Stern Review

[Unitof1]

I haven’t worked this out fully but why let that stop me- isn’t the cheapest option on average the best because the carbon footprint of earning the money in the first place is likely to be smaller

[Paul Belford]

I am sorry but the logic of that defeats me!

A stockbroker travelling to work by train, consuming ethical products, holidaying by Eurostar in Paris, with his house powered by a David Cameron-style windmill, might earn £300,000 a year.

An archaeological site assistant driving his old and uneconomic car to rural sites, living in a thermally inefficient rented shared house and visiting his mates in Dublin three times a year on Ryanair, might earn £15,000 a year.

[kevin wooldridge]

quote:Originally posted by Unitof1

I haven’t worked this out fully but why let that stop me- isn’t the cheapest option on average the best because the carbon footprint of earning the money in the first place is likely to be smaller

I think I understand it!! I have also just heard a discussion on Radio 5 on exactly the same subject. There is a strange logic to allowing carbon heavy pollution (such as 4X4 vehicles driving into opur city centres), providing that you levy a punitive charge (such as congestion charging) with the proceeds of the charge then going to providing inexpensive and plentiful public transport which will reduce the carbon footprint of a far greater number of persons. Overall carbon footprint reduced, even if for a few wealthy individuals it is increased.

[Paul Belford]

Ah, but will...

"the proceeds of the charge" actually go to "providing inexpensive and plentiful public transport which will reduce the carbon footprint of a far greater number of persons"

Or will it go on tax cuts, or repairing smokers' self-inflicted self-harm? The only successful example of a ring-fenced tax is the TV licence fee (a Good Thing IMO). Not wishing to sound too much like Jeremy Clarkson, but if all the revenue received from the Road Fund licence actually went on road transport... etc. etc.

Sorry to offer only weary cynicism against your hopeful optimism.

[kevin wooldridge]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Belford[Sorry to offer only weary cynicism against your hopeful optimism.

Perhaps its an early onset of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in the Ironbridge area....I know the gloomy weather ain't exactly lifting the spirits where I am at the moment.

[Unitof1]

I have got into using a thing called a garden weeder
http://www.wolf-garten.com/public_uk/pro...onate=alle

. In fact I got it off a detectorist. I find that it saves the wrist and expect that it will extend my digging career by years!

[jjw]

Hello, first post here.
One easy and simple way to reduce carbon emissions is to switch to running vehicles on vegetable oil because the vegetables take more carbon out of the atmosphere when growing than you do when you burn it. This only applies to diesel vehicles however, and unfortunately, like other kinds of oil, there are human rights and environmental issues involved with growing crops for veg. oil. However, using recycled veg. oil from the chippy is truly doing the planet a favour. Its also half the price and stronger once it has been cooked in. My van (camper) runs on veg oil and has more power and better mpg than diesel, plus it smells nicer!
jjw