Question

Improvement in this metric is organized in a hierarchy of four kinds of potential: technical, economic, achievable, and program. Robert Stavins and Adam Jaffe (-5[1])have described the inability of consumers and society to optimize this metric, despite its cost-benefit, as its namesake “gap.” Improvements in this metric counterintuitively cause increases in total usage according to the Jevons (“JEV-ins”) paradox, which is a form (15[1])of the rebound effect. Improvements in this metric, described by the (*) IEA as the “first fuel,” may make upwards of 40 percent of progress toward net zero by 2050. (-5[1])For homes and buildings, (-5[1])this metric can be improved with continuous insulation, (-5[1])heat pumps, (10[1])and products (10[1])approved by the DoE’s (10[1])Energy Star. For 10 points, name this metric defined as the amount of energy services provided per unit of energy consumed. (10[1])■END■ (10[3])

ANSWER: energy efficiency [prompt on energy consumption or energy usage until “consumed” is read]
<VD, Social Science>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Summary

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Elliot RothTufts BClark House23-5
Nathan SheffieldMITBowdoin B6115
William OrrYaleBrandeis A90-5
Selene WuBoston UniversityAmherst94-5
Michael KearneyHarvardClark Wilson102-5
Aalok BhattacharyaBoston College ABowdoin C10410
Michael SunBrandeis BBoston College B10610
Isaac MeredithTufts ABowdoin A11010
Derek FinoClark HouseTufts B13110
Fahian JoyAmherstBoston University13210
Will PulvinoClark WilsonHarvard13210
Jonathan SchnipperBrandeis AYale13210