Generating energy from renewable sources will keep the lights on. The UK has access to the best wind and wave power in Europe*. Tapping into these resources makes economic sense. UK offshore wind and wave power could generate £3 billion and create 160,000 jobs. And it can put us in charge of our energy supply. The elements will not expire. Capturing their energy is becoming more cost competitive while global fuel costs are rising. Germany already generates 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources, yet the UK is struggling to hit 4 per cent.
Small-scale renewable electricity schemes could generate more than twice the output of Sizewell B nuclear power station by 2020 if Ministers improve the proposed Clean Energy Cash-back scheme due to be launched in April 2010, Friends of the Earth says.
Commenting on energy minister Ed Miliband's announcements on more nuclear power stations today, Ben Ayliffe, head of Greenpeace's nuclear campaign, said:
"Miliband can name as many sites as he likes for new nuclear power stations, but the fact remains that the figures simply don't add up.
"Even the Thatcher government realised this. It was exactly 20 years ago to the day that they pulled nuclear plants from the energy privatisation scheme when they realised that nuclear power was not an attractive investment for private companies. And it still isn't.
A day after climate change talks ended in deadlock in Bangkok one of the richest men in the world, George Soros pledged US$1 billion as an investment in clean energy technology. Will this make a difference in terms of reducing carbon emissions? Yes, probably…But a further question is: Will the clean energy technology be adopted [...]
The Government today launched its Low Carbon Transition Plan - a route map towards achieving a 34% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. In response, Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said
Members of our coalition will welcome this announcement. Ed Miliband must be congratulated for at last offering a step-wise plan to tackling the UK’s carbon emissions.
Friends of the Earth today welcomed Ofgem's announement that renewable energy companies would be connected to the Grid more quickly, but said a long-term solution was urgently needed for the UK to meet its renewable energy target and create green jobs
Dirty Oil: a new film about tar sands from the Co-op
Greenpeace
12 March
Ask the climate question in Birmingham Edgbaston!
RSPB
12 March
Students voice their opinion on climate change
Practical Action
11 March
Army chief sees no need to replace Trident
Greenpeace
11 March
High speed rail announcement - Greenpeace response
Greenpeace
10 March
MPs grill bailed-out banks chief over RBS climate chaos funding
People & Planet
9 March
‘Growing the Future’: Trust launches its general election manifesto
Woodland Trust
4 March
New Report - RBS is UK's biggest tar sands funder
People & Planet
4 March
Energy in developing countries
Practical Action
3 March
Will Britain's biggest funders drop tar sands?
People & Planet
2 March