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Technological Change and the Environment

Arnulf Grubler editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Inc

Published:16th Oct '02

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Technological Change and the Environment cover

Much is written in the popular literature about the current pace of technological change. But do we have enough scientific knowledge about the sources and management of innovation to properly inform policymaking in technology dependent domains such as energy and the environment? While it is agreed that technological change does not 'fall from heaven like autumn leaves,' the theory, data, and models are deficient. The specific mechanisms that govern the rate and direction of inventive activity, the drivers and scope for incremental improvements that occur during technology diffusion, and the spillover effects that cross-fertilize technological innovations remain poorly understood.

In a work that will interest serious readers of history, policy, and economics, the editors and their distinguished contributors offer a unique, single volume overview of the theoretical and empirical work on technological change. Beginning with a survey of existing research, they provide analysis and case studies in contexts such as medicine, agriculture, and power generation, paying particular attention to what technological change means for efficiency, productivity, and reduced environmental impacts. The book includes a historical analysis of technological change, an examination of the overall direction of technological change, and general theories about the sources of change. The contributors empirically test hypotheses of induced innovation and theories of institutional innovation. They propose ways to model induced technological change and evaluate its impact, and they consider issues such as uncertainty in technology returns, technology crossover effects, and clustering. A copublication o Resources for the Future (RFF) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA).

'Contains the most up-to-date and thorough studies on induced technological change. While its emphasis is on the prospects, the expected magnitudes, and costs of carbon reduction, the principles are applicable to the broader field of induced technological change.'
Kenneth J. Arrow, Stanford University, Nobel Laureate in Economics

ISBN: 9781891853463

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 703g

408 pages