I want to compare Denmark with our own bio-region statistically, since they are about the same size, both in area and in population. The comment at the end of this article makes a suggestion about bio-regional diversity. Denmark Pop 5.5 million. Land mass Denmark 16,000 sq miles. About the size of Vermont 9,000 sq miles plus NH, 9,300 sq miles. Or bio-regionally speaking, the same size as a box extending 50 miles north and south of Brattleboro (as a hub) and 25 miles either side of it, plus a good chunk of the Berkshires and Western Mass. Population of MA about 6.7 million, pop NH 1.3 million, pop Vermont 600,000 [take out Boston and its metro-zone of about 50 mile radius, and you have about the same population as Denmark]. What I should like the reader to consider are the following statistics about Denmark and compare them with our bio-region. One additional statistic not contained below is that Denmark has an unemployment rate of 2%. 1973 95% reliant on mid-east oil 2010 0% reliant on mid-east oil Until the late 1970s Denmark was almost exclusively dependent on fossil fuels. The 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis were wake-up calls for the country. Working consistently with both the supply and demand structure of the energy-market, Denmark has managed to sustain consistent economic growth while keeping energy consumption nearly neutral. Since 1980 the Danish economy has grown by more than 75 percent in real terms while keeping energy consumption nearly constant and reducing CO2 emissions. This has come about through number of changes: government incentive schemes, including both sticks and carrots promoting renewable energy; cleantech innovations among entrepreneurs as well as established industries and public recognition of the importance of changing energy consumption patterns. On the supply side energy sources have been heavily diversified and now include: wind power (20 % of electricity as of 2009); bio-mass including second generation bio-ethanol; gas from the North Sea and the Continent; the most energy-efficient coal fueled combined heating power plants in the world; and ordinary gasoline fuel mainly used in transportation. On the demand side the Danish society has undergone a fundamental change in its consumption patterns driven by an innovative industrial side, massive investments in cleantech and pricing incentives on energy. The efforts include vast reductions of energy waste in private housing and business facilities not least through efficient lighting and better insulation, and an improving energy efficiency of industry and the agricultural sector. Klein said that Europeans generate about 75 gigawatts, or 10 percent, of their electricity from wind, small hydropower, biomass, solar and geothermal sources. Americans generate about half that amount from renewable sources, or about 3 percent of their overall consumption, he said. In wind power alone, Klein noted, the European Union nations generate about four times more than the United States. Obviously the United States can’t manoeuvre and completely transform its energy policy and use in 35 years, since it lacks the flexibility of small states. Unfortunately if we agree that that is true it will never transform itself. Whereas... I thought the current government were interested in investing (or at least investigating) new energy — and if so, then our bio-region is a good place to initiate it, if Denmark is a fair comparison. Read More ➤ Photo by Vermont Views: Brattleboro not Denmark! But Similar.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 19:51:21 +0000
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