Carlton green wrote: ↑1 Oct 2022, 11:06am
It’s a bit disappointing to see threads on serious subjects descent into chaos and name calling.
There are no easy answers for the UK energy crisis and there will be no universal answers either. Currently the technology just isn’t there at the level to which we need it to be and particularly so in terms of mass energy storage. Of course there are things out there that work but being able to scale them up within the UK or even internationally is another matter.
Battery technology using cheap and widely available materials just isn’t happening and it is the key to how we use power in transport, industry, commerce and domestic life. Modern Nuclear Power has the potential to be great but the devil is in the detail, wind power has become very successful as has solar too. Wave and tidal stream haven’t really made much progress compared to wind and solar.
As a country we have become used to using power on demand and maybe that has to change. Domestically that might mean heating using storage heaters of several days capacity and using the washing machine when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. So adopting the attitude of using the power when available rather than on demand. Of course that works less well for transport, industry and commerce but much is still possible and has previously been used. Factories have long worked through the night when cheap power was available (that would be wind and nuclear generated now) and in the past people worked with what natural light they had and stopped when the light failed.
On transport the bicycle / cycle is one of the obvious but will be unused answers. It’s amazing what the bike has to offer in terms of keeping the work-force and general population mobile. Like other things it’s not a universal answer, but rather just one part of the solution ‘jig-saw’. The solution lies in diversity and adaption of life to suit the available resources.
Or getting rid of the washing machine all together.
I don't doubt the sincerity of the people calling for social change, I just don't think they have thought through the social change, financial implications or personal sacrifices that might involve.
Generaly they are keen on others giving up things they don't particularly value, but a lot less keen to inconvincing themselves to cut co2 immissions.
I've had this conversation several times in real time, when people lecture me on cutting green house -as
And I ask them to put my low carbon life style against theirs and ask them why they don't do the same, they generaly seem flabbergasted that they might have to return to the 1950s, it hasn't it seems occurred to them.
In short I have no car, I don't use taxis, busses trains ferries or airports, I don't have an electric bike, I walk or cycle everywhere. If it's to far or two cold/ wet to do that I don't go.
I don't have a TV, a freezer a washing machine, I hand wash in Luke warm water and let them dry.
I never ever turn the central heating on, I use a candle for both heat and light, if that's not warm enough I put a coat on, I shower in cold water.
I won't buy anything new at all, clothes shoes bicycle tyres furniture,everything is up cycled as they say. And ussualy free
As I'm not what you could call poor, people generaly think I'm mad, but my energy bills are 5 pounds a week, so....
If people cant match me by making their own sacrifices to 21st century living, I'm not that inclined to think they are serious,
And don't get me started on the ones who think they are saving the planet by firing up the wood stove