Sweden has decided to “completely end its dependency on fossil fuels” within the next 15 years, an Associated Press report, carried in this newspaper a few days ago, said.

The declaration was met with enthusiasm by pro-environment groups and with skepticism from some experts who said that the target seems to be unrealistic.

While it is acknowledged that getting rid of oil completely in such a short time may be impossible, the report said that the aim is to ensure that Swedes will not be forced to use fossil fuels because a renewable energy source is not available.

Sweden’s plan comes in response to global climate change, rising petroleum prices – the Swedes believe that the price of fuel will cost double in five years’ time – and warnings by experts that the world might soon run out of oil.

Sweden has been working hard over the years to reduce its dependency on oil. In 2003, only 32 per cent of its energy came from oil, down from 77 per cent in 1970. In the same year, 26 per cent of energy consumed came from renewable sources, and this was more than four times that of the European Union average of six per cent.

The report added that while the EU is struggling to double its renewable energy use to 12 per cent by 2010, Sweden “is setting the bar much higher”.

What does this have to do with Malta?

It goes to prove that while other countries are moving well ahead in reducing their dependency on oil products for the reasons mentioned earlier, and have set big targets for themselves, our own country is still very much dependent on oil. Perhaps worse still, little has been done to promote the use of alternative energy, and public debate on the matter is still rather limited.

Over the years the government has offered incentives linked with renewable energy resources, but these have not been as successful as one would have expected. It seems that there is little information about other sources of energy, and bar a few experts or interested persons who write in newspapers every now and then, most of the people seem to be oblivious to the fact that other forms of energy exist.

Of course, there can never be a comparison between Sweden and Malta on these terms. Sweden has been a leader in renewable energy for decades, and Malta is still in its infancy on the matter, if at all.

What is sure is that a lot more can be done locally to push more people into using alternative sources of energy. Unfortunately, the government is not leading by example in this regard. If Sweden is too much of a big example to compare with Malta, a quick look at what is happening in Cyprus – a country that is more similar to Malta than Sweden in many aspects – should lead to a stronger approach by the authorities.

Cyprus has taken great strides forward in this regard, and its example should be followed by the local authorities.

Malta too is suffering from the increase in the international price of oil, as everyone can see for themselves with the surcharge on water and electricity bills and the increase in the price of fuel products. In a small way, Malta too can contribute towards a better climate and environment if oil is used less. And if, as the experts are warning, the world will soon run out of oil, what is Malta going to do?

Many countries are setting renewable energy targets, maybe not as high as Sweden’s, but targets nonetheless.

We are lagging behind on this. But we are still in time. It would need a big culture change, but we are sure that the Maltese will respond if directed and informed well. Let us not stall what is ultimately inevitable any longer.

The past few weeks have witnessed the launching of a campaign to educate the Maltese people on the need to diversify our energy production methods in an effort to reduce our dependency on oil.

This year, in particular, alarm bells have been sounded by eminent scientists and goodwill ambassadors on the dangers posed by climate change and the draining of the world’s fossil fuels.

It is no secret that up to a few years ago, Malta lagged behind in the field of innovation and implementation of energy-saving devices and sources of alternative energy. Yet the last few years have seen the government come up with various initiatives to stimulate interest in the use of both. Last week, Resources Minister Ninu Zammit announced the launch of a campaign to better inform people. He has taken the sensible approach of reminding people that it is relatively easy to reduce their electricity bills by simply eliminating energy waste.

Such measures are very simple: not leaving televisions and other electronic equipment on standby, and switching off water heaters when not in use. The costs savings that can be made are quite surprising, but on top of that we will be reducing energy consumption.

The levels of energy production increase more steeply every year, especially in view of the fact that air conditioning units and electronic goods are becoming much cheaper to buy. However, the cost of running them, both in terms of the environment and one’s pocket, is a very different story.

The energy curve will continue to grow, but the challenge we now face as a global population is to stop that curve from rising so steeply. To combat this, Malta has set itself the target of reducing energy consumption by nine per cent in nine years. This might not sound like a lot, but a wholesale campaign needs to be launched.

We know that the government has launched various support schemes, such as subsidies on energy-efficient white goods and electronic equipment. This is in itself very positive, but laymen need to be shown that if such goods are purchased, the consumer will be the one to benefit in the long run.

The government is also trying to set examples by reducing the amount of paper used, installing solar heating panels and using electric and bio-diesel cars, but more needs to be done.

Malta is not a large country and as we have seen before, if we really put our minds to changing something, we can do it. Not many believe that Malta has one of the highest seat belt compliance rates in the world, yet we do. So why can’t Malta change its ways in the field of being more frugal with energy use.

Suggestions that come to mind include a drive to replace as much of our lighting as possible, both domestic and infrastructural, to energy-saving bulbs. Photovoltaic cells that put energy back into the grid have also generated some interest – but they are definitely not generating enough power.

There has also been talk of new technology being found to enable deep-anchored wind farms off the coast of Malta. It might yet be possible in the future, but the government should continue setting a sterling example by what it is doing at the landfills: turning methane gas from decomposing rubbish into energy. That is one area where we have indeed been innovative. It is a start, but more needs to be done.

Without a change in our mindset, we will continue to be an oil-dependent speck in the sea.