Energy, labor, and the conserver society

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5352924

Hannon, B

The tenets of energy conservers are seen as promoting a more-rational, less-complex world in which economic stability and equity can be maintained in spite of declining energy consumption. The relationships of capital, labor, and energy are examined in the context of prices, cost, taxes, regulation, and free-market forces. Centralization of production, for example, is energy-inefficient but capital- and labor-efficient, so that rising energy prices should result in a trend toward decentralization. A society choosing to conserve will stress efficiencies based on the second law of thermodynamics and net energy. Change in a conserver society will be slow, with modifications made to existing systems to reduce total energy and keep employment stable. Consumer decisions to make substitutions that are less energy-intensive are calculated for their impact on employment in terms of new jobs created and jobs lost. Tables for the 1950-1973 period show a substitution of energy for labor as wages increased with a result that capital and employment were kept high by low-energy costs. Increases in electricity are found to result in lost jobs in the short term because of the diversion of money. Various activities, such as a switch from beef to vegetable protein diet, are analyzed to illustrate how conservers can set priorities for energy options. Responses can also be prompted by energy taxes and rationing to compensate for individuals who do not take the initiative. (17 references) (DCK)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois, Urbana
• OSTI ID: 5352924
• Journal Information: Technol. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Technol. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 79:5; ISSN TEREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320000 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EFFICIENCY
EMPLOYMENT
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
INCOME
LABOR
NET ENERGY
NORTH AMERICA
PLANNING
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
USA