Energy as it relates to the quality and style of life. [Review]

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.eg.03.110178.000245· OSTI ID:6586392

Nader, L; Beckerman, S

This paper is organized around three tasks: (a) to review the literature on the long- and short-term relationships between energy and the quality of life as measured by commonly used indicators such as health, economic well-being, crime and suicide statistics, and general satisfaction; (b) to discuss use of the term life-styles as a prelude to discussing the relation between energy, life-styles, and social organization; and (c) to comment on how such understanding is relevant to the development of energy policies that originate from a user rather than a producer perspective and that are concerned with the purposes for which energy is used to improve the human condition. The first and clearest implication of the research reviewed is that there is no evidence that increasing energy use will increase the quality of American life. Both the global and the restricted perspectives show unambiguously that energy consumption and quality of life vary with substantial indpendence, particularly in the so-called ''industrial world.'' Similarly, energy policy grounded in fear of deleterious change in life-styles and options must be informed by a realization of the very wide range of choice of life-styles that is available in any plausible energy future. Further, it is commonplace that individuals are able to change their life-styles with or without a change in energy policy or even a change in level of energy use. 97 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 6586392
• Journal Information: Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN AREDD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
CONSUMPTION RATES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SUPPLIES
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LIFE STYLES
NORTH AMERICA
QUALITY OF LIFE
REVIEWS
SOCIAL IMPACT
USA