Module B1 Study Book - the Graduate School of the Environment

UK very vulnerable to the consequences of a terrorist attack.
If the UK makes new nuclear a core component of its response to climate
change, many other rapidly developing economies will follow suit. It will then
be very hard for the ‘nuclear nations’ to make the case for why they are
allowed nuclear technology while others are considered too ‘unstable’ to
be granted access to it, yet must also meet their climate change targets.
Although the case against nuclear power has changed over the past three
decades, it still remains a very expensive decision.
Think carefully and act rapidly
A ‘Powerdown plus Renewables’ strategy is Britain’s last best hope of
balancing its tottering energy system. We must bear in mind we will be
travelling in unfamiliar territory. Information will come from a broad spectrum
of (quite possibly biased) sources, so we must use a strict methodology of
comparing like with like. There will be life-cycle costs; there will be proven or
speculative costs. We must remain methodical, clearly distinguishing between
energy & electricity, power & energy and using common units throughout.
An ill-informed decision at this point in time could very well come back to
haunt us - but above all we must act. Set against our three key challenges,
‘business as usual’ will be all but impossible. We have always known in the
back of our minds there would be limits to growth, but now the chickens
are really coming home to roost. Yet in every crisis there is opportunity. We
need a new economics, no longer focused on simply maximising growth, but
rather on maximising well being. Once we have the basics, additional income
does not necessarily make us any happier. So, let’s stop growing for the
sake of growing and do other things instead. Let’s focus on delivering a safe
environment for kids to play, clean, safe hospitals and re-building a sense of
community.
So-called ‘third world development’ is a dangerous myth. The majority world
is expected to pull itself out of poverty through globalised trade to satisfy our
selfish desires for cheap exotic products. Firstly the sheer scale will be more
than the climate can bear, and secondly there isn’t enough cheap oil left to
make it a long-term solution. Far better we move from the ‘century of the self’
to the ‘century of the self-reliant’, and begin transforming trans-national trade
towards what we actually need to buy from each other.
We now have a chance to change everything, because everything must
be changed. The search for ‘carbon lean’ fulfilment could very well lead us
back to what we really value. Dealing with the challenges of climate change,
peak oil and international equity holds the potential to become a driver for a
change which will allow us to create the kind of Britain we actually want to
live in. It doesn’t have to be a huge disaster. But getting the best out of such
a massive triple challenge means using the time and the oil we have left to
their very best effect. If we wait until the challenge is really upon us before
becoming serious about developing the solutions, in the ensuing chaos we
may no longer be able to muster the resources required.
18 Lecture: Energy futures