Where is the power to come from?

We have seen the wild fluctuation in the price of oil over the past two years from a high of $150 per barrel to a low of $40.Now it is on the way back up again around $80 as I write this.

This has translated into a an average increase in domestic heating and lighting of 30% to £1300pa.With the decommissioning of nuclear power stations by 2025 clearly new sources of power must be found.

Not only that but domestic heating emissions account for 40% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions.

So more energy efficient homes and new sources of power are needed if a reduction in greenhouse gases is to be achieved.

This is easy to achieve in new construction as new homes must be properly insulated according to building regulations but only some 4% of the UK housing stock is replaced each year,so most efficiency must be found in the existing stock.

This will come in the form over cavity and roof insulation.Grants are now available for this in households where benefits are received and where one of the occupiers is over 70 years of age.

Go to the Government Grants website here to see if you are entitled to a grant for cavity and loft insulation.

Energy:what is the future

I am writing this blog as I think energy,where it comes from,it's cost,and it's effect on the environment and central issues as humanity goes forward.

Several things are happening right now which have pushed energy to the front of the political debate:

1. Energy security-Europe is becoming increasingly dependent on gas and oil which comes from unstable parts of the world,the Middle East Africa,Russia and Eastern Europe.It is vital that Europe reduces this dependency, which could rise to 70% of all gas and oil consumed in the EU, by becoming more energy efficient, and producing it's own energy.
2. The UK is party to the EU directive that it must produce 20% of it's energy from renewable sources and achieve 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020.
3. The world's climate is at stake and we must do all we can to reduce carbon emissions if humanity is to survive on this planet.

So my intent with this blog is to look at this subject on both a macro and micro level,how we can reduce our own energy footprint, and how Government can be lobbied to ensure everything at an international level is being done.

So please tell me the issues that are important to you and let's get the debate going.