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Solar companies celebrate high court ruling on feed in tariffs

Greta Jonyniate | 25.01.12

Solar companies celebrated today after the Court of Appeal ruled out that government cuts to household solar subsidies were illegal, suggesting thousands of homes and businesses will now be able to claim higher payments.

The appeal court's unanimous decision was a victory for environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth (FoE) and the two solar companies - Solarcentury and HomeSun – who’d said the plans to halve subsidies were creating "huge economic uncertainty".

Cut Don’t Kill campaign spokesman Howard Johns said:“We are delighted that the High Court has rejected the Government’s attempt to overturn the original ruling against this hasty and poorly thought out tariff cut. The Government’s proposals threaten tens of thousands of jobs, and would devastate a high tech green industry which has fantastic economic and environmental potential. Ministers should accept this ruling, and must not drag this on to the Supreme Court – the longer their legal wrangling continues, the more harm they do by leaving uncertainty hanging over 25,000 British workers.”

Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins hailed the appeal ruling as a "landmark judgment".

Jeremy Leggett, chairman of Solarcentury, described the appeal court ruling as "a historic judgment that should be welcomed by the entire renewable energy industry".

Daniel Green, chief executive of HomeSun, said: "Almost everybody except DECC have appreciated the potential and importance of the solar industry – from the National Trust, the Church of England through to the CBI as well as the British people. Surely this must be the point at which Chris Huhne stops taking the side of the big six energy companies and realise that solar is part of our future."

However, it has been confirmed that DECC will take its case to the Supreme Court - a move that has been criticised by campaigners who claim the Government should be working on minimising damage to the industry rather than creating more uncertainty.
 

Catch up on the full story following the articles below:

Solar subsidies cuts: UK government loses court appeal – The Guardian
Government loses solar panel appeal – The Independent
Solar companies celebrate victory on subsidies – The Financial Times
Government loses solar panel appeal‎ - The Press Association
Government cut to solar tariffs blocked as appeal fails‎ - BBC News
Government loses appeal over solar subsidy cut‎ - Telegraph.co.uk
Breaking: Government loses crucial solar appeal – Business Green
Breaking: DECC loses feed-in tariff appeal – Solar Power Portal
 

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8 BAMBOO DESIGNS WE LOVED THIS YEAR

Greta Jonyniate | 19.12.11

It grows quickly and requires relatively little resources – that’s why bamboo is one of the eco-friendliest materials around. Renowned for its strength, versatility, and durability, bamboo is fast becoming a sought after material as more and more business look towards making green moves in a bid to make the world increasingly sustainable.

In their article, Ecosalon look at 8 headlining bamboo designs this year. Our favourites are the iPhone case and the Magistral cabinet! What are yours?

8 BAMBOO DESIGNS WE LOVED THIS YEAR

Earlier this year, EcoSalon rightly predicted that bamboo would continue making waves in design. It’s not difficult to see why.

As far as materials go, bamboo is remarkable. It grows and spreads quickly without fertilizers, pesticides, or water. It’s not fussy about climate. It’s 16 percent stronger than maple, one-third lighter than oak, and naturally antimicrobial. It also releases more oxygen into the air than similarly-sized plants.

With such credentials, bamboo has cropped up as quickly in the sustainable design world as in nature. In 2012, we’ll likely be seeing even more of the grass. We can also expect more creative uses of Plyboo, a sustainable bamboo plywood already used heavily in architecture and interior design. Produced in China by Smith & Fong Co., plyboo is available in a wild array of grains, colors, and textures, including some that resemble animal prints.

But before we look forward, let’s take a step back. Here’s a look at eight of our favorite featured bamboo products from the past year.

AHeirloom’s Stateside Plyboo Cutting Boards

Bamboo iPhone Case

Bamboo Wood Cutlery

Abstract-Modern Bamboo Vase

Bamboo Bath Scale

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Inspiring E-Waste Company Leads on Re-use

Greta Jonyniate | 31.10.11

By author: Julia Hailes is a freelance consultant and speaker on social, environmental and ethical issues. She has written nine books, the most recent of which is The New Green Consumer Guide. Here she shares her thoughts on E-Waste.

I'm rather surprised to discover that there are quite a few people who don't know what E-Waste is. I mentioned our E-Waste Campaign, when I was speaking to a large audience last week - and someone asked me to clarify. That wasn't the first time. The 'E' stands for electronic. And it covers anything from waste computers, to fridges, hairdryers, lamps and electric drills. A term more widely used by the industry is WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

Whatever it's called, there's far too much of it. Our disposable society spews out electronic equipment as if it's as worthless as an apple core or a banana skin. Most of it still ends up on landfill sites - unceremoniously dumped. Some of it is recycled. But what this generally means is that it gets put into huge crushing machines and smashed up into lots of little bits. The different materials are then separated and recycled - but some of the valuable materials get lost in the process.

It would be far better if more E-Waste could be re-used. But the government have set a pathetic target of re-using 5% of what's collected - and remember this is only an aspiration!

I went to Grantham last week to visit a company called EnvironCom (website still under construction). If I'd been only a year ago, it would have been no different from other E-Waste recycling plants. Now, it's very different. They're re-using 15% of the stuff they bring in and they aim to increase this to at least 30% within 2 years. Perhaps even more impressive is that they've done this by almost doubling their employees and turning the company from a significant loss to £1m profit, in nine months.

This transformation has been brought about by Sean Feeney. He took over as CEO in January 2011, having previously worked for Dixons, which coincidentally is one of EnvironCom's biggest customers. He says that his experience in Norway helped shape his thinking about E-Waste - actually, it made him ashamed to be British. Over there, all waste electronics are banned from landfill sites - so there are really good systems for both re-use and recycling.

One of the worrying things about recycling in this country is that there's actually a perverse incentive for manufacturers to prevent it happening. Regulations mean that companies have to pay for recycling. How much they pay depends on their share of the market. So, for example, if a manufacturer sells 10% of TVs in the UK, they will pay 10% of recycling costs for any TVs collected.

The problem with this system is threefold. It means that the more that's collected for recycling, the higher the costs to the companies. It means that companies producing good quality merchandise that lasts don't get any benefit of producing less waste. And it means that there's no benefit in re-using equipment because anything that's sold could reduce sales of new stuff.

Going back to EnvironCom. Sean says that their objectives are: 1. To re-use as much as possible 2. To re-use parts if they can't re-use the whole machine and 3. To make sure that everything ends up in the right place.

I asked him about exports. This is a real problem for E-Waste - much of it is illegally exported and ends up in toxic dumps in developing countries. Even stuff that's exported within the rules can be a problem because it's difficult to be sure exactly what happens once it's left our shores. Sean explained that EnvironCom did export E-Waste to Africa but they were planning to stop this by the end of this year. Having spoken to him since my visit, he says he's brought forward the deadline to the end of October! I was impressed.

Most of the repaired household goods, such as fridges and washing machines, from EnvironCom are sold by British Heart Foundation shops. I saw the repair workshops on site. Piles of spare parts - and machines ready to be re-sold. I decided that when I need to replace equipment in my house, I'll be buying a refurbished one. It's cheaper, greener - and they have a 6 months guarantee.

Probably the most surprising thing about my visit to EnvironCom was to hear about the quality of some of the things they receive. For example, they've had lots of Ipads - even an Ipad 2, which was launched in March 2011! And Sean's expecting quite a few more in January 2012, when the Ipad 3 comes out.

One of Sean's inspiring ideas has been to give one of these 'waste' Ipads to any member of his team that's committed to go paperless! He's also opening a new plant just outside London in October. I'm sure it won't stop there - this is a company doing the right thing and reaping the rewards.

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5 Interesting green products that run without electricity

Greta Jonyniate | 26.10.11

We found this great article 5 Interesting green products that run without electricity on Ecofriend’s website, which shows that simple green ideas can become the basis for great products that fill market needs whilst supporting environmental sustainability. Have a look at these seven solutions which work completely battery free and tell us which your favourite is!

1. Love pot humidifiers

Love pot humidifiersLove Pot Humidifier are based on amazing technology that does not requires any electricity to function.

Love Pot Humidifier are based on amazing technology that does not requires any electricity to function. Bacteria free, eco-friendly and beautifully designed, Love Pot Humidifiers was designed for Nanum Poject. Nanum is a charity initiative that will donate all the money earned from sales of these humidifiers to fulfill the educational requirements of needy children. Bring home this humidifier and fill your life as well as of some children with aroma and joy. 

2. Pocket shower

Pocket showerThis tiny shower can hold around ten liters of water.

Those who can’t bath without shower can breathe a sign of relief as Pocket Showers are here. With these one can take a shower in the middle of nowhere. Ultra-portable, this tiny shower can hold around ten liters of water. All you have to do is to attach it above your head and open up the shower head for a refreshing experience. What’s more, you can fill this gizmo with water and place it in sunlight. The black fabric of Pocket Shower absorbs heat and warms the water in no time that too without any requirement of electricity. Once you are done, pack this in small palm sized pouch and move on.

3. Thermodynamic cooler

Thermodynamic coolerThe innovative cooling system that doesn’t require any electricity to operate.

Thanks to Rochus Jacob for introducing the innovative cooling system that doesn’t require any electricity to operate. This thermodynamic cooler utilizes the evaporating water to cool and preserve the food stored in it. Rochus used raw material like bio-plastics, clay and glass foam to manufacture this cooler. It has a wet glass-foam that evaporates to keep the temperature in control like a pond. You just have to refill this cooler with water in an interval of two days. The green indicator fitted at the exterior of the cooler keeps one informed about the moisture and water level within. Bring home this innovative Thermodynamic Cooler and help in sustaining the environment whilst saving considerable electricity cost.

4. Aqua drop maze game

Aqua drop maze gameThis one is the revised, non-electric version of classical maze game.

This one is the revised, non-electric version of classical maze game. Available in different designs, the Aqua Drop Maze game has a super water-repellant coating within that allows the water to group together like a semi solid. The player has to gather all the drops together to form a single drop and navigate it through different paths to the hole. The direction of the water balls can be easily controlled by tilting the device to the direction you want it to move. The best thing is that you do not need any battery or electricity to play the game.

5. Solar powered UVonion

Solar powered UVonionDesigned by Yun Li.

Bring home the solar powered UVonion that illuminates and sanitizes simultaneously. Designed by Yun Li, this onion shaped ultraviolet lamp with ultraviolet LEDs that can be used to illuminate your surrounding while saving considerable amount of energy. Just expose UVonion in daylight to absorb the energy from ultraviolet rays just like solar panels and it emits the same at night. This lamp is a ground breaking innovation that allows one to harness solar energy into electrical energy and reduce your energy.
 

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Inspiring Eco Designed Furniture For Your Home

Greta Jonyniate | 12.10.11

George Blacksell at The Ecologist recently wrote an article Top 10...eco designs for home which provides an inspiring glimpse at what is possible in eco ergo design. Green design doesn't have to mean scrimping on aesthetics; as George Blacksell discovered, combining style with sustainability is easily achieved. Here are our five favourite eco design pieces …

The SAYL office chair by Herman Miller

This is no ordinary office chair. This is a special ergonomic office chair designed by Yves Behar under the Herman Miller brand name. The shape is based on that of a suspension bridge, and delivers on comfort as well as sustainability. Materials used in the finished chair are kept to a minimum and the SAYL is manufactured on a production line that utilises 100 per cent renewable energy resources. Herman Miller themselves have some laudable company-wide sustainability goals in place for 2020; notably a zero carbon footprint, zero landfill and zero hazardous waste generation.
For more information, go to: www.hermanmiller.co.uk

Edgar coat stand by Ross McBride

This beautifully pared-down coat stand was created by Ross McBride, the winner of the 2010 Red Dot Design Award, and is styled in the shape of a tree. The biomorphic piece is made using the minimum number of materials and, as it's flat packed, it takes up less space for shipping purposes. The product has been designed for exceptionally easy 'fit and lock' assembly, a pair of hands is all you’ll need and there are no heavy instruction manuals in sight. The stand itself is made from organic plywood; an environmentally friendly alternative to solid wood as the thin wooden layers and ash veneer make it lighter and easier to transport, and uses less of the raw material.
For more information, go to: www.made.com

Lexon Tykhon Radio by Marc Berthier

Lexon are a French design company who collaborated with the designer Marc Berthier to make this award winning funky AM-FM radio. It has a contemporary design and comes in a wide variety of colours. The antenna cleverly doubles up as a rotating frequency dial, ensuring the commitment to minimalist design principles isn't compromised. Having multi-functioning buttons also means the number of buttons on the radio are kept to a minimum, and as is the amount of materials employed. The radio is encased in a rubber silicone coating that makes it splash and shock resistant, so perfect for kitchens or bathrooms. It is battery powered though, so invest in rechargeable ones to avoid unnecessary waste.
For more information, go to: www.lexon-design.com

Enzo seat by Ryan Frank

The ‘Enzo’ is a playful take on the conventional stool made from a solid chunk of spruce wood - a certified European softwood that is sourced from responsibly managed forests. The properties of the wood include durability and strength, which means that it can withstand heavy usage and is made to last. The stool is produced in the UK and distributed in the EU, while in the USA, a second producer is used in an effort to reduce transport and support local manufacturing. The designer, Ryan Frank, was recently commissioned to design sustainable outdoor furniture for the National Theatre restaurant, Terrace Bar & Food, made from reclaimed pine and industrial castor wheels.
For more information, go to: www.ryanfrank.net

Wardrobe-C by Giles Miller

Combining a traditional design with a completely unique cardboard fluting technique makes this beautiful piece (from Miller’s 2010 collection) a real modern classic. The wardrobe is made from corrugated cardboard so can easily be reused and recycled. Miller has won several awards for his environmentally friendly works, including the FX design award for ‘Breakthrough Talent of the Year, 2009’. In fact we like Giles Miller’s work so much we have one of his pieces in our office.
For more information, go to: www.gilesmiller.com

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Take care of the planet through drinking good coffee

Greta Jonyniate | 10.10.11

If you are a coffee drinker then “Top 7 tips to green your coffee habit” from GreenFudge.org may help you to sit and think about your coffee drinking habits over a nice cup of coffee.

GreenFudge.org is a website that cares about climate change, ecology, nature, environment, eco-friendly politics, non-profit projects, human rights, preservation and wildlife. Thanks to their article at Greenhouse we are trying to green our coffee habits.

We love the taste and the smell of fresh coffee, especially in the morning. If you’re like me, this top 7 list of great eco-tips will help you enjoy your coffee beans and look after the planet at the same time.
 

Top 7 tips to green your coffee habit

1) Use reusable filters instead of paper ones.
Reusable filters come in many variations and forms, from organic fabrics to stainless steel over gold plated versions. Any of those will do great in reducing your coffee making waste and carbon footprint. Some coffee making machines also come with permanent filters, if you are looking to purchase make sure this feature is available.

2) Choose your coffee wisely.
All beans are not equal when it comes to Mother Nature. Make sure your coffee is organic, shade-grown and fair trade (it should say so on the label). According to Wikipedia organic coffee is coffee that has been grown according to organic farming standards and techniques, without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Fair Trade coffee then again is coffee that is purchased directly from the growers for a higher price than standard coffee.

3) Use your own coffee mug instead of one-time use (!) plastic or paper cups.
At home, at the office or even in a coffee shop, make sure you always take your own coffee mug instead of plastic or paper cups. Most coffee machines will allow you to do that.

4) Consider energy consumption.
Some coffee machines will turn themselves off after your coffee has been brewed, others will have timers you can set to avoid unnecessary energy waste. In most cases small coffee machines will consume less energy than bigger espresso ones, that need more power to grind and brew coffee. When and where possible, go for the smaller alternatives.

5) Try to avoid chemicals to clean you coffee machine.
Most smaller, simpler coffee machines will do fine with vinegar for cleaning. Producers of more sophisticated machinery will often sell their own cleaning solutions, often packed with chemicals. Consider this before purchasing your coffee machine.

6) Reuse your coffee grounds.
Although most people disregard coffee grounds as waste, there are a number of cool ways to recycle it around the house. Coffee grounds can be used as garden fertilizer when mixed with soil, as repellent for ants and snails and as deodorizer in fridge and freezer.

7) Drink less coffee.
As with everything, less usually means more for the environment. With coffee, drinking less is probably good for you too. Of course that is if you can resist the sweet smell and taste of it. If you can’t, use the tips above to make your indulgence as eco-friendly as possible.

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Learning your ABC … of beauty baddies

Greta Jonyniate | 05.10.11

The Ecologist recently put together The A to Z of beauty baddies, highlighting 26 nasty additives regularly used in beauty products from alpha-hydroxyl acids to zinc acetate. The Ecologist’s list provides an interesting breakdown of the chemicals and their potential dangers. 

The beneficial or otherwise nature of the beauty industry’s arsenal of additives has been a hot topic ever since it was first realised that parabens weren’t quite the boon they were thought to be. In the years since concerns about parabens were first raised, other additives have been found to have worrying side effects with respiratory problems, rashes and photosensitivity among them. 

While skincare rarely contains the sorts of nasties found in cleaning products and others, the scientific jargon and litany of mysterious names has left consumers more confused than ever. Not only are harmless organic compounds such as linalool written off as a possible danger, others such as mineral oil – a genuinely nasty additive - slip through the net. Still mystified? The A to Z of beauty baddies is here to shed some light – see the full Ecologist article here.

Do we really want to be putting chemicals on our face? Research says that 60% of what we put on our face/skin can go into our bloodstream. A-E can be found below.

A for alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA)

Found in a wide range of skin care products, alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs, are usually derived from food products such as sugar cane. Products that contain AHAs cause shedding of the skin, although the extent to which it works depends on the concentration. High concentrations of AHA products are used in chemical peels and the Food and Drug Association (FDA) warns that that they can increase the skin’s photosensitivity.

B for bronopol

A particularly unpleasant chemical, bronopol is a preservative and antiseptic frequently used in cosmetics, shampoo and, shockingly, medicated skin creams. Not only is it bad for the environment and extremely toxic for marine life, it's also a skin irritant in large doses and can damage the liver if swallowed.

C for chlorobutanol

Commonly used as a chemical preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, continuous use of this nasty, which is made from chloroform and acetone molecules, can cause skin or tissue irritation. High exposure to chlorobutanol also carries a small risk of neurotoxic side effects.

D for dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

Once found in nail polishes the world over, evidence of the deleterious health effects of DBP were so convincing that an EU Directive has since banned its usage in the cosmetics industry within the European Union. Despite this, it is still in use by the big name cosmetic brands in the United States, where many nail polish products on the shelves still contain it.

E for ethoxylated surfactants

These are used as foaming agents in soaps, shower gels and shampoos and can be identified on the label by the inclusion of ‘PEG’, ‘-eth’ or ‘-oxynol-‘ in ingredient names. They are prone to oxidation and once oxidised their products can act as a skin irritant, while frequent exposure can cause eczema.
 

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Ecocide - the trial of individuals to be held accountable for large scale environmental destruction

Greta Jonyniate | 28.09.11

On September 30th 2011 a mock trial will take place in the UK’s Supreme Court in London. The trial will last for one day and a real judge, jury and barristers will test the crime of Ecocide as if it is already law.

Michael Mansfield QC, the prosecuting barrister, and Nigel Lickley QC, the defence barrister, will lead the case for and against Mr X. Before the case is heard, legal argument will be put as to whether Ecocide and the Earth Right to Life should be applied to the charge against Mr X. Mr X has been charged with a number of ecocides - which one will be tried will be determined on the day.

Ecocide can be used to refer to any large-scale destruction of the natural environment or over-consumption of critical non-renewable resources. At present there are thousands of charities, organisations and initiatives in place working hard to try and stop this from happening; however the term Ecocide has yet to be implemented into the judicial system and become a punishable crime.

In April 2010 UK Lawyer Polly Higgins proposed for the United Nations to accept "ecocide" as a fifth crime against peace alongside Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, Crimes of Aggression and War Crimes., which could also be tried at the International Criminal Court.
 

The Trial which has been designed by The Hamilton Group to get Ecocide debated as widely as possible is being crowdfunded. Initially, there was a funding target of £10,000 and this has been exceeded by £1,190 thanks to the 66 funders that made contributions via crowfunded.co.uk.

According to The Hamilton Group “It is argued that the Law of Ecocide is a key law to address humanitarian and environmental issues on a global scale. Implementation of the Law at the 2012 Earth Summit would change inter-governmental policy and action on climate change, provide the necessary legal framework to help pre-empt the energy crunch and halt the over - exploitation of natural resources.

The day-long trial will be streamed live onto the internet worldwide and on SKY Television. What will happen is not pre-scripted; it is ultimately for the jury to determine whether the crime of Ecocide is made out and whether the Earth Right to Life is breached.
 

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JOIN CAMPAIGN TO MOVE PLANET AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS

Greta Jonyniate | 20.09.11

Moving Planet, the worldwide action day launches on Saturday 24th September. Hundreds of thousands of people in over 150 countries will be calling on their leaders to end our reliance on dirty energy and take immediate steps to shift us towards clean energy. Moving Planet is being coordinated by the international climate campaign, 350.org.

Bill McKibben the founder of 350.org is calling on everyone to take part in Moving Planet to help make a difference and has said “The planet has been stuck for too long with governments doing nothing about the biggest problem we've ever faced: the climate crisis. This is the day when people will get the earth moving, rolling towards the solutions we need.”

There will be 2000 events happening worldwide including Indonesia taking part in 350 hours of cycling, Australia will be flying their “YES to 350” kites and our Brazilian friends will be holding a big parade in São Paulo. Cyclists in Zagreb, Croatia could not wait until Saturday and held a 1,000 person “pedal-off” with the message “Pedala nije sala” (Pedalling is not a joke).
 

Support the Moving Planet campaign in London where two events will be hosted on Saturday 24th September, between 12pm and 3pm. In Haggerston Park hundreds of cyclists will gather together to create London's Biggest Bike in a bid to demonstrate the sensational vision of a zero carbon transport City and in Highbury Fields there will be the Moving Planet Festival hosting an afternoon of fun, food, talks and music to celebrate our place on the planet Speakers include international lawyer and well know Ecocide campaigner, Polly Higgins.

From London to Wales, there are a number of other events happening right across the UK and you can find out more information about these events at http://www.moving-planet.org/map.

With support from Greenpeace International and Oxfam, Moving Planet is bound to be a success and just the beginning in making a worldwide difference to climate change.

 

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The nuclear divide

Matilda Lee | 22.07.11

They may have gone from dark green to glow-in-the-dark, but the environmentalists behind a series of well-publicised defections to the pro-nuclear camp have done more than just change their colours. They are forming a growing divide on an issue long central to the green cause.

Since the early days of the modern environmental movement, nuclear power has been considered dangerous, expensive as well as unnecessary- with most major green NGOs running long-standing and influential anti-nuclear campaigns, from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth down to the single-issue Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

But now many of those same people- from Executive Director or Greenpeace UK, Stephen Tindale, to Guardian writer George Monbiot and activists and writers Mark Lynas and Stewart Brand among others- are arguing that nuclear is green.

Whether grudgingly or wholeheartedly, they have turned the tables on this most green of green creeds. If we are really going to combat climate change, and at the same time fill the energy gap and meet national and European emissions targets, the argument goes, then nuclear power in the UK is inevitable, and yes, vital.

It is a debate is being played out publicly - in the media and within green circles. Now that the UK government has revived its nuclear power programme - easing planning restrictions, identifying sites, even offering what has been described as under-handed subsidies despite a campaign pledge not to do so - is it conceivable that the green movement, which once vilified the technology, will be its champions?

In the full article from the Ecologist, Matilda Lee outlines the arguments for and against going the nuclear route. Here are the highlights of the opposing views.

Mark Lynas, a campaigner who once espoused strong anti-nuclear beliefs, now suggests in his book The God Species that anti-nuclear campaigners have, ‘unwittingly helped release tens of billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,' in stopping planned nuclear plants that were replaced by coal over the last four decades. Writer George Monbiot, now strongly in favour of nuclear, says the anti-nuclear stance is, ‘an irrational and outdated prejudice'.

Ex-Greenpeace director Stephen Tindale says he changed his mind on nuclear power due to two things. ‘The first was that it is not ideal but better than coal and because we are going to need a lot more electricity which we won't be able to provide using renewables and energy efficiency - we are going to need nuclear'.

Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, whose been campaigning on the issue since the 1970s, begs to differ. ‘They are very much mistaken, I'm not sure what new figures they have seen which would lead them to change their minds. All the new evidence, including much research taken place in Germany that underpinned its recent decision to dispense with nuclear, shows that, in economic terms, it is absolutely viable to press ahead with renewables'.

Craig Bennett, Friends of the Earth's director of policy and campaigns, says on FOE's nuclear position: ‘Do we rule out academic research into nuclear? No. We are always open to new ideas and research - and have indicated that we support research into [fourth-generation] thorium reactors. The concern is that governments leap on that as a silver bullet and public sector money gets poured into it.'

Greenpeace's chief scientist Doug Parr says the group's continued anti nuclear position: ‘Of course there is a case to answer that nuclear is a solution to climate change. Almost certainly it is low carbon, but not everything can be reduced to carbon. You can get a good carbon balance by cutting old growth forests and replacing them with plantations. On a broader sustainability level, is it a good idea? Looking at the evidence, we can do without it'

Where do you stand on the nuclear issue? Devilishly complex, yes. But it's a conundrum we must face up to.

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