Commentary: Increasing Efforts To Conserve Energy Worldwide

04/24 (LWN) Many nations are taking greater efforts to conserve energy, due to the current high energy prices and the growing realization that world oil supplies will eventually be depleted. These efforts also enable their countries to be less subject to potential shortages in oil and natural gas due to conflicts or political changes in fuel-exporting nations. Recently, the Chinese government has taken a number of measures to reduce energy consumption. It increased taxes on purchases of automobiles with larger engines and reduced taxes on more efficient vehicles. It is also increasing the fuel efficiency requirements of vehicles being manufactured in China, and is imposing new taxes on disposible chopsticks, which will save energy used to produce and transport them.

Meanwhile, Cuba’s government is making even more extensive efforts to reduce consumption of energy. It has distributed low-energy lightbulbs to Cubans and people in other Latin American nations free of charge. It also purchased additional public transportation buses and trains from China and Iran recently. It has replaced inefficient, old refrigerators and other appliances with new, more efficient Chinese products. Cuba also uses solar electricity panels extensively. The Phillipines, Vietnam, South Africa, and other nations are taking substantial measures to conserve energy as well. However, some nations continue to indulge in extremely wasteful practices and mass-produce inefficient products. More governments should realize the importance of energy conservation if we are to avoid massive energy expenses and pollution followed by an early depletion of natural energy resources.

LessWaiting.com News