The Jevons Paradox

The Jevons Paradox, named after economist William Stanley Jevons, suggests that as improvements in energy efficiency make the use of a resource cheaper, overall consumption of that resource may actually increase rather than decrease. For example, if cars become more fuel-efficient, people might drive more because it's cheaper per mile, leading to higher total fuel usage. This paradox highlights the complexity of managing resources and suggests that increasing efficiency alone may not lead to reduced consumption or environmental benefits, as the lower costs can encourage greater usage.