Technological Change and the Environment

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).

Arnulf Grubler is senior research scholar in the Transitions to New Technologies Project at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). His books include Technology and Global Change. Nebojsa Nakicenovic is leader of IIASA’s Transitions to New Technologies Project. His previous publications include Diffusion of Technologies and Social Behavior (with Arnulf Grubler). William D. Nordhaus is Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University and a Director on the Resources for the Future Board. His books include Invention, Growth and Welfare; Managing the Global Commons: The Economics of Climate Change; and The Swedish Nuclear Dilemma: Energy and the Environment.