Imagine a World...

In a 2007 speech, Amory B. Lovins advocates for 'linked, multiplying solutions' to global problems, envisioning a future where energy efficiency, distributed renewables, and advanced biofuels replace oil, coal, and nuclear power. He describes a world where carbon emissions decline profitably, resource waste is eliminated through biomimicry and integrative engineering, and global stability is achieved through the removal of energy-driven conflicts and the adoption of a resource-efficient human population.

• Lovins proposes a transition to an energy system where oil, coal, and nuclear energy are phased out in favor of lower-cost, lower-risk alternatives including energy efficiency, distributed renewables, combined-heat-and-power, and advanced biofuels that do not use cropland.
• The document envisions a transportation and building sector where cars achieve 120 to 200 mpg, emit only drinking water or nothing, and buildings generate surplus energy to power older, more efficient structures.
• Lovins argues that reducing oil demand and price would have geopolitical benefits, specifically by defunding enemies and undermining corruption and dictatorship in the Middle East.
• The vision includes an industrial shift toward 'integrative engineering and biomimicry' to eliminate waste and a transition to a resource-efficient human population to allow for the recovery of forests, oceans, and wildlife.

APA

Lovins, A. B. (2007). Imagine a World... RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_ImagineAWorldOCR.pdf

Chicago

Lovins, Amory B. Imagine a World... RMI, 2007. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_ImagineAWorldOCR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Lovins |first1=Amory B. |title=Imagine a World... |publisher=RMI |date=8 August 2007 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_ImagineAWorldOCR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{lovins2007imagine, author = {Lovins, Amory B.}, title = {{Imagine a World...}}, publisher = {RMI}, year = {2007}, month = aug, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_ImagineAWorldOCR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }