A true polymath and the father of 2050 calculators
Professor Sir David MacKay – the inventor and father of 2050 calculators – was made a professor of physics in Cambridge at the age of 36 in 2003, and elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 2009. He was a brilliant physicist and a true polymath with a passion for the objective rational argument. Before working on energy David made significant contributions to advancing the fields of information theory, machine learning, and neural networks. For example, in 1999 he invented Dasher, a keyboard-free program that transformed the lives of many people with impaired mobility by allowing them to write efficiently using eye movements, head movements or even breathing.
David started to get frustrated with hearing uninformed arguments about energy. He thought the debate often did not focus on what was important. For example, he was sick of hearing how people should unplug phone chargers as one of the main ways to save energy, seeing as in reality this has minimal impact on energy consumption. So, he decided to write a book, ‘Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air’, which brought numbers, standard units and scientific principles to the often political and at times emotional debate on the future of energy. As David used simple back-of-the envelop calculations, and worked through the calculations with the reader, it allowed non-scientists to understand and draw their own conclusions on the future energy mix. The book was dedicated to “those who will not have the benefit of two billion years’ accumulated energy reserves”, and was a huge success in helping a much wider audience understand the challenge of decarbonisation.
To him, it only mattered that we agree there’s a need to move towards a sustainable energy mix. As long as we agree on that, to paraphrase, then it’s probably best to leave the laws of physics and maths to determine the right way forward. Here are a few quotes from the book which illustrate David’s approach:
“If everyone does a little, we’ll achieve only a little.”
“Please don’t get me wrong: I’m not trying to be pro-nuclear. I’m just pro-arithmetic.”
“We need numbers, not adjectives”
“I don’t want to feed you my own conclusions, convictions are stronger if they are self-generated, rather than taught.”
And finally:
"I’m here to remind you of the fact that we can’t have our cake and eat it too; to help you weed out the pointless and ineffective policy proposals; and to help you identify energy policies that are compatible with your personal values. We need a plan that adds up!"
These quotes demonstrate David’s approach of using simple, clear calculations and communication style to help others to draw their own conclusions on energy that are evidence-based.
David’s numerate and honest approach to the energy issue brought him lasting respect from all sides of the energy debate, and so this led him to becoming the Chief Science Advisor of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2009. He continued his approach of providing evidence and objective rational arguments to help to shape UK energy policies.
David aspired to start a public conversation – what he termed ‘open source policy making’ and he devised the UK 2050 Calculator to effectively communicate the evidence around an important issue. The calculator enabled anyone to choose between multiple options for achieving the UK’s mandated 80% by 2050 carbon emission reductions, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the trade-offs between policy options. The 2050 calculator was underpinned by David’s values: transparent, open, and easy to use and understand. David then toured the calculator around many cities in the UK as a roadshow, reaching out to as many people as he could. The UK 2050 Calculator led onto the development of numerous 2050 calculators in other countries, as well as a Global calculator in the run up to the Paris Climate Change conference.
Sadly, David passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on, including in the new UK 2050 Calculator. To reach net zero by 2050, it will be imperative to have the public on board. David MacKay was brilliant at engaging the public, in particular with his ability to communicate complex issues in a easy to understand, and also fun way; we must learn from him, and use similar approaches to reach our goal of net zero.