**5.2 Europe**

Saving energy is pursued at the government level in Europe and Asia. Outside of the USA, the government is more likely to be involved in saving energy programs (Martinot, 1998). Numerous energy conservation programs and studies have been conducted in Europe (Kaygusuz, 1999), of which the attempts in Hungary are among those well documented (Aunan, 1998, 2009). As in North America, there is still plenty of scope for reducing energy conservation.

Modern Transitions in Saving Energy and the Environment 201

Inherently inefficient UPS takes more electric power

**6. Consumer behavior** 

paid amount runs out.

**6.1 Telecommunication** 

Energy Shortage

Greater public Investment in UPS

Fig. 6. The vicious cycle, where fuel shortage cause more rolling blackouts, causing installation of more UPS, which absorbs more electric power, causing more shortages.

been to save money, and to solve the energy problem (Marvin, 1981).

were clearly sufficient to counter the warm weather.

In spite of all the energy-saving programs, there is great scope of reducing energy consumption by individuals. Since about 1981, surveys have indicated that a significant portion of North Americans believe the energy problem is real and serious. Since 1977, state agencies and universities in Virginia have been funded to provide energy conservation information to the general public (Geller, 1981). Large portions of the public also support relatively strong conservation policies. Two major reasons cited for conserving energy have

Energy may be saved by improving consciousness about the energy consumption of appliances and equipment. Along these lines, there have been attempts at "smart metering" which gives gives real time energy consumption information (Ehrhardt-Martinez, 2010). In Bangladesh, pre-paid metering has been implemented, which stops energy, when the pre-

According to a preliminary survey in developed and underdeveloped countries (S. Khan, 2011), offices and public buildings were more likely to have lights and air-conditioners on needlessly. Shopping complexes were found to use lights much brighter than required. The preliminary surveys indicated that air conditioning was used throughout the year, even during months or days, when plain ventilation was sufficient for health and comfort. Cooling fans were not installed or used, when in conjunction with outside ventilation, they

The essence of saving energy programs is changing consumer behavior. Awareness must be created that saving energy will prolong availability of fossil fuel, and help keep prices low.

While the land phone has had almost complete penetration in North America for the last few decades, there has been a dramatic rise in cell phones in more recent times. The rise in telecommunication has been particularly dramatic in developing countries, where

Rolling Blackouts
