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Energy, Environment and Rationality

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  • Peter James

Abstract

Energy-environment interactions are subject to great uncertainty. When uncertainty is great the perceptions of decision-makers are influenced by their underlying ‘world views’. Three such world views can be identified in recent debates -that of egalitarian greens individualistic entrepreneurs and establishment hierarchies. Each has a different stance on the stability of nature, the best means by which to realise environmental ends and the forms of society which are most compatible with environmental well-being. Energy-environmental policies will only be successful if they take these differences into account. Such policies must meet four basic criteria: the accommodation of alternative viewpoints, cost-effectiveness, maximisation of flexibility and recognition of the value of non-energy benefits. In practice this means a greater reliance on energy efficiency and natural gas and a short-medium downgrading or nuclear power and coal, but with measures to retain them as options for the longer term. Sweden is already following such policies and, as a consequence, will be placed in the next century to either pioneer a new pattern of nuclear development or make a transition to a largely renewable based energy regime.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter James, 1991. "Energy, Environment and Rationality," Energy & Environment, , vol. 2(3), pages 217-234, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:engenv:v:2:y:1991:i:3:p:217-234
    DOI: 10.1177/0958305X9100200301
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