EU and US come together to create synergy
November 13, 2009
(2 votes, average: 2 out of 5)
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The European Union and the United States not only share a common past but also have many challenges and opportunities in common in their future. Climate change will not respect borders so tackling it will require a global approach.
Both the EU and the US have recognised this, which is why they have chosen to work together on energy. One good example is the Energy Star programme, which is a voluntary energy labelling programme for office equipment. The Energy Star logo helps consumers to identify office equipment that is energy-efficient. This will save people money and reduce the impact on the environment. As the programme has been such a success, the European Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency agreed this month new, more ambitious, specifications for displays and further criteria for new products are expected soon.
This cooperation will now be taking one step further with the launch of a US-EU Energy Council, which will provide a new framework for deepening the transatlantic dialogue on strategic energy issues of mutual interest. By tackling issues such as the scarcity of fossil fuels or the development of clean energy technologies together, we will be able to find solutions and create opportunities for our businesses.
America and Europe are capable of great feats when they put their heads together. Up until the 19th century the only way to send a message to the other continent was by ship. That is until the first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed in 1858. Whereas before it would take at least 10 days to get something across, it now could be telegraphed over in a matter of minutes. This technological milestone was made possible thanks to efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is only one of the cases where collaboration has paid off to mutual benefit.
The need to work together will again prove to be of great importance because at the upcoming Copenhagen conference in December we have a common message to pass. If the conference is to be a success, the US and the EU will have to be able to find common ground. But if our 19th century ancestors were capable of installing 4,260 kilometres worth of cable across the Atlantic Ocean in order to revolutionise communication, we can hardly afford to be any less ambitious now.
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November 13th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
You say that Europa is going to participate with US in the Energy Star Fraud.
I have never understood the politician lenguage.
Is the lenguage a tool to show reality or to hide reality?
November 14th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I agree
The energy labelling information has been a great success in both EU and USA, and
any part you have played in it should be recognized and thanked
[ My criticism is against energy efficiency bans as made clear in earlier posts on this blog,
and on http://www.ceolas.net/#cc2x ]
As for USA and EU finding common ground for the Copenhagen summit,
unfortunately current Waxman-Markey (House) and Kerry-Boxer (Senate) proposals
looks to emission trading solutions, as already practised in the EU and as set up in the Kyoto agreement.
There are many reasons emission trading does not work, as set out below, based on USA references,
but obviously applicable elsewhere too.
Emission Policy Alternatives
http://www.ceolas.net/#cce1x
Introduction
The need - or not - to deal with emissions
The Overall Picture
Emission sources, land and ocean cycles, agriculture and deforestation
1. Direct Industrial Emission Regulation
Mandated reduction of CO2, monitored like other emission substances
2. Carbon Taxation
Fuel Tax — Emission Tax
3. Emission Trading (Cap and Trade)
Basic Idea — Offsets — Tree Planting — Manufacture Shift — Fair
Trade — Surreal Market — Allowances: Auctions + Hand-Outs –
Allowance Trading — Companies: Business Stability + Cost — In
Conclusion
4. Contracted CO2 Reduction
Private companies compete for contracts to lower CO2 emissions
Why All Energy Efficiency Regulation is Wrong
http://www.ceolas.net/#cc2x
Summary
Politicians don’t object to energy efficiency as it sounds too good to be true. It is.
The Consumer Side
Product Performance — Construction and Appearance
Price Increase — Lack of Actual Savings: Money, Energy or Emissions
Choice and Quality affected
The Manufacturer Side
Meeting Consumer Demand — Green Technology — Green Marketing
The Energy Side
Energy Supply — Energy Security — Cars and Oil Dependence
The Emission Side
Buildings — Industry — Power Stations — Light Bulbs
A New Car Deal for America
All cars available and their emission output lowered
.