Letters to the press: Sustainable Energy

The record oil price
Demand is rising while supply is falling Read more...
Patrick Cleary, October 2007

How can we respond to the challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil?
August 7th 2007, there will be a talk and discussion at the Multicultural Centre, 111 Conway Street, Birkenhead. Read more...
Patrick Cleary, July 2007

Answers please
It seems hardly a week goes by without a letter in the Globe from Conservative Councillor David Elderton defending his opposition to wind power. Read more...
Patrick Cleary, February 2007

Tory hypocrisy exposed
I refer to the comments of Conservative Councillor David Elderton (wind farm backlash, December 27th). Read more...
Rosemary Bland, January 2007

More must be done to alleviate fuel poverty
Your piece on the soaring cost of energy is a stark illustration of the adverse social consequences brought on by the privatisation of energy supplies (power bills to rise despite companys profit bonanza, Daily Post May 25th). Read more...
Patrick Cleary

Councillor's comments on wind farm are disappointing
I read with disappointment the comments by Cllr. Geoffrey Watt on the proposed Gwynt y Mor wind farm off Llandudno (Letters, February 15th). Read more...
Anne Buckley, February 2006

Proposed wind farm raises many issues
The letter from Norah Alford of California (letters, January 17) regarding the impact of wind farms on birds requires a response. Read more...
Patrick Cleary, February 2006

The record oil price

Your report on yet another record oil price (Hauliers lead industry outcry as oil breaks records to nudge $88 a barrel, October 17) fails to provide any real insight into what is becoming one of the key challenges we face today. Oil prices may be affected by speculation and geopolitical tensions. Far more fundamental, however, is the fact that demand is rising while supply is falling.

The most recent data from the International Energy Agency show that global production of liquid fuels is running 1m barrels per day below its peak in July 2006. This reflects the fact that a clear majority of the worlds oil producing nations have passed their production peak. No amount of blame heaped upon speculators, governments or the oil companies can change the fact that oil is a finite resource and we are going to have to manage with far less of it in the future. The recent explosion in global food prices is directly related to soaring energy costs and, combined with the impact of climate change on crop yields, has potentially calamitous implications for food production, especially as more and more crops are being diverted to fuel our motor cars.

The real culprit in all of this is our growth-obsessed culture which fails to recognise what any child can understand. The earth is finite and we need to respect its limits. Despite the evidence all around us, the penny has yet to drop. Sadly, our own government would rather procure a chunk of Antarctica in search of dwindling energy resources than attempt to meaningfully deal with our addiction to oil.

Patrick Cleary
Letter to the Guardian
October 2007

How can we respond to the challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil?

The recent dramatic flooding has brought to the fore concerns over the impact that climate change is having on our weather and how we should best adapt to meet this growing threat.

Less well reported but no doubt familiar to the average motorist is the fact that petrol prices are once again approaching record levels and are forecast to rise further as we face ever increasing global demands on a finite and precious resource.

In the face of dramatic climate change and the end of cheap oil one would hope that we would seek to radically alter our patterns of behaviour and development. However, the recent controversies surrounding school bus fares and the Warrens Nursery site are just two among many examples that clearly show that this is not the case. We remain locked into a cycle of carbon heavy development, which is increasing our dependence on oil and preventing us from reducing our carbon footprint.

On August 7th there will be a talk and discussion entitled How can we respond to the challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil? As well as informing people about the scientific consensus surrounding climate change and the peak in global oil production, the event also seeks to develop a positive response within our local community.

It is hoped that anyone interested in a truly sustainable future will attend. The venue is the Multicultural Centre, 111 Conway Street, Birkenhead. The event begins at 7.30 and admission is free. Further details can be had on 0151-632 5366.

Patrick Cleary
Wirral Green Party

Answers please

It seems hardly a week goes by without a letter in the Globe from Conservative Councillor David Elderton defending his opposition to wind power. However, it may not have escaped some of your readers attention that he has yet to answer the questions posed by the Green Party in your edition of January 10th. These included how, if wind power is so inefficient, has Denmark managed to generate over 20% of its electricity from wind. This compares with less than 2% in the UK. Perhaps Cllr Elderton could give his thoughts on this.

Moreover, on April 25th last year a public meeting was held in West Kirby with the title The Gwynt-y-Mor wind farm: the impact on Wirral and its role in securing our future energy needs. This was a very well attended meeting but, sadly, none of the local councillors who have been so vociferous in their opposition to wind power participated.

The Green Party would be more than happy to revisit this debate. We invite Councillor Elderton to take part in a public forum on the topic Should Wirral embrace wind power at a mutually convenient time and location. We look forward to his response.

Patrick Cleary
Green Party (Wirral)
February 2007

Tory hypocrisy exposed

I refer to the comments of Conservative Councillor David Elderton (wind farm backlash, December 27th). Given that the Conservative Party
a. Is opposed to the local expansion of wind power.
b. Is in favour of increased flights at Liverpool airport.
c. Is committed to a further expansion of the road network in Wirral.
How does he suggest that we meet the 60% cut in CO2 emissions to which his party is committed?

At the same time, perhaps he could explain why, if wind power is so inefficient, Denmark has managed to generate 23% of its electricity from wind?

Rosemary Bland
Green Party (Wirral)
January 2007

More must be done to alleviate fuel poverty

Your piece on the soaring cost of energy is a stark illustration of the adverse social consequences brought on by the privatisation of energy supplies (power bills to rise despite companys profit bonanza, Daily Post May 25th). Thousands of residents across Merseyside and beyond are being plunged into fuel poverty while shareholders reap the benefits and company executives enjoy bumper pay deals.

Furthermore, the situation can only deteriorate over the longer term as the inexorable depletion in global energy supplies will ensure that costs continue to rise. Despite this, and the mounting threat posed by climate chaos, the governments attempts to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty remain lacklustre.

One obvious move would be to more aggressively tax windfall profits across the energy sector and ring fence those funds for efficiency measures in the increasing number of homes facing fuel poverty. The alternative is to let the wealthy prosper while the poor and the elderly freeze. Is that really the kind of society we want to live in?

Patrick Cleary
Green Party (Wirral)

Councillor's comments on wind farm are disappointing

I read with disappointment the comments by Cllr. Geoffrey Watt on the proposed Gwynt y Mor wind farm off Llandudno (Letters, February 15th). He appears to oppose the wind farm purely on the grounds that it doesnt look nice, and makes no contribution to the discussion on how we can solve the energy and environmental issues that face this country and the rest of the world.

It goes without saying that we all value our natural environment and wish the intrusion of any new developments to be minimised. However, this new wind farm has the potential to provide enough power for 40% of homes in Wales every year. Furthermore, it will make a contribution to the overall energy independence of our country in a safe and carbon-free way. Do we really want to rely on nations in the Middle East and the Russian Federation for most of our oil and gas?

True there will be a visual impact but many people in other parts of the country have had their views interrupted by pit heads, open cast mining, oil refineries, power stations etc. so that we can all have the benefits of constant and relatively cheap energy.

Cllr Watt says Our priceless clear horizon will be lost for two generations. It is surely right to say the issue is about future generations, but the problem is bigger than the view.

In an attempt to address these issues and increase local awareness Wirral Green Party is organising a public debate on this topic to be held at Westbourne Hall, West Kirby on the evening of April 25th. Full details will be provided in due course and we hope as many people as possible will attend.

Anne Buckley
Wirral Green Party
February 2006

Proposed wind farm raises many issues

The letter from Norah Alford of California (letters, January 17) regarding the impact of wind farms on birds requires a response. It is true that wind farms can impact negatively on birds. As such great care needs to be taken to ensure that such impacts are minimised.

However, it must be recognised that climate change represents a far greater threat to birds than wind farms. Indeed the RSPB concurs with this view by stating that the RSPB views climate change as the most serious long-term threat to wildlife in the UK and globally. The RSPB supports the increased use of wind power, as long as wind farms are sited, designed and managed so that there is no significant adverse impacts on birds of acknowledged national and international importance, and on their habitats.

The proposed new wind farm off the North Wales coast has raised many such issues relating to wind power. In an attempt to address these issues and increase local awareness Wirral Green Party is organising a public debate on this topic to be held at Westbourne Hall, West Kirby on the evening of April 25th. Full details will be provided in due course and we hope as many people as possible will attend.

Patrick Cleary
Wirral Green Party
February 2006