Merton – Thursday 22^nd March

Is climate change an issue in its own right, or is climate change merely a symptom of other underlying trends in society?

This workshop examines the links between energy, economic growth, and climate change, to show that the fundamental need to address climate change is not policies on carbon emissions, but policies on energy use. In short, climate change is a "symptom" of a much greater problem – our consumption of energy. Consequently, a policy that concentrates merely on the issue on the "symptom" of carbon emissions will be a palliative response, and will not address the underlying trends that is creating the problem in the first place.

The workshop will examine our consumption of energy – in our homes, transport system, our use of commodities and our consumption of food – in order to identify where the problems lie, and where the greatest savings of energy (and as a result, carbon) can be made. It will also examine the issue of Peak Energy, and how a global peak in crude oil and natural gas production in the near future could help our fight against carbon emissions in some respects, but make it more difficult in many others.

Presenter: Paul Mobbs

Contact:   01295 261864 (no mobile), or email mobbsey@gn.apc.org (best option)