How Europe can save the world

Summary

The EU has committed to reduce the CO2 emission level 20% by 2020 compared to level in 1990.They start to put more weight in using renewable energy sources such as water (hydropower), solar, air, tidal power and biofuels. The production and use of renewable energy sources has also grown more quickly in recent years due to the EU attempt to decrease the reliance on Middle Eastern oil and Russian gas.
The EU agreed to come up with detailed action and set up several policies to fulfill this commitment. For examples; they immediately work to reduce CO2 emission from cars and by year 2010 every new power station in Europe will follow new regulations in terms of CO2 emission reduction.

The use of renewable energy sources is expected to continue to grow over the next years, while the EU will still rely on non-renewable fuels to meet most of their energy needs. The renewable energy sources are still expensive and can cause several environmental problems, which will present the EU with serious challenges. As an example for such as environmental problem, the mass biofuel farming in the Amazon could accelerate the destruction of the rain forest.

During December, a key meeting will be held by the UN to discuss a possible successor treaty for Kyoto.


Main Ideas

Many alternatives have been introduced in order to renew the energy sources.The EU introduced a lot of actions and policies to prevent the climate change. Furthermore, any new power station in Europe will co-operate with the new regulation. Awareness is expected to increase all over the world in the coming years.


My opinion

Well, although the article is promising to reducing the carbon emissions, I believe that all the countries will face difficulties to use the alternatives fuels or implement the regulations fully due to the current economical crises. Fossil fuel makes much more profits and each country wants to recover their loss. I would end by saying there is a big gap between the reality and the speeches.

Carbon footprint

I measured my carbon footprint at http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/& it was 3.61. The main factors which contributed to my figure were classified as:

a) travel

b) stuff


c) home

My individual carbon footprint is the greenhouse gases emissions that I personally am responsible for. However, companies, institutions, e.g. ADMC, and countries all have carbon footprints.

The UAE's carbon footprint per capita is the highest in the world.

What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint?

I don't spend a lot on consumer goods, or bathroom products.

Travel is the largest contributor to my carbon footprint but I'm not sure what I can do to make meaningful change. Admittedley, I drive a large petrol vehicle but I can't switch to the train here in Abu Dhabi because there aren't any. I could use the bus but I can't see that it would make much difference as my journey to work is only a few minutes. My car has been well serviced and I've had it for 12 years. I suspect it pollutes a lot less than most of the local buses I've seen, which also happen to be very dangerous in my experience.

With regard to food, my diet is extremely healthy and I can't see what I can do to improve it apart, presumably, according to the quiz, from becoming vegetarian. I play football every day, usually eat only twice daily during the week and so I don't over-consume food.

With regard to air travel, I often fly abroad three to four times a year between duties or tourism. At the moment I do my best in the short to reduce my travel.

And as for my home which already constructed with an equipment that’s help to reduce my carbon footprint domestically, I have loft insulation and double glazing etc... Apart from turning off appliances which I am doing already.

And finally, regarding diet, I eat in an extremely healthy way and I really can’t see what I can do to improve it, apart from, according to the quiz anyway, becoming vegan or vegetarian. Furthermore, I usually eat only once daily during the week and I don’t over-consume food.

Reviews of 'An Inconvenient Truth'

A favorable review:

Brandon Fibbs, http://brandonfibbs.com/2006/05/24/an-inconvenient-truth, agrees with Al Gore's opinion about the global warming that has passed the argument stage. Because the fact which scientists are agreed on is that the global warming is a result of different irresponsible activities of human beings. All the photos, charts and the scientific studies praised are believable. The rising levels of the ocean and the ice melting were shown by Al Gore to send us an alert of the danger we are swimming toward. The most freaking things were illustrated by Brandon. At the end he proves that the USA has made things worse and we should stop and work back to the old days.


An unfavorable review:

Scott Nash, http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inconvenient_truth/articles/156 , with a negative opinion says that Al Gore tried to play with people’s emotions by mentioning his son's car accident & his sister's death from lung cancer, in order to express his own life. Furthermore he explored his political ambitions, rather than about global warming by telling jokes in the movie at Bush & the Republicans. In the same review of Scott’s, Eric says that the photographs had been taken many years back in the winter and some others might be taken nowadays in summer.

If I would illustrate my opinion, I would say that Brandon in some points was right and I do agree with him. I strongly would agree with Al Gore about the causes of global warming. But I cannot besure that his intention was not political because he did raise political ambition. He also makes political points and ends by saying only political will can bring about change. Finally I would agree with Eric, because it makes a difference when you take the picture from the summer and winter.