What is meant by the rebound effect in the context of sustainability? Again and again one hears that "technological progress will save us" or that "technology will be ready very soon" as excuses for not even trying, live more sustainably. But does the constant technical development with energy-saving light bulbs and ever more fuel-efficient cars really help us out of trouble? Or does the belief that technology will take care of it ensure that we don't have to Environmental problems of our time only get worse and worse? Such thoughts are quite justified: because even if we develop more energy-saving technologies, our everyday lives are nevertheless becoming more and more energy-intensive.
In this article, I will show you why this psychological phenomenon is called the "rebound effect" and how it plays a role in environmental economics and sustainability. I will also discuss how it can be prevented or mitigated. Let's go!
Here is another short Overview about the article for you:
What is the rebound effect?
In environmental economics, the rebound effect (also known as the setback effect) describes the Psychological phenomenon that the savings potential of efficiency improvements is not realized or only partially realized. The main reason for this is the change in usage behavior as a result of higher energy efficiency. People ultimately consume more energy than before, which cancels out (in whole or in part) the original savings.
This effect is real and definitely to be considered in political decisions! Because in the end, you consume more energy through the rebound effect than without the energy efficiency policy. So ignoring this psychological phenomenon would have an accelerating effect on the global warming - and that is the opposite of what an energy efficiency policy aims to achieve.
Direct rebound effect: Demand for a product increases because it can be offered at a lower price due to higher energy efficiency.
Example: energy-saving lamp instead of conventional light bulb. Energy-saving lamps reduce energy costs and are often left on longer precisely because of their lower power consumption. As a result, the energy savings are significantly lower than expected.
Indirect rebound effect: Consumers spend the saved energy costs on other energy-intensive activities.
Example: A consumer invests in an energy-efficient kitchen. From the energy costs saved, he treats himself to a plane trip to the other side of the world.
What does the rebound effect mean in the context of sustainability and environmental protection?
The goal of increasing the energy efficiency of a product is for it to end up consuming less energy in order to save energy costs and protect the environment. In reality, however, it can be observed that the better energy efficiency also results in higher energy consumption. This is the rebound effect - and its connection with economy and ecology can be described wonderfully with two examples.
explained using the example of the light bulb
At the end of the 19th century, the light bulb first found its way into the households of wealthier people. At that time, most of the energy was still converted into heat and only a small part into light. Compared to gas lamps, however, it was already a real advance back then. In the course of time, the glowing carbon filament was replaced by a tungsten filament, which shone much longer and much brighter. The light bulb required only a quarter of the electricity - so it became more efficient. Electric utilities were worried that their business would plummet as households consumed less energy.
Explained using the example of the VW Beetle
In the mid-fifties, a VW Beetle still consumed about 7.5 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. At the end of the 1990s, when the more advanced VW Beatle came onto the market, it consumed almost exactly the same amount of gasoline - despite the 40 years of technical progress that lay in between. Strange, isn't it? But if you dare to make a comparison, you'll see that the VW Beatle has lost its PS value tripled, its maximum speed increased from 110 km/h to 160 km/h and its Weight increased by almost half a ton has.₂
The further development of the VW Beetle shows in an amazing way that the lower consumption exchanged for more power instead of preserving the environmental benefit. An action that is representative of our current way of doing business.
Book Tip: Both examples are wonderfully illustrated in the book "Rethinking our world - an invitation" described by Maja Göpel, which you can save here* can. An absolute recommendation from me!
How can the rebound effect be prevented or contained?
The rebound effect is therefore a massive problem on the way to a more sustainable lifestyle with significantly lower consumption natural resources.
It is clear that each and every one of us has to take care of our own Reduce ecological footprint must. No one has to be afraid of having to "do without everything" in the future. Even with clearly lower resource consumption can lead an equally happy life. Incidentally, the effort to consume as little raw material and energy as possible is called a Sufficiency. But we can, of course, do more than just sweep in front of our own front door.
It also helps, Putting pressure on politics - for example by participating in demonstrations or Self-started or supported online petitions.
The policy can be implemented through a CO2 tax ensure that the energy service, which has now become cheaper due to an increase in efficiency, becomes more expensive so that people once again use it more consciously and sparingly. Likewise, environmental problems such as climate change can be decelerated by CO2 emissions to be capped with political measures or they are to be reduced by a certain date.
Let's not misunderstand each other: Technological progress is something great - and can also ensure more sustainability in our way of life. But to do so, it must be geared toward growing the gross domestic product without exploiting nature in the process. Since ecological consequences have been largely ignored so far, we ourselves have caused the greatest environmental problems of our time.
The Rebound Effect - A Dangerous, Psychological Phenomenon
Our technologies are becoming increasingly efficient - but a Absolute decoupling of economic growth and resource consumption does not take place. On the contrary, resource consumption is increasing and will continue to increase. A change in our way of life is inevitable. Each of us can and must do our part. And that can be done without having to "tighten our belts".
The rebound effect is thus both a phenomenon and a problem. But instead of being afraid of change and high prices, we should rather focus on the fact that it is basically financially profitable to reduce our own resource consumption.
In the end, everyone benefits - not least our own children, grandchildren and all future generations - if we take the rebound effect seriously and take it into account in political as well as economic decisions.
Do you have questions or suggestions about this phenomenon from environmental economics? Then feel free to write me a comment!
Stay sustainable,
PS.: Look at you with pleasure a little bit more in the Environmental Knowledge Blog around! Learn, for example, what is meant by sustainability in the context of the Externalization of environmental costs understands.
References:
₁,₂ Maja Göpel: Unsere Welt neu denken - Eine Einladung, Ullstein Verlag, Berlin, 12th edition 2020, pp. 98 - 105.
