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Problems in the implementation of energy conservation measures. II. Consumer motivation

Abstract

During the course of 1975 a national survey of household attitudes to energy use and conservation was undertaken. The study suggested that while the public are generally in favor of energy conservation, they do not practice it. The study highlighted the need to do more than merely raise the level of awareness of the need for energy conservation. The energy intensive nature of our life-style was identified as a critical constraint on the implementations of effective voluntary energy conservation programs. It was suggested that our pattern of energy use is so deeply embedded in our everyday behaviors that it would take more than the presentation of information to produce the necessary changes in behavior. Some of the problems involved in attempting to motivate the consumer to conserve energy using either an extrinsic or instrinsic motivational approach are explored. A general model of the energy system is employed to illustrate that changes in the informational environment must be accompanied by changes in the institutional environment if pro-conservation attitudes are to be converted into conserving behavior. The case of personal transportation is used to indicate the need for a comprehensive package of measures which not only motivate the consumer but also facilitate  More>>
Authors:
Publication Date:
Oct 15, 1977
Product Type:
Conference
Report Number:
CONF-7705183-
Reference Number:
EDB-80-083775
Resource Relation:
Conference: 3. New Zealand energy conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 12 May 1977; Related Information: In: Proceedings of the third New Zealand energy conference.
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ENERGY CONSERVATION; ATTITUDES; IMPLEMENTATION; NEW ZEALAND; RESIDENTIAL SECTOR; ENERGY CONSUMPTION; BEHAVIOR; HOUSES; INFORMATION; LIFE STYLES; PUBLIC OPINION; AUSTRALASIA; BUILDINGS; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; 320101* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987); 320900 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Education & Public Relations- (1980-)
OSTI ID:
8500609
Research Organizations:
New Zealand Energy Research and Development Committee, Energy Research Group member (New Zealand)
Country of Origin:
New Zealand
Language:
English
Submitting Site:
TIC
Size:
Pages: 9p, Paper 22
Announcement Date:
Aug 01, 1980

Citation Formats

Phillips, P. H. Problems in the implementation of energy conservation measures. II. Consumer motivation. New Zealand: N. p., 1977. Web.
Phillips, P. H. Problems in the implementation of energy conservation measures. II. Consumer motivation. New Zealand.
Phillips, P. H. 1977. "Problems in the implementation of energy conservation measures. II. Consumer motivation." New Zealand.
@misc{etde_8500609,
title = {Problems in the implementation of energy conservation measures. II. Consumer motivation}
author = {Phillips, P. H.}
abstractNote = {During the course of 1975 a national survey of household attitudes to energy use and conservation was undertaken. The study suggested that while the public are generally in favor of energy conservation, they do not practice it. The study highlighted the need to do more than merely raise the level of awareness of the need for energy conservation. The energy intensive nature of our life-style was identified as a critical constraint on the implementations of effective voluntary energy conservation programs. It was suggested that our pattern of energy use is so deeply embedded in our everyday behaviors that it would take more than the presentation of information to produce the necessary changes in behavior. Some of the problems involved in attempting to motivate the consumer to conserve energy using either an extrinsic or instrinsic motivational approach are explored. A general model of the energy system is employed to illustrate that changes in the informational environment must be accompanied by changes in the institutional environment if pro-conservation attitudes are to be converted into conserving behavior. The case of personal transportation is used to indicate the need for a comprehensive package of measures which not only motivate the consumer but also facilitate and reinforce positive behavior if the dual goals of satisfying personal mobility needs and energy conservation are to be satisfied.}
place = {New Zealand}
year = {1977}
month = {Oct}
}