Energy Efficiency Improvements and the Jevens Paradox

In 18 65, economist william stanley jevans published a book called the coal question. He argued that innovation an efficiency would actually increase the overall consumption of coal - rather than reducing it. This idea is still very much worth considering when we discuss efficiency gains and policies that are meant to reduce energy use. In modern terms, we describe the process by which potential energy savings can be cut as the re bound effect.