Environmental Sustainability in the EU my country is Portugal - Essay Example

Environmental Sustainability in the EU & Portugal’s Scope of Using Renewable Energy College) Environmental Sustainability in the EU & Portugal’s Scope of Using Renewable Energy Introduction Since global warming and green house effect have become hot button issues for international political debate, the European Commission today heeds great emphasis on environmental sustainability. According to World Commission on Environment and Development, “environmental sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs” (cited in Geneseo).

This concept works to promote developments by maintaining the equilibrium of economy. Environmental issues have become a major concern for all nations for they evidently formulate specific policies for ensuring ecological safety. At this juncture, the promotion of renewable energy sources requires higher significance. This paper in particular, will evaluate Portugal’s potential for using renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy use The sustainability of an economy highly depends on the availability and consumption rate of its energy resources.

The development of profitable energy resources has a direct impact on market expansion and the quality of public services. The market price of no-renewable energy includes cost of exploration, refining, pollution measures, distribution and transportation expenses, and taxes and other related fees (Conserve energy future). In addition to the market price, non-renewable energy also includes some other costs called externality costs that arise due to factors such as property damage, environmental damage, war, and health care.

Hence, it is evident that energy prices and externality costs would influence the rate of energy consumption. Renewable energy sources Obviously solar energy is an eco-friendly renewable energy that is available at free cost. Any person may make use of solar energy as it can be stored with a single solar panel and a battery cell (facts aboutsolarenergy.com). Solar energy is very convenient to users as it can be generated anywhere sun light reaches. Absence of pollutants is one of the notable advantages of solar energy.

In addition, since the life period of photovoltaic cells is high, it needs no additional costs for maintenance. These fruitful features offer a prosperous future for the solar energy especially, in the current state of global energy crisis. Portugal’s accessibility to solar energy From the Portugal climate graph, the country’s average sunlight hours/day seems better (Portugal climate graph). It increases the scope for the generation of solar energy across the nation. The country has already generated solar energy in order to prevent climate changes and to overcome current energy issues.

For instance, the Serpa solar power plant is a huge photovoltaic power project in Portugal. As Vidal (2008) reports, the world’s largest photovoltaic farm is being built in the Moura district of Portugal. Portugal is one of the sunniest areas of Europe, which has the features for increasing country’s potential for promoting solar energy resources. Conclusion It is not possible to maintain a steady and continuous economic growth without considering environmental sustainability as a key area (European commission).

The environmental issues may impose additional costs on businesses and other services. The discussion above reveals that application of renewable energy resources such as solar energy would contribute to the environmental stability in EU especially, in Portugal. References Discover the true facts about solar energy. Facts about solar energy .com. retrieved from http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/facts-about-solar-energy.html EU action against climate change. European commission climate action.

Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm Portugal climate graph. Retrieved from http://www.climatetemp.info/portugal/ Vidal, J. (June 6, 2008). “World’s biggest solar farm at centre of Portugal’s ambitious energy plan”. Guardian.uk. retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/06/renewableenergy.alternativeenergy What is environmental sustainability? Geneseo, State University of New York. Retrieved from http://www.geneseo.edu/sustainability/what-is What is energy?

Conserve energy future. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/