SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
So what’s in the report that could cause the single largest demonstration in the history of mankind? To summarise, the report states that since pre-industrial times, the global average temperature has increased by 1 degree celsius. It is expected to rise by a further 0.2 degrees per century. The report is centred around the devastating ecological and environmental impact of living in a 1.5 or 2 degree warmer world. As it stands, we are on a direct path to the 5th mass extinction in the earth’s history.
At Cactus Energy, we’re passionate about the earth’s future and helping reduce climate change. The renewable energy sector can play a vital role in protecting our future for generations to come. And there are numerous incentives in place to promote the uptake of low carbon alternatives for households and businesses.
It seems that the persistence and sacrifice of those within the climate movement is beginning to bear fruit. As of today, 70% of the UK population are living within local jurisdictions that have declared a climate emergency. Furthermore, the UK government has written it into our legislation that we must be carbon neutral by the year 2050.
‘Friends of the earth’, a group committed to campaigning against those who are damaging our habitats, have produced a list of 5 things that government must do to reach net zero. The list comprises of the following:
Within this list, 3 items are related to creation or modification of electricity. Namely, shifting to electric vehicles, generating electricity through renewable sources and replacing natural gas heating with electrical appliances or clean, hydrogen gas power.
This is not an easy transition. However, the current grid is under mammoth stress as it is due to a constant increase in electrical consumption throughout the technological age. Couple this ever-increasing consumption with a need for our electricity to come from a renewable source, and it becomes more and more unlikely that we can reach carbon neutrality alone. Therefore, as a nation, we need to reduce our reliance on the grid and begin an era of self-generation and reliance.
Here’s how it works: energy providers charge a premium during the periods where the grid is under the most demand, e.g. when those with 9-5 jobs are arriving home from work and switching on all of their appliances. Then, once this surge is over, the price begins to reflect as such, with the price reducing below a rate on a standard tariff. Therefore, those forward-thinking and savvy individuals who have invested in a solar panel system and a battery can charge their batteries from both the solar and the cheaper, daytime energy from the grid.
Not only does this make sound financial sense, but it also reduces your carbon footprint and reliance on the grid. Can you afford not to go solar?