It will take decades to completely leave fossil fuels, writes Richard Heinberg. But we can do it, starting with the easy stuff: going big time for wind and solar, raising energy efficiency, replacing oil-fuelled vehicles, and moving to organic farming. But deeper changes will follow as we transition to a more enduring sustainability - consuming better, and much less.
… The transition to 100% renewable energy: because we have no choice Richard Heinberg | 18th March 2016 News Energy Renewables Fossil Fuels Farming Organic … going big time for wind and solar, raising energy efficiency, replacing oil-fuelled …
A letter from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd leaked to The Ecologist shows that she misled Parliament by promising the UK was 'on course' to deliver on its renewable energy targets - when in fact there is a delivery shortfall in 2020 of almost 25%. Her plan to fill the gap relies on more biofuels, buying in green power and 'credits' from abroad - everything but wind and solar.
… Leaked letter: Rudd admits 25% green energy undershoot, misled Parliament Oliver Tickell | 9th November 2015 News Energy Renewables Politics Finance EU UK Law rudd-2-cut.jpg A letter from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd leaked to The …
The UK's troubled Hinkley C nuclear power station faces a legal challenge from Germany's biggest energy co-op, which claims that the subsidy package will distort energy markets across Europe and disadvantage renewable generators and vendors.
… Greenpeace Energy to launch legal challenge to UK nuclear … a legal challenge from Germany's biggest energy co-op, which claims that the subsidy package will distort energy markets across Europe and disadvantage …
A huge raft of environmental reforms is promised in the Labour Party's draft manifesto, writes Oliver Tickell. Among the highlights: a ban on fracking; a clean energy policy based on renewables and efficiency; no commitment to new nuclear power; to meet our Paris Agreement obligations on climate; to give companies a legal obligation to protect the environment; to retain all EU environment laws post-Brexit; and multilateral nuclear disarmament.
… | 11th May 2017 News Politics Transport Energy Climate Change Brexit Conservation … the highlights: a ban on fracking; a clean energy policy based on renewables and … type with no further comment. Sustainable energy The first missions set by a Labour …
We, the signatories of this declaration, are calling on the European Union (EU) to exclude bioenergy from its next Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and thereby stop direct and indirect subsidies for renewable energy from biofuels and wood-burning.
… Large-scale bioenergy must be excluded from the EU's renewable energy definition Biofuelwatch co-signatories … on the European Union (EU) to exclude bioenergy from its next Renewable Energy …
In 1980 The Ecologist published an iconic Special Edition' devoted to the multi-use 'wonder crop' hemp. 34 years on, Thomas Prade finds the case for industrial hemp is as strong as ever.
… Hemp - the energy and industrial crop of the future? … 2014 Comment Hemp Biofuels Biodiesel Farming Energy hemp-field.png In 1980 The Ecologist … for industrial hemp is as strong as ever. Bioenergy is currently the fastest growing source …
A second legal challenge to the UK's proposed Hinkley C nuclear power plant in Somerset was launched this morning by ten renewable and municipal power suppliers in Germany and Austria, citing grave distortions to European energy markets.
… Green energy suppliers launch Hinkley C nuclear … The Ecologist | 15th July 2015 News Nuclear Energy Renewables Law Finance UK EU … Austria, citing grave distortions to European energy markets. The 'Action Alliance' of ten …
A Spending Bill now under debate in Congress would cut over $100 million from renewable energy, grant extra funds for dumping nuclear waste and fossil fuel research, exempt 'mountain top removal' coal from regulation, and limit the EPA's power to enforce clean water laws.
… House Spending Bill's huge dirty energy giveaway Farron Cousins | 24th June … News US Law Politics Fossil Fuels Nuclear Energy Renewables mtr-wva-cut.jpg A Spending … would cut over $100 million from renewable energy, grant extra funds for dumping nuclear …
The UK's abject failure to implement national and EU laws on energy efficiency in buildings is a disgrace, writes Andrew Warren, and one that is costing us dear in higher fuel bills now and for long into the future, while adding to air pollution and climate change.
… Shame on the UK government: ignoring its own energy efficiency laws Andrew Warren | 25th January 2017 Comment Energy Efficiency Law Brexit EU UK Politics … failure to implement national and EU laws on energy efficiency in buildings is a disgrace, …
The surprise removal of tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective from Monday - is unlawful and must be reversed, states a legal letter to the Treasury. But meanwhile, investments in the sector have hit record levels, with two days still to go.
… The Ecologist | 27th November 2015 News Energy Finance Renewables Law Politics UK … benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective from Monday - is … levels, with two days still to go. Community Energy England are challenging George …
Austria today filed its legal challenge to the UK's €108 billion support package for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, writes Oliver Tickell. A second such challenge at the European Court is due from green energy suppliers in Germany and Austria who fear unfair competition from subsidised nuclear power in Poland, Czech and Hungary if the Hinkley C precedent stands.
… Court Oliver Tickell | 6th July 2015 Activism Energy Law UK EU Austria Germany Nuclear … at the European Court is due from green energy suppliers in Germany and Austria who … for a state aid approval." Even if nuclear energy contributed to the UK's …
The government's policies on climate, energy and industry are not merely stupid, writes Alan Simpson. The repeated cuts to renewables and energy efficiency, combined with limitless largesse to fossil fuels, has reached the point of insanity in the face of the UK's legal obligations and the growing climate crisis. Only we, the people, can end the madness.
… | 13th November 2015 Comment Climate Change Energy Renewables Fossil Fuels UK Politics Law … The government's policies on climate, energy and industry are not merely stupid, … Simpson. The repeated cuts to renewables and energy efficiency, combined with limitless …
Growing crops to solve the planet’s energy needs doesn’t work. Recycling the energy in our waste just might have a significant part to play. By Jeremy Smith & Jon Hughes
… Bio-fuels Lessons From Nature Climate Change Energy Science And Technology Archive_102.jpg … Growing crops to solve the planet’s energy needs doesn’t work. Recycling the energy in our waste just might have a …
The UK Government plans to lock consumers into a 2.5bn a year, 15-year spend to support peak-time fossil power generation - while undermining energy demand savings capable of achieving the same purpose more cleanly and cheaply. But today the 'unlawful' system has been hit by an ECJ lawsuit.
… Oliver Tickell | 4th December 2014 News Energy Finance Corporations Fossil Fuels UK … fossil power generation - while undermining energy demand savings capable of achieving the … has been hit by an ECJ lawsuit. An innovative energy company today launched a legal …
In this joint statement to COP21 Amnesty International and Greenpeace International call on all governments to protect human rights by including making respect for human rights an explicit purpose of any agreement, while agreeing to phase out fossil fuels and deliver 100% renewables for all by 2050.
… To protect human rights means 100% renewable energy for all by 2050 Greenpeace Amnesty … Climate Change Human Rights COP21 Law Unfccc Energy Renewables solar-aid-cut.jpg In this … a just transition towards 100% renewable energy, as well as the protection and …
Austria will launch its legal challenge against the UK's massive support package for the planned 3.2GW Hinkley Point C nuclear power station by April, writes Arthur Nelsen. The move will add years of delay to the controversial project, and may well finish it off altogether as fears over the troubled EPR reactor design grow, and renewables continue to fall in cost.
… Environment | 23rd January 2015 News Nuclear Energy Law EU UK Austria cameron-edf-cut.jpg … power in Britain " , for its ability to meet energy demand and contribute to long-term … production, probably all other forms of energy conversion, and it might even apply …
Two critical markets are pursuing a stressed planet’s renewable resources, presenting policymakers with complex and difficult choices. The Worldwatch Institute’s latest look at Earth’s “vital signs” sees dangerous times ahead as the “sustainability crisis” unfolds. China Dialogue's Maryann Bird investigates
… Food and energy: a clash of giants Maryann Bird | 18th October 2007 Comment Energy Crisis Agribusiness Biofuel Farming … crisis” is unfolding. “Global energy and food markets have collided over the …
The High Court has overturned a 'fatally flawed' decision by Eric Pickles MP to refuse planning permission for a locally popular 24MW solar farm on former WW2 airfield in Suffolk, England, close to an industrial estate and go-kart circuit.
… a "fatal flaw" and caused the developer, Lark Energy, "substantial prejudice" . So ruled … Lindblom found in favour of Lark Energy, as he overturned Pickles's decision to reject Lark Energy's planning application for a 24MW solar …
Major funders of the pro-fossil fuel Global Warming Policy Foundation are always keen to speak out against public support for renewable energy, writes Brendan Montague. So how come they're so keen to help themselves to a fortune in farm subsidies?
… Montague DeSmog.uk | 10th August 2013 Comment Energy Renewables Wind Economics Farming UK … out against public support for renewable energy, writes Brendan Montague. So how come … cries were heard. In June, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) blocked …
Can organic farming feed the world? Ed Hamer and Mark Anslow say yes, but we must farm and eat differently
… to use our waste as an organic fertiliser. 2. Energy Currently, we use around 10 calories of fossil energy to produce one calorie of food energy. In a fuel-scarce future, which experts …
Just imagine: gas for your cooking and heating made by composting home-grown British grass, writes Almuth Ernsting. What's not to like? Well, it would need almost all the UK's grassland to match our gas demand, leaving cows and sheep to starve or forcing them into sheds to eat foreign-grown feeds. And methane leakage could easily wipe out any climate benefit.
… Ernsting | 27th January 2017 Comment Biofuels Energy Farming Biodiversity UK Renewables … to heat almost every home ". Ecotricity's bioenergy vision looks far more attractive than … importing any feedstock, converting food to energy, or cutting down any trees. Instead, …
Following her acquittal on charges of obstructing the entrance to a fracking site in Balcombe, Sussex, Caroline Lucas explains why this is only the beginning of the fight against shale gas - and why we must also promote the clean energy alternatives.
… gas - and why we must also promote the clean energy alternatives. Balcombe, one of the … and investment instead in cleaner, greener energy sources. Fossil fuels have to stay deep … not lower our fuel bills, it will not give us energy security, and it will not create …
Biogas digesters are a key technology for global sustainable development, writes John M. Hawdon. They simultaneously combat parasites that infect a billion people, reduce deforestation and methane emissions, and deliver vital energy to rural communities.
… Biogas - the global green solution for health, energy, environment John M. Hawdon | 8th May 2014 Comment Health Energy Climate Change Forests Farming … and methane emissions, and deliver vital energy to rural communities. Soil transmitted …
The GMB trade union has called on the UK government to press ahead with the Hinkley Point C power station despite legal challenges and serious technical failures. In this Open Letter, David Elliott, Ian Fairlie, Jonathon Porritt and colleagues tell the union that its members' interests lie in our renewable future, not the nuclear past.
… Porritt | 15th July 2015 Comment Nuclear UK Energy Politics Law … Dear Gary Smith (GMB National Secretary for Energy), The undersigned are scientists, academics and energy policy analysts who read with concern …