|
Environmental Policy |
Index |
Sections |
Related Links |
|
|
   |
To be seen as being
'environmental' was seen as derogatory as late as the mid 1980's.
Today the situation has improved quite dramatically. Talk of the weakening Ozone layer,
deforestation, energy efficiency, and the potential for
catastrophic climate change has seen a more informed shift in public
opinion. Government
policy has remained pretty weak though -whether Tory or Labour. The UK needs to
lead the world in promoting new technologies for both energy generation and
better conservation, such policies will not only create long term employment opportunities
in high technology industries, but will
safeguard the country's energy supply for future generations.
Proposals
Index
Economic Incentives
Product packaging
Energy generation
Water
Housing
Economic incentives
i.e high/low taxation according to the amount of environmental damage
that a product produces.
eg. batteries, super-tax on all batteries, with corresponding 0% tax on
rechargables
vehicles : the initial sales tax on a vehicle
should be adjusted on the basis of its recyclability and its overall efficiency.
Fuels : a increased differential in fuel
duty should be implemented, depending on the type of fuel.
A major policy
rethink is required which targets UK manufacturers and the retail trade. For
example, is it really necessary for Tesco to package their doughnuts in thick plastic
wrapping rather than paper (which they occasionally use)? Does it make sense to be
packaging everyday food in plastic (which is derived from oil), when the worlds
petroleum supplies are fast running out ?
Energy Generation
0% tax on company profits for 5-7 yrs in companies providing new renewable
energy generation
Capital Project ideas
1 : Capital project : Tidal power generation barrage, some 10-30km offshore
(some 20+ miles in width), with wind turbines on top.
2 : Solar Energy Arrays for - A) ALL new homes as standard, and B)
Existing homes in qualifying areas of adequate annual sunshine.
3 : Local renewable energy generation schemes for ALL main UK towns. i.e
Wind farms located to the immediate west of towns.
Renewable technology Powering the UK today
Photo : PowerGen
Water
-Initiatives to cut down on borehole extraction
-More reliance on new
reservoirs, a new national water network.
-As many people realise, much of the water/sewer network was installed during
the Victorian era - it must be recognised that ALL of this basic infrastructure
will need to replaced sometime during the next few decades. Water companies must
be given the freedom to set their bills at the levels necessary to fund these
major and vital capital projects.
Time to start using water more efficiently
Housing
A 'new towns' policy, focusing on creating a number of
smaller towns/cities across the UK
Mandatory new higher standards for ALL new housing
developments
Noise issues
Insulation improvements
Green space policy , area per. person
- the 'garden city policy'
Rubbish disposal per house,
facilities - cite the example of Germany where recycling is over 80%
All new housing, a larger % roofs south facing, with solar arrays
if appropriate (some areas are noticeably sunnier than others)
The UK has progressed enormously
over the last century in environmental policy. The clean air act of the 1950's
was a marker for the UK, the environment had finally became an issue which the
public were seriously concerned for. Today though, greater issues such as rapid
climate warming - and associated increases in sea level, are depicted in
Hollywood style blockbuster 'disaster movies', and are stimulating public
concern of planatary issues.
UK Energy supplies need to continue to switch to renewable sources - this would be beneficial to the environment in many ways. How the UK uses
it's water resources
is a vital issue. Even if annual UK rainful totals are relatively the same
across the 21'st century, with climate change already well underway, it
would seem wise to at least start considering some sort of national water grid.
The future state of the environment is not as hopeless as many 'Greens' once
feared, yet what remains necessary this century is a strong UK leadership that
will tax inefficient products, along with correspondingly subsidies for well designed and 'Enviro. friendly' consumer goods.
UK Housing : Guardian
online section, focusing on UK housing developments - Excellant reference. material.
Greenpeace UK : One of the founding
groups that has lead to a greater awareness of environ. issues in the UK.
Return to
Political Home
Page last updated :
23/07/2004
