Save our planet Archives: January 2008

  • Climate and energy: is the package really ambitious enough?

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    Rating: 5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Friday, January 25, 2008 at 09:57
    by Editor (1130 views and 1 comments)

    This week Barroso presented one of his most ambitious proposals to date; a climate and energy package that outlines how Europe can lead in climate protection. But is it really ambitious enough? Here are a few of the package’s key ingredients:

    • A ‘low-carbon Europe’ by 2020: 20% reduction in greenhouse gases; 20% more effective use of energy, and 20% of energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources.
    • The richer the country, the more ambitious the target. Germany will, for example, have to get 18 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020. In comparison poorer country like Malta will only have to achieve 10 %
    • Today emission certificates are basically handed out for free. From 2013 the EU ‘Emission Trading Scheme’ will gradually move to the complete auctioning of emission certificates for some 10,000 energy-intensive plants across Europe - representing around 40% of the EU's total CO2 emissions.
    • No ‘eco dumping’: when importing goods from polluting countries European companies will have to pay extra taxes, if a global agreement on reduction cannot be found.


    Reactions are mixed. Ministers and energy... » read more ...

    Tags: climate change, CO2, environment, renewable energy

  • How many tons of CO2 are you responsible for?

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    Rating: 4.8/5 with 5 votes

    Published Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 15:07
    by Editor (1619 views and 2 comments)

    Most people know that owning a car impacts on the environment – but less are aware that buying new clothes and going out for dinner also result in CO2 pollution.

    The ‘Carbon Footprint Calculator’ is a website that helps you estimate the number of tonnes of CO2 that your lifestyle amounts to. Once your footprint is calculated you can compare it to the average of your country and find out just how sustainable your lifestyle is. The average footprint of people in industrial nations is 11 tonnes. In comparison the world average is 4 tons – and will have to be reduced to half if we are to fight climate change.

    Without doubt the modern way of life is a threat to clean air. The Japanese government has taken action to prevent pollution from consumption. In Japan the law says that the most energy efficient consumer products must be standard within five years. Environmental NGOs have called for the introduction of similar laws in Europe.

    How far should the EU go more to ensure eco-friendly lifestyles? When is a sustainable lifestyle the responsibility of the individual citizen – and when should the EU pass laws?

    Tags: climate change, CO2, consumer