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Is Microgeneration the new clean revolution?
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by: TalPotishman
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Word Count: 564
When 189 nations signed the Millennium Declaration in September 2008, consenting to adopt the eight development targets and take steps to achieve them by 2015, many of us enthusiastically welcomed the notion of launching into an idealistic new future, only to turn our backs on the Declaration seconds later and continue with our busy lives. Particularly when it came to Goal Number Seven: 'ensure environmental sustainability,' we nod, right, great idea! Government, you do something about it.
Most governments have, in fact, taken steps to meet the target set by Millennium Goal number 7, but the UK, many argue, has not done enough to meet its neighbours' clean standards. There is a fair question to be asked that if the government is not doing enough, can the citizens be expected to overcompensate?
In the recent years, Britain has done much to catch up to its green rivals, namely in the form of the Microgeneration Strategy, which was introduced two years ago by the Society of British Gas Industry. The Microgeneration Strategy is a mass-scale plan attempting to greatly reduce CO2 emissions. It aims to do this by providing zero- and low- carbon solutions for businesses, domestic homes, and communities. Its main targets are for all new homes to be zero-carbon by 2016, and all new non-domestic dwellings to achieve the same by 2019. Although this is later than the original timing set by the Millennium goals, it is still a very strong declaration of intent.
So what do these microgenerators actually entail? The answer lies in solar panels and windmills, or other small energy generators. With small solar and wind generator equipped to buildings, small home owners as well as larger businesses should be able to produce and supply energy on a local scale from renewable resources, making them self-sufficient. The Guardian argues that based on the DBERR report, Microgeneration might even be a rival to nuclear power.
What make microgenerators more beneficial on a smaller-scale is that they engender a self-sufficiency among domestic dwellings (particularly homes with no access to the main gas network), communities, and businesses, which decreases their dependence on the government for energy management. Self-sufficient energy management and helping create a greener world for us all seems like a win-win situation.
Microgeneration has its advantages when it comes to accessibility and affordability. Microgeneration is not, in fact, suitable for all homes, nor is it readily available for local shops. The fact that microgeneration is quite a recent development also means that there are very few specialists who know how to install a solar panel or windmill to a private house. This brings us to affordability - the costs of installing our own energy producers will be a bit too much for most people, which reaffirms the argument that climate change will require government subsidies.
Is microgeneration the best path for a more sustainable planet? Government officials, such as Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, agree that it is. More government backing in the form of education about microgeneration as well as financial support schemes will increase the idea's viability in the public eye. The fact that this scheme has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions on a massive scale should be convincing enough for many, but for those who are unwilling to loosen their purse strings just yet, recycling is the next best solution.
About the Author
Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, writes content about domestic heating, plumbers, Eastbourne boiler, heat pumps and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
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