Currently we still depend on Fossil Fuels

• Over the 20th century the electricity use of the UK hugely increased as the population grew and people began to use electricity for more and more things

• Since the beginning of the 21st century, electricity use in the UK has been decreasing(slowly), as we get better at making appliances more efficient and become more careful with energy use in our homes

• Most of our electricity is produced using fossil fuels and from nuclear power

• Generating electricity isn’t the only reason we burn fossil fuels-oil(diesel and petrol) is used to fuel cars, and gas is used to heat homes and cook food

• However, we are trying to increase our use of renewable energy-the UK pledged to use renewable energy for 15% of yearly energy use). This move towards renewable energy resources has been triggered by many things…

People want to use More Renewable Energy Resources

• We now know that burning fossil fuels is very damaging to the environment. This makes many people want to use more renewable energy resources that affect the environment less

• People and the government are also becoming increasingly aware that non-renewables will run out one day. Many people think it’s better to learn to get by without non-renewable before this happens

• Pressure from other countries and the public has meant governments gave begun to introduce targets for using renewable resources. This in turn puts pressure on energy providers to build new power plants that use renewable resources to make sure they do not lose business and money

• Car companies have also been affected by this change in attitude towards the environment. Electric cars and hybrids are already on the market and their popularity is increasing

The use of Renewables in Limited by Reliability, Money and Politics

• There’s a lot of scientific evidence supporting renewables, but although scientists can give advice, they don’t have the power to make people, companies or governments change their behaviour

• Building new renewable power plants cost money, so some energy providers are reluctant to do this, as its more expensive

• Also some people don’t like living near them and there’s a question about whether its ethical

• Also there not as reliable and we would have to research new ways which is expensive