| The greatest challenge we face this century is | | | | current technologies such as coal, oil, nuclear and |
| energy conservation to deal with our ever | | | | renewables have increased. The more established |
| increasing need for electricity. We are all | | | | technologies such as coal have increased more |
| concerned about climate change, pollution and the | | | | than the others because of the simplicity of |
| future of our children yet the world seems to be | | | | commissioning new power stations with this |
| marching onwards with little if any real reduction in | | | | already proven technology. Therefore despite |
| greenhouse gas emissions. While renewable | | | | worldwide concerns about fossil fuel use and |
| energy sources do seem to be making inroads | | | | climate change, use of non renewable energy |
| into the energy sector, it is not keeping pace with | | | | sources is still on the rise. |
| our increasing need for electricity. | | | | This paints a less than favorable picture for |
| This is a difficult situation. It is true that some | | | | renewable energy sources such as solar and wind |
| countries such as Germany have made massive | | | | power. While these are proven technologies and |
| investments in wind and solar power, yet at the | | | | can be constructed and grid connected with |
| same time these new energy sources have not | | | | relative ease, the high initial cost makes them less |
| resulted in the decommissioning of a single coal | | | | favorable to those whose interest is in profits and |
| fired power plant. Why is this? | | | | minimizing power bills. |
| National energy use is quoted in percentage | | | | The main issue then is not whether we need |
| increase on an annual basis. In Australia for | | | | thousands of new nuclear power plants to meet |
| example, energy use increases by just over 3% | | | | our growing needs, but the actual energy need |
| per year. While this does not seem like a lot, it is | | | | itself. Consumer forces are critical in the energy |
| important to realize that this is a cumulative | | | | industry as well. If we are able to reduce our |
| increase. This year's energy use will be 3% higher | | | | energy needs then the possibility of meeting our |
| than last year's. The following year will increase by | | | | needs with renewables becomes a possibility. If |
| a further 3% on top of the previous 3% added | | | | we continue to use ever more energy, we will |
| to the former total, like compound interest. | | | | not be able to meet this demand with solar and |
| Clearly this results in a non-linear growth in energy | | | | wind power no matter how many panels and |
| use. Extrapolated out over a hundred years or so, | | | | turbines we create. |
| the result is a massive increase. Therefore, any | | | | This means that it is up to us as individual |
| overall national increase in annual electricity | | | | consumers to reduce our overall energy |
| consumption is a cause for serious concern. The | | | | consumption and to talk about the issue. This may |
| rates for increase vary. According to the Uranium | | | | not be a pleasant prospect, but until national |
| Information Centre, world energy consumption | | | | reduction of energy use becomes a focal point |
| increased by 30% between 1990 and 2000 and | | | | for politics we will have no real prospect of |
| this trend is continuing today. | | | | preventing climate change. If energy use reduction |
| In order to meet this demand, all energy | | | | becomes a mainstream goal, this will force both |
| producing industries have flourished. Use of all the | | | | governments and industries to follow suit. |