Comments on: Learn from the Swedes http://www.amrelbeleidy.com/2009/06/learn-from-the-swedes/ Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:02:42 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: admin http://www.amrelbeleidy.com/2009/06/learn-from-the-swedes/comment-page-1/#comment-123 admin Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:03:06 +0000 http://www.amrelbeleidy.com/?p=146#comment-123 Yes, Sweden might have an above average energy consumption per capita, but that is mainly due to the cold weather. What we need to look at is not consumption, it is ok to consume more, what matters is where your energy is coming from. Sweden gets most of its electricity out of hydro and nuclear power. In fact even though it's consumption is higher it's emissions per capita are lower than the EU-25 average. There have also been suggestions to phase out gasoline powered cars by 2025. The fact is that Sweden is actually walking in the right direction, not just talking. They are investing in renewables and energy efficiency. They are definitely working on decreasing their carbon footprint. If you take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_greenhouse_gas_emissions_per_capita you will find that Sweden ranks 56th in green house emissions per capita, which is very good for a developed country. In contrast the UK stands at 36th and Japan 37th. Yes, Sweden might have an above average energy consumption per capita, but that is mainly due to the cold weather. What we need to look at is not consumption, it is ok to consume more, what matters is where your energy is coming from. Sweden gets most of its electricity out of hydro and nuclear power. In fact even though it’s consumption is higher it’s emissions per capita are lower than the EU-25 average. There have also been suggestions to phase out gasoline powered cars by 2025. The fact is that Sweden is actually walking in the right direction, not just talking. They are investing in renewables and energy efficiency. They are definitely working on decreasing their carbon footprint.

If you take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_greenhouse_gas_emissions_per_capita you will find that Sweden ranks 56th in green house emissions per capita, which is very good for a developed country. In contrast the UK stands at 36th and Japan 37th.

]]> By: Tarek Shalaby http://www.amrelbeleidy.com/2009/06/learn-from-the-swedes/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Tarek Shalaby Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:40:17 +0000 http://www.amrelbeleidy.com/?p=146#comment-122 It's true that the Scandinavians are ahead of the rest of Europe in a number of things. But while they've been taking good care of the environment, how have they been using their resources? What I means is, it is easy to take superficial steps towards a greener planet, but I think it's more complicated to reduce consumption, for example, so that you can help fight poverty and other problems world-wide. If you look at the total energy consumption per capita: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_energy_consumption_per_capita You'll see that Sweden is one of the 15 countries that most consume energy, surprisingly more than countries like the UK and Japan. And with the lack of resources available, this is a serious issue. That is why I think it's easy to talk about making this world a better place, but it is much more difficult to walk the walk. It’s true that the Scandinavians are ahead of the rest of Europe in a number of things. But while they’ve been taking good care of the environment, how have they been using their resources? What I means is, it is easy to take superficial steps towards a greener planet, but I think it’s more complicated to reduce consumption, for example, so that you can help fight poverty and other problems world-wide.

If you look at the total energy consumption per capita:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_energy_consumption_per_capita
You’ll see that Sweden is one of the 15 countries that most consume energy, surprisingly more than countries like the UK and Japan. And with the lack of resources available, this is a serious issue.

That is why I think it’s easy to talk about making this world a better place, but it is much more difficult to walk the walk.

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