Germany’s perspective

More Opinions gathered by FSU fellows

Do you think that the government should be paying part of the rising fuel price, or the government should be using the same money on new energy alternative research?

– That’s quite a tricky question: actually, the government does not need to actively pay part of the high fuel prizes, it would already effect the citizens if some of the taxes that we pay on fuel would be reduced (so that the prize would decrease right away)! But since the value added tax has only been raised by three per cent, I do not see the prize’s increase as part of the government’s action. Moreover the prized per barrel have increased incredibly and from my perspective that is the point where also the government has to start acting in negotiations and politics concerning oil exporting countries.

– The government should spend more money for research in the area of renewable energies. Maybe the government should also try to influence the development of prices, but for sure not pay part of the rising fuel prices!

– The government should not try to influence prices, as this usually not works out and only distorts the price mechanism. Rising prices are a chance for renewable energies, which should be developed more consequently. The German government is already very active in the development and support of renewable energies, but it lacks efforts to force the German industry to develop more energy-friendly products.

– I I cannot answer this clearly with a “yes” or “no”. Sure, there has to be investment in renewable energies. But on the other hand, the state has to guarantee, that mobility is ensured not only for the wealthy. That’s why I would accept state-subventions on fuel in the short term.

– I I do not think that the government should pay part of the rising fuel price. Fuel is a limited resource anyway and it is natural that the prices will rise in the coming years. Even if the oil companies might make a lot of money at the moment, the general tendency is very clear: fuel will not last forever. So I do not understand why the government should pay part of the rising fuel price. In my opinion it would be rather contradictory. It is important for everyone to realize that e.g. petrol is an expensive and not eternal resource. For valuing it more it must become more expensive because people often do not act according to higher moral values but only depending on economic decisions/ money.

– Nevertheless I think that the government has to give more money in terms of support for unemployed people etc. because these people will have to be able to pay the higher fuel prices, too. At the moment, without any reaction of the government, it would mean for a lot of people that they are not able to pay their fuel (heating etc.) fees any more. That is why I think that the government has to react to the higher fuel prices – not through general taking over of part of the price but through enlarging the support for people in the social system and maybe give them a higher allowance for fuel. If there is money left, supporting renewable energies is the right way to go in my opinion.

– The government should use money on new energy alternative research.

Do you think that the solution for global warming is in economic measures, or do we need a cultural change in our lifestyles to face the new reality in world energetic platform?

– I think that both will be important. If it is possible to earn money with that, the industry will try to fight global warming. But our way of life has to change – just how??

– I think it is both – on the one hand economic measures play a role whereas on the other hand our increasing demands concerning lifestyle questions is the other factor. Probably a proper solution can only be found when both factors will be taken care of in an appropriate way.

– I think the past showed that only the knowledge that pollution will lead to global warming did not change the ways mankind used energy. Only economic measures will have success, money is the only language that all people understand and the only good everybody wants to have more of. So if people have more money in their pocket by saving the climate that will for sure work out. A change in the lifestyles will be the result of economic measures, but will never be initiated by good will alone.

– Both ecological measures and a change of lifestyle are necessary. These two points are coming close together.

– I definitely think a change in lifestyle is necessary. Everybody has to stop using so much energy. We will not be able to keep using the amount of energy we are using now in the future. Fuel is a resource that is not renewable so in some years we will have to get all the energy from other resources as wind, solar, bio thermal etc. In Germany, the natural situation is not the best for renewable energies (not enough sun for solar power, not enough wind in some parts of the country) so it will depend on us to reduce the use of energy substantially.

– At the same time I think economy plays an important role in the connection with climate change. On one hand the economy will suffer because of a shortage of energy (if we do not increase the research and use of alternative energies) and on the other hand I believe a change will only take place if people FEEL it. That means that probably the economy has to suffer first because people realize that fuel is no eternal source (and will be getting more and more expensive) and that one has to focus on changing the life style. So in my eyes, the economy is also a means to force people changing their lifestyle.

– I think both should go hand in hand. Everyone is depending from economy and it affects all our lives somehow so that we can’t abstract away from it. But the bigger influence can be made by every single person through changing our lifestyles, reducing the pollution of our environment which can be implemented in many small things, e.g. also through eating less meat!

Are you comfortable about how your government is managing your country’s contribution to the global warming? Do you feel that should assume more responsibility?

– No, I’m not confident with it. The government exists to solve problems or to try to do that…

– To my perspective our government is doing its best. As an industrialized nation Germany has to take responsibility in meetings such as the G8-summits. It appears to me that the government does so. Also I always see progress and willingness to work more and improve certain aspects especially in Mrs. Merkels initiatives.

– The German government for sure is doing a lot more to fight global warming than most other countries in the world. However, when German employment or German companies would be at risk because of climate change measures, the German government is very inactive in those specific fields. I think that the government should do a lot more, not only insight Germany but also to achieve international agreements that are more than unspecific “declarations of good will” like at the G8-summit. If the government is not willing or able to solve the major problem of the future, then I wonder why we elected it!

– In Germany, a lot is talked about climate change, but it happens too little. The government is not doing enough.

– I am really comfortable with Germany’s contribution in terms of climate change. I think Germany is one of the leading countries in the fight against global warming. Nevertheless, more has to be done. At the moment other countries have to become active and contribute their part. Germany has programs against global warming. It is a big topic, a lot is invested in renewable energies and Germany has strict laws for CO2-emmisions, a major factor for global climate change. Other countries have not even signed or ratified the Kyoto protocol. I think these countries have to invest in the fight against climate change, too, since the problem can only be tackled together.

– I think our government is doing quite well in managing our country’s contribution to the global warming.

Oil alternatives – Renewables made in Germany:

During our workgroup we had discussions about oil, renewable energies and efficient oil alternatives. The German Energy Agency is supported by the Federal Ministry of economics and technology. Please go to the homepage: http://www.renewables-made-in-germany.com/en/

and you can find there information about wind energy, hydropower, geothermal, photovoltaics, solar thermal, solar thermal plants, biogas, biofuels and solid biomass.

Photgraphy 1: Benzinpreise gas prices 2003 / 2006. Extracted from Flickr.com.
URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifranz/219811783/
Author: iFranz

Photgraphy 2: Wind Power. Extracted from Flickr.com.
URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23065375@N05/2236367463/
Author: thinkpanama