SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN THE EU. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY ENGINE FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES Cover Image

SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN THE EU. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY ENGINE FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES
SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN THE EU. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY ENGINE FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES

Author(s): Mircea Săveanu, Ion IGNAT
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: Solar power; carbon footprint; fossil fuels; alternative energy; ecological sustainability; sustainable development;

Summary/Abstract: We establish that the European Union is facing severe ecological problems, by analysing the ecological footprint of selected member states. Many of these problems are related to carbon and carbon equivalent emissions, some of which are generated by fossil fuel power plants. It is then shown that the European Union has potential in the solar power renewable energy sector. Finally, we calculate roughly how much land would be necessary in order to replace fossil fuel power plants, as well as nuclear plants, which are largely seen as environmentally dangerous. It is concluded that developing this alternative energy sector would help improve the ecological sustainability of the Union, by diminishing a significant part of its carbon footprint.

  • Issue Year: 1/2014
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 209-218
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: English
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