New Internationalist Issue 284
Energy and Equality
What a mess! If the South uses energy in the same way as the North has done,
we are heading for a future dominated by global warming, toxic waste and air
pollution. But the arguments for sustainability do not necessarily go hand-in-
hand with those for equity. Vanessa Baird constructs a conversation between
Claire, from the energy-glutted North, and Gloria
from the energy-starved South. Can they ever share the same priorities - and
a common vision for the future?
Quickly, she moved out of the lecture hall, along the corridor and through
a pair of swinging doors, violently at odds with each other. No time to
think why it was always like this, before she reached the room with her
plaque on it: Dr Claire Green, Senior Lecturer, Renewable Energy Studies.
A student caught her eye. 'Can I talk to you?' 'Sorry. Can it wait till
next week?' A tome slipped off her pile, 1160 pages of it, entitled 'Energy
Forever'.
'God, I could do with just a bit of it right now,' she thought as she closed
the door behind her and poured herself an evil-smelling, thick, black liquid
from the coffee maker.
'Relax,' she told herself sternly, gazing out through the window at the Heart
of England University campus. It was one of those sunny, windy days that should
be a joy to a renewable energy freak. Her computer whirred quietly in the background.
Next to it, her answerphone was flashing. She switched it to 'play' and heard
her lover informing her that they had agreed to meet for lunch. Remember?!
Before she could make the requisite grovelling, apologetic call, her phone buzzed.
'Your visitor from South Africa is here! Shall I send her through to you?'
Claire did not know quite what she had expected of Gloria Thembisa, community
leader and NGO worker, with a special interest in rural energy. But when
she appeared Claire realized what she had not expected: a woman six-feet-tall,
wearing jeans and a big crimson, floppy shirt. Behind her large spectacles,
Gloria had a slight squint that gave her a permanently quizzical air. But
her smile lines were deeply etched, Claire noticed with relief. If she was
going to spend five days accompanying this woman on a study tour of energy
alternatives, a sense of humour would be a plus, if not an essential requirement.
After the initial polite exchanges Claire went to her printer and ripped
off a list she had prepared the previous night. 'Just a few ideas about
different kinds of energy systems your community might be interested in.'
'Ah yes, yes. Wind, solar, wave. Mmmm, solar hydrogen. Very interesting...'
said Gloria. 'But there is something missing here. Something that really
does interest me...'
'Ah yes..?'
'Nuclear power'
'Nuclear..?'
'Yes. You have heard of it?' said Gloria, with a smile.
'Yes,' Claire flustered. 'Do you want to...'
'Visit your newest nuclear power station? Yes, I would love to!'
Claire had a sinking feeling as she made the arrangements. 'Yes, we are
open every day of the year except Christmas here at Sizewell,' said the
chirpy voice on the other end of the line. 'You can book a tour now. And
you will probably want to spend time in our Visitors Centre... It's one
of the best in the country..'
©Copyright: New Internationalist 1996
NI Home Page
Issue
284 Contents
