Pollution from energy supply, conversion and use a review of the U.K. problem

Trends in U.K. consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric energy are discussed, and forecasts of use to the year 2000 A.D. are given. More detailed forecasts of fuel use by different sectors to 1985 are presented. Wastes, the resulting pollution and their likely future trends from the following energy sources are reviewed: primary energy — oil treatment, natural gas transhipment, coal production and nuclear and hydroelectric power: secondary energy — electricity generation, coking and gas making: tertiary energy — use of fuels in transport and the domestic sector. Emission forecasts for several air pollutants from all energy sources to 1985 are presented, the pollution and damage arising being discussed. The need for further waste and pollutant monitoring is then debated, and the necessity of continuing to consider environmental protection in energy policy decisions, along with fuel conservation and relative price is stressed.