by Kirsten V. Andersen, OVE

In September 19th, 20th and 21st the Spanish organization Aedenat, Asociazion Ecologista de Defensa de la Naturaleza is organizing an Alternative World Energy Conference (AWEC) in Madrid.

Why?

Because all the "big boys'' get together in Madrid, September 20th to 25th, to the official congress of the World Energy Conference (WEC). Like on previous WECs Aedenat expects them to use very much energy talking about nuclear energy and conventional energy production using coal, oil and natural gas. Especially they might promote nuclear energy as environmentally friendly minimizing the Green House Effect. As Aedenat says ''to give us the power we need until the advent of fusion, the new Holy Grail''.

Aedenat wants to show, that there are alternatives to the present energy policies. We don't need more nuclear energy that is risky and polluting to people and the environment. We don't need more fossil fuel to accelerate the Green House Effect. We need to change the way we produce and use energy, which requires a whole new way of arranging our political and social life.

Therefore Aedenat has arranged AWEC, and contacted NGOs all over the world to give presentations of renewable energy and energy savings.

Programme

What is energy for ?

• energy, basic needs and welfare

• energy and space: metropolis, housing and transport

• fulfilment of the basic needs in the South

• energy, matter and entropy: for a global concept

• ethical and moral aspects

An unsustainable model

• environmental consequences of energy transformation and use of resources scarcity

• acid rain

• climate changes

• nuclear power and waste

• big dams, big problems

North-South energy distribution

• international flows of energetic raw material

• energy problems in Eastern Europe

• energy efficiency in the North and South

Better with less energy in the North

• alternative energy planning

• the myth of nuclear fusion

• renewable energies

• instruments of intervention: fiscal and regulatory measures, and local planning

Working for a new energy model

• experience of international coordination and proposals of future action

Awec resolution and final statement, press conference

See you in Madrid on AWEC, and maybe at our European energy seminar the week before.

Further information: AEDENAT, Campomanes 13, 28013 Madrid, Spain. Ph: + 34-1 -541 10 71. Fax: + 34-1571 71 08.