Within the lifetime of one generation, Iceland moved from oil and coal to clean energy. According to President Olafur Grimsson, Iceland currently uses 100 percent clean energy for electricity production and space heating. His plan for the next five to ten years is to replace all gas cars with clean energy cars. If he succeeds, Iceland would become the first country where all land-based energy usage comes from clean-energy sources.
Thus far, the economic benefits have been enormous. By using local geothermal resources to replace imported oil to heat houses, Iceland saves what amounts to one year’s gross national product every ten years.
If Iceland can do it, WHY CAN”T WE? Surely the greatest country in the world can take a few steps in the right direction. Iceland is showing us the way.
(BTW, they also solved their own economic meltdown after Icelanders pelted parliament with rocks in 2009 and demanded their leaders and bankers answer for the country’s economic and financial collapse.)
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