Debunking Chris Huhnes paean to growth | @guardianletters

#Energy

There are at least four problems with Chris Huhnes paean to growth (Comment, 25 August). First, he fails to distinguish between relatively and absolutely decoupling energy use and economic growth. Energy intensity per unit of growth is indeed decreasing, but overall final energy consumption in the UK is increasing from 148.6m tonnes of oil equivalent in 1988 (Huhnes preferred date benchmark) to 154.8m toe in 2008 (Decc figures).

Second, he conveniently skates over the outsourcing of UK energy use to other countries. According to the US Energy Information Administration, global energy demand will increase from 524 quadrillion British thermal units in 2010 to 820 quadrillion Btu in 2040 a 30-year increase of 56%.

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