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Baraka_Guru · 05-01-2011, 06:46 AM

There are countries that will be considered either role models or guinea pigs.

Look at some of the things being done in places like Germany, India, and China. Germany has long been on the vanguard in terms of development and technology, and their policies and development regarding energy and conservation is no exception. The latter two have both good practices and horrific track records. The bittersweet reality is that renewable energy is viewed as essential based on their high populations and continuing move towards becoming developed nations.

Germany is interesting to look at as a whole, for our own purposes, as a developed nation transitioning to a sustainable society. They are considered a leader in green energy. Of course, they haven't done this without any criticism. What they do is they set goals and try to achieve them. Even if they don't hit their targets, they make progress and learn from the experience. This is a new frontier, and I commend Germany for taking the risks associated with transitioning their entire economy towards sustainability. By taking the risks and learning how to find a balance between what works and what the people don't want is what more nations should be doing.

Have a look at this Wiki regarding what they've accomplished: Renewable energy in Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some highlights:

The share of electricity produced from renewable energy in Germany has increased from 6.3% of the national total in 2000 to about 16.1% in 2009.
In 2010 nearly 17% of Germany's electricity supply was produced from renewable energy sources, more than the 2010 contribution of gas fired power plants.
Every third solar panel and every second wind rotor [used worldwide] is made in Germany, and German turbines and generators used in hydro energy generation are among the most popular worldwide.

And with regard to conservation, Germany is also a big player in zero-energy buildings, including the passive house (Passivhaus) concept. And, of course, there is the highly desirable energy-plus-house concept, which produces more renewable energy than it consumes.

05-01-2011, 06:46 AM	#23 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	There are countries that will be considered either role models or guinea pigs. Look at some of the things being done in places like Germany, India, and China. Germany has long been on the vanguard in terms of development and technology, and their policies and development regarding energy and conservation is no exception. The latter two have both good practices and horrific track records. The bittersweet reality is that renewable energy is viewed as essential based on their high populations and continuing move towards becoming developed nations. Germany is interesting to look at as a whole, for our own purposes, as a developed nation transitioning to a sustainable society. They are considered a leader in green energy. Of course, they haven't done this without any criticism. What they do is they set goals and try to achieve them. Even if they don't hit their targets, they make progress and learn from the experience. This is a new frontier, and I commend Germany for taking the risks associated with transitioning their entire economy towards sustainability. By taking the risks and learning how to find a balance between what works and what the people don't want is what more nations should be doing. Have a look at this Wiki regarding what they've accomplished: Renewable energy in Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Some highlights: The share of electricity produced from renewable energy in Germany has increased from 6.3% of the national total in 2000 to about 16.1% in 2009. In 2010 nearly 17% of Germany's electricity supply was produced from renewable energy sources, more than the 2010 contribution of gas fired power plants. Every third solar panel and every second wind rotor [used worldwide] is made in Germany, and German turbines and generators used in hydro energy generation are among the most popular worldwide. And with regard to conservation, Germany is also a big player in zero-energy buildings, including the passive house (Passivhaus) concept. And, of course, there is the highly desirable energy-plus-house concept, which produces more renewable energy than it consumes. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 05-01-2011 at 06:52 AM..