Greenpeace's John Sauven on Newsnight with Malcolm Wicks

[gajeebant]

Malcolm Wicks is a top bloke.

[TroyaE117]

And when the wind drops, what will you do then?

A big high pressure system lies over the UK in the dead of winter, the temperature falls to -5 degC, and the wind drops.

What then?

[motherlodeuk]

How about decentralized energy - Combined Heat and Power (capable of producing up to 16GW from only 9 industrial sites - read the latest Poyry Energy Consultants report), wave, tidal, solar, micro-power and of course the huge energy savings from phasing out obsolete, cenralised power staions which only operate at 35% efficency (compared with 85%+ using CHP).

And when the wind does blow (which it pretty much does all the time out at sea) we've got the huge potential of offshore wind farms...

[motherlodeuk]

...like the London Array, which alone will generate up to 1GW and power a quarter of all the homes in London.

All of which would not only drastically cut our CO2 emissions but would deal with the 'energy security' issues (ie the dangers of being dependent on imported coal, gas, and uranium) which seem to alarm our politician so much, and involve massive job creation. It's a win, win, win situation (except for the oil and nucleat companies) - just meed the political will.

[callmewilson]

The climate policy is total crap from brown and labour, they don't do a thing to help fight climate change from our country, expanded heathrow no consideration for the envrionment, they stop you running your car on biofuel fuel (for diesels), waste energy I'm seeing street lights burning day after day no turning off at dawn due to test mode setting not auto or faulty un-maintained lamp-posts. I don't think flying should be an easily affordable travel (cheap european flights).

[societas1]

This clip clearly shows Gordon Brown's government, as was Blair's are all talk, no action and frankly just can't get it together. One excuse after another eminates from their offices and the bottom line is they can't cut the mustard on climate change or any other issue and are not fit for purpose.

[JonThm]

Nuclear fusion cuts CO2 by 100%, and your kettle does it as it boils!

[willrise]

'We will not be able to give people the power they need from energy efficiency and a few more wind mills'.

Malcolm Wicks - you're a narrow minded, doddery, brown nosing, buffoon stuck in the 70s.

You failed to mention, Decentralized Energy - CHP, Micro Power, Solar, Wave, Tidal not to mention the enormous potential of offshore DC wind-farms. These are all implementable right now!

[ecoTROTSKYIST]

Guys, wake up! We will never stop climate change in a capitalist society. How do you expect to implement long term, sustainable change to industry and business in a society grounded in short term profit and gain?

[melliebabie1]

You are right with that attitude, what are you suggesting that we need to move away from capitalism?

[ecoTROTSKYIST]

Well communism...i'm talking about true communism, not stalinism etc...is inevitable as capitalism is so destructive, anti-humanist and unsustainable-due to the anarchy of the 'free' market etc. And just as capitalist 'democracy' inevitably follows on from feudalism, socialism and then communism will inevitably follow on from capitalism as they are next in the line of social progression.

[ecoTROTSKYIST]

The only danger is that capitalism will destroy the planet b4 a fairer, more compassionate, more equal and far more sustainable society can take shape.

Capitalists will continue the exploit the planet for their own selfish economic gain-just as they always have and always will. The question is can we delay capitalisms destructive processes 4 long enough to save humanity and the planet from the barbarism of this society.

I've gotta hope so...which is why i'm a member of Greenpeace :-)

[ejbh3160]

sorry star7730 while I'm sure Wicks is a nice chap, the fact is we are pathetically behind the rest of Europe and they are still delaying simply because very cheap or FREE domestic energy could be available with solar PV, CHP, wind and tidal lagoons and the corporations are squirming because they want to charge us a fortune for our energy! $100 a barrel PLEASE! All gov't figures are based on oil being $35 a barrel now! Things have changed!

[star7730]

The comments posted on here regarding Malcolm Wicks is unfair. He is doing a damn good job - he's held the Energy portfolio twice. He's been honest and he's obviously trying to do the best job he can. We are alot further on renewables than we were 10 years ago and we're being proactive in reducing our carbon emissions.

[ejbh3160]

Well done John! Squirm Wicks squirm. 2% is pathetic! Let's see more Green MPs now. Then these politicians who want to be 'seen' to be Green will actually have to back up their words with actions (and inactions in the case of new runways) or see their votes disappear to the Greens. The Nuclear court case is worth looking up too!

[emptyhand17]

Makes you feel a bit sorry for Malcolm the energy minister?

His boss is making the promises, Malcolm has to defend the lies

[stuffupthecracks]

Malcolm bends over for Brown because he wants to advance his career. Nobody is holding a gun to his head so don't waste any sympathy on him (even a bit) because he simply doesn't deserve it.

[Zeno931]

Brilliant!

[hmfc98]

thanks

[tskaface]

Thank you for posting.