In this interview with Michael Shellenberger, we discuss the impact of Schumpeter’s concept of creative destruction in economic thinking - and specifically in energy. Most crucially we debate the issues surrounding conservation and the use of new oil and gas technologies in the United States and around the world. The central question is whether moving away from coal and into shale - rather than directly into renewables - is a worthy move from an economic as well as environmental point of view. We also discuss the economics of renewables and what economic policy can do to foster cleaner energy and more sustainable development.
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