In brief, here's what the Danes are doing:
In 2012, 95 per cent of the legislators from all parties voted to adopt policies which aim at having 100 per cent of all energy consumed coming from renewal sources. Currently 30 per cent of electricity comes from wind power, with a goal of 50 per cent by 2020. And it would seem that they're well on the way: in December 2013 60 per cent came from wind power with some days where 100 cent was.They're opting for green energy as an economic motor: the wind sector has already created 30,000 jobs.
Most conventional electrical plants now have been converted from oil to coal, which will be gradually changed to biogas. Heat from these plants heat houses, while cold water from the sea provides air conditioning.
The big challenge is transport, but the Danes plan on using taxes breaks to favour electric and bio-gaz vehicules. The Metro in Copenhagen has been expanded, and 40 per cent of all travel to work and school is done by bike.
Food for thought, certainlly.
3 comments:
Before you get too gushy about Denmark you might want to read this:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/scandinavian-miracle-brutal-truth-denmark-norway-sweden
Good points--there certainly is a problem of going to biofuel electricity by way of coal, for example. But on the other hand, it is important to have examples of what does work.
So the Danish hog farms are beastly in all senses of the word, but that's true everywhere...and a fight for anothe day.
Mégaporcheries (Huge pig farms) are a serious environmental problem here in Québec too.
Many commenters have said that Guardian article paints too black a picture of the Nordic countries.
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