The United States continues to lag behind leading countries in pushing aggressive environmental programs to reduce pollutants and garbage. Two stories this week highlight the sharp and disappointing contrast. In Sweden, the government has made an incredible leap in reducing household garbage and appears close to attaining the impossible: a zero waste national objective for landfills. Currently, less than one percent of Sweden household garbage ends up in landfills. In the meantime, Germany (which continues to outstrip the U.S. on green policies while continuing strong economic growth) has announced that it will add one million electric cars on the road by 2030 and expects to drop greenhouse emissions from transportation by 26 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.
Sweden has had astonishing success in reducing landfill waste which is notoriously bad for the environment from residual ground and air pollution as well as the failure to fully recycle trash. The Swedish government has pushed the concept of garbage as a commodity for recycling or fuel production. Swedish families now Produce just 461 kilograms of waste which is slightly below the half-ton European average, but the country does an amazing job in managing the trash.
One of the biggest reasons for the low level of landfill use is a law that I have often spoken about in some countries. In Sweden, producers are responsible for handling all costs related to collection and recycling or disposal of their products. This gives companies an incentive to reduce packaging and increase recycling.
As for Germany, we have previously discussed the incredible achievements of that country in alternative energy sources. Merkel’s government has now announced the plan to have the million electric cars on the road by 2020 and set the 26 percent drop as the goal. Germany is making these achievements while maintaining one of the strongest economies in the world.
These laws of course have the obvious value of not just reducing greenhouse gases but reducing pollution and improving public health. The garbage rules also force greater cost internalization for manufacturers rather than to allow them to simply externalize the costs of packaging and pollution.
Actually, electric cars are not yet very practical for long distances. You can drive a few hundred miles, and then take all night to recharge before you can go a few hundred more miles. With a super duper charger and the right batteries, it can still take about an hour to recharge. Sooo, that puts you at drive 2 hours, recharge an hour, drive two hours, recharge an hour.
That might work out in a smaller metropolitan areas. But in Texas, you can put a hundred miles on your car running a couple of errands. IMHO.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl reporter
Elaine M
Max or max?
I rather think its that “why ” chromosome that’s the problem…
… Always a why with no reasoning.
EU as a WHOLE is tackling Pollution, Climate… Emissions….
So, to say that this won’t work in the USA, because of geographical or population size is just an UNREASONABLE excuse….
If the EU can do it, so can the USA….
Hmmmm, wondering, do gas stations have charging stations, or are they completely separate? I can see oil/gas barons wouldn’t be in favor of electric cars.
Raff yep, the more demand for it them the more they will be accepted, the more likely gas stations will install charging stations. I don’t understand the “can’t” mentality.
Annie,
I agree that electric cars are not only possible here, they are here. Just ask Tesla. They are in the process of installing coast to coast charging stations and with battery technology improving daily, the distance should not be a problem.
Why Sandi Hemming? Gives examples of why it wouldn’t work because we are a large country. Why aren’t electric cars possible in CA or Texas, just size again? I’m curious to know what concrete reasons who have for saying so. Saying we’re too large just doesn’t cut it.
We are a much larger, physically, country than Germany or Sweden. The states should be in charge of everything. Recycling, providing places to take garbage for composting. Electric cars are just not possible in CA or TX. Americans use cars for all travel. Europe has an incredible rail system, but let’s face it we are too big. Comparisons to small countries is unfair.
What AY said !
Is it my imagination or is someone being uncivil and I should notify the professor at once.
max,
It must be because we women lack a “y” chromosome that we don’t understand things as well as the fellas.
Hey girls. It seems as it we’re of no consequence. Especially if we’re of the “liberal, nanny state” persuasion.
Argument is futile, links are pointless, discussion is brushed off.
JAG,
There are Neo-Nazis everywhere!
So it goes. When some people can’t stand the heat, they decide to get out of the kitchen.
Hehe Maxcat.
Justagurl, we can all stop discussing this now cuz, someone said “We’re done”. 😀
Elaine… Just so you know.. be really careful of the articles… there are a LOT of them out there that LOOK OK…. But, are written by Neo-Nazi’s… 🙂
Nah, they’re women..they don’t understand anything. I include myself.
“I always question numbers from Sweden.” The JAG, we’re done on this topic.
Do any of you women understand ETHNICITY??
JAG, I know many Muslims. I was introduced to Islam when I worked @ Leavenworth in the mid 70’s. Spreading their faith is an integral part of the religion, as it is to varying degrees of all organized religions. You have been evangelized by Christians because you grew up and lived in the US. If you lived in Africa or the Middle East it would be Muslims trying to get you to convert. Ask Merriam Ibrahim. She was nearly executed for not converting. She gave birth to a child, shackled in a Sudanese prison. Bring your A game JAG, you’re not arguing w/ a ham n’ egger.
I always question numbers from Sweden as for ONE thing… WE do NOT take RACIAL Statistics….
and secondly… we have a LOT of people of Mixed race… Swedish / Iraqi …. They would count as a SWEDE….
also it says FOREIGN BORN….
If an Iraqi couple has a child, that child will be BORN in Sweden….
see how easy it is now to mix these stats ….