On the UK government’s approval of drilling in the Jackdaw gas field, Professor Martiskainen said:
“After another record-breaking extreme heat summer, it is disappointing to see the decision to go ahead with the Jackdaw gas field. The decision misses the opportunity that we could achieve by reducing energy demand.
“We know we need to move away from fossil fuels, and reducing energy demand helps in that. Instead of drilling for new climate change-inducing fossil fuels, we can reduce demand with steps such as retrofitting homes, buying less, switching to renewable electrified heating, choosing plant-based food options and opting for public transport. Some of the demand actions may seem politically difficult, but they are not as difficult as what we will have to deal with as the economic and social cost of climate change starts piling up more.
“The gas from Jackdaw is not expected to lower people’s energy bills this winter but will cause more emissions (and climate impacts). It also sends the wrong message at a time when we need a rapid move to electrified heating. The message that we need more gas goes against the UK’s long-standing climate commitments.”
