UK's energy security strategy brings welcome long-term thinking

The UK government has placed home-grown nuclear power at the centre of a new energy strategy that will deliver energy security and independence from fossil fuel imports, without compromising on our climate commitments.

Critics have pointed out that new nuclear power isn't a short-term solution; and they're right. You can't just go on Amazon and buy a nuclear reactor. It takes years—decades—of steady commitment to bring together the skilled workers, the technology and the support from local communities needed to make nuclear power projects a success.

But stick at it, and the results are worth it: driven by a desire for energy independence, France was able to decarbonise its electricity sector with a major nuclear build-out, all at a time when climate change wasn't even on the agenda.

Whatever we do in the short-term, the need for long-term, stable, low-carbon, affordable clean energy is not going away.

As the saying goes:

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now."

Let's get planting some trees. ????????