It creates a growing mountain of nuclear waste, which will remain a serious threat to health for tens of thousands of years. The government is trying to find new environmentally friendly ways of generating electricity.
In April 2001, the UK took an important step towards exploiting its vast wind energy resource with announcement of preliminary licensing for 18 offshore farms around England and Wales. The project will nearly quadruple UK wind power capacity.
In August, plans were unveiled by ScottishPower for Britain's largest wind farm. The wind farm with 140 turbines generating up to 240 Megawatts of power, could provide electricity for some 150,000 customers. ScottishPower estimate that the carbon dioxide savings would be considerable and the development would go a long way towards attaining the UK target for 10% of power produced through renewable sources by 2010. .
In September 2001, Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, announced plans to harness the power of the ocean to reduce the effects of climate change. During a visit to the Isle of Islay - an established wave power centre - he committed £1.67 million to developing the world's first ever floating mini power-station which turns wave-power from the ocean into megawatts for the national grid. The machine is expected to be launched next summer from a new marine energy testing centre to be built in Orkney. Once operational, this innovative technology will supply enough electricity to power 1400 homes.
In January 2002, Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, opened the UK's first and the world's largest and most efficient straw fired power station. The £60 million power station, based in Sutton near Ely, uses new techniques to burn surplus straw to generate enough electricity power to heat and light 80,000 homes.
International Action.
Climate change is a great threat to global sustainable development. Some climate change is now inevitable, and we will have to adapt to that.