Energy Population growth forecasts predict that as the world's population expands prolifically from 6.6 billion to 9 billion by the mid-century environmental ramifications will be disastrous. It has been predicted that over the next four decades humankind will quantifiably consume more energy than the total consumed throughout previous history. The impact of such gross consumption will be detrimental to the health and well being of potentially hundreds of millions of people, with the worst impact being predicted for those within the developing world. The impact of greenhouse gases is simultaneously predicted to create an impending climate time-bomb which will invariably lead to global ruin.The inflammatory essence of humanity and the conflicts which have resulted forthwith has scarred our human history since time began. The violent consequences forced by our human inability to accept diversity within political ideology, national identity and religion has resulted in conflicts of unimaginable proportion. However, the conflict we now face is global and it cannot be differentiated by previous lines of difference, it is a conflict of our modern age. A modern age, which by the very nature of our prevailing existence and lifestyle, is pillaging the environment and planetary resources which has initiated life and allowed it to flourish.
It is globally recognised by politicians and the world population alike that drastic action is essential if calamity is to be averted. Global policy has to dictate that drastic measures need to be implemented immediately and although the impetus behind this movement is steadily growing, it needs to be adopted wholeheartedly and unilaterally if we are going to save our planet.
Every country around the globe is currently investing and researching in low carbon energy solutions to develop a balanced, sustainable energy programme. The world has a rising demand for electricity but the need to reduce green house gas emissions in order to minimise global warming is paramount. It is simultaneously of crucial importance to ensure the security of electrical supply, decreasing our independence on imports whilst at the same time considering the environmental impact, economic repercussions and social challenges. This focus has developed due to the Governments recent announcement of energy reduction targets coupled with the world's media highlighting the consequences in terms of cost, environmental impact and the global challenges that face us regarding security of supply. There is no perfect answer, no perfect energy source however each source, from coal to nuclear, from wind to gas, sun to oil has advantages and disadvantages.
The UK will need to meet the 34 percent cut in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020, set out in the budget. We have already reduced emissions by 21 percent which is the equivalent to cutting emissions entirely from four cities of the size of London.
The climate change Act came in to force on 28th November 2008 with some challenging targets. On 1st dec the new committee on climate change published its first report urging even tougher interim targets.
- 20% target reduction in CO2 (below 1990 levels by 2010)
- 24% target reduction in co2 (below 1990 levels by 2020)
- 1%-2% percentage of GDP in 2020 that emissions reduction will cost
- 80% target cut in greenhouse gases below 1990 levels by 2050
- More than 1.2 million people will be in green jobs.
- More than 1.5 million households will be supported to produce their own clean energy.
- Around 40 percent of electricity will be from low-carbon sources, from renewable, nuclear and clean coal.
- Due to these changes we will be importing half the amount of gas that we otherwise would.
- The average new car will emit 40 percent less carbon than now.
