Sweden vows to be oil-free in 17 years

...without building more nuclear plants. It gives me a measure of comfort knowing that at least some country's governments attempt to do the right thing, even when ours refuses.

It helps that they already use less oil than other European countries (and us), but there are some good ideas here. You see, back in the 70s during the first oil crisis, they LEARNED from it and WORKED with what they learned. Now, from trial and error, they are ahead of the game.

From The Guardian:

The Scandinavian country, which was hard hit by oil price rises in the 1970s, now gets the majority of its electricity from nuclear and hydroelectric power. In 2003, 26% of all energy consumed came from renewables, compared with an EU average of 6%.

Live and learn, live and learn. Meanwhile, the USA quickly forgets the 70s and resumes glugging down the oil like, um, addicts.

How are the Swedes gonna do it?

From the Swedish press via rainforestinfo.org:

Minister for Sustainable Development Mona Sahlin has declared that Sweden is going to become the first country in the world to break the dependence on fossil energy. Sweden will stop using oil by 2020 and eventually the energy supply of the country will be based on renewable energy only.

The goal is to gradually rid the country of gasoline-run cars and oil-heated homes. This is going to be achieved through tax discounts, more efficiency in energy and by large-scale investments in renewable energy and in research. Already next year there will be tax incentives for single family homeowners to switch from oil to renewable energy to heat their homes.

Such financial incentives are already available to libraries, aquatic facilities and hospitals that want to switch to more efficient renewable energy. The expansion of distant heating continues to be an important tool in this process. The Swedish government also wants to make environmental cars more affordable. One of the ways it is doing this is by not subjecting fuel that is free of carbon dioxide to the energy tax or 10 the carbon dioxide
emission tax. Environmental cars will also nol have to pay the congestion tax that will be introduced in Stockholm in January and many municipalities allow free parking for such cars.

Makes sense.

Already in 1990 Swedes implemented a "green tax shift". Taxes on energy and on carbon dioxide emissions were raised, while other taxes, such as those on payroll were decreased by an equivalent amount. Sweden also invested heavily in its cities and towns. Municipalities receive grants to conduct long-term climate research and make investments in environment-friendly technology. Not only has this helped cut local pollution, it has also raised the level of public awareness of environmental issues.

In 1999 a unanimous national goal was established for all the country's major environmental problems to be solved within one generation, by the year 2020. The Swedish Parliament gave unanimous approval to 15 national targets including a phasing out of all use of hazardous chemicals by 2020; ensuring that all lakes and watercourses are ecologically sustainable, their habitats and ecological and water-conserving function preserved; providing a safe and sustainable supply of drinking water and contributing to viable habitats for flora and fauna; pro-lection of the value of forests for biological production, while biological diversity, cultural heritage and recreational assets are safeguarded, and a healthy living environment to be provided by cities and towns where buildings and amenities must be located and designed with sound environmental principles.

There are interim objectives for each target, regional and local objectives to match, and an Environmental Objectives Council to monitor progress towards the goals. Progress is charted through 70 national indicators, which track results and verify whether the country is heading in the right direction.

Theyre gonna do it through commitment and dedication. What makes them different from us? What is holding us back from these obviously healthy choices (besides BushCo)? Why would Americans rather toy with the self destruct button than work to actually maintain a semblance of our current modern lifestyle? Why can't we be like the Swedes...make a goal and stick to it for our own benefit?

We can't wait for our goverment to take the reigns on this topic, no matter how much lip service W gives it. I think the answer for us starts with our own actions home by home, car by car. Sometimes when Im watching HGTV or TLC or any number of those omnipotent home makeover shows, I wish there was at least ONE show that about making our lifestyles more efficient. A home makeover show that transforms your house into a low pollution efficient thing of beauty. Something that will get the Republican/apolitical couch potato Home Depot-ers excited about conservation and efficiency.

Anyway. Im glad Sweden is doing something, at least.