24 May 2006
Written by Jakob
Proud to be Swedish (for once)
Found this today, reminding me of the greatest source of pride I know as a Swede. I don’t often agree with the current Swedish government, but the stated goal of being independent of oil by 2020 is something which I’m wholeheartedly behind. In fact, I can see no goal upon which we should place a greater focus.
On October 1st last year, the “minister for society construction” (if one translates it directly), Mona Sahlin, wrote an op-ed that Sweden aim to be independent of oil imports by 2020 (the translation of that link appears to be a speech rather than a direct translation of the op-ed, but you get the picture). Of course oil will be imported and used, and of course it will probably take longer than 2020 to completely rid ourselves of it, but the stated goal is to be so independent of it that we can cope with disruptions, price hikes and other oil-related system shocks without suffering long-term, deep economic damage. And of course the environmental benefits are huge as well.
I realize that most countries do not have the chance of doing this (Sweden is geographically huge, full of rivers and other sources of renewable energy, and doesn’t have the population size nor the traditions of car travel and invidual travel as many other countries), but it’s still something to be praised.
I never thought I’d agree with that bitch minister Mona Sahlin about anything, but this one I can back. This is absolutely possible, and even better would be if other small nations with high potential for renewable energy would follow suit.
Bertie Ahern, are you listening?
Edit: I actually found a better translation of the original press release. It’s right here.