Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Over half a century has passed since Britain opened its first nuclear power station – so why today are we still struggling to meet our energy needs? On this excellent panel, filmed at the Battle of Ideas Festival in October 2022 by Worldwrite volunteers, speakers argue their case and a highly informed audience add weight to the session.
Environmentalists argue that the blame lies with our reliance on fossil fuels – and so demand a rapid switch to renewables like wind power. Yet, critics of Net Zero policies argue that renewables are unreliable and still require on the flexible backup of fossil-fuel energy. Even worse, those policies – and long-standing environmentalist opposition – have diverted attention from proven clean energy sources like nuclear. At the same time, arguments continue over whether the UK should exploit its significant reserves of shale gas.
As energy prices skyrocket, most debates focus on the financial support that households might need to pay their bills. But how can we stop such rises in the first place, and provide affordable, reliable energy today and in the future? Is reducing greenhouse-gas emissions still the primary goal, even if energy becomes more expensive? Are new technologies on the horizon, like nuclear fusion, that can save the day?
The speakers are:
Tom Heap- Environment broadcaster, Countryfile, Panorama, Costing the Earth; presenter, The Climate Show with Tom Heap; author, 39 Ways to Save the Planet
Dr Caspar Hewett-Lecturer and degree programme director, Water Group, EuroAquae+, School of Engineering, Newcastle University; director, The Great Debate
Laurie Laybourn-Researcher; writer; associate fellow, Institute for Public Policy Research; co-author, Planet on Fire: A manifesto for the age of environmental breakdown
James Woudhuysen-Visiting professor, forecasting and innovation, London South Bank University
The Chair is Jacob Reynolds- Partnerships manager, Academy of Ideas
Over half a century has passed since Britain opened its first nuclear power station – so why today are we still struggling to meet our energy needs? On this excellent panel, filmed at the Battle of Ideas Festival in October 2022 by Worldwrite volunteers, speakers argue their case and a highly informed audience add weight to the session.
Environmentalists argue that the blame lies with our reliance on fossil fuels – and so demand a rapid switch to renewables like wind power. Yet, critics of Net Zero policies argue that renewables are unreliable and still require on the flexible backup of fossil-fuel energy. Even worse, those policies – and long-standing environmentalist opposition – have diverted attention from proven clean energy sources like nuclear. At the same time, arguments continue over whether the UK should exploit its significant reserves of shale gas.
As energy prices skyrocket, most debates focus on the financial support that households might need to pay their bills. But how can we stop such rises in the first place, and provide affordable, reliable energy today and in the future? Is reducing greenhouse-gas emissions still the primary goal, even if energy becomes more expensive? Are new technologies on the horizon, like nuclear fusion, that can save the day?
The speakers are:
Tom Heap- Environment broadcaster, Countryfile, Panorama, Costing the Earth; presenter, The Climate Show with Tom Heap; author, 39 Ways to Save the Planet
Dr Caspar Hewett-Lecturer and degree programme director, Water Group, EuroAquae+, School of Engineering, Newcastle University; director, The Great Debate
Laurie Laybourn-Researcher; writer; associate fellow, Institute for Public Policy Research; co-author, Planet on Fire: A manifesto for the age of environmental breakdown
James Woudhuysen-Visiting professor, forecasting and innovation, London South Bank University
The Chair is Jacob Reynolds- Partnerships manager, Academy of Ideas
