"In most other countries, renewable energy projects are owned by local communities: and so there's a huge groundswell of support for them."

Yesterday's report from the Eden Project on Spotlight looked at how Cornwall intends to make itself energy self-sufficient over the next ten years:



BBC iPlayer - Spotlight - 17/03/2015

Prof Catherine Mitchell of the University of Exeter said:
"I think the reason we don't hear so much about the benefits of renewables is because in most other countries, they are owned by local communities and individuals: and so there's sort of a huge groundswell of support for them."
Futures Forum: "From ‘dirty’ energy to sustainable energy" >>> UK Energy Policy and the role of community energy >>> Prof Catherine Mitchell to talk in Exeter Tues 10th February

Her colleagues from the Geography Department at the University were in Sidmouth for Climate Week:
Futures Forum: Climate Week in Sidmouth ... "The 2 degree limit - dumbing down, or useful approximation?" ... Professor Richard Betts of the Met Office .... Tuesday 3rd March at 3pm
Futures Forum: Climate Week in Sidmouth: “Someone must do something": Dr Ewan Woodley of Exeter University >>> 'Climate change, natural hazards and public understandings of risk and resilience.' >>> the presentation

Meanwhile, there have been other developments in the South West:
South West primed to become first UK energy hub | Western Morning News

Because, politicians seem to prefer the grandiose gesture rather than the small-scale project in the hands of local people:
Futures Forum: "The fracking village is going 100% solar"
Futures Forum: Climate change: "The sustainability movement is built by local community action groups"
Futures Forum: Community energy schemes to lose tax relief.... incentives which have 'propelled the transformation of the German energy market'

See under 'encourage community energy production':
Futures Forum: Climate change: perceptions and solutions: a summary
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