I’m definitely going to be flying less than Blair this year so I’m feeling smug – but I know I’m hypocritical.
Apologies to Jean whose comment on my last Global Gossip newsletter slipped down page and out of sight last month. I wondered if I should be encouraging a communal blog about places people are likely to reach by plane. Here is her reply.
I made a decision to fly less – after a flight to Dinard last September. it was an enjoyable trip and it’s an appealing small airstrip – but It was an easy decision to make as I knew I hadn’t a holiday planned for the foreseeable future.
Retirement helps with flying less. There’s more time for taking and planning leisurely trips by road or rail – and having travelled long haul a lot during my working years – I have no wish list left of places to visit.
I’m definitely going to be flying less than Blair this year so I’m feeling smug – but I know I’m hypocritical.
It’s easy for a household of two retirees to conserve energy. We light only one or two rooms at a time, manage without the tumble drier and dishwasher – drive to local producers for veg and meat. We’ve arrived at this way of life for ourselves – on a whim really – deciding for ourselves what we can manage without.
No-one is restricting my carbon footprint or anyone else’s – but this can’t continue. Indiviuals shouldn’t be deciding for themselves. I think we need an imposed target each for reducing our emissions and conserving energy – and soon.
I have always felt that the public were well ahead of the politicians in understanding that we need to take action now. But if the response of motorists is anything to go by, it will take a very brave politician to take decisive action on slowing the growth of air travel.
I am depressed that 1.8 million people signed the petition against one of the few initiatives the Government has suggested.The idea of road pricing to reduce congestion (and therefore reduce harmful, climate changing emissions) is backed by many very respectable economists but in the absence of clear facts, Peter Roberts managed to stir up a hysterical protest from the anti-social motoring lobby.
Peter Roberts is a member of the Association of British Drivers. A quick look at the ABD website (http://www.abd.org.uk/)reveals a whole rash of complaints against speed bumps, speed cameras, congestion charges, and parking. Plus a long list of links challenging the \’myths of climate change\’. Not surprisingly among the quotes is one from Michael O\\\\\\\’Leary, of Ryanair, claiming that fighting climate change is just another way of taxing the poor.