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Improving efficiency doesn't address the problem at all. If you only improve efficiency then consumption grows to negate any gains.
by esailija 5y ago
Improving efficiency doesn't address the problem at all. If you only improve efficiency then consumption grows to negate any gains.
- feanaro 5y agoImproving efficiency means we can at least potentially retain current levels of consumption. Not that this is a particularly good idea but it shows why it is relevant.
- actually_a_dog 5y agoExcept the entire problem is that current levels of consumption are unsustainable.
- feanaro 5y agoThey are unsustainable at current efficiency levels. If things got more efficient, they wouldn't necessarily be unsustainable.
- actually_a_dog 5y agoNo.... the amount of energy consumption is unsustainable at any efficiency level. But, what I think you're saying is that if we can increase efficiency by X%, then we can still sustain current economic output, yes? Well, considering we're 70% over the sustainable level, that means we'd need to get 58% more efficient, with no increase in consumption, in less than 20 years. How likely do you think that is?
- Ygg2 5y agoCitation needed. Our current energy needs could be harvested from the sun exclusively. Cover sahara in solar collection and you satisfying energy requirements of all of humanity, several times over.