The energy sector is one of the columns of growth, competitiveness and development in our modern economy, but just with safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy, the well-being of the people, industry and economy can be ensure. Moreover, energy-related emissions account for almost 80% of the EU´s total greenhouse gas emissions which directly contribute to climate change. Therefore, Europe is facing a serious energy security challenge in supporting its demand, at the same time that concerns over environmental sustainability and particularly about the global climate. The question is: how can we secure, produce and consume our energy resources in a sustainable way and ensuring that socio-economic development does not compromise the carrying capacity of natural resources? Hence, the aim of this paper is to present a global vision of the European energy security and its relation with the sustainable development concerning different green perspectives and its social and environmental costs. 2. THE ENERGY MARKET 2.1 EU-27 Energy Consumption In 2011, gross inland consumption (GIC) of primary energy within the EU-27 was 1698 million tonnes of oil equivalent (1). Having the tendency remained relatively unchanged until 2008, GIC considerably decreased in 2009 (1). Much of this change can be attributed to a lower level of economic activity as a result of the financial and economic crisis, rather than a structural shift in the pattern of energy consumption (2). Indeed, in 2010 there was a rebound in the level of GIC of primary energy in most of the Member States with only Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania and Portugal, possibly reflecting the low level of economic output and consumer confidence in several of these countries. How... ... middle of paper ... ...EA. Energy Security and Climate Policy. Assessing Interactions. Paris : s.n., 2007. 17. Going green & energy security. Molho, Nick. s.l. : The Economist, December 11th 2013. 18. European Council. Presidency Conclusions. Brussels : s.n., 2007. 19. European Commission. Green Paper. Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply. Brussels : s.n., 2001. 20. Green Party. Policies for a Sustainable Society. http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/eu. [Online] Autumn 2013. 21. European Commission. Directorate-General for Energy. Report on the Green Paper on Energy. Four Years of European Initiatives. Brussels : s.n., 2005. 22. Rosenthal, E. Europe Turns to Coal Again, Raising Alarms on CLimate. The New York Times. April 23, 2008. 23. European Commission. Directorate-General for Energy. Energy 2020. 2011. 24. Perce et al. Bluepring for a Green Economy. 1989.
The Industrial Revolution was not only a turning point in the progress of human history, but the start of a great change in the Earth’s environment. Technological advances in industry and mass migration into urban areas led to a rising demand for energy sources, a demand met by fossil fuels. Casper, J. (2010) describes coal as ‘symbolic of the beginning of the Industrial Revolution’, the increased combustion of these ‘dirty’ fossil fuels further polluted the air and enhanced the volume of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Changes in land use attributed to population rise, reduced the amount of photosynthesising biomass on Earth, diminished an important ‘carbon sink’ and concluded to enhance the Greenhouse Effect.
Clynes, Tom. "The Energy 10 STEP TO END AMERICA'S FOSSIL-FUEL ADDICTION." Popular Science. 01 Jul. 2006: 47. eLibrary. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
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The climate changes are one f the main things that all nations all over the world are worried about and try to prevent it. The climate changes include diminishing of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon economy, global warming and collective emission level. The climate changes have been developed thanks to humankind activities hat includes industrialization and other kind of development on technologies. To lower the global warming, greenhouse gas emissions and other climate changes, the EU need to establish greener lifestyle for Europeans that would include greener technologies and lower collective emissions. Making everything much greener can affect positively not only Europeans lifestyle and health but also will boost the economy, create jobs and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Developing policy on climate changes can evoke better situation in all fields that can develop all 28 EU member countries.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, over half of the oil used in the USA is imported. Most of this imported oil is located in the middle east and is controlled by OPEC members. Subsequent oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession (Reduce). We may never be able to fully eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand (Reduce). One way we can reduce our reliance on oil is through investing in renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, and hydro power are all forms of energy which come from renewable resources. Unlike oil, solar, wind and hydro electric power is abundant and can be obtained locally.
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In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
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Global warming is an extremely important and troubling aspect of the world’s current situation. This is due to the fact that the majority of the world’s energy production is from non-renewable energy sources, which are energy sources that either can not be naturally replenished or require thousands of years to be restored. Based on our current energy usage growth rates, there are an estimated 100 years left before our natural resource reserves are exhausted. (Non Renewable Natural Resources: How Much Is Left, Environmental Thinker) China alone consumes nearly as much coal as the combined usage of coal from the rest of the world. (US Energy Information Administration, China Consumes Nearly as Much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined) There is visible evidence of this happening with the increasing pollution levels. Carbon Dioxide and Methane pollution levels in the world reached a record high in 2012 and are 260% higher than the pre-industrial levels. (UN: CO2 Pollution Levels at a Record High, John Heilprin) Converting our world into a more renewable energy dependent society is the most advantageous and likely method for preserving our dwindling fossil fuel supply while also protecting the world that we call home.
In addition to, a huge issue with non-renewable energy is the fact that we get most of it from foreign countries. According to a recent study done by Energy Information Administration, “58% of our petroleum comes from outside the country”, this means as some speculate, that o...
Decentralization of energy system is process of dispersing energy or redistributing energy from central location. [1] Currently, in the world large centralized facilities provide final form of energy from primary energy sources, such as oil refineries and power plants. These plants distribute energy over long distances which effect the overall efficiency. Depending upon different factors like health, environmental and economic etc. energy production systems are built away from the cities or near to the cities. Decentralized energy system not only fulfill rural needs but also able to provide centralized energy production in urban areas. [2]
middle of paper ... ... g the Energy Revolution." Foreign Affairs. Nov/Dec 2010: 111. SIRS Issues Researcher.