Europe fighting a losing battle against climate change

Europe has been at the forefront of the fight against global warming for decades now, going so far as to criticize the rest of the developed world – the United States especially – for not following their lead. Recently, however, the European Union has been victimized be inauspicious governing and ineffective legislation, and now find themselves fighting a losing battle.

One proposal under consideration would place a ‘carbon cap’ across the continent, allowing companies to save and trade their surplus of allotted pollution. This would grant companies an additional stream of revenue in hopes that, with that additional revenue, the company will invest in green-renovations for their manufacturing and corporate facilities.

But, as author John Steinbeck once wrote: “The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry…”

The E.U. didn’t present a fully-fleshed out proposal. They allowed the demand for carbon permits dry up, and then voted down a rushed, patch-work relief plan. Any hope for continental-congruency in the plight against climate change has all but disappeared. Instead, individual regions will be responsible for drafting their own energy policies and passing their own legislation – an act of delegated democracy that has proven itself futile in the past. Most analysts place the blame on incompetent politicians hovering on the fence, too afraid to lose what little power they’ve been entrusted with. Their inability to present long-term solutions has set the entire union back who knows how far.

For example, Germany has suddenly closed several of its carbon-free nuclear power plants in an ‘all-or-nothing’ gamble on renewable energy. Though well-intentioned, the move has forced the country’s remaining power providers to burn more coal to pick up the slack.

Spain’s economy has suffered due to investments in ill-conceived energy projects. France continues to syphon through coal while (wisely) refusing to explore domestic fracking operations. This has contributed to creeping levels of carbon emissions across Europe, while countries like the United States have been able to reduce their overall CO2 levels.

The U.S.’s progress is due, partially, to an increased emphasis on vehicle fuel efficiency, a willingness to open power-plants near residential areas, and a curious courtship with natural gas. Hopefully the country will learn from Europe’s mistakes and enforce a strict, extensive cap on carbon emissions.

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