Green Energy
Energy is a key part of any society from keeping the lights on to fuelling our cars the demands for energy increases year on year both in the UK and worldwide.
Most of us take for granted electricity that is available at a flick of a switch however recent blackouts and rising costs highlight the vulnerability of modern power systems. In addition the nuclear power and coal powered stations are due to close by 2020 and therefore replacement generation is required to meet future demand both in the short and long term.
In addition the North Sea oil and gas supplies are depleting and we rely increasingly on fuel imports from a limited number of countries, primarily in politically unstable regions. Without a secure, reliable energy supply our lifestyles and economies cannot continue with business as usual. Renewable energy generation offers a real and viable alternative to relying on increasingly expensive traditional fuel sources.
Besides the economic case for a shift from coal, oil and gas the UK with 1% of the world's population produces 2.3% of the worlds carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 absorbs energy from the sun and along with other green house gases is responsible for the enhanced green house effect.
Power stations contribute 29% of total CO2 emissions in 2001. To stabilise greenhouse emissions today would require an immediate reduction of emissions of 60% . However in the period from 1990 to 2001, there was an increase of around 17% in the amount of electricity generated, a 7% increase in road transport emissions, a 13% increase in residential emissions and a staggering 87% increase in air traffic emissions . Therefore climate change objectives can only be achieved through an integrated low-carbon energy system of which renewables plays a key part along with energy conservation, efficiency, and low carbon fuels.
Climate Change is the greatest environmental threat facing the world as extreme weather events and rising temperatures damage homes, infrastructure, habitats, crops, and water resources. Increased levels of carbon dioxide (C02) and other polluting greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is the main cause of climate change. Power stations in the UK produce nearly a third of the countrys carbon dioxide emissions by burning coal, oil and gas. [more]
North Sea oil and gas supplies are running out. In 2005 the UK became a net importer of fossil fuels, primarily from unstable regions such as the Middle East and former states of the Soviet Union. Increasingly our security of energy supply will be threatened and the cost of fossil fuels will increase.
Nuclear power industry requires 58 billion in government aid to deal with the radioactive waste. Nuclear power was promoted during the Thatcher era as a cheap and sophisticated form of electricity generation. Instead nuclear industry has left us a legacy or radioactive waste and an enormous bill that the tax payer will pick up for generations to come. For these vital reasons there is a moratorium on any new nuclear power stations and our current stockpile will soon be decommissioned therefore replacement generation is required.
The UK electricity mix is 37% gas, 35% coal, 25% nuclear and only 3% renewable, less than 1% of which is from the 82 wind farm projects. Using energy sources that do not rely on expensive, volatile imports, do not produce radioactive waste and release no green house gases are the most logical alternative to our current generation mix. The UK has, in the form of wind power, the largest renewable energy resource in Europe. Renewables offer the opportunity to decrease dependence on polluting fossil fuels and nuclear energy whilst creating significant social and economic benefits for communities and the country as a whole.
Sir
It is widely acknowledged that the realisation of a sustainable energy system, that can address the twin issues of climate change and global energy security, is one of the most important and urgent tasks facing mankind. We the undersigned are in one form or other involved in working towards the realisation of a sustainable energy system in the UK.
The use of nuclear power is one of the options that the government is proposing in order to address climate change and security of supply in the UK. However we share a grave concern that in order to create the framework that will enable the building of new nuclear power stations, the government is considering bringing in measures that could distort the energy market, or undermine the democratic process by taking decisions about the location of new power stations away from locally elected representatives.
There are widely differing views across Europe about whether Nuclear power has a role to play in a future sustainable energy system. But one thing that is certain is that the realisation of a sustainable energy system cannot be achieved without addressing energy demand, and gaining public acceptance for the use of new low carbon technologies.
In Sweden, a country that has made great leaps along the path to environmental sustainability, a referendum was held in the 1980s to determine the future of Nuclear power. The widespread public debate that took place dramatically increased awareness of energy issues across the whole country. Its impacts are still having an effect today and it is one of the key reasons why the Swedish population is highly sensitized to the environmental impacts of energy production and use.
If we wish to reduce energy demand in all sectors and to increase the widespread use of low carbon energy sources in the UK, engaging with the population is essential. An aware, motivated and engaged population will result in more CO2 savings being made, at less cost, more quickly and with more lasting benefits for society as a whole.
The energy review carried out by the DTI has not engaged the population, neither has it involved the widest possible consultation, as Malcolm Wicks said it would. If we are to succeed in motivating the UK public to play its part in reducing CO2 emissions, it is essential that the public be fully engaged in the debate about how best to secure a sustainable energy future for the UK. Decisions about the UKs energy future, that will ultimately affect every man woman and child in the country, must not be taken in camera.
We urgently recommend that before any Government decisions are taken on the future energy strategy for the UK, that a debate is held about whether the issue is of such widespread national and international importance, that any decisions about the role of Nuclear Power in the UKs long-term energy strategy should only be taken on the basis of a national referendum.
The UK has an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how CO2 emissions can be reduced by sustainable means. Let us not take that responsibility lightly.
Yours sincerely
Keith Boxer
Innovation Director
Manchester:Knowledge Capital
Dr Bill Bordass
Principal
William Bordass Associates
London NW1
Professor Sue Roaf,
Oxford Environmental, Oxford
Alex Wright
Director of Studies, Department of
Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath
Alex Solk
Sustainability Group Leader
Sheppard Robson, Manchester
