Making it easy: establishing energy efficiency and renewable energy as routine best practice

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511535871.026

23 - Making it easy: establishing energy efficiency and renewable energy as routine best practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 August 2009

Lisa Dilling and

Barbara Farhar

Edited by

Susanne C. Moser and

Lisa Dilling

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Lisa Dilling: Affiliation:
University of Colorado–Boulder
Barbara Farhar: Affiliation:
University of Colorado–Boulder
Susanne C. Moser: Affiliation:
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder
Lisa Dilling: Affiliation:
University of Colorado, Boulder

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Summary

We all depend on energy to meet our basic needs and support our lifestyle. From cars to cell phones to microwave ovens, most products we use require energy. In the United States most of this energy comes from non-renewable and fossil fuel sources (Table 23.1). Interestingly, for more than 30 years, a majority of Americans has stated that they prefer energy-efficient products and renewable energy over other sources of energy (Farhar, 1994; Coburn and Farhar, 2004; Greene, 1998). And yet, products and services often do not reflect those preferences, while energy use continues to rise in the United States. For the most part, energy profligacy – rather than energy efficiency – has been routine in the United States. In the sections below, we discuss some of the reasons for Americans' high energy consumption and the disconnect between expressed wishes and consumption reality. We also show how seamlessly embedding energy efficiency and renewable energy into products and energy services is necessary if society wishes to reduce energy waste as well as greenhouse gas emissions. “Making it easy” for companies and households to use sustainable energy products and services is a critical element of a comprehensive strategy toward greater sustainability. “Making it easy” means investing the resources to make energy-saving and sustainable-energy choices routine through a variety of mechanisms, which we discuss below. If the use of efficiency and renewable energy is made routine, the time spent on potentially complex decisions can be lessened or avoided altogether.

Type: Chapter
Information: Creating a Climate for Change
Communicating Climate Change and Facilitating Social Change
, pp. 359 - 382

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535871.026 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2007

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