Ecological economists have argued that Western countries should move away from the single-minded pursuit of economic growth in order to reduce our carbon emissions and other impacts on local and global ecosystems, and to allow the environmental space for other countries to develop in a more sustainable way. Although this argument is now well-established, this book seeks to go beyond existing literature by examining the links between three issues: history of energy sources, technologies and uses; ecological challenges associated with the current dominant economic growth paradigm; and a future low carbon energy transition to mitigate human-induced climate change.

By charting the historical links between increasing use of fossil fuel energy sources and growth in economic activity, Foxon argues that this close historical link between energy and economic growth, and the political imperative for GDP growth, helps to explain why efforts to reduce global carbon emissions have so far had so little effect. Moreover, despite the new extraction of shale gas in the US, the high energy surplus provided by fossil fuels over the recent centuries seems to be drawing to a close. Because the availability of services provided by the efficient conversion of high quality energy sources is so closely linked to the dominant model of economic growth, the current model of economic growth may not be able to continue into the future.

Providing a historical understanding of the relevant connections between physical, social and economic changes, Energy and Economic Growth enables the reader to better understand the link between their own energy use and global economic and environmental systems, and to be able to ask the right questions of our political and business leaders. It will be of great relevance to students, scholars and policy-makers with an interest in energy, climate change and ecological economics.

Part I: Key issues 1. Introduction – Challenges of climate change and economic growth. 2. What is energy and why is it important for the economy? 3. Assessing the role of energy in long-term industrial change. Part II: Long waves of energy-industrial change 4. Pre-industrial energy systems. 5. The first industrial revolution – water and steam power. 6. Electrification and the rise of oil. 7. Rise of the consumer society. Part III: Implications for economic development 8. Energy and economic growth – a positive feedback system. 9. Insights for a low carbon energy transformation. Part IV: Future challenges 10. Future energy pathways and issues. 11. Economic growth and beyond. 12. Can we rise to the challenge? Reference Index