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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 a more efficient way of consuming something leads to its increase in 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 gains tend to increase not decrease fuel use. In regards to [[Electric Vehicles|electric vehicles]], as they are more efficient they will lead to more energy being used, if this energy in the meantime is being generated from the burning of fossil fuels it will lead to increase in emissions. This seemingly paradoxical mechanism, runs contrary to the assumption 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>.''' | '''Better efficiency is fantastic however Jevons paradox occurs when a more efficient way of consuming something leads to its increase in 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 gains tend to increase not decrease fuel use. In regards to [[Electric Vehicles|electric vehicles]], as they are more efficient they will lead to more energy being used, if this energy in the meantime is being generated from the burning of fossil fuels it will lead to increase in emissions. This seemingly paradoxical mechanism, runs contrary to the assumption 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>. | ||