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Sweden Says Yes to No Oil |
Article by Sam Rawlings from Positive News UK
Sweden has become the first country to pledge a complete abstinence from oil, creating what is being called a 'Green Welfare Society'. By 2020 Sweden aims to become a virtually oil-free economy, a bold step that will require co-operation from individuals and industry alike.
Already one of Europe's leading countries in green energy, Sweden gets 26 per cent of its power from renewable sources compared to the six per cent European average. In the last decade, much of Sweden's domestic heating has been converted to geo-thermal power, harnessing the abundance of natural heat reducing demand for imported fuels.
"A Sweden free of fossil fuels would give us huge advantages, not least by reducing the impact from fluctuations in oil prices," said the Swedish Minister for Sustainable Development, Mona Sahlin. "An increasing number of countries are recognising the problem with fossil fuels. Sweden has the chance to be an international model and a successful factor in export markets for alternative solutions."
The Swedish government hopes to reach its goals through focusing on every aspect of oil consumption. Companies known to produce high carbon emissions will be taxed and subsidies will be available for those wanting to convert to green energy. On a domestic level, those who use cars that run on bio-diesel will be exempt from some motoring taxes, as well as enjoying the benefits of green fuel being cheaper.
Sweden has long held environmental, ethical policies and has been in the process of phasing out nuclear power since 1980. This latest radical step was prompted by the increasing costs of oil and the evergrowing evidence of global warming.
"If we don’t do anything or we wait too long, the transition could be brutal and costly. Then we'll be forced to adapt to circumstances with decreasing room for manoeuvre," said Mona Sahlin. "But if we act with foresight, we could have a smooth process of transition using new, clean, efficient technology and continue our global economic and social progress." Although Sweden is the first to set a target of this enormity, other countries also have long term plans to reduce their consumption of finite resources.
Iceland is planning to convert all its country's vehicles to run on environmentally friendly fuel and the UK aims to receive 10 per cent of its power through renewable means by the year 2012. Modest as some of these pledges are, they show an increasing awareness among governments of the implications of continuing to use fossil fuels – the first step towards an international effort to combat climate change.
Contact: Government Offices of Sweden,
SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden.
Website: www.sweden.gov.se
Tel: + 46 8 405 10 00
Sweden has become the first country to pledge a complete abstinence from oil, creating what is being called a 'Green Welfare Society'. By 2020 Sweden aims to become a virtually oil-free economy, a bold step that will require co-operation from individuals and industry alike.
Already one of Europe's leading countries in green energy, Sweden gets 26 per cent of its power from renewable sources compared to the six per cent European average. In the last decade, much of Sweden's domestic heating has been converted to geo-thermal power, harnessing the abundance of natural heat reducing demand for imported fuels.
"A Sweden free of fossil fuels would give us huge advantages, not least by reducing the impact from fluctuations in oil prices," said the Swedish Minister for Sustainable Development, Mona Sahlin. "An increasing number of countries are recognising the problem with fossil fuels. Sweden has the chance to be an international model and a successful factor in export markets for alternative solutions."
The Swedish government hopes to reach its goals through focusing on every aspect of oil consumption. Companies known to produce high carbon emissions will be taxed and subsidies will be available for those wanting to convert to green energy. On a domestic level, those who use cars that run on bio-diesel will be exempt from some motoring taxes, as well as enjoying the benefits of green fuel being cheaper.
Sweden has long held environmental, ethical policies and has been in the process of phasing out nuclear power since 1980. This latest radical step was prompted by the increasing costs of oil and the evergrowing evidence of global warming.
"If we don’t do anything or we wait too long, the transition could be brutal and costly. Then we'll be forced to adapt to circumstances with decreasing room for manoeuvre," said Mona Sahlin. "But if we act with foresight, we could have a smooth process of transition using new, clean, efficient technology and continue our global economic and social progress." Although Sweden is the first to set a target of this enormity, other countries also have long term plans to reduce their consumption of finite resources.
Iceland is planning to convert all its country's vehicles to run on environmentally friendly fuel and the UK aims to receive 10 per cent of its power through renewable means by the year 2012. Modest as some of these pledges are, they show an increasing awareness among governments of the implications of continuing to use fossil fuels – the first step towards an international effort to combat climate change.
Contact: Government Offices of Sweden,
SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden.
Website: www.sweden.gov.se
Tel: + 46 8 405 10 00
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