A recent report on Treehugger.com finds that the European Union's total gross energy consumption using clean renewables rose to 12.4% by the end of 2010. It may seem like a small number, but that is all of the energy consumed by Europeans: cars, homes, offices, water treatment plants, power plants, etc. The use of "green" electricity rose to 19.8% in 2010. That is nearly a quarter of electrical consumption powered by clean alternatives to fossil fuels.
While it this is a laudable achievement for the Europeans, the rest of the world is still far behind. It would take major - maybe even radical - changes for the rest of us to catch up. That includes the United States. Beyond that, the small percentage raise in total energy usage from 2009 to 2010 (11.5% up to 12.4%) means it would take a much longer time than the 5 years the IEA projects we need to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by in order to stave off disastrous climate change. We need stronger and more significant jumps into producing and consuming clean energy worldwide.
We are getting there, but instead of taking the slow boat to China, let's get on the A-380. It requires bold decision making on the part of world leaders and it demands better ethics and morals from business and energy leaders. We must make the noise that is necessary (peacefully) in order for everything to come together. It's doubtful that we will see the perfect solution come about, compromise will be certain. However, we must ensure our world leaders get the compromise right in developing a clean and livable course for the future of humanity and every other living thing on this planet.
While it this is a laudable achievement for the Europeans, the rest of the world is still far behind. It would take major - maybe even radical - changes for the rest of us to catch up. That includes the United States. Beyond that, the small percentage raise in total energy usage from 2009 to 2010 (11.5% up to 12.4%) means it would take a much longer time than the 5 years the IEA projects we need to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by in order to stave off disastrous climate change. We need stronger and more significant jumps into producing and consuming clean energy worldwide.
We are getting there, but instead of taking the slow boat to China, let's get on the A-380. It requires bold decision making on the part of world leaders and it demands better ethics and morals from business and energy leaders. We must make the noise that is necessary (peacefully) in order for everything to come together. It's doubtful that we will see the perfect solution come about, compromise will be certain. However, we must ensure our world leaders get the compromise right in developing a clean and livable course for the future of humanity and every other living thing on this planet.
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