Pursue application of science and skills
KNOWLEDGEABLE folk will agree that you cannot stop an ocean liner on a sixpence due to its mass and inertia. By the same token we cannot get rid of fossil fuels overnight, without our electricity-dependent society collapsing and people subsequently ending up in caves.
The informed answer and salvation to this dilemma is not covering the countryside and coastal areas with limited and erratic solar, onshore/offshore wind farms, and building horrendously costly, potentially dangerous and dirty nuclear fission power stations. But by pursuing the intelligent application of scientific, technological and engineering knowledge and skills – assets lacking with government cabinet ministers and sadly most politicians.
Fortunately, salvation is there for the taking by effectively burning fossil fuels to lessen fossil fuels – that is, until genuine eco-friendly generation becomes a reality. This deliverance can be accomplished by accepting the efficient gas-fired power station of the CombinedCycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) type, which is far cleaner than its coal cousin, being also quick and cheap to build.
Indeed, CCGT stations can further be much more eco-friendly if supplied with pre-heated geothermal water. It is shameful that billions wasted on large scale solar and wind had not been spent on geothermal technology. The Romans, if around today, would truly have exploited this gift beneath our feet (note the Roman baths in Somerset).
Additionally, and ignoring all the negative propaganda, controlled UK fracking would ensure the UK was totally independent on energy, seriously driving down energy bills and enhancing the whole economy – as it has been accomplished in the USA – surely a no-brainer?
Looking beyond the end of their noses, why are government ministers not pursuing power from space (we enjoy TV from space)? A technology we could be exploiting within a decade as we certainly have the knowledge, coupled with launch costs having come down – there are now thousands of satellites in orbit. Then, looking to the future, there is the Holy Grail of generation that is nuclear fusion – time for and politicians to depart the “rabbit hole”.
Dave Haskell
Brithdir, Cardigan