Worldwide, the shift to a low carbon future has already begun. Global investments in renewable energy is now overtaking investment in fossil fuel power generation.
The UK has already committed to slashing levels of carbon pollution within a generation, and producing a 15 per cent of our energy from clean, renewable sources by the end of this decade.
But there is a certain amount of heal dragging. Emissions continue to grow in the UK, and we're not currently on a trajectory that will meet our clean energy target even though we could achieve these commitments with relatively modest effort.
It's a great opportunity - not only to make our economy more efficient and internationally competitive, but to improve our quality of life (warmer homes, cleaner air, fewer traffic jams) and insulate ourselves from the insecurity and volatile prices of imported fossil fuels.
We would like to see Britian as trend setters in new global green industries. It will mean big changes in the way we generate electricity, power our vehicles and heat our homes and businesses, but it's something that we should be excited about, not scared of.
Creating jobs
Investing in energy efficiency and clean energy will have many benefits. Economies which invest and regulate now to generate vibrant, cutting-edge clean energy industries will be big winners in the future, both in domestic and export markets.
With our wind and wave battered coastline, world class universities and existing skilled offshore and construction industries, we are perfectly placed to reap the rewards that this high-tech, low carbon future offers us.
But our politicans need to stop dragging their feet and start making it happen on a grand scale. We're campaigning to make sure the government takes the decisions necessary to kick start an economic recovery based around low carbon jobs and clean energy industries.
We can cut carbon and keep the lights on
Clean energy is no longer a dream; it's an idea whose time has come. To give just one example, wind power has come a long way in 20 years. Britain now has offshore farms that can supply as much electricity as a conventional power station - and we are still in the early stages of what can be achieved.
We have more than enough wave, wind and tidal energy potential than we need to keep our lights on and our homes warm even on the coldest and darkest days. And while we can't do without fossil fuels entirely in the short term, we can increasingly replace them in all aspects of our lives. We can do this without damaging our economy.
Right now some clean energy sources are more expensive. This is partly because oil, gas and coal use mature extraction technologies and benefit from huge economies of scale and tax breaks. It is also partly because of a lack of investment and regulations that put clean energy on a level playing field.
But this is changing fast. The more investment put into clean energy, the lower the unit price becomes - particularly if manufacturing is based here in the UK. And as easily accessible oil and gas reserves dwindle, the price of fossil fuels will grow higher.
In the not-to distant future there is going to be a huge market for green energy, and the countries that are among the first to move to a low carbon economy will have the greatest advantage. Currently Germany and the Scandinavian countries are in the lead with China quickly catching up.
If we continue to rely on fossil fuels we'll find ourselves increasingly at the mercy of foreign markets - certainly no guarantee of keeping the lights on!
