In our modern society, we are overwhelmed with the different ways we can make our lifestyle just that little bit greener. Whether this is decreasing your carbon footprint, considering a vegan diet or just finally getting that bag for life. But many of us are doing our bit for the environment, what about the big authorities? What else can our nation do to point us into a greener direction?
What is more environmentally friendly than a wind turbine?
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Cornwall is a prime area for harvesting wind energy. With average hourly wind speeds of over 16.6 miles per hour, the location ensures that oceanic winds generate significant amounts of power. In the UK’s marathon of energy revolution, an ambitious Cornwall takes first place with high hopes of reaching net zero carbon by 2030, putting them a whole 20 years ahead of 2nd place, aka, the rest of the UK. Vast changes have occurred too, in fact, because Cornwall has cut its carbon footprint by a fifth, this has drastically helped meet 37% of renewable energy demands.
One way in which Cornwall is moving ever so far ahead with renewable energy plans is because of recent proposals for a new floating offshore wind turbine industry. If this movement is successful, jobs and power will be delivered to the deprived communities, enabling Cornwall to drive their economy and approach energy inequality.
However, this topic has a hot controversy. Whilst UK citizens support and understand the benefits that wind power brings to the public, wind farms are critiqued the instant they apply for planning permission. Negative opinions have also risen since the Government implemented an effective four-year ban on subsidies for onshore wind farms, which resulted in discouraging people from investing in domestic wind turbines.
Despite this, on March 2nd 2020, the Government reversed its four-year ban on onshore wind subsidies, in hopes of reaching climate targets and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This movement will allow for multiple new wind farms to be commissioned and to therefore increase our current percentage of offshore wind electricity from 30% to ideally 40% by 2030.
In conclusion, it’s clear that many residents are critical of this energy debate, and it’s these people who seriously influence a planning applications success. Nonetheless, the Government and local authorities must educate sceptical residents on why wind farms are a key solution in reaching a net-zero carbon goal by 2050, or 2030 in Cornwall’s case.
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