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February 16, 2005
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) comes into effect today, thanks to the belated approval of Russia. It is designed to cut emissions of greenhouse gases in developed countries below 1990 levels, by 2012.
Unfortunately coal-fired power stations are in operation everywhere and new ones are still being built, threatening to hasten rather than delay global warming.
In Scotland we have two huge coal-burners, Longannet (Kincardine-on-Firth, capacity 2,400 MW), the second largest of its kind in Great Britain, and Cockenzie (East Lothian, capacity 1,200 MW). Both are owned by Scottish Power.
Longannet is by far the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. According to Friends of the Earth, the power station released 11 million tonnes in 2002, three times as much as any other industrial plant in Scotland. Cockenzie although smaller is even dirtier, in terms of pollution relative to the amount of electricity generated.
Longannet and Cockenzie should be closed down as soon as possible and their generating capacity replaced by clean energy.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4267245.stm
www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1415663,00.html?gusrc=rss
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/pressforchange/carbon_dinosaurs/
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/pressforchange/carbondinosaurs/longannetpower_station.html
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/pressforchange/carbondinosaurs/cockenziepower_station.html
Posted by Simon Holledge at February 16, 2005 07:13 PM
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