Energy Use: The Human Dimension

Abstract

This book discusses the major social and political components of energy policy. By putting energy in its human context, the report generates new policy options for solving specific energy problems and suggests broad new approaches to energy policy. Commissioned by the Department of Energy, the book demonstrates the folly of making energy decisions without a basic understanding of the continuing social conflict over the nature of energy and the many noneconomic factors that influence its use. It emphasizes the importance of seeing energy problems and solutions in terms of social systems rather than single causes; designing energy systems for adaptability as an alternative to detailed planning; and treating energy policies and programs as the social experiments they are. The contents are: The Human Dimension; Thinking About Energy; Some Barriers to Energy Efficiency; Individuals and Households as Energy Users; Operations and Energy Consumption; Energy Emergencies; Local Energy Action; Conclusions and Recommendations.