ABSTRACT
This chapter compares the energy policies of developed nations with differing governmental structures. It also compares and contrasts energy policy of the United States of America, with a two-party democratic republican government, the Kingdom of Denmark with a multi-party democratic coalition government and the People's Republic of China, a totalitarian government. China and the United States were selected as they are the biggest carbon emitters and the world's two largest economies. The chapter provides suggestions for developing improved public understanding of energy and climate issues via improved pedagogy need to assure better systems for teaching and learning about the climate change issue and ensure sound energy policy development. The relatively slow transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy systems in the United States may be attributed to a number of factors. The severe economic recession of 2008–2012 caused a shift in investor funding away from new technologies such as wind and solar power.
