Climate change is one of the most dramatic problems of our time. The world must reduce greenhouse gasses or face irreversible effects of global warming. The cost of doing nothing will be far higher than effective action now. But the actions Europe can take to combat climate change will have other benefits: renewable energy and energy efficiency will create jobs and offer new economic opportunities. A comprehensive response is required: in all policies from energy and transport to foreign and security policy; at national and European levels as well as local; by Governments, business and consumers. The PES has "A new EU energy strategy" but we need to go beyond that, and we need to agree on some top priorities for European action. We need Europe to take a global lead as well as putting its own house in order.

To read more

Order by: Highest rated, Most commented, Most read, Most recent

  • Åsa Westlund: Think global - act local

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:07
    by asa.westlund Join PES activists in Save our planet (79 views and 2 comments)

    Almost daily we hear alarming news about one of the biggest challenges of our time – the one about the global warming. As citizens and consumers we have a responsibility to act. A responsibility not always easy to handle. Scientific reports from governments, companies and others are sometimes contradictory, and it’s easy to lose hope and feel powerless. This is where the EU, as a big actor on the world wide market has an important role to play. It is here we see the necessity of political action rather than just letting the free market decide.

    But it is not enough- It must also be easier for all European citizens to make environment friendly decisions and thereby taking their own responsibility! The environmental crisis is to enormous and complex to be solved on just one political level. Its first when we act both individually, locally, in larger regions and globally that we can make a change. It does not mean that we can wait for someone else to take responsibility, rather that we all must take action now. We have to act as a united front. Many citizens are trying to take action. With everyday actions, like leaving the car at home and travel by bus, or buying locally produced and bio grown products, everyone can make a difference. » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, climate change, consumer, environment


  • Linda McAvan and WWF: The future is in our hands

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 11:23
    by Editor in Save our planet (104 views and 0 comments)

    Socialists are pushing for more action on climate change, since it is necessary to act now, leaving aside the disastrous “business as usual approach”. Socialist MEP Linda McAvan (Labour UK) hosted the WWF debate “EU Climate action : Do 30% NOW!” on 6 May 2008. Here are a few conclusions from the meeting:

    EU has proven to be on the right path in fighting against climate change but more has to be done. Achieving deep emission reductions in Europe by 2020 is not only a question of available technologies but rather one of taking right political decisions. At national level, governments have to create the right incentives to support energy efficiency and promote investments in low carbon technologies and renewables, while at the European level, the European Emissions Trading Scheme should form the central part of the overall European strategy.

    If Europe is quite confident that they will move all together in the same direction, what about the others? We have to bear in mind that even if climate change is a global issue, developed countries have an historical responsibility towards developing ones. Therefore OECD countries have to help developing countries to decouple economic... » read more ...

    Tags: climate change, CO2, development, environment


  • Åsa Westlund: There is more to the environment than global warming

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Monday, May 5, 2008 at 12:22
    by asa.westlund Join PES activists in Save our planet (215 views and 4 comments)

    Sometimes I wonder if we only can discuss one environmental topic at the time.

    Right now we discuss Climate Change.

    It’s great. Combating Climate Change is a matter of survival. We can already see the effects. Heat waves in Europe killing thousands of people. Hurricanes killing thousands people in the US and leaving thousands more homeless. Droughts in Africa and parts of Asia with devastating effects on millions of people and whole regions.

    Still, there is more to sustainable development than combating Climate Change. And sometimes the different topics are linked together. And very often they have social dimensions.

    Let me take three examples.

    Air pollution in major cities kills. Particles and gases in the air get to your lungs and make our lives shorter. Most vulnerable to bad air quality are young, older and individuals already suffering from different illnesses. The EU is responsible for making most of the decisions relating to this cross-border problem. Air pollution also increase the problems created by global warming.

    Chemicals make us and the environment sick. I think » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, climate change, environment


  • Il faut en finir avec les énergies fossiles

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Monday, May 5, 2008 at 11:55
    by FrancoisC Join PES activists in Save our planet (95 views and 1 comments)

    Aujourd’hui tous le monde parle du développement durable pour en faire l’apologie mais peu de personnes savent ce que c’est. Mauvaise traduction d’un développement soutenable, puis concept fourre-tout et maintenant mot détourné. Comme cette croissance doit répondre à l’ensemble des aspirations humaines ont y rajoute au fur et a mesure des cibles alors que l’idée première n’est déjà pas bien assimilée. Ca mise en application concrète est donc difficile. On ne pourra donc pas s’appuyer sur le développement durable comme objectif.

    En outre gouverner c’est ce fixer des priorités et pour préserver les générations futures la priorité est évidente : éviter que le Changement climatique ne soie désastreux. Tout le monde, ou presque, admet que l'excès de gaz à effet de serre modifie le climat. Il augmente la température, ce qui, au mieux, amènera un climat plus dure et moins fertile, au pire, une extinction massif d'espèces, y compris les humains. Mais même le meilleur des scénarios, c'est une production agricole en baise et surtout plus aléatoire, l'épuisement des énergies facilement disponibles, la perte de terres habitables, des... » read more ...

    Tags: climate change, CO2, environment, oil

    File: Il faut en finir avec les énergies fossiles (PSE).rtf


  • Ignacio Henares: Democratic socialism and sustainable development

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 09:22
    by eromerof Join PES activists in Save our planet (173 views and 0 comments)

    Willy Brandt: “Democratic socialism has the ability to make new beginnings possible”.

    Democratic socialism has been able to respond to new challenges and to a new a state of affairs through equality and social justice. Just as pacifism or feminism were integrated as new elements in the cluster of socialist values, the time has now come to include sustainable development as a central element of our socialist thinking and political practice.

    The Left should take into account the consequences of environmental degradation for our planet and introduce solidarity as a fundamental principle in the implementation of a model of sustainable development that is fairer and more responsible. The challenge for the 21st century no longer is to achieve a better redistribution of wealth and fight for equal opportunities but also to respond to the more complex challenge of making the environment healthier both at local and global level. Ecosocialism should therefore be understood as a question of solidarity between and among generations, both in time and space.

    A NEW MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT
    Europe has paved the way for environmental policies aiming at ‘cleaning up’ the environment. However setting limits... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, climate change, environment, renewable energy, sustainable energy


  • Isabella Frenning: What kind of car should I get?

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Friday, April 25, 2008 at 12:30
    by Isabella_Frenning Join PES activists in Save our planet (287 views and 0 comments)

    Like most other consumer goods these days, people consider their cars an expression of their personal taste and identity. In the late 90’s a Danish sociologist even named his book about population segmentation ‘If your neighbour was a car’, using different brands of cars as representatives of different life style choices.

    Admittedly, growing up in Copenhagen it never really seemed relevant to bother about getting a driver’s license, so if I was in the market for a new ride, I’d probably be more likely to ask ‘What kind of bike should I get?’ instead. But many for many families the discussion about what car to get seems a quite important one. Since the frightening report of the IPCC we have all been much more concerned about climate changes, wanting to do our bit to help the globe. And reducing our CO2-emissions by choosing environment-friendly means of transportation seems like a reasonable place to start. As a consequence, the question about what car to get is not only about price and design, but also one... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, sustainable energy, transport


  • Green cities: Keep public transport public

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 11:30
    by Editor in Save our planet (260 views and 1 comments)

    Sometimes it takes old technologies to solve the problems of modern life! This is the case in the Greater Manchester Region, United Kingdom, where good old-fashioned rail helped the regions out of its problems with traffic congestion and pollution.

    Dave Quayle from Labour is a member of the Trafford Borough Council for the last 17 years and Member of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions. He is a strong supporter of the ‘Metrolink’ project and helped reintroduce trams in his region:

    "50 years ago Greater Manchester abandoned its tram system and in the 1980s the area faced major congestion problems. With the introduction of ‘Metrolink’ in 1992 a lot of these problems were solved," explains Dave Quayle.

    40 million car journeys off
    ‘Metrolink’ is unusual because the vehicles are running on both ‘traditional’,... » read more ...

    Tags: environment, green cities, transport


  • Martina Preuss: Green IT and the climate

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.5000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 10:25
    by martina Join PES activists in Save our planet (497 views and 2 comments)

    Climate neutrality, or, in scientific terms 'CO2 neutrality', describes processes by which the global CO2 balance remains constant (source: Wikipedia).

    In my opinion this CO2 balance no longer exists – we need to bring back this balance before we can actually maintain it. In a time of increased environmental awareness, this worthy goal can nevertheless produce unusual ideas.

    Our lifestyles are often careless: jetting off to remote countries, taking the car to go to the bakery around the corner, using the tumble dryer and all the other small things which makes life easy. These actions need no longer give us a guilty conscience. By spending a bit of money you can compensate for your polluting sins. For example, take a look at Atmosfair, Greenmiles, The Climate Company or My Climate. There are probably more such projects, especially outside Germany. Yet a study from Tufts University in Boston revealed that only three of thirteen such ‘compensation agencies’, including Atmosfair and My Climate, are actually recommended service providers.

    When travelling by plane, Atmosfair can help you obtain a cleaner conscience. You can pay when you book, but also... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, climate change, CO2, electricity, energy, environment

    File: IT_climate_DE.pdf


  • The need for wind power

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.6667
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.7/5 with 6 votes

    Published Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 15:12
    by Wind Energy in Save our planet (383 views and 0 comments)

    The world is facing an energy and climate crisis. Globally, the energy sector emits 26 billion tonnes of CO2 each year and electricity production alone accounts for 41% of emissions. The International Energy Agency expects CO2 emissions in 2030 to have increased by 55% to reach more than 40 billion tonnes of CO2. The share of emissions coming from electricity production will increase to 44% in 2030, reaching 18 billion tonnes of CO2. Europe is going to be importing a growing share of its energy at unpredictable but most likely higher prices, from unstable regions, in ever-fiercer competition with the rest of the world and at staggering environmental cost. Spare electricity generating capacity is at a historic low. Europe has to invest in new capacity to replace ageing plants and meet future demand. In the period 2005-2030, the EU needs to install 862 GW of new electricity generating capacity. 427 GW of generating capacity will be retired in the EU and an additional 435 GW will be needed to satisfy the growing demand for power. The required capacity exceeds the total capacity operating in Europe (723 GW). Satisfying our energy needs over the coming decades will be a big challenge. For a region that currently imports 56% of its energy – and is on track to reach 70%... » read more ...

    Tags: energy, environment, NGO, wind


  • Sign a petition for saving our planet

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 11:55
    by cafeneaua.politica Join PES activists in Save our planet (333 views and 0 comments)

    Sign this petition for promoting in Romania and Europe the healthy life, increasing the use of bicycles, and in this way for reducing the locals pollution that generate a global worming amount. Signing this petition you agreed to promote a law initiative that will force the all Romanian and European local administrations to generate special places on auto roads from inside of the towns and communes in the only bicyclist’s advantage.

    Please forward this announcement to yours friends!

    In Romanian:

    Va invit sa semnati o petitie in favoarea unei initiative legislative in Romania si Europa ce sa promoveze concret prezervarea calitatii mediului.

    Va rog sa promovati acest mesaj in cercurile de apropiati in logica unui efort comun pentru un interes comun!

    SorinPLATON

    Tags: activists, climate change, transport


  • Point of view about human society development

    • loading...
    • Rating: 2.8571
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 2.9/5 with 7 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:16
    by cafeneaua.politica Join PES activists in Save our planet (385 views and 2 comments)

    sustanaible-1.jpg

    The most important matter of sustainable development doesn’t support the quantity of economic growth but the quality of an environmental, economic, social, and cultural development.A sustainable community effort consists of a long-term and integrated systems approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by balanced environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues. The Romanian (European) Social Democrats advocates a sustainable development of our planet and not the destruction of the environment and our resources.

    It is necesary that the price of the different resources must cover all calculatable external costs. The government has to add the calculated charges so the different resources get the same conditions on the market. If the charges are creating an income, this income is to restitute to the inhabitants... » read more ...

    Tags: consumers, energy, environment, Romania, sustainable development


  • PES President: New Sustainable Europe

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.1429
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.1/5 with 7 votes

    Published Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 16:50
    by Poul_Nyrup_Rasmussen Join PES activists in Save our planet (374 views and 5 comments)

    The suggestion to focus more on environmental issues is certainly a good one. I usually refer to it as a new strategy for ‘smart green growth’, but ‘New Sustainable Europe’ and ‘New Social Europe is also Green’ are also catchy headlines. Thanks to our PES activist for his ideas!

    Smart green growth is already mentioned in the PES strategy for a New Social Europe: we suggest ambitious investments in research and in new energy forms. It’s about millions of new jobs. The conservatives look at the costs here and now, we look at the new opportunities for all: potentially millions of new and better jobs. Europe’s socialists and social democrats need to be proactive and consider how becoming greener can lead to growth and new jobs – such a strategy is certainly something which should be a central part of our manifesto for the 2009 elections.

    Post cards from the PES President

    This week Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, president of the Party of European Socialists, comments on some of the most popular posts on Yourspace. This is the third of six post cards from the PES President.

    Tags: employment, environment, president


  • Green cities: Gerasdorf, Austria - an eco-friendly city since 1994

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.5000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Monday, March 17, 2008 at 10:15
    by Editor in Save our planet (350 views and 0 comments)

    How do you encourage people to more sustainable life styles? By setting a good example! Bernd Vögerle, Mayor of Gerasdorf in Austria, explains about his city's efforts to become greener.



    Green cities
    On 15 May 2008 the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions will host a conference on ‘Save our Planet’ in Torino, Italy. Leading up to the event Yourspace invites local and regional politicians to give their view on what the PES manifesto should say about the environment. This article is the third in the ‘Green cities’ series, offering a local perspective on global challenges.

    Tags: environment, green cities, solar, sustainable energy, wind


  • Smart, green growth on the agenda

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, March 14, 2008 at 16:02
    by Editor in Save our planet (328 views and 0 comments)

    At yesterday’s meeting of socialist and social democratic prime ministers smart green growth was one of the big topics.

    ”Combining efforts to combat climate change and to create jobs and economic growth is one common agenda for the PES,” said President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

    Read more about the PES ideas for smart green growth in the ten principles for a New Social Europe.

    What do you think? How can we combine environmental protection, economic progress and creation of new jobs?

    Read the press release from the PES prime ministers’ meeting here or view the photo galleries: Prime Ministers' meeting and press conference

    Tags: climate change, welfare, workers


  • Hanna Isbom: Save the climate - use public transport

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.2500
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.3/5 with 4 votes

    Published Friday, March 14, 2008 at 14:56
    by heisbo Join PES activists in Save our planet (492 views and 4 comments)

    Even though discussion paper 'Save our planet' concentrates mostly on energy policy, I would like discuss also about the influence of the traffic emissions.

    Traffic is excluded from Kyoto protocol, but it still produces 20 percent of all CO2 emissions. The European Parliament tried to restrict emissions of private cars, but right wing coalition watered down that decision. What we need to reduce emissions of the traffic is better public transportation and restricting heavily polluting cars. 

    It’s quite controversial that when we have just started to realise the power of the climate change, we have also started to fly more than ever. Flying is definitely the most polluting way of traffic and yet it’s still cheaper than ever before. Our goal should be that using train is always cheaper than flying or using private cars, but at the moment we are far, far away from that goal. In Central Europe flying from one big city to another might be cheaper than taking a taxi from airport to the centre. I’m afraid that consumers are not willing to change this. It’s too attempting to fly away for a weekend with less than 50 euros - for the first time in history is travelling possible... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, climate change, CO2, consumer, environment, transport