Children can lead way on Energy Revolution

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Oct 2006

A call for Scotland to play a lead role in tackling climate change has come from Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown. He believes that local children could show the way forward by learning about renewable energy in schools.

Mr. Brown made his comments following the launch by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen MSP of the Party's pre-manifesto document for next year's Scottish Parliament and Council elections. Nicol Stephen set out the key role that Scotland's schools can play in achieving his ambitious target of generating 100% of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2050.

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats also said that all schools should generate a fifth of their energy from micropower sources such as roof-top wind turbines and solar panels. Nicol Stephen went on to say that, if elected First Minister, he would insist that all new school building projects would include the ability to generate 20% of their power requirements on site.

Supporting the case for micropower, Robert Brown said:

"Scotland can become the renewables powerhouse of Europe and I am determined that the Liberal Democrats will set the pace on this.

"I have long thought that we should generate as much electricity as possible where it is used - in towns and cities. The key is micropower - small scale windmills, solar energy and district heating schemes to recapture waste heat.

"Not only is micropower cost-effective but it can play a key role in reducing our CO2 emissions. Micropower wind turbines and solar panels can cut energy bills by up to £100 per year.

"If just one quarter of all gas boilers being replaced between now and 2020 are replaced with ones that can generate power, the capacity this will bring is the equivalent to just under half of that provided by today's nuclear power stations.

"Micropower can also be a powerful way of changing attitudes. People who have installed micropower in their own homes tend to think more carefully about their energy use. Micropower can help people recognise the consequences that leaving the television or the computer on standby has, both for the environment and for our energy bills.

Robert Brown believes that schools are the perfect environment to give children a practical demonstration of the importance of renewable energy, and micropower in particular. He went on to say:

"The people that can really change attitudes and behaviour in the home are children, so we should start by making sure every child learns about renewable energy, and every school has micropower on site. It would help to educate our young people on how energy is produced, is a good way to protect our environment, and also helps cut school bills and free up more resources for teaching.

"Schools the length and breadth of Scotland are leading the way - in Cumbernauld Primary School they have installed small-scale wind turbines and solar cells. In Rosyth Primary School they use solar power to heat their water, at Morgan Academy in Dundee they heat the school using ground source pumps and at Dingwall Primary they have installed a biomass boiler for their heating needs. I would like to see schools in this area take the opportunity to create their own renewable energy, whilst educating pupils about the importance of protecting the environment for the future.

"It is vital that we seize the micropower opportunity, and make it commonplace across the country. It will take time before that is a reality, but schools can and should play an important role in driving micropower forward.

"The schools will see their fuel bills come down, Scotland will see its carbon emissions drop, but just as importantly the next generation of young people will be equipped to meet the energy challenges of the twenty first century."

ends