Energy, growth, and altruism

Energy conservation is accomplished by removing energy inefficiency, improving the efficiency of our products, or by reorganizing our consumption priorities. These steps are inextricably linked into the realities of labor and capital distribution. Three dilemmas attendant to any major analysis of this situation must be faced: the economic value of energy as related to labor and capital, life-style changes associated with reducing energy consumption, and the energy that would be required by consumers when they redirect their income toward energy saving activities.