Fuel For Thought

from fuel poverty to climate justice

Fuel For Thought is a series of monthly collective learning sessions run by Fuel Poverty Action. A space to share research and lived experience, tackle lies, clear up confusion and answer questions.

Wind and Solar: Avoiding an Unjust Transition. Thursday, 19 June, 6.30 PM.

This month, we’ll be shining a light on the injustices becoming apparent in the renewable energy transition, including scandalous financial mismanagement, discriminatory policies and practices, and harmful infrastructure.

From paying £ billions to halt turbines so as not to overload the grid, to communities having to challenge ill-conceived infrastructure to save their neighbourhoods, ecosystems, and economies. These injustices are in the way of equal access to cheap energy, present new threats to nature and the environment, and are fuelling right wing narratives that paints “green” as the enemy of the poor.

We'll be talking about what we want, and what we can do, to ensure renewables don’t just become the fossil fuels of the future, but a transition that puts justice for people and the planet at it’s centre.

Register below.

Confirmed speakers include:

Dr Brenda Boardman | Brenda is an Emeritus Fellow at the ECI and a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter. Her main research focus is on how to achieve demand reduction in energy across the UK economy, but in particular the built environment. She'll be speaking about changes in renewable electricity production, policy, and pricing, as well as her proposal to reform the market for cheaper renewable energy.

Fiona Gilmore | Founder and Director, Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS). SEAS is a community group campaigning against the making of the Friston and Suffolk Coast into an Energy Hub. SEAS is in favour of offshore wind but against the current proposals which will have a devastating impact on the unique onshore environment, social health and wellbeing, local tourist economy, and coastal communities. Instead, SEAS advocates using offshore integration and brownfield sites closer to where the power is needed.

Gary Jack | Gary is one of the founding members of Highland People's Power and a Board Member. Gary lives and works with his wife on their croft in Wester Ross, growing produce organically and generating a large part of their energy needs through renewables. He'll be talking to us about Highland People's Power.

Jonathan Bean | Fuel Poverty Action’s Policy and Parliament lead.

Ruth London |Fouding member of Fuel Poverty Action and one of the organisation's directors. She'll be speaking on the current injustices in our energy system with a focus on renewable energy, and how these are reshaping Fuel Poverty Action’s Energy For All campaign.