Conventional energy sources

Everybody is talking about the initiating climate catastrophe. Still, the lion's share of energy consumed in Germany is produced by burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, lignite and natural gas. These energy sources are available not only in limited amounts but they also pollute our atmosphere to a considerable extent with combustion gases, especially carbon dioxide. One has to realize that carbon is bound in the deposits of oil, coal and natural gas that were removed from the atmosphere over millions of years through the photosynthesis of plants. Apart from the pollution from combustion processes that lead to a number of hazardous compounds, enormous amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted. Many scientists now believe that global warming and ozone holes are in direct connection with the current form of energy production. But the once highly praised nuclear energy production has not proved to be a model for the future. Again and again, we hear about obscure nuclear plant accidents. Apart from the disastrous effects of power plant accidents, such as, for example, in Chernobyl, the environment will be polluted for millennia with the radioactive waste products of this energy source. With the use of nuclear energy, we jeopardize the livelihood of all mankind on our planet.

The Federal Republic of Germany also faces other threats. Crude oil, natural gas, coal and uranium have to be imported. Especially the influence of a natural gas supplier, who has recognized this dependence, should not be underestimated. Germany is a developed country, whose economic survival depends on a sufficient energy supply. Indeed, it could be possible for example in case of failure of natural gas supplies from Eastern Europe that "the lights go out” here in Germany.