Posted on 01/15/2014 10:16:12 AM PST by DeaconBenjamin
The EU's reputation as a model of environmental responsibility may soon be history. The European Commission wants to forgo ambitious climate protection goals and pave the way for fracking.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel blocked stricter exhaust emissions during her re-election campaign to placate domestic automotive manufacturers like Daimler and BMW. This kind of blatant self-interest, EU officials complained at the time, is poisoning the climate.
Now it seems that the climate is no longer of much importance to the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, either. Commission sources have long hinted at a move away from ambitious climate protection goals.
At the request of Commission President José Manuel Barroso, EU member states no longer receive specific guidelines for development of renewable energy. The aim of increasing the share of green energy across the EU to up to 27 percent will hold. As of 2020 at the latest -- when the current commitment to further increase the share of green energy expires -- climate protection in the EU will apparently be pursued on a voluntary basis.
Climate Leaders No More?
With such a policy, the European Union seriously jeopardizinges its global climate leadership role. Back in 2007, the body decided on a climate and energy legislation package known as the "20-20-20" targets, to be fulfilled by 2020. They included:
a 20 percent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions;
raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20 percent;
and a 20 percent improvement in the EU's energy efficiency.
All of the goals were formulated relative to 1990 levels. The targets could be met. But in the future, European climate and energy policy may be limited to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission plans also set no new binding rules for energy efficiency.
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
They realize that it is an economy killer and makes them less competitive with the rest of the world.
How many decades to straighten it all out? Fukashima put the nail in the coffin for Germany with nuke plants. Shut em down now! Is the black forest in danger of being clear cut for wood burning fireplaces? Or are they banned to prevent pollution too.
Their energy policy consists of tightening the noose on Americans. Most Americans don't realize that they are being played.
Possible energy sources for “charging our electric cars.”
Nukes? No way. Remember Fukashima.
Hydro? No absolutely not. Might hurt the spawning grounds of some fish.
Coal? Coal is evil and all production must shut down.
Nat Gas? No way. We must stop all fracking!! Fracking BAD!!
Wind/Solar. Enviros love this but NO WAY will it alone be able to provide all of the power necessary for Americans to live comfortable lives.
Their real goal here might be to force Americans into a corner either by eliminating sources of power or making power so expensive that Americans will be forced to cut back.
Republicans need to run on this message — Democrats and Obama want to make heating your homes very expensive. They also want make food and everything else that we buy unaffordable.
The Democrats and Obama are no friend of the middle class. Examples: Obamacare, energy.
I think we should try using large animals to pull us around in carts. Might work.
Finally, Europe is waking up to reality.
The leader of the Czech Republic way already way ahead of the rest a few years ago.
Liberals always inconsistent or liberals always smacked by reality.
Unfortunately, we all suffer.
Might make more sense to feed them the corn than turn it into ethanol, LOL.
BTTT!
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