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Jevons Paradox
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradoxFuel efficiency doesn’t necessarily reduce fuel consumption due to demand effects.
Fossil fuel companies know this and it’s disgraceful that they are allowed to promote efficiency efforts as ‘green’ measures.
NickCJ-
Thanks. I understand the concept. But it’s just one factor in many.
Is there any evidence that efficiencies are entirely negated by the rise in demand they trigger? Of course not.
Conservation policies that increase cost of use (such as cap and trade or green taxes) can be used to control the rebound effect.
This shouldn’t be missed.
.... so let’s can the fallacies that keep us feeling comfy whist we fuck things up.
miro_o
Are you saying fuel efficiency makes no difference to net fuel used?
The alternative to altering consumption by cost is through draconian laws (authoritarianism?) or persuasion (presumably via marketing). Marketing would be like swimming up stream because logic and human nature are against you and the audience sophistication is ever increasing. When you stop marketing for a moment normality resumes.
Do you not agree that the uk taxing transport properly would be a driver for positive changes; less private jet travel, more economical flight planning, fewer business or leisure flights, more efficient aircraft technology, less pressure for airport expansions, increased government tax revenue, business conditions where railways, busses and ferries can truly compete.
?