Conflicting Perceptions of Energy's Future Role | 20

ABSTRACT

Views on the future of energy are strongly affected by more general attitudes about the conditions which the world will face and the direction human society should take. In simplified terms, two diametrically opposed world views have tended to influence broad energy policy choices. The inability of the adherents of these views to agree has stymied progress toward solving energy-related problems, and the conflicts that have occurred have nearly poisoned the prospects for compromise in the future. For the sake of comparison and contrast, we might list some of their respective tenets:

“Expansionist” view	“Limited” view
The expanded production of goods and services and the increases in per capita consumption that have characterized western economies since the industrial revolution are good, and they have yet to run their course. The benefits of economic growth have yet to be spread as widely as they might be. While some redirection of effort may be necessary to accommodate such growing problems as environmental degradation and population expansion, no fundamental change is required now.	Expansion has already overshot the ability of the earth to sustain it, and its benefits have been overestimated. Redirection of output, restructuring of production, and redistribution of wealth are urgently required if disaster of various types is to be avoided. Changes in value systems and life-styles are required and can be achieved; these changes demand that new institutions gain ascendance.

“Expansionist” view

“Limited” view

The expanded production of goods and services and the increases in per capita consumption that have characterized western economies since the industrial revolution are good, and they have yet to run their course.

The benefits of economic growth have yet to be spread as widely as they might be.

While some redirection of effort may be necessary to accommodate such growing problems as environmental degradation and population expansion, no fundamental change is required now.

Expansion has already overshot the ability of the earth to sustain it, and its benefits have been overestimated.

Redirection of output, restructuring of production, and redistribution of wealth are urgently required if disaster of various types is to be avoided.

Changes in value systems and life-styles are required and can be achieved; these changes demand that new institutions gain ascendance.