Other Countries Like Renewable Sources of Energy Better than America

If you are living in America, you probably have a distorted view of what is happening in other parts of the world, particularly on environmental issues. Elsewhere, the great majority of other nations are working to meet the challenge by utilizing different types of renewable sources of energy. It takes a tremendous, virtually incomprehensible amount of energy to power the world, more so every day.

Some of our leaders understand the problem, and are actually discussing it. Several years ago, though, who would have ever thought that California's governor would be driving a hybrid car? Not only did Schwarzenegger drive a hybrid vehicle, but he passed a three billion dollar solar energy program, making him one of the greenest leaders out there. However when it comes to energy matters, the federal government has been doing a horrible job, especially the Bush administration, and their connections to big oil. They had a difficult time even acknowledging there was even something to be concerned about, much less doing anything about it.

This seems to give a lot of people the idea that things are the same everywhere, but nothing could be further from the truth. It's simply that the United States chooses not to participate. In Australia, for instance, they've declared that by the year 2016 they will be using renewable sources of energy for at least 60% of their energy needs. If America were to take such a huge step, envisage the difference. Consider Germany; they lead nations in solar technology, and wind as well. Germany plans are to have renewable energy as the source for 20 percent of their entire supply of energy by 2020. And how about Norway? Currently 99% of their energy needs are met by renewable energy. They use no oil for this purpose. This has allowed them to become the 3rd biggest exporter of petroleum in the world, while they import none.

Brazil has become South America's clean energy leader, despite their, shall we say, interesting political situation. Ethanol is used for most of the transportation requirements in Brazil, with their aim being to soon run everything a hundred percent ethanol. As ethanol can be made using sugar cane, it costs about half as much as regular petrol. America could save at least 2 trillion dollars each year merely by this one simple step. These are simply some of the clean energy efforts that other nations are making.

Here in the United States, we are the biggest consumers of fossil fuels, and give out far and away the most so-called greenhouse gases. The world can continue doing their part, but without the people in America doing their part, the process is not going to be complete. Until America opens its eyes, and minds, to the problem, there is no hope of putting our wonderful planet back to the natural green state in which we are meant to live.