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Nuclear power won’t meet climate targets
"THE UK can meet its energy needs
and combat climate change without resorting to nuclear power" WWF
said. In response to the Government’s decision to back construction
of up to ten new nuclear power stations, Keith Allott, Head of
Climate Change at WWF said:- “The Government can’t hide behind
the argument that new nuclear power is essential to meet the UK's
climate change targets and energy needs. Nuclear power is being
presented as an environmental saviour, when it is unnecessary,
unsustainable and unsafe. WWF has produced serious and credible
reports, using the Government’s own models, which demonstrate that
we can make deep cuts in our carbon emissions without having to
resort to nuclear energy.”
The North West already has 2 power stations, Heysham 1 and Heysham 2
in Lancashire, which are due to be closed in 2014 and 2023. The
Government’s announcement could pave the way for new nuclear power
stations to be built on these sites.
'80% Challenge, Delivering a low carbon Britain', a recent
report published jointly by WWF-UK, ippr and the RSPB, found that it
is technically feasible and affordable for the UK to cut its CO2
emissions by 80% by 2050, without using new nuclear power.
Our
research has also shown that, on a global scale, the world’s energy
needs can be met using sustainable energy solutions while avoiding
dangerous climate change. Alternative solutions could lie in energy
efficiency and a rapid roll out of renewable energy, potentially
combined with fossil fuel stations equipped with working carbon
capture and storage. This could be achieved far more quickly than a
new generation of nuclear power plants.
“The UK should make meeting the EU targets regarding renewable
energy its number one priority. Renewables have the potential to
start producing clean energy right now, while the nuclear industry
won’t be able to build the first power station until 2020 at the
earliest.
Renewables could be
producing up to 20% of all UK energy and 40% of UK electricity
before the first nuclear power station is even functional.” says Keith Allott.
What are your views? Let us know by
emailing the Southport Reporter newsroom at
news24@southportreporter.com or by
Skype. |
LIVERPOOL GRADUATE BATTLES IT OUT TO BECOME THE NEW “UNIPRENEUR”
ANDREW Harrold,
a graduate from Liverpool John Moores University, is hoping to fly
the flag for the North in the new HSBC Unipreneur Awards. The
government-backed Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and presented in
association with the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship
(NCGE), follows a recent study that suggests there could be as many
as 80,000 students running a campus-born business – with some
already on the way to their first million.
Andrew, who thought of the idea for ActivityBox, is one of several
young entrepreneurs hoping to be named Britain’s ultimate ‘Unipreneur’.
The overall winner will be decided at a gala evening at BAFTA on 23
April 2008, when five finalists will be quizzed live on-stage by a
panel of experts about their business and why they deserve the first
prize of £20,000. Aimed at providing fun and educational
activities for kids, ActivityBox takes the hassle out of playtime.
Each box contains all of the necessary items and instructions
required for a particular activity, enabling children to complete
the given tasks with ease. Boxes will be available on an
annual or seasonal basis, providing enough materials to entertain
one child for a specified amount of time. With crayons, cello tape,
scissors and anything else you might require, ActivityBox removes
the stress of keeping young children entertained. Perfect for
social groups, such as the Beavers or Brownies, as well as families
and the general public – ActivityBox is the ideal tool to keep
children amused in the school holidays, whilst educating them about
arts and crafts.
Andrew has outperformed hundreds of young hopefuls to be
short-listed for the HSBC Unipreneur Awards. Now, their entry will
be considered by a panel of local business experts who will select
10 top new businesses to go through to the national judging session.
HSBC Head of Business Banking, Huw Morgan, said;- “There is a
new breed of young businessmen and women on the block who don’t plan
to use a good education making money for someone else – we call them
the Unipreneurs and we are keen to support them. Their
academic study has given them an awareness of structure and an
appreciation of discipline. They have an understanding of
business plans, finance and strategic thinking. They are analytical,
creative, focused and so bring credibility to their business
ventures that make them enthusiastic and competitive. We are
delighted to sponsor these unique Awards in association with the
NCGE, which will recognise their growing contribution, both to the
community and the economy.” |
