"The idea of the lights going out is not a fantasy. People seem to accept that security of energy supply is a right. It is not. The industry will have to work hard to maintain supply and for that we need a clear framework" said Simon Skillings, Director of Strategy and Energy Policy at Eon UK, Britain’s largest integrated energy company.
Read more at Fears over looming energy crisis in UK.
Team Challenge
As a team, your task is to create a 4 page e-update* for The Path is Green website. The main aim of the e-update is to inform the general public of the need to take action now to ensure that we can maintain future supplies of electricity, but more importantly to highlight the job opportunities that can arise from these actions. For example, individuals can develop their interest in the environment while still enjoying all the benefits of diverse and interesting careers, including:
- Interesting and challenging work with excellent training
- Long-term careers that make a difference to the environment
- Careers offering good salaries and good progression opportunities
- The opportunity to travel as more countries seek the expertise being developed in Scotland
*See e-update guidelines below for further information.
Background Information
- Cutting the amount of carbon-polluting electricity generators will not be enough to meet the UK's target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 - energy must be saved, too.
- The Scottish Government target of 50% of electricity generation in Scotland to come from renewable sources by 2020 is in serious doubt.
- A typical family of two adults and two children living in a three-bedroom semi spends on average £1000 a year on its combined energy bill. (Source : Karen Darby, founder of price comparison site SimplySwitch, November 2007) Read more at How to cut household bills
- Consumers need better information about the amount of energy used, "smart metering", clearer energy bills and more information on home energy efficiency.
Here are a few of the current headlines and reports and links to further information.
- "We believe that demand overtakes supply somewhere between 2012 and 2015, creating a serious 'generation gap" said Michael Abbott, deputy managing director. Inenco (Energy and environment consultancy firm, January 2008) Source: BBC: Britain 'facing energy shortfall'
- If everyone boiled only the water they needed to make a cup of tea instead of 'filling' the kettle every time, we could save enough electricity to run practically all the street lighting in the country. (Source: Department of the Environment Transport)
- Through energy use, the average home emits more harmful CO2 gas than the average car. (Source: Energy Technology Support Unit)
E-update guidelines
The e-update must contain the following:
- Features/articles on the impact of having no electricity supplies. (maximum one page)
- Public advice on action needed now to reduce electricity consumption. (maximum one page)
- Advertisement/features on new products currently on the market that would help to save/reduce our dependency on electricity. (maximum one page)
- Features/articles on green job companies currently operating within Scotland (find out if there any in your area) producing goods/services that can reduce our dependency on electricity. Also create adverts for green jobs that may be available now and in the future in this area of work (there is scope to use your imagination!). The green job adverts must include details such as: job title, skills and qualities, qualifications, salary and career opportunities available. (maximum one page)
For further guidance please refer to Tips for Teachers.