Our energy future

What energy choices does a country need to make to reduce its imports of fossil fuels and therefore make itself more secure from international uncertainty and conflict?

The UK government, concerned about the emission of greenhouse gases, has now decided we should build more nuclear power stations. The Scottish government has declared its opposition. Opinion is divided amongst environmentalists.

Do wind farms help conservation by reducing global warming or do they simply make the landscape less appealing?

Should energy be created and consumed locally?

What global problems loom as less developed countries strive to reach America's level of consumption?

Energy use has transformed society and now threatens to transform the planet. In this decade we will have to make difficult energy choices encompassing national security, aesthetic factors, sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, safety, and social equitability. No single energy source will satisfy everyone.

This extremely topical talk will equip you with an understanding of the political, social and practical considerations that govern the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. This is the chance to examine contemporary energy issues, including the current dependency on oil, energy policy and the environmental impacts of energy production and use. Come and listen and draw your own, informed, conclusions as to the choices that should be made.

David was responsible for designing and running the University of Glasgow's 'Energy: Options for Sustainability' course on their environmental sustainability degree programme and contributed to their carbon management MSc, and so is ideally qualified to talk on this subject.