London, UK, November 6, 2007.
The UK Environment Agency has polled a group of environmental experts for
their suggestions on how to save the planet.
The renewables field makes a strong showing at number 14 with an entry
entitled 'A Surge in Renewables.' It points out that Britain has some of the
best renewable energy resources on its own doorstep, including 40% of
Europe's windpower. The sea comes in for particular praise, with Paul Brown,
former Guardian correspondent and author of global warming, and Chris
Goodall, Independent on Sunday writer and author of How to Live a Low Carbon
Life, enthusiastic about undersea turbines that harness tidal power. Ocean
energy conversion - which uses the difference in temperature between surface
and deep sea water to extract heat and turn turbines - is also favourably
mentioned.
Incentivising green products is enthusiastically endorsed, ranking at number
six in the Top 100. "Every product that reduces the nation's carbon dioxide
footprint (for example, insulation) should be zero rated for VAT and clearly
labelled as such," says Paul Brown. One intriguing idea put forward by David
Boyle, an associate at the New Economics Foundation, is for local, regional
and city currencies. "This means we use resources more efficiently," he
says.
At number four the unbundling of electricity generation and distribution is
a revolution waiting to happen, according to the experts. Noel Wheatley,
Head of International Relations at the Environment Agency, believes that EC
member states need to accept that electricity production and distribution
can be owned separately. From there it's a short step to 'small scale
electricity generation that is cost effective and works well, particularly
wind turbines and solar panels.'
Also in the top five are demands for a major post-Kyoto treaty, 'based on
support from citizens, businesses, local authorities, NGO's and faith
groups.'
Solar power is ranked near the top of the list at number three with Jonathan
Porritt, Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission,
enthusiastically endorsing large scale solar power. According to Paul Brown,
"using giant mirrors in tropical and desert regions to direct the sun's rays
onto a liquid so it boils and turns turbines to make electricity." Chris
Goodall observes that the very high cost of producing large slabs of silicon
may fall sharply because of recent advances in nanotechnology. "We can
expect very thin layers of photovoltaic material to cover large parts of
buildings at a reasonable price" says Goodall.
A notable arrival at number two is what might be termed a matter of faith.
That is, the need for religious leaders to make the planet, rather than
their respective gods, the priority. "The world's faith groups have been
silent for too long," says Nick Reeves, Executive Director, CIWEM. "It is
time that they fulfilled their rightful collective role in reminding us that
we have a duty to restore and maintain the ecological balance of the
planet."
At number one pride of place goes to powering down the profusion of white
goods that are estimated to waste the equivalent of two electrical power
stations every year. Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper sums it up
as, "All electrical products to embody the most energy efficient
technology."
The report makes fascinating reading. Amongst other things it reads like a
wish list for the renewables industry as it highlights familiar demands such
as the need for better biofuels, increased use of solar power, tougher
post-Kyoto targets, decentralisation of power supplies and the abandonment
of the fossil fuel habit. Surprisingly for a report from an official
government body there is no mention of nuclear power and overpopulation is
oddly passed off as the responsibility of Governments not couples.
Of course it's not all plain sailing for renewables. For example, although
biofuels make the list at number 15 they are strongly criticised by one of
the contributors, Chris Goodall. He says "Conventional biofuels are a
complete disaster, financially and environmentally," but then dispels the
gloom by making a plea for better biofuels. "We may see cost competitive
technologies for breaking up the cellulosic material of plants within ten
years or so. This means we will be able to use most organic wastes to make
fuels much more efficiently."
One thing that comes through strongly in reading the list is the emphasis on
individuals generating their own power either at home or in the community
and the need to ‘spread the word’.
Each contributor was able to nominate up to five things in the following
categories - consumer and domestic, groups and networks, ideas and belief
systems, policies and agreements and science, technology and education.
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