Saturday, 7 October 2023

Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me?

It seems weird that, given the current energy crisis, the UK government seems ready to reintroduce restrictions on solar farms. It's claimed this is being done to protect agriculture. It's more likely, however, that the move is linked to local political antipathies to fields of photovoltaics. Limiting this use of these panels, of course, makes it even less likely the UK will achieve net zero by 2050. Photovoltaics generate electricity, without producing 'greenhouse gas' emissions (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/07/rishi-sunak-plans-to-restrict-solar-panels). If this restriction on solar farms comes into place, there's all the more reason for encouraging/insisting on placing panels on the roofs of buildings. There's, however, currently no sign of a) funding to encourage this and b) changes to building regulations for new properties. Current policies appear to be entirely dictated by chasing the votes of individuals who are 'supremely relaxed' about climate change. Presumably, government hasn't noticed what's going on over the planet or doesn't care?

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Birder's Bonus 241

Noted a Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.