How having more stuff is eating up all the gains from being more efficient (Energy useage)

Mother Nature Network ^ | 2-13-2015 | Lloyd Alter

[JoeFromSidney]

Nearly 20 years ago I had a consulting job at a firm in Turkey. They made white goods: washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. They exported their products to Europe, where there was a much bigger market than just Turkey. They explained their R&D problem to me, which was what I was consulting on. European standards for energy consumption, water consumption, noise level, etc., were changed each year. The standards-setting bodies would take the numbers for this year for all the products in those categories sold, and set next year's standards at a level met by (as I recall) 80% of the items sold. The argument was, 80% of the washing machines sold this year met that efficiency level, so don't say you can't meet it next year. The result was to drive consumption of water, electricity, etc., down. The people I was consulting for felt they were on a treadmill. They had to work continually to improve the efficiency of their products.

Good idea, I suppose, but eventually you run into the law of diminishing returns. Marginal improvements in efficiency, coming at ever-higher cost.

[1010RD]

You cannot beat the market.

[1010RD]

Somebody needs to do a study of the guy. If he’s not living in a hut, riding a bicycle instead of a car and relying wholly on solar/wind power, then he’s a hypocrite and just needs to shut up.

I’ll believe all this catastrophism when the rich sell off their jets, yachts and palaces and start building bunkers.

[babyfreep]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM

“Story of Stuff”. This is an old story.

[samtheman]

I’ll believe all this catastrophism when the rich sell off their jets, yachts and palaces and start building bunkers.

Yup.