Which country in Europe is the leading producer of renewable energy?

[NNadir]

Let's do this graphically:



How does the leading country in Europe generate its renewable energy:



(Note that as everywhere, solar energy is trivial.)

This country produces more electricity than it needs:



This country has some of the lowest per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the world.



This country is the second largest producer of nuclear energy in the world:



http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/anglais/politique-energetique.htm

[dave_p]

1. Well that just clinches it...

The right's nuts will be demanding even more SUV's now... after all, we couldn't risk ending up like... like France!! :rofl:

[NNadir]

2. It would seem that France has the best energy policies in the world.

Their next election is worrisome though. Neither of the candidates seem too sharp.

It's almost as bad as Kennedy vs. Nixon.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. That third chart needs its captions ...

Its energy independence ratio stands at about 50%

Graph 6: Energy independence trends by energy source

The ratio for energy independance is the primary production divided the primary consumption, by energy or total


(That's an interesting Web site. The info at the very top of the page is particularly enlightening -- France is basically an energy-poor country.)

The population of France (62 million inhabitants) represents 1% of the world population.
Its area (544,000 sq. km) is equivalent to 0.1% of the world's land mass.
Its gross domestic product (1,710 billion euros in 2005) contributes 3.3% of the world GDP.
Its primary energy consumption (275 Mtoe) is about 2.5% of world energy supplies (Total Primary Energy Supply : TPES).
But it has only 0.01% of the known world fossil fuel reserves (23 Mtoe).

[NNadir]

4. It's interesting that with almost no fossil fuel reserves, they will be the last one

with the lights on.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. I guess they were FORCED to plan ahead, while we have dawdled. nt

[NNadir]

6. They used to say when choosing the nuclear path:

"No oil, no gas, no coal, no choice."

It was fortunate for humanity that they had no choice. They did an outstanding job and they have shown the world what is possible. I think that the French people deserve international applause.

There is no nation with huge oil or coal or gas reserves that is as responsible as is France.

[Systematic Chaos]

7. Just to lighten the mood around here, any of us could be a Genius in France!!!

If anyone here is a fan of either Weird Al or Frank Zappa, then you have got to check out this song. It's both funny and brilliant, and it's my way of giving France a salute for their responsible and truly "genius" energy policy! :D


Genius In France
by Al Yankovic


NOTE: Lyrics in ITALICS are in French.
NOTE: Translations of the French phrases are available by clicking here.
NOTE: Lyrics that are UNDERLINED were not sung by Al.

Lyrics:

I'm not the brightest crayon in the box
Everyone says I'm dumber than a bag of rocks
I barely even know how to put on my own pants
But I'm a genius in France (yeah), genius in France, genius in France

Hoom chaka laka
Hoom chaka laka
Hoom chaka

I may not be the sharpest hunk of cheese
I got a negative number on my SATs
I'm not good looking and I don't know how to dance
But nevertheless and in spite of the evidence I am still widely considered to be
A genius in France, a genius in France, a genius in France

People say I'm a geek, a moronic little freak
An annoying pipsqueak with an unfortunate physique
If I was any dumber, they'd have to water me twice a week

But when the Mademoiselles see me, they all swoon and shriek
They dig my mystique, they say I'm c'est magnifique
When I'm in Par-ee, I'm the chic-est of the chic

They love my body odor and my bad toupee
They love my stripey shirt and my stupid beret
And when I'm sipping on a Perrier
In some cafe town in St. Tropez

It's hard to keep the fans at bay
They say, "Sign my poodle, s'il vous plait"
"Sign my poodle, s'il vous plait"

Hemenene humenene
himenene homenene
Poodle... poodle...

Folks in my hometown think I'm a fool
Got too much chlorine in my gene pool

A few peas short of a casserole
A few buttons missing on my remote control
A few fries short of a happy meal
I couldn't pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel

Instructions on the heel
Instructions on the heel

But when I'm in Provence, I get free croissants
Yeah, I'm the guy every French lady wants
And if you ask 'em why, you're bound to get this response
(He's a genius in France! Genius in France!)

That's right
(He's a genius in France, genius in France)
You know it
(He's a genius in France, genius in France, genius in France)

I'm not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree
But the folks in France, they don't seem to agree
They say, "Bonjour, Monsieur would you take ze picture with me?"

I say, "Oui, oui"
That's right, I say, "Oui, oui"
"Oui, oui"
He says, "Oui, oui"

I'm dumber than a box of hair
But those Frenchies don't seem to care
Don't know why, mon frere
But they love me there

I'm a genius in France
Yeah, I'm a genius in France

Gonna make a big splash when I show up in Cannes
Gonna make those Frenchies scream
"You ze man! You ze man! You ze man!"

Like a fine Renoir (waa), I've got that je ne c'est quoi (quoi!)
Like a fine Renoir (ooh la la), I've got that je ne c'est ...
Quoi quoi quoi quoi quoi, oo-we-oo
Quoi quoi quoi quoi quoi, oo-we-oo

Bow diddy bow di bow di bow bow diddy
Bow diddy bow di bow di bow bow diddy
Bow



I'm a taco short of a combo plate
But by some twist of fate, all the Frogs think I'm great
Oh, the men all faint and the women scream
They like me more than heavy cream

When I'm in Versailles, I'm a popular guy
My oh my, I'm as French as apple pie (apple pie)
They think I'm awfully witty, a riot and a half
When I tell a stupid joke, they laugh (haw haw haw haw haw)
And laugh (haw haw haw haw haw haw)

People in France have lots of attitude
They're snotty and rude, they like disgusting food
But when they see me, they just come unglued
They think that I am one happening dude

Bowm ba ba bowm ba bowm ba bowm
I'm about as sharp as a bowling ball
But they like me better than Charles de Gaulle

Entre nous, it's very true
The room temperature's higher than my IQ
But they love me more than Gerard Depardieu
How did this happen; I don't have a clue

Well, I'm not the quickest tractor on the farm
I don't have any skills or grace or charm
And most people look at me like I'm all covered with ants
But I'm a genius in France (yeah), genius in France, genius in France

And I'm never goin' back, I'm never goin' back
I'm never never never never goin' back home again
I'm tearin' up my return flight ticket
Gonna tell the folks back here where they can stick it

'Cause I'm never goin' back
I'm never goin' back
I'm never goin' back

The girls back home never gave me a chance
But I sho' 'nuff got them Frogs in some kinda trance
And I'm aware that it's a most improbable circumstance
But "Great Googily Moogily!", I'm a genius in France

Every Frenchie that I meet
Just can't wait to kiss my feet
Get in line, pucker up! Tout Suite!

Bowm diddy bowm diddy bowm diddy

I'm gettin' even more famous by the hour
I'm stuffed with pastries and drunk with power
Now they're puttin' up my statue by the Eiffel Tower

A little more to the left, boys, a little more to the left
A little more to the left, boys, a little more to the left

I'm the biggest dork there is alive
My mom picked out my clothes for me 'till I was 35
And I forgot to mention
I'm not even welcome at the Star Trek convention

But the Frenchies think
That my poop don't stink
I'm a genius in France

Say, would you pass the Grey Poupon?
Merci beaucoup



Genius In France is the twelvth (12th) song on the "Poodle Hat" album. It is an original song by "Weird Al" Yankovic and was written as a tribute to Frank Zappa. Dweezil Zappa played guitar.