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Environment & Energy

OKIsItJustMe

(19,938 posts)

1. The truth about “Jevons Paradox”

Reply to GliderGuider (Original post)

Tue Jan 8, 2013, 04:37 PM

Jan 2013

The popular version of “Jevons Paradox” goes like this; a more efficient steam engine led to greater use of steam engines overall, which led to greater use of coal. Therefore improved efficiency leads to greater consumption, not less.

However, the truth of the matter is, Watt’s steam engine was nothing like a minor improvement on Newcomen’s steam engine (like the difference between a Ford Fusion "hybrid" automobile over a conventional Ford Fusion.) Watt’s engine was useful; Newcomen’s was not. The result was “the industrial revolution.”

Watch this video to see why:

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24 replies

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Highlight:

No way out? The double-bind in seeking global prosperity alongside mitigated climate change [View all] GliderGuider Jan 2013 OP

The truth about “Jevons Paradox” OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #1

Are you claiming that this somehow disputes the rebound principle? GliderGuider Jan 2013 #2

The “rebound effect” is real, but its magnitude is exaggerated OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #5

I would invite you to read section 5 of the paper. GliderGuider Jan 2013 #8

Truthfully, telling me that a paper proves (among other things) that the “Jevons Paradox…is real”… OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #10

As I said below, GliderGuider Jan 2013 #11

Whose reasoning is motivated? Mine? Yours? or the author’s? OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #12

Well, I'm not throwing up the impassioned defense, and the author just wrote a paper. GliderGuider Jan 2013 #15

Oh, energy efficiency can’t save civilization by itself OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #16

Mangling Energy Efficiency Economics OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #13

Some Dilemma: Efficient Appliances Use Less Energy, Produce the Same Level of Service with Less… OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #14

Well, just to start.... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #20

You buck the system AldoLeopold Jan 2013 #24

Energy Efficiency is for Real, Energy Rebound a Distraction OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #17

I know exactly how the general public will respond to this... Speck Tater Jan 2013 #3

Of course they will. GliderGuider Jan 2013 #4

But on the other hand, what can we expect? Speck Tater Jan 2013 #6

I doubt the general public would be able to understand this even if they wanted too. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #7

Yes, that's why I posted it here instead of in GD GliderGuider Jan 2013 #9

Prosperity is when everyone has enough to eat, a safe place to sleep... hunter Jan 2013 #18

True that. GliderGuider Jan 2013 #19

I thought prosperity is when everyone within earshot has those things NoOneMan Jan 2013 #21

+1 nt eppur_se_muova Jan 2013 #22

+100 Well said. Starboard Tack Jan 2013 #23