The World in 2030

The World in 2030 147
much as possible of the carbon dioxide emitted at
source, and sequester it (burying it on land or under
the seabed).
Fourth, we could move more rapidly towards renewable
sources of energy, which do not put greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere: these include geothermal,
wind, wave and water energy; solar energy (from physics-based
or biology-based devices); fission (currently
generating 7 per cent of all the world’s energy, and
– despite its problems – surely playing a necessary
role in the medium term); fusion (a realistic longterm
possibility); biomass (assuming that the carbon
dioxide you put into the atmosphere was carbon dioxide
you took out when you grew the fuel). Some
of these renewables are already being used, others are
more futuristic.
Ultimately, we need a shift in cultural norms, in the
mores that shape everyday behaviour. In this sense,
the current collapse of sales of SUVs in the UK is
perhaps encouraging. 288
Even though the United Kingdom emits only 2 per cent of
the world’s carbon dioxide, British politicians are leading the
way in legislating to prevent climate change from becoming
too severe. Following a two-year campaign called ‘The Big
Ask’ 289 by Friends of the Earth the British government
announced a new Climate Change Bill in November 2006
and in March 2007 published a first draft of what the
legislation will cover. The announcement reads: