America's Renewable Energy Report Card
gplus

America’s Renewable Energy Report Card

wind generators
Do as the Danes Would do.

Obama said it well last week in Iowa on Earth day “I don’t think we should be followers, I think it’s time for us to lead.” He was referring to America being the leader in renewable energy sources. And currently Denmark is the best example of where the US should be at. Here are some reasons why they are first:

  • They get 20-25% of electricity and heating from renewable energy, mostly biomass, biodegradable waste and wind.
  • That will be 36% by 2025.
  • They build houses with green roofs made from seaweed…enough said.
  • Since 1973, they’ve gone from a 99% dependence on Middle East oil to 0% today. None.

Obama also mentioned that currently America produces less than 3% of it’s electricity from renewable sources, like wind and solar. Danish companies manufacture 40 percent of the world’s supply of wind turbines, as well as having had extensive research programs for decades which provides employment for a good chunk of the population. The people of Denmark are kind of like simpletons. The average Dane only owns one vehicle and a lot of them use public transportation. A majority of them don’t own half the gadgets your every day American has in their house. They use less than half the energy Americans use annually. A fun fact about the Danish is that they are reported, in a social study, to be the happiest people on earth. They have total energy Independence and a great attitude towards sustainability for future generations. I think the US may have a tough time beating them for the top spot! But we can sure try!

Thoughts, Comments, Questions…

JT (423 Posts)

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world. Follow @EnvironmentBlog


Subscribe to our Mailing List
Keep up to date with all that we do at The Environmental Blog. We are always trying to get the best environmental stories, news, and views that you want to read about. So why not stay in touch?

Reasons to JOIN US include:
  • It's absolutely FREE!
  • Get Green Tips You MUST know about.
  • How to's on going green, saving money, and having fun.
  • Keep up-to-date on our posts in cased you missed them.


Your privacy will never be compromised

You Might Like:

  • Savina EUCLID

    I would love to see some of the wealthy simply invest money that they're saving for a rainy day, a new piece of jewelery or for their favorite charity and deposit into America. Either in their hometown or nationwide…

  • toxics

    It seems as though we are in a paradigm shift as the country shifts its priorities. Yes it seems like the worst is over, but investments in future generations are now beginning to take place…this will ultimately lead to a better environment and steady job growth as green technologies become more prevalent. It's time to revive a new effort for electric cars and kick the gasoline habit. What happened to the electric car that GM made back in the 90's…they claimed there was no market for it, so they scrapped it…they could just as easily revive it now and emerge a champion in the US auto industry instead of filing for bankruptcy.

  • Lauren

    WOW… Denmark gets 20-25% electricity from renewable energy… and the United States gets 3%?!? That's crazy.I'm not the most environmentally educated person, but I do think that it is bizarre that the US, such an advanced and developed country, is so far behind its counterparts in terms of environmentally friendly energy.

  • Josh G.

    Well this makes sense since Vestas, the worlds leader of wind power, is a Danish company. They are banking that the US will dive into the wind energy market in a big way with the new Obama administration.In fact, Vestas has a headquarters in Portland, Oregon and several manufacturing facilities in Colorado that are ramping up, even in this recession……the US will catch up…its only a matter of time before we show the world how its done.

  • Fred Smilek

    I've heard though, that wind power is very, very expensive and there is high upkeep costs to them. Is this true?