tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post3613345225809611393..comments2024-03-29T05:47:08.860+10:00Comments on in my view ...: growth rates vs consumption ratesobakesanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-27368394698100233482011-10-05T06:53:48.721+10:002011-10-05T06:53:48.721+10:00I think that Cameron is refering to this interesti...I think that Cameron is refering to this interesting thesis:<br /><br />His analysis showed that any economically justified improvements in energy efficiency would in fact stimulate economic growth and increase total energy use. For improvements in energy efficiency to contribute to a reduction in economy-wide energy consumption, the improvement must come at a greater economic cost. Commenting in regard to energy efficiency advocates, he concludes that, "the present high profile of the topic seems to owe more to the current tide of green fervor than to sober consideration of the facts, and the validity and cost of solutions."obakesanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-44167947118089689722011-10-05T06:50:35.077+10:002011-10-05T06:50:35.077+10:00Cameron, thanks for the economists views on this. ...Cameron, thanks for the economists views on this. I guess that its sort of QED even from a physicist perspective that as more work is done that more energy is needed.<br /><br />I wonder how the process of efficiency applies here? Meaning that if we are more efficient we can do more with less energy needs.<br /><br />I think that increases in GDP without additional increases in efficiency are not desirable long term targets if we wish to be sustainable AND manage a growing population.obakesanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743339737847465926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709537690528523236.post-62810550855815273462011-10-04T20:39:42.609+10:002011-10-04T20:39:42.609+10:00Short answer - yes, per capita energy use goes up ...Short answer - yes, per capita energy use goes up real GDP per capita goes up. In fact, some academics have argued that real GDP per capita is the BEST estimate of energy consumption. (Len Brookes first argued this in 1972). <br /><br />The logic goes that we can only increase real GDP per capita by using MORE energy to produce things we couldn't with labour alone. <br /><br />There is simply so substitute for energy in making us more productive.Cameron Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08737859133901303110noreply@blogger.com