Pollution for the production of energy
Why save energy?
Energy is the fuel that provides our way of life. Energy provides heating, lighting, movement, etc. It is vital to the functioning of our businesses. Energy is so intertwined with our daily lives that we aren't aware of it anymore. However, the combustion of fossil fuel is producing pollution. And energy is increasingly expensive. The distribution and use are causing political problems around the world.
Limited resources, proven effects
The energy we daily use, is primarily from fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. Their stocks are not inexhaustible and their combustion has harmful effects on our environment. The energy produces pollutants such as CO2, the greenhouse gas which is responsible for global warming.
Challenges for policy
The excessive use of energy (fossil fuels) has clear political implications. Pollution has no borders and overconsumption concerns all mankind. Moreover, energy resources are distributed very unevenly and the gradual depletion of natural resources is a possible cause for conflict.
Getting more expensive all the time?
The supply of fossil fuels is limited, while demand is continuously increasing. The financial consequences of this imbalance are clear: the prices will go up again. With all possible consequences for your household and assets of companies.
The challenge of Kyoto
During the World Convention in Rio in 1992 the world started being aware of climate changes resulting from human activities. Today the international community recognizes its responsibility for this huge environmental problem and the environmental imperative for the damage.
In Rio the big industrialized countries committed themselves to
save energy by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and to limit the emissions to the quantities of the year 1990. The Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997. It has converted this desire into concrete objectives. The protocol has been started on February 16, 2005.
The industrialized countries have accepted to
save energy by reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases globally with 5.5% for the period 2008-2012.
The European Union wanted to go further and committed itself to reduce emissions with 8%. It has divided the load between the various Member States. On March 9, 2007 the signing of a new agreement to reduce overall emissions of the Union with 20% by 2020 followed.
Belgium ratified the Kyoto Protocol and was then committed to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases by 7.5% to reduce the period 2008-2012. This effort is divided among three regions in the country.
Posted on 17/04/2009 16:20:00 By the editorial, last modification on 17/06/2009 15:04:00
