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Energy is an ethical dilemma

How we should generate and use electricity obviously involves technical and economic assessment, writes Morag Mylne, convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland. But each option has its embedded values, pros and cons. The choice we make among them is ultimately an ethical matter.

The Government insists that the market must be in control of the decisions regarding energy, but that approach fails to address the ethical dimension.

From a Christian perspective, the ethical aspects of energy are rooted in an understanding that the earth is God's creation and not ours to do with as we please. We have a responsibility to care for the earth and, in doing that, we care for each other, and especially for the poor and vulnerable.

In acting as if the whole earth was created simply for our present benefit, we selfishly exploit God's gift. It is in that context that we have to face up to difficult choices about where our electricity comes from and what it costs in terms of environmental damage.

Some people see nuclear power as a clean solution to the current problem. Within the Church of Scotland, there are different views on the subject. There are environmental advantages: nuclear power does not generate large amounts of CO2 and in its life cycle releases less greenhouse gases than fossil fuel stations, even with carbon capture and storage as the standard.

But there are disadvantages. First, the risk of catastrophic accident is, for some, a reason to reject nuclear power altogether, and low-level accidental discharges remain an issue. Secondly, radioactive waste means that future generations will inherit a problem that was not of their making but for which they will need to be responsible. Thirdly, for some, the link with nuclear weapons proliferation presents a prohibition in principle.

The key ethical question is whether human beings are capable of managing such a powerful force as the basis for a significant contribution to the energy supply.

There are other relevant questions. If we are reluctant to see nuclear power deployed widely in the developing world, is it hypocritical for us to pursue it in this country? If we can achieve serious greenhouse gas reduction, do we have a duty to continue with it? How much would it cost and would we be diverting huge resources away from truly sustainable solutions?

Nuclear power cannot be an excuse for us as a country to neglect our responsibilities in the areas of energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy. These must remain overwhelmingly the priority.

Building big new power plants, whether fossil-fuelled or nuclear, should not be seen as the answer. There are no easy solutions, but we have to see concerted action at Government, community and individual levels. Our duty to care for the earth demands nothing less than absolute commitment.

• The Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland is currently preparing a report for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Energy for a Changing Climate.

Full story at the Edinburgh Evening News.