paradox and Rebound effect on Wikipedia
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