| |
|
|
|
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) [1] believes that the government's chief scientific adviser, Professor David King, has neglected [2,3] two of the most important factors which should influence UK energy policy. These are the nuclear power-weapons connection, and the need for a shift away from a growth economy towards a conserver economy.
SGR welcomes Professor King's recognition of the importance of reducing fossil fuel consumption. Reducing world CO2 emissions is indeed an urgent necessity [4] and the UK must play its part. We also welcome his call for a substantial increase in renewable energy production.
We think, however, that Professor King is mistaken in concluding that we need to continue our dependence on nuclear power.
Even the Working Paper on Energy Scenarios to 2020 [5] of the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit comes to a more qualified conclusion than Professor King's current position. According to this paper, the UK, by incorporating values of global sustainability and local stewardship, could achieve a 30-40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. This could be achieved by more rapid development and take up of a range of renewable energy technologies, including wind and wave power, biomass energy crops, solar photovoltaics and hydrogen-powered fuel cells, together with investments to implement energy efficiency improvements in homes and businesses.
SGR is especially dismayed that Professor King appears to be going along with a general political line, which remains silent on the nuclear power-weapons connection and on the need for changes in our economic priorities.
Concerning the first of these, a major reliance on nuclear energy inevitably produces large amounts of materials that might be used as nuclear weapons. This reason alone is sufficient to rule out the building of new nuclear power stations.
Burning existing stocks of Plutonium, however, might be advantageous. The drawback is the production of large amounts of fission products. Such dangerous materials can be a target for attack. Whether such a risk is less than the alternative - keeping the stocks of weapons materials as well as producing the equivalent energy from fossil fuels - is hard to call.
Concerning the economic question, the central point is that there is no solely technical fix for the world's CO2 emissions problem. Going over to non-CO2-emitting energy generation as fast as possible is necessary. Introducing more efficient means of using the energy we produce is equally necessary, again as fast as possible. But even taken together, these measures will not produce the needed drastic reduction in world CO2 emissions, together with the necessary improvement in the condition of the world's poorest people.
A third element is needed. This is a change in our values - what is more popularly called our lifestyle. We must curtail our energy-intensive activities, other than those that are essential. Transport that uses fossil fuels, especially air transport, must be among the top priorities for reduction.
Such reductions do not entail a lower standard of living. A conserver economy, with emphasis on justice and cooperation, could be more much more pleasant and genuinely prosperous than the existing consumer economy, with its emphasis on growth and competition.
Notes:
[1] Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) is an independent UK organisation of scientists committed to the ethical use of science and technology. See our website
[2] UK 'needs more nuclear stations'
[3] 'Nuclear key' to creating green energy
[4] See the Choose Climate website for a wealth of information and an interactive climate model
[5] Working Paper on Energy Scenarios to 2020 prepared for the Energy Review by the PIU. available at
For further information contact
Dr Stuart Parkinson, Chair (Tel +44 7941 953640)
or Dr Philip Webber, Vice-Chair (Tel +44 7929 827322)
or Dr Alan Cottey, Convenor of study group 'Population, Consumption and Values'
(Tel +44 1508 492464)
 |
 |
 |
 |
To Press Releases IndexSend
correspondence about
the web-site to webmanager@sgr.org.uk |
|||