The Danish Learned Their Lesson: The Rest of The World Forgot

Photo via flickr

The Yom Kippur war between Israel, Syria, and Egypt produced an Arab led embargo. OPEC stopped exports to supporters of Israel in 1973, as a way to punish the countries for their support of Israel.

This was the first time that the citizens of the world learned just how dependant our lives were on oil. Gasoline prices quadrupled as the supply was cut short. Long lines at service stations were a common site, as were signs proclaiming that there was no gas to be sold.

Alternative energy became in vogue as the countries adjusted to the their consumption of crude oil dependency. Ethanol made a big move to help replace the shortages of gasoline. Their was major discussions and promises that the dependency of oil would be lessened with alternative energy. Politicians ran rampart with their outrage that America and other countries could be brought so easily to their knees by a foreign distributor of crude oil (OPEC)

The Arab led embargo should have been the lesson of a lifetime for crude oil dependency, however, once the embargo ended much of the talk for alternative energy ended, as gasoline retuned in plentiful supplies and the prices returned to normal.

The lesson was forgotten by most countries, except one. Denmark was 99% dependant upon oil at the time of the oil embargo. The oil embargo hurt Denmark, but the lesson was learned. Denmark did not cease their alternative energy programs, in fact, they upgraded their technology becoming a leader of renewable energy.

In 1976 the Danish population approved of an expensive program to become independent of OPEC by developing clean renewable energy sources. The Danish government added strict energy efficiency standards on all buildings. Gasoline automobiles are heavily taxed.

Image via Wikipedia

The Danish realized that their power plants were wasting heat that it produced. They implemented a piping system to carry this energy into homes. District heating systems now heat over 60% of Danish homes.

The Danish have long been fans of wind power and invested heavily into the research and production of this renewable, clean energy. Solar is also a part of the Danish plan and combined has created over 20,000 related renewable energy jobs.

Today the Danish not only provide enough clean energy to run their country, they also sell extra clean energy to other European union countries that did not heed the results of the oil embargo.

Image via Wikipedia

With such success with their alternative energy programs, one would think the Danish people would be complacent. The Danish empire strikes back by operating 19 oil fields in the north sea. Since Denmark is totally independent from crude oil, they sell their oil on the open market.

The Danish example is a shining reminder of how and why each country has to explore alternative energy. They have paved the path showing how to become self reliant on their energy needs. The Danish took matters into their own hands and created a nation that is alternative energy savvy. Never again to be intimidated by OPEC.

There is a lesson that the Danish have bestowed upon us all- it is feasible to have a country make its on clean energy. The Dane’s path to alternative energy is inspiring because they did not forget what the Arab led embargo meant. They learned their lesson and now they reap the benefits of clean energy.

Amazing that all the other countries forgot this historical lesson and moved right back into their dependency upon crude oil. And now because of global warming their example means even more to the citizens of our planet.

Bless the Danish people for paving the path for other countries to follow and clean up the planet.