We must expand our renewable energy

PEOPLE often refer to a perceived threat to food security in their attacks on renewable energy.

Recent Government research suggests that climate change itself will drastically reduce the amount of land in the “best and most versatile” category.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has indeed confirmed that climate change, not solar power, is the “biggest medium to long-term risk” to the nation’s domestic food supply.

Even now, Britain is not food independent, importing almost half of its food and, according to a study by HSBC, this rises to 80% if basic ingredients for food prepared in the UK are included. Climate change will disrupt food production across the world, so will inevitably damage our food security.

Contrary to the alarmist messaging from vocal opponents, solar farms currently occupy just 0.1% of UK land area, and even if the Government target were fully met this would rise to just 0.3%. By contrast, golf courses occupy 0.5% of our land area.

Analysis by countryside charity CPRE showed that between 2010 and 2020, 0.6% of the best land was lost to agriculture. However, just one tenth of that was used for solar farms and more than half was used for building.

The small amount of disruption to UK food production that would result from expanded renewable energy can be replaced many times over by other measures.

Reducing waste and moving to healthier diets are two examples promoted by the Climate Change Committee.

Whilst I support reserving the best agricultural land for food production, we must not hold back on expanding our renewable energy and a balance has to be struck.

Current Government thinking on land-based renewables is the wrong balance, as rapid progress to decarbonise our energy is paramount.

Terry Riordan Ottery St Mary, Devon