Renewable energy gives you the power – you just have to make use of it!
STANDFIRST: Brand journalism student, James O’Neill, says we shouldn’t be playing the generation game when it comes to renewable energy.
In April 2010 the government put into action its ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ (RHI) scheme. The scheme pays participants to heat their buildings by using renewable energy which they generate.
According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) over 80 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK in 2013 were being heated by burning fossil fuels.
Coal reserves are predicted to run out by 2088 so it’s no wonder people in my generation question why older people are not fully embracing renewable energy.
The prospect of my generation living through a potential blackout like in the 1970s is daunting and is a warning to us all.
The National Grid this week warned that our electricity supply margin has narrowed and is at its lowest level since 2007.
Experts say this technically means the potential for blackouts and brownouts (ie – where power is limited but not cut off) is on the increase.
The reality is our reliance on fossil fuels is too high and we can’t leave it up to my generation to deal with the problem when we are adults because by then it could be too late.
My view and the view of my friends is the energy issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later if we are to have a sustainable future.
The Government’s support for the renewable energy sector is fantastic but not all targets are being achieved.
However, the current situation isn’t all doom and gloom. A report published by the DECC this week reveals Scotland is ahead of the rest of the UK. Last year Scotland provided enough renewable energy to power every home. This came from a surge in energy produced from onshore wind in 2012 which shows that, if harnessed efficiently, we can do great things with our natural resources.
With energy prices continuing to soar the benefits of renewable energy are multiple. Renewable solutions give people the opportunity to slash energy bills and generate an additional income with green energy solutions such as solar PV and biomass.
Our current overuse of fossil fuels can’t remain to be the ‘elephant in the room’ issue that everyone is whispering about. This is a major issue which we need to deal with.
Life at the minute may be comfortable for everyone but we all have a responsibility to embrace renewables otherwise we could severely damage our future.
The opportunity to grasp renewable energy is here so we need to take advantage of it.
I speak on behalf of my generation and urge you, if you are in a position to do so, take the initiative and take full advantage of renewable energy today.
- For further information or interview requests contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379 | mgmpr.co.uk | Renewable energy PR | Public Relations Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK | Brand Journalism Experts
