Is an 80% reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions by 2050 achievable?
It is a brave and ambitious target set by Ed Miliband, the newly appointed champion of climate change for the government. I’m sure he has had his ears bent by his brother David, who as Environment Secretary, was fighting this corner. Not so his successor Hilary Benn, unfortunately. Surely a target like this needs a strategy as its backbone, otherwise they are just empty words.
Realistically, I wonder how this ambitious figure, however well intentioned, is achievable as we do not currently have the technology to implement it. Have we invested in research which will take this plan forward? What about the coal-fired power stations lined up to provide our electricity which is not environmentally friendly?
And why hasn’t Miliband included aviation and shipping emissions in the 80% target; surely these are big beasts in the production of carbon emissions, so why give them what appears to be preferential treatment?
Although I keenly flag up my green credentials and applaud this action, I can also understand concerns expressed about how this legislature will affect cash stricken companies during our present credit crunch. It can only succeed by strict enforcement which will surely include financial penalties for those who fail to comply, and most likely the implementation of personal carbon credit. What seems unimaginable now will most likely become common practice in the next decade in order to achieve an 80% target as we are starting from a very low baseline.
Just remember, we are not expected to meet our 20% reduction by 2010 due entirely to the government’s lack of support. Miliband’s words are hollow unless he can convince us otherwise. And that means joined up thinking and working closely with scientists and technologists to provide alternative proven methods which will be achieve a sustainable reduction of carbon emissions.
We can only do this if countries like India and China cut down.
It is a silly target. No-one in charge now is going to be measured against it, and it’s difficult to check whether we’re on track.
I’ve run software projects, and you always set reasonably small milestones. It allows you to check progress, and if necessary, take action to adjust for it. We should know what the targets are for every 5 years between now and 2050.
does swamp gases produces harmfull emissions?
No. A case in point:- According to a director of Caltex oil refinery here in Sydney. A carbon tax on fuel will add 20c a litre to the product. This makes it cheaper to buy it from overseas.
Caltex would simply relocate their operation to a country which does not have the carbon trading scheme..
So whilst Australia adds cost to production. 3rd world countries do not…
Its not Europe/Britain/USA thats the worry for the future – its India/china etc….
And with the world in financial meltdown- adding costs to an already out of control economy is even less likely….
BTW I read that its not just carbon we need to concern ourselves with but the dramatic rise in methane in the atmosphere….
This is pure cynical manipulation of the public.
Brown wants this to counter arguments about Labour failure against its green pledges.
They chose a target date so far in the future that it might as well be 3050 as much as 2050.
In 2050 I confidently expect to be dead.
I’m fairly sure Brown will be and Ed Miliband is about my age – so he’ll be a goner also.
Its so far in the future that nothing can really be said about the technology or economy that will exist then.
Hence its just providing mood music and manipulating the media to keep the other political parties out of the headlines.
Typical of Labour to put their own selfish interests before those of the country.
Simon, yes, good point.
Tim and Man in a Shed, how perceptive and very true…are we really idiots?
Well I’ll be 85 by that time, lean from a diet of cat food because my pension will have run out but totally bonkers because my mind is going that way already…
If I’m lucky and the welfare state has survived you’ll find me in a care home shuffling confused and befuddled in a soiled nappy and dribbling as I reminisce whilst some old duffer knocks out Human League numbers on a knackered old piano … “Don’t yew lurv me, Baby !”
Oh please don’t let it happen ! Please please please don’t !
Let the floods crash forth and wash away this sinful nation !
Bugger the emission targets.:-(