What are the problems with current energy sources?
There are three: pollution (including the disposal of radioactive waste); the dependence on materials such as oil and coal that will run out; and the risk of a large scale disaster in the event of an accident or terrorist attack at a nuclear power plant. The west also depends on the Middle East for its oil, which does not come without military and political consequences. Could all our energy come from renewable sources? The government is committed to putting in place mechanisms that mean 10% of our energy will come from renewable sources by 2010 (3% at present), it has also agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in the same timeframe. While this is a long way from a total dependence on renewable energy there is the potential to increase the proportion. Britain is the windiest country in Europe, and offshore wind farms are also a viable source of power – 500MW wind farms are currently being planned, which is almost as large as some nuclear plants. Denmark now employs more than 15
