Energibesparelser, miljø og velfærd

Abstract. Over the recent 50-100 years, daily life in Europe have changed dramatically with several doubling in generel consumption. Energy has played a central role in this development. It is high time to consider whether this growth in general consumption can go on forever, and, even more important, how far is this growth increasing our welfare at all. How much is enough when it comes to material consumption? How much is best? What are the targets for our societies as well as for our own lives? The question, whether affluent countries must continue to expand consumption, must be seen not only in relation to environmental problems and global inequities, but also in relation to whether Denmark and other affluent countries themselves benefit from increasing consumption. The chapter critically question some of the fundamental dogmas in our present political culture such as technological progress, efficiency and working time, and it presents view points and questions, which can be the base for teaching environment and energy. The article points out a number of paradoxes, for instance that environmental disasters and traffic accidents contribute positively to society's economic growth. On this background energy savings are discussed as a strategy, and the article investigate the possibilities for improving people's health and other life conditions, and at the same time reduce drastically the flow of energy through our economic system, causing various environmental problems, such as climate changes.