The Jevons paradox and the myth of resource efficiency improvements, Earthscan Research Editions, London, Sterling VA

摘要

Understanding the Jevons paradox is highly relevant for the sustainability of society and continuation of life. The concept is expressed by Jevons in his 1865 'The Coal Question" book, "It is wholly a confusion of ideas to suppose that the economical use of fuel is equivalent to a diminished consumption. The very contrary is the truth" (Jevons, 1866). As the authors of "The Jevons paradox and the myth of resource efficiency improvements" explain, a large majority of experts and politicians take for granted that efficiency would be an effective policy instrument to reach sustainability. Followers of Jevons develop a different view: energy efficiency can actually lead to an increase in energy use, called a backfire.