Energy efficiency

LESS INTENSE
May 8th 2008

IN WONKISH circles, energy efficiency used to be known as “the fifth
fuel”. Now, most blueprints for tackling climate change assume that
saving energy has a big part to play. A recent report by the McKinsey
Global Institute suggests that energy efficiency alone could get the
world halfway to a greenhouse-gas concentration goal recommended by
many scientists. Even though overall energy use is rising as the global
economy grows, the world is using less energy to generate output;
intensity is falling by 1.5% a year. Price is a big factor. In
countries with higher fuel prices, there is more incentive for
manufacturers and consumers alike to be more energy efficient.
America’s energy intensity was falling by a 0.4% until the oil shock of
1973. It is now falling by 2% a year.

Source:http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11332762