EU Energy Strategy Beats US Energy Tragedy
Posted by feww on July 15, 2008
As the 27-nation EU bloc declare their support for eco-friendly products and technology, and propose to cut energy consumption, the US opts for offshore drilling.
France’s Ecology Minister told EU energy ministers in Paris last week that energy efficiency has become the “keystone” in EU energy strategy.
The EU Commission’s “action plan on sustainable industrial policy and on sustainable consumption and production” is part of that startegy.
“There will be proposals on green public procurement, as well as widening the scope of the existing directive on eco-design to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings, and the scope of rules on eco-labeling will be widened,” a Commission spokesperson said.
The EU bloc is 63 percent more populated than the US, but uses less than a half of the per capita energy and produces 46 percent less CO2. [Sources: EIA, US Census Bureau, BP]
So, which one of the two “super states” has a smarter energy strategy, EU or the US?
Hint: You don’t need a Ouija board to work that out!
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feww said
xichibi Says:
“Declaring support for ‘green’ solutions to climate change is one thing; actually defeating climate change is another.”
You mean Dr. Frankenstein killing his own monster, “UX?”
“The EU signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but didn’t follow through.”
The United States has not ratified the treaty. Is that a free ride? Is that something to be smug about?
“And the EU is much smaller and more densely populated than the United States.”
EU-27 is about half the size of this country, the US, and 63 percent more populated. The application of determiner “much” is an overkill and a hysterical reaction.
“Europeans don’t have to use as much gasoline/petrol as Americans,”
Where in the “Ten Commandments” says “thou shalt wallow in gasoline/petrol, like hippos in the mud?” Just because our misguided, unsustainable lifestyles demand more and more gasoline/petrol, it doesn’t mean we are entitled to destroy the planet’s ecosystems much faster than everyone else!
“The United States should strive to be ‘greener’ though.”
Nothing short of a “radical” change in the system of economy [and hence our lifestyle] can save this country and rest of the world.
“One more thing, the EU is not a superstate yet. Although moving in that direction, the EU is not currently a state or country, and is not set to become a nation soon.”
See quotation marks!
286w said
Of course, if the Europeans really wanted a good energy policy, they could reduce their total energy consumption to 4.25 quads and make a difference!
http://edro.wordpress.com/energy/
xichibi said
Declaring support for ‘green’ solutions to climate change is one thing; actually defeating climate change is another. The EU signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but didn’t follow through. So they didn’t keep their word. Not something to be too smug about. And the EU is much smaller and more densely populated than the United States. Europeans don’t have to use as much gasoline/petrol as Americans, and much of Europe’s coal has been already used. The United States should strive to be ‘greener’ though.
One more thing, the EU is not a superstate yet. Although moving in that direction, the EU is not currently a state or country, and is not set to become a nation soon.
History: The Roadmap to the Future.