Energy as it Relates to the Quality and Style of Life

Abstract

This paper is organized around three tasks: (a) to review the literature on the long- and short-term relationships between energy and the quality of life as measured by commonly used indicators such as health, economic well­ being, crime and suicide statistics, and general satisfaction; (b) to discuss use of the term life-styles as a prelude to discussing the relation between energy, life-styles, and social organization; and (c) to comment on how such understanding is relevant to the development of energy policies that origi­ nate from a user rather than a producer perspective and that are concerned with the purposes for which energy is used to improve the human condition. There are contrary positions that may serve as starting points in our discussions. First, there is the contradiction between the now traditional view that more energy and new sources of energy will improve our lives, and the observation that a decline in the quality of life indicators has accompanied great energy growth. A second contradiction deals with be­