Brian Cutsinger has done a great job of presenting economic problems that need to be solved.
Basic economics may require knowledge of basic mathematics.
Here is a statement from research scientist Carrie King:Why energy efficiency doesn’t reduce emissions as much as expected,” wall street journalNovember 11, 2024 (print edition):
The idea that increasing efficiency encourages more consumption, rather than less, is known as the Jevons paradox. This paradox is named after the British economist William Stanley Jevons, who first described the problem in his 1865 book The Coal Problem. This paradox challenges the intuitive belief that increased efficiency automatically leads to energy savings.
Critics of Jevons’ ideas often focus on consumer behavior. For example, if you buy a car that uses 50% less fuel per mile, it’s hard to imagine a driver driving 50% more miles. They might drive a little more, but not enough to make a difference.
When considered in context, implicit in King’s statement is the idea that fuel consumption will remain the same even if mileage increases by 50%. Is it true?
Please show us your work.
Note: According to the magazine, King is a research scientist and associate director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.
