Energy Efficiency Merits More than a Nudge

Authors

Michael P. Vandenbergh, Vanderbilt University Law School
Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
Gerald T. Gardner, Univ. of Michigan
Jonathan Gilligan, Dept. of Earth and Environmental, Vanderbilt Univ.
Paul Stern, Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Research Council

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Science

Publication Date

4-2010

ISSN

0036-8075

Page Number

308

Keywords

energy policy, behavioral science, energy efficient technology

Disciplines

Energy and Utilities Law | Environmental Law | Law

Abstract

In their policy forum (Behavior and Energy Policy,” 5 March, p. 1204), H. Allcott and S. Mullainathan identify an important opportunity for reducing energy consumption inexpensively by applying behavioral science. Even larger opportunities can be realized, however, by combining behavioral interventions with other policy tools to address a wider range of behaviors.The field policy experiments cited by the authors use behavioral “nudges” to change home equipment use. The full potential of behavioral interventions comes from inducing people to adopt energy-efficient technology.

Recommended Citation

Michael P. Vandenbergh, Thomas Dietz, Gerald T. Gardner, Jonathan Gilligan, and Paul Stern, Energy Efficiency Merits More than a Nudge, 328 Science. 308 (2010)
Available at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty-publications/1513