Steven Hill from the New America Foundation has a fantastic op-ed piece in the New York Times outlining the many ways in which Europe’s investments in energy efficiency measures and renewable energy infrastructure has (Surprise!) dramatically reduced their carbon footprint.  As a result, the average European today emits half the carbon of an average American. Buildings are of course a major component of Europe’s success in transforming their energy policy.  The image above is the latest fruit from this tree, the Stephan Behnisch designed Unilever HQ in Hamburg that uses about one quarter the energy of a typical American office building.  But he points out that the hole we have dug ourselves is also an opportunity:

Improving energy efficiency in buildings would translate to a whopping 25 percent reduction in America’s carbon emissions.

Mr. Hill has written a book about all this progress across the pond, Europe’s Promise.  Its on my list and should be on yours as well.