It feels as though the large majority of clean energy initiatives are about how to generate more clean energy, rather than reducing energy usage in the first place. Do you consider there to be any “low-hanging fruit” for first world countries to reduce their electricity usage, that is not currently being acted upon?
Good question. To reduce energy usage, we either need increased efficiency or simply use less. Appliances and the like have generally improved their energy use, although the turnover for efficiency is often slow. On the other hand, consider refrigerators. They are more efficient, but we now have larger refrigerators, so the efficiency gains are often lost.
As to using less, good luck with that. We generally want more, not less. If we really want to reduce electricity consumption, the best way is likely to tax it in a progressive way. Households or individuals get a certain amount of kwh untaxed, after which the tax goes up quickly. After that, let the market figure it out. Again, good luck with this. Anyone serious about reduced consumption would consider this and then promptly not get elected.
It feels as though the large majority of clean energy initiatives are about how to generate more clean energy, rather than reducing energy usage in the first place. Do you consider there to be any “low-hanging fruit” for first world countries to reduce their electricity usage, that is not currently being acted upon?
Good question. To reduce energy usage, we either need increased efficiency or simply use less. Appliances and the like have generally improved their energy use, although the turnover for efficiency is often slow. On the other hand, consider refrigerators. They are more efficient, but we now have larger refrigerators, so the efficiency gains are often lost.
As to using less, good luck with that. We generally want more, not less. If we really want to reduce electricity consumption, the best way is likely to tax it in a progressive way. Households or individuals get a certain amount of kwh untaxed, after which the tax goes up quickly. After that, let the market figure it out. Again, good luck with this. Anyone serious about reduced consumption would consider this and then promptly not get elected.