Are we really willing to pay the price to tackle our ‘national climate emergency’?
What does the call for a declaration of a national climate emergency by various political parties (Scotsman, 29 April) actually mean?
It remains to be seen whether Jeremy Corbyn, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others are prepared to spell out exactly what measures they would like to see to reduce carbon emissions by 2025, the date that seems to be fashionable among the Extinction Rebellion protesters. I think most people would agree that the time for action instead of rhetoric has arrived. However, it is questionable whether the restraints, innovations and sacrifices that might be involved would have wide political support in such a timescale.
Reduction in car usage (or a switch to electric cars) might be difficult to achieve without increases in fuel taxation or unpopular parking restrictions or congestion charges. Encouraging people to use energy-efficient public transport might be difficult if it involves numerous changes (and high fares) to get to work or leisure commitments.
Can all homes, whether publicly or privately-owned, be made energy-efficient over a timescale of just six years? Can businesses be encouraged to move over to environmentally safe production methods in such a narrow period of time? Can an anxious public be persuaded to recycle more and more?
These are just some of the practical concerns that have been argued over for decades now. President Richard Nixon gave the environment and its protection a high political profile nearly 50 years ago. Many politicians jumped on that bandwagon then. Now Miss Greta Thunberg has created an added sense of urgency with her excellent points. Her idealismneeds to be backed, not just by warm words from political leaders involved at any photo call. We need to see not just the practical, yes urgent, proposals but whether the public is prepared to pay the price of them.
BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes
It was interesting to see Nicola Sturgeon being lauded for her green policies at the SNP conference this weekend. These are the same “green” policies that mean that, through the business rates that this Scottish parliament has implemented with the help of the Greens, we pay in excess of £4,000 per year extra as a result of investing in green energy infrastructure.
Taxing companies because they invest in green technology seems a strange way to encourage that investment. DR MICHAEL VOICE
(DIRECTOR) Cypex Ltd, Tom Mcdonald
Avenue, Dundee