Final thoughts

Having gained what small insights I have over the course of running this page, I remain fundamentally optimistic about the ability of human innovation, coupled with political impetus, to succeed in the challenge of ditching fossil fuels. Even as planet Earth nears a dangerous climate tipping-point, and with the now-tangible effects of anthropogenic climate change increasing in magnitude, encouraging news irrepressibly flows in from expected and unexpected places. It would appear that, despite recent high-profile setbacks, that the governments of the world, continually nudged by broad international consensus and successful international agreements, are getting a grip on the problem.

Recent high-profile setbacks...

I also remain, however, torn. On the one hand it would appear that a perfectly viable, practicable, established solution to the competing demands of reducing GHG emissions and increasing energy consumption has been there all along in the form of nuclear power. Eric Jeffs' compelling analysis emphasises the undeniable fact that nuclear power is the only established means of providing fossil-fuel-comparable generating capacity with zero GHG emissions. Yet on the other hand renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, seem to offer the potential for local zero-emissions energy production to meet local demand, satisfying the requirements of isolated populations in less developed jurisdictions and providing vitally-needed development opportunities (while also avoiding the perennially-tricky issue of nuclear waste management). In reality a combination approach is probably required. It would be foolish to disavow the golden opportunity presented by nuclear power, and just as nonsensical to arrest further development of new, innovative renewable energy sources, which can provide power where nuclear cannot yet reach.