The Big Ask Climate Debate comments_139 July 2008
To start with, I fail to see how even the current level of flying can be sustained (let alone the projected increase)
Nuclear power as a solution is far from ideal, its downsides are serious and far-reaching. But the consequences of climate change could very well be far worse, but it shouldnt be viewed as a solution but something that may help buy some time.
Currently we generate most of our electricity in relatively few powerstations. Having a more distributed power network with localised (perhaps even down to household level) green power generation makes sense from a climate and security of power supply point of view.
As with virtually all problems the best solution is education, particularly for the young. Children should be educated in conserving energy, climate change and from a wider angle how we have a responsibility to look after the enivironment.
Most of the current focus is on reducing personal/public contributions to climate change. There doesnt seem to be any emphasis on the workplace/business.
Most places of work have PCs/printers/photocopiers/lights almost permanently on or on standby. Workplaces should be encouraged to change. I have tried suggesting this at my office - turning off electronic items out of office hours, but it fell on deaf ears. Most worrying of all this indicates the level of apathy and lack of understanding present in the general public.
However ultimately not much of what we do here matters much if we cant get the likes of the US, China etc to act. But that doesnt mean we shouldnt try to do our bit.
Finally, the government should already be planning for a future where we havent managed to curb climate change, as it should already be obvious that we havent avoided it completely.
Tim Walpole
I hope the government will stop all airport expansion forthwith. I have written to both the DoT and DEFRA. Most concerned to receive a response from DEFRA to say it was DOT responsibility. It might be DoT responsibility but surely DEFRA has input into any decision and I would have liked to know what that input was
Paul Walker
Airport expansion - who needs it?
Only the economy - stupid? Or perhaps the electorate? Certainly not Jamie Oliver and hordes of other protesters, but will their voice carry any weight? But what of the future generations of the electorate, will they agree that airport expansion was a good idea, or a disaster? Is it enough just to say that putting more tax on flying is an international problem so we should do nothing about it? It doesnt take genius to see how long it takes for the US to take a unilateral decision when it suits it, where self interest is involved...... There are so many reasons why this country does not need to expand its airports. Over to you Mr Blair, convince me!!!
PS Mr Blair, well done for allowing Ken Livingstone back into the party - he has and is giving a strong lead on environmental issues, and has a thick enough skin to stand up to the terrors of unpopularity!
Caroline Raffan
Hello Mr Blair , Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your ideas. Firstly on targets. As someone who has worked in the health service for nearly 30 years, I am used to targets and realise their limitations. However, it does seem to me that for a government which has put such faith in targets as a means of changing behaviour in others, to say that they have limitations when applied to themselves smacks of double standards. We urgently need to change government departments behaviour, as well as everyone elses and annual targets might just do that.
This point about how to change people's behaviour is important to me as I am a clinical psychologist by training. My professional life has been to help people understand why they go on behaving in ways that don't seem to do them any good despite all the evidence. It was good that at the recent Friends of the Earth Conference we discussed in a number of sessions the importance of finding ways of making sustainable changes attractive to people - summed up in 'finding solutions'. As part of Cornwall's approach to this we have started a local parish project - the St Endellion Climate Friendly Parish (see www.stendellion.com ) - and are making a real effort to link the bigger picture to what we can do locally. Perhaps the government could give Parish Councils incentives to take up such an approach.
Do reconsider the annual target idea. It will not be comfortable, but in our project we have an annual target too and it won't be comfortable for us. We would really like things like low energy light bulbs to be cheaper than their environmentally damaging cousins. This would make it easier for Roy Smith, who runs our excellent local coop, and who is a big supporter of the project, to sell them. Many people in Cornwall are on low incomes and making climate friendly choices cheaper would be a real boost.
Finally, while I appreciate you say you are treating this with urgency, sadly I have a horrible feeling it is not urgent enough. And I think in your heart of hearts you know it isn't really. Making a really tough Climate Bill will be putting your money where your mouth is, as they say. Hope you do it.
Tony Wainwright
Why do we hear no mention from the government with regards to bio-diesel? This is more eco-friendly way of filing up our diesel vehicles with little impact on the environment. The government should invest money into this new way of running our vehicles making it more redilly available for everyone rather than increasing taxes and pricing people off the road. Could it be that the goverment does not want to know as they can not make as much money from taxes on this fuel?
Subsidies for household solar/wind power would be good.
These are just 2 ways that the Government can do to help combat climate change but instead we just hear news about how much more money it's going to cost British taxpayers, and not really looking at alternative ways.
Emma Procter
Every single person on this planet needs to take responsibility for their actions and be aware of the consequences.
We all need to do everything in our power to reduce our negative environmental impact. The media has a great deal of power and this must be harnessed to educate people and increase awareness.
We all have to believe that we can make a difference. This debate will make a difference. Please do everything within your power to make a positive change and ensure everyone knows about it.
I in return promise to do everything in my power to make a positive impact on my environment.
Meg Hanlon
I welcome the "Two Tony's Debate" and I am relieved to see that Tony Blair recognises that climate change is an urgent issue which requires our immediate attention. However, whilst he sends such mixed messages out the the electorate, they will not change their ways. For example, flying is not compatible with reducing CO2 emmissions, yet Tony Blair persists in a programme of airport expansion and refuses to take steps to stop cheap flights. I welcome his explanation.
Amanda Yorwerth
This summer my family took action and installed PV and Thermal Solar systems to our 30 year house, In 4 months we have generated 1000 KWatt hours of electricity. 45% of this was sold to the Grid. Our Gas comsuption for hot water/heating is down by 70%. We are lucky enough to able to to do this.
The Government needs to take action
1) make it law these systems are fitted EVERY new house and business development.2) Provide more and easily accessiable grants to all more people to do what we did.
Rich Pitts
Ifind it fasinating that both Tonys are making such a big issue on the enviroment and applaud their views. It is just a shame that one of the Tonys is all bark and no bite! If the Govt were really interested in the enviroment,global warming and renewable energy it would perhaps be a good idea for them to give decent grants for renewable energy sources ie solar power and wind power for us householders. I live in an area with excellent possibilities for 1 or 2 wind turbines and I have a large expanse of roof that is perfect for photovoltaic solar panels/tiles with sufficient under floor space to put batteries to store the electricity and still enough space to put solar water heating tubes to top up my 'normal' fuels as this roof area is in sun all day and year round. The only thing stopping me from being able to do my part for the enviroment and to help reduce the use of fossil fuels is the severe lack of money to purchase these items. May I be so bold as to volunteer myself as a willing participant in a Govt funded scheme to see just how much a household can actually save in any 1 year.
Or will the major suppliers of fossil fuel services bring their financialmuscle to bear to knockthis 'green' idea on the head to preserve their profits ?
Marc Hamilton
Britain has the opportunity to take a leadership role on tackling climate change. on this issue we should put our national scepticism behind us and encourage other countries to follow.
Peter Lumb
Because of disabilities i have a vehicle from motability. It is a Ford Fusion 1.4 TDCI the emissions are low enough to qualify for the lowest road tax.I am due to change in June 2007, so have been looking for a replacement on motability's web site. Motability ask what can we the user do to be environmentally friendly, so after viewing their site i asked them the same question. The reason? I'll explain. The advance payment for this vehicle is still £600 but the petrol version has no advance payment required. The new Fusion 1.6 TDCI with the same low emissions is £800. The 1.6 petrol is only £200 but the emision are higher. I looked at the new Dodge Caliber 1.9 Diesel, the emissions are lower than the Fusion 1.6 petrol yet the advance payment is £2500. Shouldn't motability be pushing the advance payment up on high emission petrols and remove it on lower emission diesels. I have sent an e-mail to them of my thoughts and am awaiting a reply. I also notice that road tax for diesels is higher than petrols why ? If i remember correctly it is easier and cheaper to refine crude oil to diesel than petrol. I sugested that motability look carefully at the situation before somebody else, like the government, does it for them. I wonder what they will come up with.
Michael Ridley
Teach kids the importance of respecting and actively protect the environment. Environment should be a dominant subject from their first day on. Maybe kids would be less likely to be self-destructive when they are teenagers if they cared about the environment, they will eat better too and be less prone to suffer from all kinds of disorders.
If you care about the environment, you care about yourself and others and you are less likely to hurt either. The world could be a better place. It would also entail, to be coherent, to STOP SUPPORTING WAR.
F D
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