Amory Lovins
Drill Rigs and Battleships are the Answer, But What Was the Question?: Oil Efficiency, Economic Rationality, and Security
This paper examines how the efficient use of energy, particularly of oil, can help to create and smooth a transition beyond this one source of energy. It analyzes the dynamics of how the United States used efficiency to improve its oil supply/demand balance throughout the period 1977–1985. The authors explain…
Least-Cost Climatic Stabilization
This paper argues that global warming is not a natural result of normal, optimal economic activity. Rather, it is an artifact of the economically inefficient use of resources, especially energy. Amory Lovins describes advanced technologies for resource efficiency, and proven ways to implement them. These changes can support present or…
If It’s Not Efficient, It’s Not Beautiful
In this brief 1991 article in Fine Homebuilding, Amory Lovins argues that beautiful homes are not only finely crafted and designed, but energy efficient as well. Lovins describes the efficiency measures used to design his own home in Snowmass, CO. These techniques include glazed mirrors, compact fluorescent lights, and superefficient…
Four Revolutions in Electric Efficiency
In this paper from 1990, Amory Lovins discuses four changes impacting electricity demand. He argues that demand for electricity is altered profoundly by new technologies for improved end-use efficiency, new ways to finance and deliver those technologies to customers, cultural change within utilities, and regulatory reforms to reward efficient behavior.
Abating Global Warming for Fun and Profit
In this letter to The Wall Street Journal, Amory Lovins provides a public rebuttal to the prevalent perception that preventing climate change is too expensive to warrant the effort. Lovins argues that inaccurate computer models have created incorrect estimates for the high cost of climate protection. He explains the failure…
