Wait for someone else to fix the problem?

Like normal people in the streets can’t wait for governments to solve the challenges of global warming and shortages on energysupply - governments should definitely not wait for people/markets (or other governments) to fix the problem for them.

Given that forcing people by implementing unpopular rules and regulations is unrealistic (loosing campaign dollars and voters) - the most effective and likely path to success is to give people extra economical incentives to reduce energy consumption (because indirectly this leads to less green house gas - GHG, emissions).

What should the governments do? Make JAHUS projects so economically attractive that not doing it would be plain stupid (and the cost for this would be surprisingly low - because savings on the electricity bill pays for most of it)

- lower the threshold for ordinary households: make critical components of JAHUS projects VAT-free and like in the USA add the advantage of reduced tax payments (for JAHUS projects).
- lower the threshold for ordinary households: one big upfront investment of up to 30.000 Euros is a showstopper. Governments therefore need to offer cheap loans for projects that lead to lower energy consumption. One example is JAHUS projects that cut electricity consumption by 30-50% in the average household. I have been told (by Bellona, http://www.bellona.org/) that France leads the way by offering interest-free 10 year loans of up to 30.000 Euros for JAHUS projects.

Why now?

- most people believe the scientists who say that we face dramatic climate changes unless we reduce the emission of green house gases (GHG). Not only do we have to reduce GHG emissions

- but it must be done now. It is an escalating problem and failing to act now means that the challenges we face in 2020 will be more dramatic.

- with the upcomming UNCCC event in Copenhagen in December 2009 (http://en.cop15.dk/frontpage) all world leaders will be challenged to make serious committments. Europe sends a “clear message” to the world, offering up to 95 percent emissions cut by 2050 if a deal is reached in Copenhagen (http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2413)

- by (lucky?) coincident the world also is in the midst of a financial crisis and many countries face high unemployment rates and declining GDPs. Massive numbers of JAHUS projects will contribute to more money changing hands and hence more jobs being created (hands to do the job).

Note: Even though I sit in Norway and the outside temperature can be very low in the winter, JAHUS projects should be launched in most industrialized countries. The government in France leads the way with cheap loans, and look to California who has experienced a power-grid that breaks down on hot summer days because of all the A/C units on “full throttle”. With well isolated houses and a ventilation system that features heat/cool air recovery - the electricy used in these houses can be reduced by 30 to 50% also in sunny California.

You may find these links interesting too:

“15 million buildings to become eco-friendly” http://en.cop15.dk/news/view%20news?newsid=2322

“Obama wins Nobel recognition for his climate policy” http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2321