In 5 years the UK will run out of oil, coal and gas, researchers have warned.
A report by the Global Sustainability Institute said shortages would increase dependency on Norway, Qatar and Russia. It claims that there should be a “Europe-wide drive” towards renewable energy.
The government, however, says that says that complete energy independence is unnecessary. The report also points out that Russia has more than 50 years of oil, more than 100 years of gas and more than 500 years of coal left, on current consumption.
Oil, coal and gas shortage
Britain has just 5.2 years of oil, 4.5 years of coal and three years of its own gas. However, France is in an even worse situation with under 1 year to go before it runs out of all three fossil fuels.
Dr Aled Jones, director of the institute, which is based at Anglia Ruskin University, said “heavily indebted” countries were becoming increasingly vulnerable to rising energy prices. “Coal, oil and gas resources in Europe are running down and we need alternatives. The EU is becoming ever more reliant on our resource-rich neighbours such as Russia and Norway, and this trend will only continue unless decisive action is taken,” he added.
The report painted a varied picture across Europe, with Bulgaria having 34 years of coal left. Germany, it was claimed, has 250 years of coal remaining but less than a year of oil.
Renewable energy
“It is perhaps a good time to look hard at our current energy consumption figures and what can be done to reduce them”
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