Issue 151

Waterfront Debate: Economic Environmental Protection

29th January 2007

It is, of course, now clear that damage to the environment is a real issue, that needs real solutions to tackle it. The climate is changing, weather is becoming more extreme, and the problem is getting better, not worse.

There is no clear solution: people in this country probably fly too much, supermarkets certainly use too much packaging, in many places public transport is wholly inadequate for getting about town.

A mixture of solutions are required. Government should be investing in renewably energy resources, and there is a definite argument for commissioning new nuclear power stations - they provide safe and efficient power when regulated and run properly.

Government should be investing in a public transport system that allows people to go about their daily lives without cars, outside of London. Without a tube system and comprehensive bus network, other cities in this country simply wouldn't function if commuters didn't use their cars.

That means investing in a tube network in the major cities, that means installing tram systems and light railways, similar to that found in London's docklands - efficient electric trains, running on track built 20ft above road level.

Government should not be blindly imposing tax increases on individuals and companies in an effort to make them use less carbon: it doesn't work. As oil runs out the market will come up with cheap and efficient alternatives. India and China can only use as much as there is, and they will by viable alternatives if they are cheaper. The West is very good and cheap, viable technology.

Blind tax increases hurt only those who can't afford them - those that can will complain loudly, and pay them anyway. That's going to be most people, because it would be electoral suicide to create a sufficiently high tax regime for most people not to be able to afford it.

Individuals can't change the world and government can't fix it by its current strategies: investing in power generating technology, private research into alternative fuels and good public transport is what it can do.

The market can come up with projects that are both commercially viable and environmentally friendly - look at the Toyota Prius for indications in this direction.

Tim Sculthorpe