Efficient energy use and well-being: the Swedish example. [Comparison with USA]
Examination of the energy and GNP statistics for the most industrialized countries indicates a large spread in the ratio of energy use per unit of GNP. This article compares energy use in the United States, one of the countries with a high energy/GNP ratio, with that in Sweden, a country which in 1971 used approximately 60 percent as much energy as the United States to generate each dollar of GNP. Sweden was chosen not only because of its low energy/GNP ratio, but also because the GNP per capita is essentially the same in both countries. Moreover, much of the economic activity and many of the demographic features in Sweden are similar to those in the United States. Thus, evaluating the differences in energy utilization between these two countries may illuminate strategies for saving energy. Studies of energy conservation in the United States indicate that the more important of these strategies, taken together, could reduce energy consumption 25 to 40 percent, while lowering pollution, reducing capital requirements for energy production, and generally raising employment. But the interrelationships among economic inputs (including energy) within an economy are complex. Thus, examination of an economy similar to that of the U.S. but requiring substantially less energy may provide guidance in understanding the total effect of energy conservation. Physical characteristics, economic activity, food, health and education, and conveniences such as appliances and automobiles are indicators that are compared for Sweden and the U.S. Energy consumption in all sectors are compared and some specific data are provided for transportation comparisons. (MCW)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Berkeley
- OSTI ID:
- 7125342
- Journal Information:
- Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 194:4269; ISSN SCIEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
How Sweden holds her energy use near half the U. S. per-capita level
How industrial societies use energy: a comparative analysis
Related Subjects
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EUROPE
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT
HOUSES
INCOME
INDUSTRY
MATHEMATICS
NORTH AMERICA
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SCANDINAVIA
SOCIOLOGY
STATISTICS
SWEDEN
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
USA