People’s understanding of energy use and savings could pay large dividends, says a study

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published in the Pr­oceedings of the National Acad­emy of Sciences (PNAS) of the US. Two modes are mainly adopted for energy conservation: curtailment of energy (like tu­rning off lights, driving less) and us­ing more efficient systems (like in­stalling more efficient light bulbs and appliances). An earlier group of re­searchers concluded that efficiency-improving actions generally save more energy than curtailing the use of inefficient equipment. The study published in PNAS, however, says curtailment of energy is the more effective way to conserve energy. Curtailment of energy, more than efficiency, is important to conserve energy “because efficiency improvements almost always involve research, effort, and out-of-pocket costs (eg, buying a new energy-efficient appliance), whereas curtailment may be easier to imagine and incorporate into one’s daily behaviours without any upfront costs”.

Paying more for energy is one way of conserving energy. Another way is to address the issues of climate change. Behavioural intervention is one way to conserve energy. Changes in the lifestyle and behaviour can reduce the emission of climate-changing gases. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide emission is one of the major atmospheric pollutants.

In the case of the US, one estimate predicts the possibility of 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions within 10 years by changing the behaviour pattern of the people. For the stabilisation of carbon dioxide, the cheapest option is curtailing energy related activities and using more efficient systems.

Another important issue the study brought out was our lack of understanding of the science behind energy consumption and effectiveness measures. It cites the example of familiar activities like petrol consumption. People mistakenly believe that petrol consumption decreases linearly rather than non-linearly as the vehicles mileage (in km per litre) increases.

The study, based on public perception of energy use and potential energy savings associated with a variety of activities, devices, and technologies, indicated that we generally have imperfect knowledge of energy use and savings.

For example, participants correctly knew that transporting goods via airplanes consumes more energy than using other modes of transportation. They also knew that the energy difference between trains and ships is small. But they incorrectly knew that trucks consume approximately as much energy as trains and ships. The fact, however, is otherwise; trucks consume 10 times more energy (per tonne-km). Participants believed that making a glass bottle requires less energy than making aluminum can. But that is incorrect; a glass bottle consumes 1.4 times more energy than is used to make aluminum can from virgin materials, 20 times as much energy when recycled materials are used, and making a recycled glass bottle actually requires more energy than making a virgin aluminum can. These examples reflect the role of informed choices in taking right decisions regarding energy-saving behaviours.

People with higher numeracy scores and stronger pro-environmental attitudes have shown more accurate perceptions of energy conservation. “So long as people lack easy access to accurate information about relative effectiveness, they may continue to believe they are doing their part to reduce energy use when they engage in low-effort, low-impact actions instead of focusing on changes that would make a bigger difference”.

Public awareness is essential for successful implementation of energy conservation measures. It varies from country to country. We need not only well intentioned, but also well-informed people. If people are uninformed, the substantial potential of behavioural interventions to reduce energy consumption may go unrealised. zz

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