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Jevons Paradox: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Jevons paradox.jpg|alt=More efficiency = more consumption.|thumb|More efficiency = more consumption.]] | [[File:Jevons paradox.jpg|alt=More efficiency = more consumption.|thumb|More efficiency = more consumption.]] | ||
'''Jevons paradox occurs when the efficiency with which a resource is used | '''Jevons paradox occurs when the efficiency with which a resource is used leads to increased demand<ref>Bauer, Diana; Papp, Kathryn (March 18, 2009). "Book Review Perspectives: The Jevons Paradox and the Myth of Resource Efficiency Improvements". ''Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy''. '''5''' (1). doi:10.1080/15487733.2009.11908028.</ref>. For instance, fuel efficiency gain tend to increase not decrease fuel use. This seemingly paradoxical mechanism, runs contrary to the governments and environmentalists initial assumptions that efficiency gains will lower resource consumption<ref>Alcott, Blake (July 2005). "Jevons' paradox". ''Ecological Economics''. '''54''' (1): 9–21. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.03.020. hdl:1942/22574.</ref>.''' | ||
In 1865, the English economist William Stanley Jevons observed that technological improvements that increased the efficiency of coal-use led to the increased consumption of coal in a wide range of industries. He argued that, contrary to common intuition, technological progress could not be relied upon to reduce fuel consumption<ref>Jevons, William Stanley (1866). "VII". ''The Coal Question'' (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan and Company. OCLC 464772008. Retrieved 2008-07-21.</ref>. | In 1865, the English economist William Stanley Jevons observed that technological improvements that increased the efficiency of coal-use led to the increased consumption of coal in a wide range of industries. He argued that, contrary to common intuition, technological progress could not be relied upon to reduce fuel consumption<ref>Jevons, William Stanley (1866). "VII". ''The Coal Question'' (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan and Company. OCLC 464772008. Retrieved 2008-07-21.</ref>. | ||