From paradox to policy: the problem of energy resource conservation in Britain and America, 1865-1981

Thesis

The idea that we can 'save energy' has become a commonplace homily. But with a moment's reflection it is clear there is nothing self-evident about saving energy. Do we save fuel or a system’s ability to 'do work'? Do we conserve for perpetuity or to prolong use? Is the motivation resource economy, scarcity, productivity, or - more recently - climate change mitigation? And what stops the fruits of individual parsimony being consumed elsewhere? This thesis offers a history of the idea that w...

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Authors: Turnbull, T

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: energy geography; systems theory; energy history; resource geography; energy conservation
• Subjects: resource geography; Historical geography; history of science