Mike Parker, Chairman of SeSaME, writes…
EVERY time I write about sustainability my desire to repeat what seems now an ancient mantra becomes an immediate hurdle, “We are not doing enough, we are still allowing carbon levels continue to grow.” Why?
For a century our transport system has spewed noxious fumes into the environment. We now encourage electric vehicles without a universally planned, adequate countrywide charging system, weakened by promotion of hybrid alternatives that can prioritise petrol usage.
Drilling for new sources of gas and oil is stimulating continued pollution from heating and transport systems. Our banks fund fossil fuel exploration supported within planning laws.
We encourage low carbon credits for low carbon companies, which they can sell to wealthy polluting companies, meaning those companies are not improving their own carbon reduction targets.
Heating loss, with the high carbon footprint of older brick houses, is a major source of carbon pollution. We have failed to create a long term, locally managed retrofitting of boiler replacement for our poorly insulated houses.
We are continuing to allow the new- build housing with indifferent insulation levels, oil, mains gas and liquid petroleum gas tank installation, despite having the building skills available for obvious alternatives.
The high carbon footprint of flying is a major concern. We have failed to financially penalise wealthy frequent flyers to reduce unnecessary travel. Our recently reduced trading from nearby markets to those further away will place a heavier burden on our carbon footprint.
The UK has unlimited, environmentally friendly sources of renewable energy, from rivers, sun, sea tides and wind on land and at sea. We are not using our knowledge, skills, and science utilising tides, rivers and land based wind enough.
For years we have utilised finite nuclear power, with its joint energy and immensely effective military advantages, though regrettably dangerous pollution potential, which will remain our responsibility for several millennia. Funding for such power generation seemingly needs to come from other countries, China, partnered by French builders.
It’s that man’s mantra all over again: “We are not doing enough. We are still allowing carbon levels continue to grow.” Why?
