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Wild Land News no 67, Autumn 2006

Letters to the Editor

Article

Dear Sir,

We receive Wild Land News where I work and I enjoyed David Jarman's article on Gaia's Revenge. Whether through climate change or the end of cheap oil, our modern society faces major upheaval and I think it is paramount that we all realise this, but also that we don't give up campaigning for the alternatives. There are many community groups now working locally to reduce their carbon emissions and their energy demand - this is the way of the future.

Communities need to localise essentials like food production and energy supply wherever possible. If electricity (and other energy sources) were generated close to the point of use, there would be no need to cover the wild places with wind turbines or energy crops as that's not where the demand is. We do need wind power but as one component of micro-renewables. These small-scale renewable devices include solar, wind and ground-source heating and are vital for addressing demand in urban areas. I also think some larger-scale renewables will be required to meet the heavy demand of conurbations until demand reduction really kicks in - probably once oil reaches $100/barrel! But I would prefer marine devices and off-shore wind close to the point of demand - not huge windfarms miles away.

It's important to remember that there is no single answer to the energy crisis which looms. We all need to consider how best to utilise local resources sustainably. For example, while woodfuel heating may be ideal for Highland communities with access to sustainably managed natural forests, it's no answer for keeping all the residents of the Central Belt warm.

Unlike some of your contributors, I am totally against nuclear power - my main reason being that it epitomises the outdated centralised electricity distribution system we currently seem to favour. All forms of energy generation have a carbon cost, which is why the key to addressing climate change is energy demand reduction. And let's not forget that transport is a huge source of CO2, which nuclear goes no way to addressing. And there's also the fact that uranium is not an indigenous material, nor is it renewable - it too will run out. To go down the nuclear route is to avoid changing the way we do things. I expect that from politicians, but not from environmentalists!

Decentralised energy systems do work, with a bit of enlightened leadership. Woking Borough Council is a well-quoted example, having reduced it's CO2 emissions by 77% since 1991 by investing in energy efficiency, district heating and renewables. Schemes such as these in urban areas will keep the wilds wild. But nuclear power will simply stop us from daring to realise an alternative future.

I am perturbed to read the latest issue of WLN and find three favourable references about the benefits of nuclear energy. I appreciate that these are individuals' opinions, but I find the increasing sympathy for a nuclear resurrection amongst some "worthy" individuals quite insidious, and akin to the anonymous, glossy anti-turbine "campaign" we have seen here recently.

Let us be very careful; we still have patches of unidentified, irradiated bogland from the Chernobyl fallout in the Highlands - protecting wild land should not just be about aesthetics. We have difficult choices and decisions to make; let us give them the careful considerstion they require.

I was most dismayed to read your article in WLN about possible hydro-electric development in the Loch Glendhu area. I had hoped, perhaps naively, that potential developers had got the message from the Shieldaig decision that our precious mountain country was not there to be plundered for small scale hydro schemes.

I have known and loved the Kylescu, Loch Glendhu, Loch Glencoul, Stack of Glencoul area for over 40 years and have walked, explored and camped there on numerous occasions. It is very little known, wild by any definition and unspoilt.

I was puzzled to read about the Maldie Burn/Loch an Leathaid Bhuain plans because, as you will know, there is already a small hydro plant there with a power station below the track and pipes running down from the loch. The pipes run down beside the considerable waterfall which becomes magnificent in wet weather and is seen prominently from the A94 descending from Quinag to Kylescu.

Damming and despoliation of Loch Srath nan Aisinnin cannot be allowed and I hope all the organisations that opposed Shieldaig have been alerted.