Read the entire piece here The jevons paradox does not condemn ai to be unsustainable Efficiency, when paired with responsibility, can become the strongest force for sustainability we have. When technological advancements improve the efficiency of using a given resource, the overall consumption of that resource often increases rather than decreases. Despite the coal question becoming a bestseller in the 19th century and despite jevons' historic contributions to economics, the jevons paradox was mostly forgotten about in the 20th century. Rebound efects undermine the assumption that improved technical eficiency alone will ensure net reductions in environmental harm.
In short, jevons paradox occurs when improvements in efficiency lead to greater demand for a resource An early example was observed in the context of coal consumption in the 19th century. In 1865, william stanley jevons first described a paradox He maintained that more efficient steam engines would not decrease the use of coal in british factories but would actually increase it.
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