In 1865 one British economist pointed out that energy efficiency didn’t reduce energy consumption – it increased it. As energy became cheaper people used more of it for a broader array of applications. Clive Thompson writing about a new book titled The Conundrum points out some of the ways this backlash effect has occurred in recent history:

• The increase in the efficiency of automobile engines brought about demand for larger cars with more electronic sensors.
• The decrease in the cost of lighting meant that we just stuffed lights into damned near everything, including sneakers.
• The increase in the efficiency of air-conditioners just made air-conditioning the norm.

To read other examples, what this says about sustainability, and why this might be more of a critique on growth rather than a critique of energy efficiency click here.

Source: Wired