Environmental Resources And Rights
Only few environmental issues generate as much acute population response as the need for better energy efficiency. It appears that the core of energy efficiency problems is not in how the government manages its resources at the state and national level, but in how we, common citizens, improve our own attitudes toward energy. That, however, does not mean that citizens can readily cope with the emerging energy issues without active governmental support. On the contrary, the success of all major citizen energy efficiency initiatives depends on how well the government understands these policy issues and what the government accomplishes to create and maintain conditions favorable to reduce the amount of energy citizens consume to satisfy their daily needs.
It is difficult to deny the fact that energy efficiency is one of the most challenging aspects of present day political environment, and, unfortunately for many, many governments still do not realize the scope and the importance of energy efficiency, as well as its cost-saving potential. The fact is that energy efficiency is not simply about family budgets or business bottom lines: “the consequences of our energy policies could affect Americans’ quality of life and the health of our planet for generations to come. Americans seem to have reached the tipping point in their desire for a sustainable, greener future” (Technology CEO Council), but creating this sustainable atmosphere is impossible, if governments do not realize their efforts striving to support national population on its way to more cost-effective future.
International experience confirms the relevance of active government support in all energy efficiency strategies. Given the costs needed to improve the overall state of energy performance in housing and business, a good governmental policy could make it easier for businesses and consumers to improve the overall state of their energy consumption without going bankrupt. To make homes cost-efficient, considerable investments are required, and not all citizens can afford financing the changes which they may deem unnecessary. The example of Germany is notable in a sense that it shows the way, in which business, consumers, and the government can develop collaborative relationships for the sake of achieving common energy efficiency results. In Germany, a Caron Dioxide Refurbishment Program was developed to support the need for improving the current building stock in terms of its energy efficiency: because the government realized that to make homes cost-efficient is far cheaper than building new power stations, it was important to provide consumers with financial stimuli for such improvement (Warren). The discussed programs provides customers and businesses with a unique opportunity to take a loan at a fixed interest rate for any period from 4 to 30 years,
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