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Defining limits: Energy constrained economic growth

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  • Nel, Willem P.
  • van Zyl, Gerhardus

Abstract

The historical and deductive merits for an explicit energy-based economic growth formulation are presented. Parameters in the formulation are successfully calibrated to empirical data and a range of forecasts is made for global economic growth potential to 2050, based on a plausible case of energy availability. The results demonstrate the vital importance of energy security and lead to the conclusion that the current socio-economic paradigm may not be sustainable.

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  • Nel, Willem P. & van Zyl, Gerhardus, 2010. "Defining limits: Energy constrained economic growth," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 168-177, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:87:y:2010:i:1:p:168-177
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