Speculation about the Relationship between Renewable Energy and Economic Growth

Abstract:

This paper tries to offer lessons about the very long run aspects of a future economy reliant predominantly on renewable energy sources. The evidence is based on past economies and civilizations and their experiences of economic expansion driven by renewable energy resources. The paper proposes that economies around the world, since antiquity, have managed to survive, and even develop and grow driven by renewable energy sources. Successful long run economic growth depended on sound management of demand, supply and trade of wood fuel. Where governments failed to develop appropriate policies, growth and development was severely constrained. Despite the uncertainty about the future, this paper proposes that researchers start to consider the nature of long run economic growth and appropriate policies within renewable energy systems.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 271-273)
• Pages: 693-699
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.271-273.693
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: Rui Gui Yang, Ping Ping Wang
• Keywords: Economic Growth, Low-Carbon Economy (LCE), Renewable Energy

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