Researchers see promise—but also shortcomings—in using real-time data monitoring to encourage people to conserve scarce resources. Sam Ori is the executive director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Real-time data and monitoring technology informs and improves so many aspects of our daily lives—from sensors that avoid a collision before drivers can respond, to smartwatches that can detect when we’ve been in an accident and call for help.

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