Deborah launches Clean British Energy Campaign
Deborah pictured above visiting Brixton Energy community scheme in London. The scheme enables people living in council flats to benefit from cheaper fuel bills thanks to solar panels.
Deborah has launched Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign calling on David Cameron to shift the UK to renewable energy. She was interviewed on BBC News as the charity released poll results showing that 85% of people would back new legislation to force energy companies to generate more UK electricity from our sun, wind and water.
Energy watchdog Ofgem says rising wholesale gas prices have caused fuel bills to rocket over recent months, leaving many of us feeling the pinch. But with a Bill now in Parliament to reform the UK power market, Deborah and Friends of the Earth believe the Government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change things for the better.
Currently just 9.5% of our electricity comes from renewable sources – the majority comes from gas and coal. Friends of the Earth says a shift to cleaner alternatives like wind and solar power, coupled with energy saving, is urgently needed to secure our electricity supplies, tackle climate change and make fuel bills more affordable in future.
Deborah says that developing renewable alternatives – as well as cutting energy waste – will help drive down the cost of energy in the long-term – some solar panels are already 40% cheaper than they were two years ago. She adds it’s good for business because it will revive British manufacturing, create thousands of jobs, and help to drive us out of recession.
Deborah said, “David Cameron needs to listen to the public and say ‘I’m in’ to clean British energy, opening up a multibillion pound opportunity for British businesses.Gas, coal and nuclear are the technologies of the past. Our country has the skills and the talent to be world-beaters in the renewable energy technologies of right now."
She continued, “Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign would switch the UK to home-grown clean power – we can’t afford not to”.
To help tackle climate change, secure electricity supplies and lift millions of people out of fuel poverty, Friends of the Earth is asking the Government to:
- Cut out the carbon from our electricity by 2030
- Limit pollution from power stations
- Reduce energy waste in our electricity system
- Provide straightforward support for companies, communities, schools and hospitals to plug into clean power
To find out more click here to visit the Clean British Energy page on this website.
To back the campaign and start earning your very own ‘CBE’, click here to visit the campaign website and join the thousands of people who have already emailed Energy Secretary Ed Davey asking for a switch to clean British energy.
