…And why they are a bonkers idea for Jersey! https://studio.youtube.com/video/SvoMCjk4IbU/edit There have been a few articles and comments recently suggesting that rather than go for a wind farm, Jersey should look to small modular nuclear reactors (SMR’s) as the future of our energy supply. The idea capitalises on recent publicity around the race to develop … More Small modular reactors
Sea grass just below the surface, Violet Bank, south east coast, Jersey This is a letter that was sent to all States members a week ago by a group of eminent scientists, urging support for amendments to the Marine Spatial Plan that would reinstate the marine protected areas as originally proposed. The argument they advance … More Letter regarding the Marine Spatial Plan
Just a short note to say it was great to see such strong support in the States Assembly today for the proposition to take forward the project to build a wind farm in Jersey’s territorial waters (the vote was 40-1). The final decision is of course still a long way off – but this vote … More Reaction to wind farm vote
I want to tackle recent commentary regarding the island’s response to climate change, because there have been a number of assertions that need challenging, particularly arising from various columns and letters in the JEP, but also in social media posts. Points that have been made include: In this blog post, I will deal with the … More Why we should ignore climate change deniers
We’re in the middle of an amazing spell of Autumn weather – it’s great to have that feeling that we’re holding winter at bay – but I think it’s perhaps worth sparing a thought for the bigger picture. Jersey may not have had a great summer, but the planet was hotter than it has ever been through … More Climate Change and Jersey
Whenever government launches something like an electric vehicle incentive scheme, it raises entirely legitimate questions from the public about the justification, the sums of money involved, the timetable and so on. I’ve had emails from members of the public and there’s been comment on social media. So here are a few thoughts answering some of … More Thoughts on the EV Incentive Scheme
On Friday (May 19th) I convened Jersey’s first Nature Summit and in my introductory speech I referenced a quote that attracted quite a bit of attention. It came from the writer Kurt Vonnegut, who said in an interview towards the end of his life: “I’ll tell you one thing that no Cabinet has ever had … More Minister for the Future?
Green hustings at Durrell last night – a great event, which was also a reminder of just how much environmental issues permeate almost every issue that faces the island. I was asked what I would do to improve food security – here’s my answer. (Afterwards Andrew Le Gallais from Jersey Dairy chastised me for saying … More Green hustings
I said in an earlier blog post that I would provide an update if there was a decision about the new hospital, so here are my thoughts now that Deputy Young has approved the planning application. The first thing to say is that as I noted earlier, I was an objector to the planning application … More The new hospital part 2
I’ve been asked a question on social media concerning my stance on the new hospital: hypothetically, if I were the Environment Minister after the election and the hospital decision fell into my in-tray, would I approve the Overdale application or reject it? Leaving aside the presumption of ministerial position, it is nevertheless a good question … More The hospital
Jonathan Renouf 