Denmark is "Energy Smart"? Think Again.

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This is cherry picking and half-truths.
When looking at carbon dioxide emissions, Denmark is a 'white raven' amongst its peers. Even though economic development and population growth did not differ from most other Western countries during that period, they kept their CO2 emissions flat, while nearly all others increased their CO2 emissions considerably between 1990 and 2007. The US by 20%. But since that doesn't fit the narrative, the author suddenly shifts to another metric: carbon intensity. Oh, and the goalposts are moved again: the reference period suddenly becomes 1999 to 2006. I thought we were talking about the period 1990-2007?
Let's look at the carbon intensity for the 1990-2007 period. Over that period the US decreased their carbon intensity by 21% and Denmark by .... 36%. Oops.
(GDP: US $8.5 trillion and $13 trillion vs Denmark $ 124 billion and 202 billion from CIA world factbook.
CO2: US 5445 Mt and 6524 Mt vs Denmark 55.8 Mt vs 58.1 Mt from BP statistical review of world energy 2011).
By subtly changing metrics and periods, the author can make you believe what he wants you to believe.
The CO2 emissions from electricity generation stayed flat from 1990 to 2007. But the author fails to note that Denmark generated 50% more electricity in 2007 than in 1990. Another half truth.
For coal the same goalpost shuffle: the period is now 1999-2007. We can see why when we lookup the data in BP's statistical review of world energy. In 1990, coal consumption was about 25% higher than in 2007. If you torture the data long enough, it will tell you everything you want to hear.
But there is a big truth hiding in the issue that the author raises, although he misses it completely. A shift to renewable energy (or another CO2-free/peak whatever resistant/self sufficient form of energy) is useless without a focus on energy conservation. You can install whatever super duper eco technology you like, if you don't keep your energy use in check, it is all in vain.

Anne of AL 2:21PM August 17, 2011

For hundreds of millions of years diatoms and corals and other shelled critters have been stripping CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestering it in limestone and chalk. As a result, the productivity of the biosphere has been cut significantly.
It will be very hard to undo the depredations of these greedy critters, but we must do our best. Their byproducts like limestone etc. must be fed into cement plants or whatever will help cook the CO2 back out, and the plants should be powered by coal, where possible.
Maximize CO2 output! Save the planet's life forms from the carbon famine!

Brian H 8:41AM February 24, 2010

The recent CEPOS wind study, written mainly by Hugh Sharman, states that wind reduced carbon emissions in Denmark, somewhat. But let's examine this further. In fact, the study showed all that installed carpet of wind, which provides little energy within Denmark itself for grid security reasons, is effective only because the hydro imported from Scandinavia (which emits no carbon) regulates most of the wind flux. Over the last twenty years, the Danes have reduced their fossil fuel consumption vis a vis electricity by about 6%. But this is mostly accounted for by increased importation of Scandinavian hydro, not wind alone--typically at spot market prices. The little that wind itself saves in Denmark is likely miniscule; and, regionally, Danish wind saves no carbon emissions, as the report revealed. If Denmark, as Sharman pointed out, did not have the Scandinavian "sink" in which it could dump its considerable excess wind, and if that sink did not have hydro as its principle source of power, the inference is clear. Denmark would be awash in both carbon dioxide emissions and wind turbines in the production of electricity.

Jon Boone of MD 10:46PM December 23, 2009

The Danish myth is compounded by its omitting its, and one of the world's largest, emitters from its national statistics. This from Endseurope, an environmental info site.
ENDS Europe
Friday 8 February 2008
"Denmark's largest firm, the shipping conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk, emits more greenhouse gases than the rest of the country combined, it emerged through media reports on Friday. Politicians, scientists and NGOs have expressed frustration that emissions from the sector continue to be omitted from national climate statistics."
If one takes the published emissions figure then more than double it according to the above you're in the very big leagues indeed on a per capita basis.

alec kitson 9:47AM December 23, 2009

Perhaps the Danes had so little reduction because their CO2 emmissions are so low to begin with. The lower one goes, the harder it becomes to achieve further gains. Denmark's per capita CO2 is less than half that of the United States. I suppose there's nothing like facts out of context....

Ken Duble of TX 4:40PM December 19, 2009

... those rioting, young Danes looked a little too happy, wearing parkas and fur hoods, slipping around on ice covered streets, fighting with police, or anyone who disagreed with them - No wonder they want to keep their "ice follies" going and fight global warming - Rioting over Global Warming dogma in the ice and slush is so paradoxically funny!
Inside that giant, heated, auditorium, thousands of grim faced representatives from non-industrialized countries, sat around maneuvering and negotiating for loot from industrial countries so that they could become industrial countries themselves. A theater of the absurd.
Robotic Al droned on about deniers and flat-earthers. Someone should change the microchip in the back of his head. And while you're in there fix his eyes so they blink more often so he appears more life-like.
The circus was capped off by Desmond Tutu in a snow-suit - never thought I'd see that.
Obama's co2 spewing entourage is on the way to add more solemn faced insanity to the hyperbolic fandango.
T.V. just doesn't get any better.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:24PM December 17, 2009