Energy Efficiency Is a Double Edged Sword

A robust global economy, insufficient emission reductions in developed countries and a need for increased energy use will continue to put upward pressure on c o two emissions. The idea that efficiency improvements can actually lead to more overall energy use goes all the way back to the start of the industrial revolution. In 18 65, economist william stanley je s published a book called the coal question, in which he argued that innovation in efficiency would actually increase the overall consumption of coal,. as it had been intended to do. His prediction that efficiency improvements on steam engines would lead to massive economic expansion was very much correct.