For years now, climate activists from Al Gore to Leonardo DiCaprio have argued that individual actions like driving more economical cars and using more efficient light bulbs are a crucial element in the effort to address global warming. The United Nations’ climate panel and the International Energy Agency both echo this sentiment, insisting that higher energy efficiency could reduce energy consumption by up to 30% – making improved efficiency an effective remedy for climate change.
几年来，从阿尔·戈尔到莱昂纳多·迪卡普里奥的气候活动家一直宣称像开经济型轿车和使用节能灯泡这样的个人行为在解决全球变暖问题的过程中能起到至关重要的作用。 联合国气候小组和国际能源机构都赞同这种观点，坚持提出高能效可以降低能耗30%之多——提高能效也因此成为控制气候变化的一种有效途径。 但事实果真如此吗？