At the moment the world is a grim place. In the UK we have just started our second lock down. One which runs into the depressing winter as opposed to the optimistic spring. Brexit is shambling along to a car crash close. The US election is on a knife edge and the incumbent ranting about having the election stolen from him.

There is however some good news out there. One thing is the progress that has been made in moving away from fossil fuel electricity production towards sustainable wind, sun and other alternative energy sources.

Carbon Brief produced this interactive essay showing how, in a decade from, from 2008 to 2018, the UK has moved from producing 80% of its electricity with fossil fuels to a position where 50% of the electricity needs of the country were met by low carbon sources such as wind. solar and nuclear. Only 10% of electricity in 2018 was generated using coal.

This is a remarkable achievement and world leading. It demonstrates what can be achieved if governments and nations decide to take action. We should not throw up our hands and say it is all too hard. A principle which applies to areas well beyond climate change.

I recommend the article and the interactive map of the UK’s evolving energy supply over the decade from 2008. It is as informative as it is impressive. A brilliant use of graphics.