UK 'could face blackouts by 2016' - David MacKay appointed as advisor

The government's new energy adviser says the UK could face blackouts by 2016 because green energy is not coming on stream fast enough. 

Well if his book is anything to go by, the government should be getting some excellent advice.

He raises an interesting point though: can we really expect to campaign for renewables whilst simultaneously campaigning against nuclear and all fossil fuels?  Climate change is extremely important, but we have to keep the lights on somehow.

The time will soon come when we have to choose our battles very carefully.  Compromises will have to be made, and listen to me sounding like a politician; heaven forbid.

But it's true: if we want to prevent these blackouts, we may have to choose sources of energy which aren't everyone's cup of tea.  Most people have problems with clean coal because carbon capture technology doesn't actually exist commercially.  Nuclear power is generally disliked because of the waste problem (though many people, after Chernobyl, seem to think they are all ticking time bombs...)

Well these are all perfectly valid concerns, but disliking our options doesn't mean that the problems requiring them will go away!  That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?  I dislike wearing a seatbelt, but it's okay because if I can pretend I'm invincible then I'll be just fine...

 I hope we can collectively discuss these compromises intelligently and openly before they are forced upon us, and any rational thought goes out the window as we pursue a "dash for whatever is available at the time".

Many thanks to a fellow coursemate for pointing out the BBC article!