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Unmasking the Invisible Giant: Energy Efficiency in the Politics of Climate and Energy

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Part of the book series: Energy, Climate and the Environment Series ((ECE))

Abstract

Climate change constraints and ever-increasing global energy requirements can only be reconciled to create global energy security if we can attain energy supply and use patterns that are consistent with progress towards a good life for all. There are two fundamental activities to be undertaken in this endeavour: one relates to energy supply and its climate change impacts (see Chapter 1, pp. 21–22); the other, to energy demand. Every unit of energy supply that is produced cleanly contributes the same amount to the climate change solution as every equivalent unit of energy that, through reduced usage, does not need to be supplied in the first place. When it comes to addressing climate change and therefore securing our energy future, clean energy supply and reduced energy demand are two sides of the same coin.

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© 2012 Mark Lister

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Lister, M. (2012). Unmasking the Invisible Giant: Energy Efficiency in the Politics of Climate and Energy. In: Anceschi, L., Symons, J. (eds) Energy Security in the Era of Climate Change. Energy, Climate and the Environment Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230355361_3

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