strategy
Shifting from energy-intensive consumption
Synonyms:
Reducing consumption of energy wasteful products Implementation:
Consumer organizations consider it of importance to consumers that appliance and machines are made to operated as efficiently as possible, that homes are well insulated, that cars burn less fuel [etc]. Labour unions could use part of their wage-increase margin for programmes which lower the energy-intensiveness of consumption instead of asking for compensation for higher energy prices because, under many circumstances, efficiency improvements can provide a better standard of living than wage increases. Furthermore, in a number of cases energy-saving measures can lead to the creation of new jobs. Claim:
1. The energy consumed in producing a 12-ounce can of diet soda is 2,200 calories. The total food energy it contains is 1 calorie. The annual per capita consumption of soft drinks in the USA in 1989 was 176 litres (compared with 140 litres of tap water).2. The UN [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] concluded that to stabilize the world climate fossil fuel use needed to be cut by 60%. Say this were done and then say that the world's population shared the remaining fossil fuel equally. Each human being would get to produce 1.69 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually -- which would allow you to drive an average American car nine miles a day. By the time the population increased to 8.5 billion, in about 2025, the limit would be down to six miles a day. Carpooling might leave about three pounds of CO2 left in your daily ration -- enough to run a highly efficient refrigerator. Forget a computer, a TV, a stereo, a stove, a dishwasher, a water heater, a microwave, a water pump, a clock. Forget light bulbs, compact fluorescent or not.
Broader:
Reducing energy consumptionLiving sustainable lifestylesShifting from energy- to information-intensive societies Narrower:
Conserving energy in the household Facilitates:
Reducing fossil fuel useIncreasing energy intensity Facilitated by:
Organizing consumersIncreasing consumer awareness Subjects:
Resources → EnergyAmenities → Consumption
Industry → Products
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
