Here in East Sussex we have been basking in sub-zero temperatures for over a week now. Not only is it good news for those who see the cold as the best way of killing off nasty bugs, but it also provides a small fillip to the biomass woodfuel industry. Global warming indeed!
So what's news and what can we look forward to in the year to come? Well for one thing there continues to be talk, talk and more talk. And slowly, slowly we are seeing a gradual increase in the take-up of renewable energy. 2010 is likely to follow a very similar pattern, reined in by the appalling microclimate that is the British economy. Times are definitely going to be tough, and the worry is that the incentive and finance for investment in renewables just won't be there to really put a dent in the stats. Time for less talk and more action.
The general disillusion with politics and politicians is often put down to the petty squabbling, posturing and self-interest of our decision-makers. Copenhagen was a chance for the world to gather and really address a crisis of immense proportions, putting aside short-sighted political expediency. Cynics would say that all we got was more squabbling, more self-interest and no conclusion. This is no way to connect with real people making daily decisions that could improve or damage the future well-being of the planet. Our response is just to switch off - brains, not lights!
Perhaps though there is something positive to be taken from Copenhagen after all. Over 190 different countries were represented at the talks and we feel that this shows at last a real recognition that collective action needs to be taken, and fast. Ultimately all the talk will lead to some action. You just wish it could happen faster.
It's the same here at home. We have been promised for some time a Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. It should be good news - heat makes up around 47% of the UK energy burden. But guess what? The details of the scheme have been delayed. What kind of a way is this for business to make plans to improve energy use in buildings? The result: no solar, no wind, no biomass. Nothing.
In years to come however, historians won't remember these delays. They will remember the economic slough and they will recall the General Election of 2010. On the environmental front, all the signs are that there won't be significant changes in policy should the Conservatives be elected. That's the good news. The bad news is that traditionally the UK grinds to a halt in the run-up to a General Election. Let's just hope that this doesn't happen to any great degree. It's not as if we haven't all got enough to be getting on with.
Happy Christmas and here's to a much improved 2010.
