Energy Conservation

Carbon dioxide has garnered the most attention in the climate change debate because it accounts for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions. But there is good reason to worry about methane.

Although it is short-lived, methane has more than 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, methane is also the primary component of natural gas and a by-product of decomposition from such common sources as landfills, agricultural activities, and wastewater treatment. Capturing and putting to use methane emissions bring parallel benefits: They help minimize overall methane emissions, and they offer potentially cost-effective energy sources for heating, cooking, and electricity generation—a particular concern in developing countries.

As people around the world prepare for the 42nd annual Earth Day this Sunday, we look back at some of the recent research from RAND's Environment, Energy, and Economic Development program.

RAND analyzes the effects of existing and proposed energy policies on the environment to help lawmakers put policy proposals in context.

Much of the discussion around "Earth Day" events focuses on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and the user—residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation—but not on the purpose for which the energy is consumed. As a result, efforts to conserve energy often target improving the efficiency of current technologies.

However, changing how a service is provided can create opportunities to conserve energy. A new RAND study does just that, using "Energy Services Analysis" to identify and evaluate new ways to reducing energy use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.