EU energy independence

The question:
“What are your solutions for assuring Europe’s independence in terms of energy supply?”

The response, from Philippe Lamberts, European Green Party:

“Assuring energy independence, now there is a European Union-sized challenge. Each stage… taken individually… we won’t make it. We really have to get together on this, have a single integrated energy policy to succeed.
“So, what are the composite parts of these energy policies? Renewables are one of the three big pillars of an energy policy which lets us truly assure our independence. The sun and the wind are resources we have direct access to.
“It’s not about oil, which we have to import. It’s not about uranium, which we have to import. It’s about a resource that is available for Europeans immediately.
“The second element of energy independence stategy is energy efficiency. We talk about that less often. But, you know, our buildings are the biggest causes of energy loss in Europe, and so there has to be an effort made there.
“The third pillar of energy strategy is to stop doing things that don’t make sense: let’s stop transporting 15 million litres of milk from France to Germany, and 13 million litres of milk from Germany to France. Let’s stop wasting half of our food production without it even being eaten. Stop wasting a third of our drinkable water and 60 percent of our energy production.
“All this waste from the way in which we live is not sustainable, and that too has to change.”

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Energy, European elections