As well as dismantling the political structures which have been built around the free market economy’s addiction to oil, if we are to deal with the challenges of the 21st Century without a massive die-off of our species (and every other), individuals and groups need to change en-masse to other ways of generating and using energy. Carbon emissions will have to be reduced by 60-90% to prevent further damage to global weather systems, and even if we did this tomorrow we’d still be heading towards some climate chaos.

The only way out is a combination of massive scaling back of usage, and a sharp turn towards renewables... in other words a drastic change in the way we eat, travel and house ourselves. Our ability to influence geo-politics might be limited but we can make changes right now on a local level.

POWER POLITICS

Although we don’t want oil-based market capitalism to simply jump onto the renewables bandwagon and maintain the consumption-led status quo, there are viable zero-emission, renewable power options.

You can cross nuclear off the list straight away (See SchNEWS 522). Apart from the danger of reactors, and waste deadly for thousands of years, estimates of global uranium deposits suggest we’d get less than a decade of power before we started running out - ‘peak uranium’!

Solar energy is the most abundant renewable source on earth. A recent report claims that every year, “each square kilometre of desert receives solar energy equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of oil. Multiplying by the area of deserts world-wide, this is nearly a thousand times the entire current energy consumption of the world.” * It suggests the use of Concentrated Solar Panels (CSPs), which focus heat on solar arrays using mirrors, driving conventional steam powered generators. This has been used in California since the 1980s and costs half the amount per unit than oil energy. (* For more see  http://www.trec-uk.org.uk)

While all-year sunshine isn’t something we’re blessed with, the British Isles are estimated to have enough wind power using current turbine technology to meet our power usage three times over. And when it comes to the wave power, it would be economically viable to meet 25% of our current demand.

That our government isn’t pursuing these options with any real intent shows how clearly it is in the pocket of the oil companies. As any good anarchist will tell you, power needs to be decentralised down to the grassroots level...

GET OFF THE GRID

A wide range of actions are needed, both in terms of shutting down the causes of climate change, and building a sustainable future, globally and in your own community. Here is just a few areas to get involved in if you want to do something about it...

* Air Travel is the fastest growing cause of greenhouse emissions - yet Britain has a programme for massive Airport Expansion. For contacts to campaigns across the country fighting individual airport expansion plans see SchNEWS 553-554.

* Avoid flying – calculate the amount of carbon created for each seat on a plane, per mile, at  http://www.climatecare.org/calculators/flights_calc.cfm

* Road Building: In 2005 the UK Govt laid out a programme of road building with over 200 approved schemes. To get involved in local campaigns see  http://www.roadalert.org.uk

* In Glasgow, plans have been approved for the M74 Northern Extension, which would put a 6-lane elevated motorway through the southern suburbs of Glasgow. To join the campaign to stop it going ahead see  http://www.jam74.org

* Protect Forests Worldwide. Over the past 150 years, deforestation has contributed an estimated 30 percent of the build-up of CO2; likewise climate change will have a devastating effect on the remaining forests. For an international roundup see  http://www.ran.org

* Ride a bike, don’t drive a car and get involved in campaigning to make cities more bike friendly. Critical Mass events are held all round the world for cyclists to reclaim roads – to see if there’s one in your area visit  http://www.urban75.com/Action/critical.html See also Sustrans – a charity which designs and builds routes for cyclists and walkers.  http://www.sustrans.org.uk

* Food Production: Buy local food, go vegan and/or grow your own. Get your own Allotment – for advice see  http://www.allotments-uk.com The transportation of food on a large scale gives rise to ‘food miles’ and is directly related to oil consumption and climate change. For more see www.sustainweb.org Permaculture is a theory and practice for sustainable, localised food production, as well as having other applications – for more see  http://www.permaculture.org.uk To find out how supermarkets are stitching up the food market see  http://www.tescopoly.org

* Generate Your Own Energy: While the start-up costs can be expensive, it is possible to set up a 12 volt system in your house using batteries charged by wind turbines, photovoltaic panels – or pedal power with a bike generator. Normal domestic appliances can be powered using an inverter. While photovoltaic panels are expensive and resource-intensive to create, it is not too expensive to build your own wind turbine (if you’ve got the room). For info on building small scale turbines see  http://www.scoraigwind.com To build a Bike Generator see  http://www.stewardwood.org/resources/DIYcyclepower.htm

* For advice on making your home more energy efficient, and grants for those on low income to get better insulation see  http://www.est.org.uk

* For info on Bio-Diesel, and how to use it see  http://www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide/howtomakebiodiesel.htm however while using waste oil for fuel is good, this could lead to large scale intensive fuel crop farming.

* For info about Peak Oil and other large scale energy issues see  http://www.energybulletin.net
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* And most of all, bite the bullet(point) and CONSUME LESS!

The Camp For Climate Action

It’s happening now at a site in Megawatt Valley, near Leeds, home of the Drax power station, the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide in the UK. This ten day camp goes on until September 4th and features 150 workshops discussing and planning actions around climate change.

See www.climatecamp.org.uk

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For the rest of this weeks issue includine articles on Monsanto's latest GM shenanegans, Foreign Office demo report, another Smash EDO demo and more go to
 http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news557.htm

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