Jevons’ Paradox and Efficient Irrigation Technology

Louis Sears, Joseph Caparelli, Clouse Lee, Devon Pan, Gillian Strandberg, Linh Vuu and C.-Y. Cynthia Lin Lawell
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Louis Sears: Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Joseph Caparelli: Computing and Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Clouse Lee: Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Devon Pan: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Gillian Strandberg: Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Linh Vuu: Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Water is one of our world’s most essential natural resources, but it is also a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce. The agricultural use of groundwater is particularly important to manage sustainably and well. However, popular and well-intentioned water conservation and management policies, including those that encourage the adoption of more efficient irrigation technology, may have unintended and possibly perverse consequences if policy-makers do not account for water users’ behavioral responses to their policies. In particular, a Jevons’ Paradox may arise, whereby a technology that enhances the efficiency of using a natural resource does not necessarily lead to less consumption of that resource. In this paper, we discuss efficient irrigation technology, Jevons’ Paradox, and the possible perverse consequences of incentive-based programs for agricultural groundwater conservation.

Keywords: efficient irrigation technology; Jevons’ Paradox; incentive-based conservation programs; agricultural groundwater; perverse consequences; unintended consequences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

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