Taxes or Green Action

Written by David Chappell and published in Letters to the Bury Free Press on Sat 12th Jan 2008

It seems the need for taxing us for energy use has won the argument and the government has embarked on a programme of new nuclear power stations. These will not come into use for 15 years and by then it will be too late.

I emphasise that. In fifteen years it will be too late to prevent a rise in the world's temperature.

The government by stark contrast has failed to take the action now that it could take. Almost a third of CO2 emissions comes from housing. There has been no decision to insist that all new houses are built with a zero omission policy. We could be building houses that generate electricity and we would never have to pay another gas or electricity bill. Yes, they would cost more to build, but with rising energy prices and 10 new nuclear power stations to be built those energy prices are going to continue to rise. Wouldn't it be nice to plan for a retirement with no energy bills? Just removing the monthly energy bill from your monthly budget would be a relief to all.

Nearly another third of CO2 emissions derive from transport. Has the government introduced a ban on the sale of petrol driven engines to take effect in five years time? No. It could have done, we would still have diesel driven engines. Those houses that produce electricity could fuel your car so, you could look at a future with no energy bill and no petrol bill!

The technology is here and it is proven so why has the government not moved on these issues? The answer is simple. It is more concerned with tax revenue than it is with reducing CO2 emissions and when the seas roll over our defence the short sightedness will hurt us all.