Germany has made massive cuts in CO2 emissions as well as leaps in energy efficiency. This isn't all they are doing; the German cabinet has approved a plan to slash CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020. This ridiculously ambitious plan is sure to create some disruptive technology. Sometimes, living in America we feel like California is at the forefront of being green - but somehow European countries (usually lagging a little on technology) have outstripped their American competitors in terms of being green. The EU cut its energy consumption by nearly 2% whereas America, China, and India all increased. Germany dropped a staggering 5%.
Germany, rather than counting on more oil, is realizing that the era of cheap energy is over and the way to economic stability is sustainable energy. Arguable, energy problems are the bane of the American economy, its only weakness.
The business opportunity here is that Germans (already famous for their engineering skills) are now 100% on the energy saving bandwagon. Their research and development firms will globally lead energy reduction initiatives making them a solid investment. Additionally, look to the top German researchers for technologies to emulate and promote here in America (or wherever else you all may live!).
Statistics from BusinessWeek.
Image from The Energy Collective.
2 comments:
Germany allowed their economy correct without a ton of interference. Going through something like that can wake-up and galvanize a people.
Now the rest of Europe and the US needs to catch up.
Excellent Article. I will link to this article from our site. Take some time and check out ICanFreelance.com for any contract law or freelance projects.
Post a Comment