English version
Berlin, 10 March 2010
Youth Parliament in Berlin:
Energy Consumption Must be Reduced
Permanently
Plastics save energy, cut resource consumption and help
secure the future
Enabling energy savings, climate protection and further technological progress: issues discussed
worldwide by decision-makers in politics, science and industry were also debated by over 100 young
members of the first "Youth Energy Parliament" in the Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus, the local parliament
building of Berlin.
The youngsters called upon politicians and industry to improve conditions for a clear and permanent
reduction of energy consumption. However, also everyone individually must be willing to invest in
climate protection.
The debate initiated by European plastics manufacturers (PlasticsEurope) shows that possibilities for
energy savings are far from exhausted. Young people see much further potential especially in the
heating or cooling of houses and flats, in automobile and air transport and in the sensible use of
renewable energies. The discussion highlights that in particular innovative plastics can make decisive
contributions to lower resource consumption and better climate protection.
In the debate the fact emerges that nearly 90 percent of crude oil is used as combustibles or fuels, i.e.
in single and short-lived applications. By comparison, with 4 to 6 percent the raw material input in
plastics production is rather low. In heat or cold insulation of buildings, plastics are even energy
suppliers – because, after only a short while, the energy saving effect exceeds the amount of energy
needed in the manufacture of insulating materials.
The Youth Energy Parliament in Berlin was the start of a series of debates in 10 parliaments across
Europe. From each debate, 10 winners will be selected to go to the closing event. All in all, over 1000
youngster will discuss climate protection issues from a European perspective. The closing event will
take place in the European Parliament in Brussels early 2008 where the best debaters from national
Youth Energy Parliaments will be invited to a concluding discussion.
English version
Berlin, 10 March 2010
Below is the picture of the first 10 winners from the Berlin Parliament debate.
Editor’s Note
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels,
Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national
plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of
all polymers across the EU27 member states plus Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and
Turkey.
The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by
enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency
and climate protection.
More than 1.6 million people are working in about 50.000 companies (mainly small and
medium sized companies in the converting sector) to create a turnover in excess of 280
billion € per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers - represented by
PlasticsEurope, converters - represented by EuPC and machine manufacturers represented by EUROMAP.
For further info see the web links:
www.plasticseurope.org - www.plasticsconverters.eu - www.euromap.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kurt Stepping, Communication Director
Phone: +49 (0)69 25 56 13 04
email: info.de@plasticseurope.org