During the last week I’ve been to various environmental events, ranging from conferences on biodiversity to sustainability forums. (This is what I do). At every single event the same message has been recurring – just when you thought green issues couldn’t rise up the political agenda any further – they rise up the political agenda further.
Climate change is obviously a main driver. Is Jeremy Clarkson the last person on the planet who refuses to acknowledge climate change is happening? (albeit presumably for entertainment value). Even George Bush is having to slowly concede on this one. At every environmental-related event I’ve been to this year there has been more and more evidence, not of climate change happening – that’s old news - but of climate change happening at a much faster rate than we all thought. If you’ve not seen Al Gore’s movie ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ then you need to. When you come out of that film you’ll be in no doubt that our glaciers are retreating and many of our delicately balanced ecosystems are facing a degree of destruction that can never be reversed.
So with our government describing climate change as the most serious threat to our planet, people shouldn’t be surprised that yet more and more legislation will be appearing to, at the best encourage us, but more realistically to force us, to drive cars that emit less CO2.
The Stern Report is increasingly being seen as a turning point. Up until that time, only specialist academic and environmental institutions were publishing work about the environment and the economy. With Stern’s findings, the government has at last become aware that climate change is going to mess up our economy, and it seems that is the most important wake-up call that the government could experience. Now it must be serious, and watch out for yet more increasing amounts of legislation about the new currency of carbon.
That’s why I set up Green-Car-Guide.com. I believe if someone feels passionate about achieving a goal, it’s possible to achieve whatever you want. I believe that it’s possible for millions of people around the world to continue their love affair with cars, by having cars that are fun to drive while at the same time emitting much lower levels of that weapon of mass destruction, CO2. And we’re aiming for our efforts to influence motor manufacturers to set their own goals to produce cars that are green and fun.
Today I was on the BBC again - the fourth time since our site was launched. A comment came up during the interview on the programme which has proved to be somewhat recurring – “Why do all green cars look so awful?” Obviously cars being green and sexy is as much of a mutually exclusive concept in people’s perception as cars being green and fun to drive. However now that the green agenda is riding the crest of a wave, the tide is also turning on green cars. Slowly, there are cars appearing that are making an effort to meet both of these polar opposites, and our aim is to make motorists aware of the latest cars that offer the fun that Jeremy Clarkson quite rightly wants, while at the same time demonstrating more responsibility towards our planet.
Paul Clarke
Founder, Green-Car-Guide.com & Promote Environmental Communication
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(Please feel free to delete this post if you don't want it on your blog. Thanks for the informative blog and opportunity to post.)
I admit that climate change is happening; you’d have to be a fool not to accept the overwhelming evidence. On the other hand, I simply don’t care. My life as it is right now is simply far too good for me to make any effort to “save the planet”, let those most affected deal with that issue. As for the “most serious threat to the planet”, ha! What a load of scaremongering rubbish! Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? That’s right, great big meteorite the size of Manhattan producing a bang 2 million times greater than an atom bomb. Did the world go away? Did all animals die? No!
You certainly cover a lot of issues in your post. I've covered a lot of the same ground in mine: http://anthonyday.blogspot.com
In February I published a book "Will climate change your life? How to drive a 4x4 and still save the planet." How do you do that? Well, very slowly or not at all, of course. My point is that driving 4x4s off the road won't solve the problem and may be counter-productive by making people (like one of your correspondents) believe that it's nothing whatever to do with them. I sent a copy of the book to Jeremey Clarkson, but I'm still waiting for a reply. (If you'd like a copy you can find it on Amazon)
Hi Keith
I've just been reading through your blog and am really impressed by the content you've got on there.
I've added your blog to our website at http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/green_links_directory as i think what you have to say would be perfect for our users.
I wondered if you could perhaps have a look round www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/travel_and_transport and, if you like it, mention it in one of your blogs?
Our website is packed with simple, everyday tips and advice on energy saving, reducing and reusing waste, recycling, greener transport options and much more.
It’s our view that there are many people out there who would consider themselves "keen to be green" but either don't know where to start or worry that making a change to a greener lifestyle is likely to involve major inconvenience and expense.
We hope to encourage those people to make that first important step towards a greener lifestyle and to start saving energy and cutting their carbon emissions. Our message is that it's better to do a few small, simple things than to do nothing at all.
As well as the ideas on the site, there are lots of opportunities for those already living a greener lifestyle to inspire and help others to make their own move to green by adding their own advice and suggestions, starting a green blog or helping to answer green-related questions about topics such as saving energy, recycling and more on the site's message boards. If this sounds like it might be for you, we’d love to have you on-board!
Thanks so much for your time.
Kind regards,
Adele
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