Uploaded on 2020-07-27 by Janine Sterner

1. The dominant fossil fuels used in Germany are oil (mostly imported), coal (53,8 % produced, 46,2 % imported) and natural gas (mostly imported). 2. The dominant fossil fuels are mainly used for transport and industry; then follow residential (households?) and commerce and public services. 3. Germany is renowned for its „Energiewende“, the transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable sources, such as wind and solar energy. However, currently these alternatives seem to have somewhat stalled. There is still a strong support of politics for traditional coal mining industries (due to strong lobbying...) which receive more subsidies than alternative energy companies do. At the same time, there are a lot of bureaucratic hurdles slowing down the erection of i.e. windparks. I would therefore: subsidize alternative energy sourcing (especially wind, solar and geothermal), close down coal mining. In terms of consumption: extend and improve public transportation, particularly the train network to make it more attractive than cars or domestic flights for distance travelling. To that end, also reduce costs of public transport and raise taxes for fossil fuels. Within cities: also make public transport, cycling and walking more attractive to reduce car traffic. Photo from pexels (free use)