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1 minute read
Environmentally Friendly Countries
from Green Conscience
By: Saba Aamir Layout Designer
As one of the most economically significant countries, the United States consumes natural resources at an alarming rate. Though the U.S. has put various sustainability policies in place in recent years, they could still do so much more to become environmentally sustainable.
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According to MIT Technology Review, the United States was ranked 21st out of 76 economies in the Green Future Index, with an Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score of 5.40. EPI is used to assess a nation’s sustainability in terms of its response to climate change, its environment’s health and its ecosystem’s vitality. While this rank was a significant jump from the 40th position in 2021, European countries still hold the top spots as leaders of a green future, with 16 countries in the top 20. But the U.S. can use the three top countries, Iceland, Denmark and the Netherlands as pilot studies.
Iceland
Iceland still holds the number one spot from 2021 with a moderately improved EPI score of 6.92. The country’s economy is now running on 85% renewable energy, closing in on 100%. According to Forbes, “Iceland’s electricity comes from hydropower, which is 72%, and geothermal, which is 25% and they are leveraging wind power soon to get to 100% renewable energy by 2040.”
In addition, Iceland’s sustainable and renewable energy solutions are shared by Green by Iceland, a platform that addresses climate change issues and offers green solutions both within Iceland and globally. The platform aims to assist other economies and businesses in preventing the harmful effects of climate change. This is a significant milestone for a small Arctic country and can teach us a few things if we listen and try them for our local economies.
Denmark is doing its part by making buildings more energy-efficient, and most of the companies, including Rockwool (insulation), Velux (windows), Danfoss (heating applications) and Grundfos (careful use of water), are global market leaders in the country. Additionally, they’re the sixth-biggest nation in shipping and are focused on making shipping sustainable. According to Denmark.dk, it is noted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), “shipping is responsible for 2-3% of the world’s greenhouse gasses” and this has influenced Denmark to advance the sustainability of shipping globally. The country is taking the first step toward a fully carbon-neutral fleet by 2050.
Apart from energy-efficient buildings and shipping, Denmark has a Samso island, which has been 100% sustainable. The island relies entirely on renewable energy, and its residents have replaced oil-burning heaters by installing insulation in their homes. This is an excellent strategy as it will produce the necessary power and benefit people in the long run if we learn from it.
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