Environmental effects of energy use
Depletion of energy reserves
In the UK only 5.5% of our energy comes from renewable sources (RESTATS). The rest of our energy comes from non-renewable sources (mostly fossil fuels).
Globally these resources are running out. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2009 proven remaining reserves of fossil fuels based on current levels of usage are as follows:
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The UK is a net importer of energy (i.e. it uses more fossil fuels than it produces). For more details on the UK's energy imports visit DECC's Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES)
As an importer of energy, energy security is a key issue for the UK. The UK now imports more energy than it produces, and is now reliant on other nations to provide fuels for energy production. As reserves run out, countries with large reserves will be able to increase prices and in some cases could cut off the supply to the UK. In the future the UK's supply of energy could be more reliant on diplomatic relations than on price.
Pollution effects
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen, which contribute to climate change. Other chemicals can also be released through burning fossil fuels, such as sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, as well as particles of carbon in soot and smoke, which can contribute to other environmental damage such as acidification of water courses, and damage biodiversity and human health.
Space!
Conventional coal and gas power stations have limited lifespans, and after they reach the end of their lives need to be decommissioned to ensure that land is not contaminated. This means that energy production takes up large areas of land in the UK and in future will require even larger areas.
Even sites for renewable forms of energy production such as wind farms, tidal barrages, hydroelectric power stations, as well as nuclear power stations are all controversial and often opposed. All options for energy production require space, as space in the UK is limited; reducing energy consumption is the only way to reduce the amount of land that will be required.
