Introduction: Building off observations of political structure and derived stability in the previous paper I will, in this paper, apply lessons learned to the arena of energy policy in both Sweden and South Korea. South Korea and Sweden present the interesting similarity of both being net importers of energy resources and for that reason both having the real incentive of formulating some system of energy self-sufficiency to protect them from the dangers inherent to having an economy dependent on the imports from another country. I will begin with outlining the energy issues and subsequent policies being addressed in each country, followed by an in-depth examination on how the political structure of each country has affected the …show more content…
Sweden: Sweden 's push for energy self-sufficiency began with a public demand for environmentally friendly sources of energy post-World War II. Environmental issues such as acid rain and hydroelectric ecological destruction resulted in a slew of renewable energy subsidies and public investments in the 60 's and 70 's (Silveria, 2002). As seen in the prior study of the countries unicameral legislative reform, it was also this time when Sweden dissolved its formally bicameral legislature in favor of a less rigid unicameral system. During this time, post-1973, Sweden saw a large uptick in the number of bills being passed, included in this was transitory legislation for the promotion of energy self-sufficiency in Sweden (Congelton, 2003). As seen in Fig 1.1, this 1970 's push for environmental protection greatly increased the countries reliance on the development of nuclear energy for a replacement baseline source of energy production in the country. In recent years the energy focus has shifted from nuclear towards the development of solar and wind infrastructure, development which ,due to the high cost of primary investment, requires government subsidies to sustain. In modern days Sweden 's focus on the development of renewable energy can be traced to both ideological and economic roots, its current minority coalition government is comprised in large part of the green party and it 's
The stage for a deeper integration of Renewable Energies in the UK was set by a number of these policies which has evolved over the years. These policies however were not delivering maximum efficiency when compared to other policies in other European countries. For instance, the inefficiency of some of the policy mechanisms when compared to those obtainable in Germany had been severally argued. The Energy White Paper 2003 was largely a response to the future of the UK Energy industry drawing from the failures of these past policy implementations.
Throughout the years, politicians have been reticent to address a grave issue that will soon effect our population as a global entity. The reduction of our carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is an accepted and supported solution to reversing climate change. It is widely known that the burning of fossil fuels causes irreparable damage and irreversible change in regards to the environment, but not enough is being done to take initiative and make changes in the way we obtain our energy. Being that our fossil fuels are finite and only located in certain areas of the world, the burning of coal, oil and natural gas are not sensible solutions to our energy and climate dilemma. A largely controversial “solution” to the global energy and climate crisis is nuclear power; a nearly emission free energy source that has seen success famously in France but makes people hesitant towards after incidents like Fukushima in Japan. In order to weigh the pros and cons of a prospective global giant, one must analyze the energy policies of countries where nuclear energy has been the most prevalent, successful, and disastrous. Despite the recent accident in Japan, which may have been enlarged by outside factors, nuclear energy has proven itself to be an energy source efficient enough to sustain an industrialized nation like France, while drastically cutting carbon emissions simultaneously; which are reasons that support its ability to become a transitional energy in the near future.
The following paper is a comprehensive energy policy platform for a candidate running the 2020 presidential election. This candidate is considered to be a centrist when it comes to energy policy. They have liberal and conservative ideas depending on the issues. Overall, the candidate would like to instate a plan that preserve American energy independence while also becoming a leader in the international green energy market. Cutting taxes for green energy companies, instituting a carbon tax, revitalizing the nuclear energy market and raising CAFE standards for the automotive industry are the cornerstone pieces of this policy. Long term goals include phasing out all coal plants, reducing dependence on natural gas, developing affordable
Benjamin K. Sovacool is the director Danish Center for Energy Technology at the Department of Business Technology and Development and focuses primarily on energy policy and environmental issues. He has explored numerous topics on the connection between energy systems and society and has provided numerous journals analyzing the future of
Since the gasoline and fuel oil shortages of the 1970’s, the topic of renewable energy has been
Renewable energy has currently become a significant aspect in the countries generation, combination, and a constitution focus of government policy for energy, and environmental protection. As a result of public’s growing responsibility for the environment and constantly binding rules, and regulations of emission in the electric power industry, government has facilitated policies to boost the amount of renewable energy in the electricity generation portfolio. Additionally, the generation of electricity from renewable resources creates insufficient, and frequently, zero emissions of pollutants that comes from traditional fossil fuel production technologies. The additional use of renewable energy aids utilities in their emission agreement obligations. Furthermore, the anticipation of agreement with any future carbon emissions management would further toughen the incentive to move towards cleaner electricity creating technologies (Langwith, 2009).
In “Alternative Energy Should Not Be Pursued” the author argues that alternative energy sources are in fact more costly and less efficient than traditional energy sources. Environmentalists and advocates of renewable energy propose that the world can be powered without producing harmful greenhouse gases via renewable resources; but the author argues, with the help of experts Peter Van Doren and Jeremy Taylor, that the higher costs would override any benefits. The United States government has bolstered the renewable energy industry since the 1970s with incentives and subsidies despite there being little to no economic benefit to promoting such types of energy production. The author also seeks to show that this is not a battle between “Big Oil” and an “infant industry,” but this alleged
Energy is more than a utility that keeps the lights on in our homes or the gas in our cars; it’s a foundational resource that plays a key role in a nation’s ability to provided economic opportunity and basic services and security to its people. As such, it is imperative to a nation’s overall security that it develops/acquires access to energy, ensures energy needs are properly met and supplies are readily available, and disruptions minimized. Policy directs that the U.S. has a role in developing energy security throughout the world. For the U.S., we’ve long recognized the importance of energy security and have gone to great lengths to ensure its protection by developing depth and breadth in energy capabilities,
Though the United States has been holding back, several other countries have begun making changes for “scientific uncertainty is no excuse for inaction on an environmental problem,” as stated by a German principle in the 1980s. Later in 1990, Germany added environmental protection in their constitution (John Dryzek, 167). Several other countries have also implemented Green policies and set goals to accomplish in the upcoming years. In Saskatchewan, Canada, the 2009 investment for wind powered renewable energy was reported at $162 billion dollars towards the installation of renewable energy (Garrett Richards, 691). Europe also has allocated $105 billion Euros to “subsidize ‘green’ programmes and infrastructures,” The Renewable Energy industry involves 350,000 jobs and generates 40 billion Euros a year in business, according to Oliver Shafer, the policy director of the Renewable Energy Council in Brussels (Quirin Schiermeier, 264-265). In 2009 when
Specific Speech Goal: Show the importance on why we should change our ways and convert to renewable energy.
Malmo is not only famous for the countless gardens and parks that dot the city. Sustainable urban development is also an outstanding feature. Despite being one of the largest cities in Sweden, there are bike paths in high density; most of the electricity is generated by nuclear and hydroelectric power, contributing to the by Sweden as a leader in green
The Unites States and The People’s Republic of China have been ever growing superpowers on the world scene since the last century. Their economies, military and social policies have been models and adapted by other nations on Earth and their present day influences in these same criteria seem to have no end. The driving force behind China’s industrialization and the United State’s global influence are one in the same; Energy. Both these nations have been fortunate enough through their geological locations to be able to find and harvest different sources of energy to propel their governments, economies, militaries, ect and with the help of harvesting the ingenuity of their respective populations to drive the discovery of more efficient and productive technologies in aspects of economics, home life and energy. This essay will go on to illustrate what energy sources either nations use and why they use them, what sources of energy they are trying to further develop and what sources of energy they import as well as export. Finally, We will touch upon the energy relationship between the US and China and compare this relationship through one or more international relations theories.
Geopolitics has offered changes, the analysis reveals that relationships between energy and nations whose frame work involves strategies and doctrines, contributes to the order in which countries policies operate (lecture 1). The impact energy has on the domestic and foreign policy is
Energy is a critical component for every economy and society around the world. Energy is divided into two groups, nonrenewable (coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear) with a finite amount found around the globe and renewable (hydro, tidal, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass) that are constantly being replenished so that they will never run out (Green Energy Choice, 2011). The international economic impact of renewable energy is explored by examining subsidies, strategic policies, and comparative advantage of renewable energy.
Solar energy: This study was made by (Heikki Keskiväli,2013) Flexible energy management and solar-related business opportunities for households in Finland