WHO'S GOT IT RIGHT?

In the United Kingdom there appears to be a general feeling of discombobulation. The advances and developments across the globe in industrial and economic growth, whilst initially seen as beneficial, have clearly caused havoc to the environment to such an extent that the survival of the planet is in doubt. Rapid deployment of new technology, and the restraint and phasing out of the old, is urgently required.  The social and economic difficulties being experienced throughout the world however, show little sign of allowing the programs, already discussed and approved at numerous environmental conferences, to take effect. Therein lies the confusion and perplexity of the current government as well as the current opposition.  The same can be said of a number of other countries.

 

Rising inflation and corporate greed do not assist in providing the immediate and necessary funding for a National Health Service, social care, housing, secure employment in education and public transport. None of this is helped by the current war in the Ukraine and other strife-torn parts of the world. All that coupled with a move towards isolation and misplaced nationalism away from global co-operation, is even more disconcerting.

 

The complete overhaul of the economic and industrial complex into remedial and pollution-free enterprise will take time and effort. The transition towards an electrical and solar powered world no longer reliant on contaminating fossil fuels is proving difficult, and in any event, the production of energy without polluting side-effects is probably impossible.

 

A lifetime of human habit is indeed difficult to change, particularly where the economics of desired and required change is concerned. An example of this problem is illustrated by the proposed extension of ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) in London, as well as the imposition of LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) and cycle lanes. All of this to encourage the move away from vehicles reliant on fossil fuel. LTN’s and cycle lanes restricting the passage of vehicles has created congestion and slowed traffic to such a degree that engines remain running for longer in built up areas. How many citizens used to driving have actually abandoned their vehicles or have even been able to do so? The cost of switching to electric or other non-ordinary petrol driven vehicles, is outside the reach of many. Providing the financial assistance needed, from the state, to enable that to happen is prohibitive in the face of other national commitments. 

 

As a  consequence, the by-election held in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, gave voice to the local citizens’ discontent with the ULEZ extension. This result saved the seat for the Conservative Party, who shamefacedly used that discontent with the London Labour Mayor’s policy, to retain the seat, whilst shying away from environmental concerns, which they allegedly seek to deal with. How two -aced is that? On the other hand, the Labour leadership finds itself in difficulties over whether or not the mayor’s policy is in fact counterproductive to winning elections, all the while itself claiming to champion environmental issues. A dash of hypocrisy perhaps?

 

Clearly the politics of change and the necessity for change does not run smooth. However one approaches the problem there will be a cost, hence the requirement for economic growth called for by Labour and Conservative Parties with varying degrees of enthusiasm, each claiming their way is better that the other’s.  The trouble is no party is prepared to take the drastic affirmative action that the London Mayor is willing to take. What he is saying is, if you want to have your particular polluting vehicle, then pay a contribution toward the cost of cleaning up after you. It is essentially no different from picking up your dog’s poo in public spaces. People have become used to that, but £12.50 a day is another matter. £4,562.50 a year per car will raise a lot of revenue, and that’s not dog poo. The cheapest fully electric vehicle is in the region of £25000 plus, which is about 5 and a half years of ULEZ charges. I suppose one could scrap one’s current vehicle and just put £12.50 a day in a savings account for the next 5 years and 6 months and buy an electric vehicle to be back on the road. That is of course if you can afford to put by £87.50 a week, and you’d be helping to save the planet.

The United Nations secretary General, Antonio Guterres has announced the era of ‘global boiling’ has begun “This is just the beginning” he says. In fact, it is the continuation of what started some time ago. The impact is just becoming more apparent. His call for worldwide cooperation in dealing with what is manifestly a world crisis is perhaps a bit late, but nonetheless welcome. What effect he will have is questionable.

 

Whatever the economics, in Britain, it is difficult to ascertain just what any government can do to tackle climate change, invest in and stimulate the economy, while at the same time, getting the NHS on line with properly paid staff, social services, teachers and transport workers properly rewarded, able to do their work successfully, and secure affordable housing for those in need of accommodation. There will be a cost. The era of global billing has begun.

 

PS - Since writing this blog it has been pointed out to me that global warming and pollution are two separate matters, although they are part and parcel of the same problem.