CIV 1 – Which Countries Use The Most Alternative Energy

Countries all over the world are investing in their renewable energy infrastructures, but which countries are setting the best examples for clean energy use of the future?

In 2002 the nations of the G20 summit decided to start an initiative to increase renewable energy production in each of their countries. In June of 2012 the nations reconvened and produced a report detailing which nations derive most of their power from renewable sources and which nations have improved the most since the 2002 resolution.

According to the G20 nations, Germany produces the highest percent of renewable energy, an impressive 10.7%.  In second is Italy which get 6.2% of its energy from renewable resources.  Third is Indonesia where renewable energy makes up 5.7% of their energy consumption. The United States came in seventh on that list as we get only 2.7% of our power from renewable resources.

However, what percent renewable energy is of overall energy production is not the only factor that defines how renewable energy friendly a country is.  For example, South Korea has increased their production of renewable energy by 19584% since 2002, making them the country that has improved the most in this time period. China has increased their renewable energy production by 7605%, meaning they improved the second most.  The United States has only increased its renewable energy production by 341% since 2002.

Hopefully other countries can use South Korea as a model and make similar improvements to their renewable energy production, but investment into renewable energy is highly dependent on specific governments and economic conditions in a country.

The Obama-Biden administration plans to put $150 billion over the next ten years into renewable energy, put 1 million plug-in cars on the rode, and significantly increase the amount of renewable energy the US produces.  I plan to write another blog post going into more detail on how countries plan to increase their use of renewable energy.

One thought on “CIV 1 – Which Countries Use The Most Alternative Energy

  1. This is definitely a good, interesting, and relevant choice of CI topic. I like how you supported your first post with a very current and reliable article of proof. I would never have guessed which nations ranked among the top for producing the highest percent of renewable energy…but I could have predicted the US would not have been on top, which is something that they (we as a nation) really need to change asap. What I found really fascinating was that the summit looked at not only the current best but also the most improved and changed, which is important for encouraging nations who are no where near the top of the list. Good job!

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