Energy Saving News
A New State of Mind for the United States
The newly elected US President, Barack Obama, has placed energy efficiency as a top priority on his presidential agenda.
He believes that his administration's economy recovery plan depends on energy efficiency in buildings: "First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs".
Mr. Obama is currently going on his first tour to Asia, to discuss energy efficiency and carbon emissions, in a series of bilateral talks with India, China and Japan. He will be meeting with the Japanese prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, and his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh.
As pointed out by online resource Business Green: "The two countries have been at loggerheads with China, insisting that the US must commit to more ambitious carbon emission targets and the US arguing that it cannot do so unless China makes some form of binding pledge".
The United States have shown reluctance in rallying the environmental cause by refusing to adhere to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. A commitment to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency was seen as a threat for their economy. Every year, energy consumption increases by 5% in America.
The development of energy efficiency and renewable energy marks "a new era of energy exploration" in the United States, according to President Obama.
The new government's enthusiasm to turn to more energy efficient solutions is a great step forward for the country. It will benefit the planet, but also the energy efficiency industry, which will derive a fantastic business opportunity from this initiative.
Mr Obama's tour of Asia comes ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is due to take place at Copenhagen in Denmark between December 7th and 18th.
The US president has said that he may come to the session if it is possible that a deal can be reached.
Monday 16th November 2009
