Tory U-Turn on green policies

Whilst the UK and other European countries are trying to get greener and those policies having little effect on the world's climate, they are having an effect on our own climates.

Remember all the smog in the 50s? The UK brought in a Clean Air Act in 1956:

"Primary standards set limits to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards set limits to protect public welfare, including protection against decreased visibility, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings."

I remember when working in London in the 1960s and traveling a lot by bus, seeing all the black buildings, such as Westminster Abbey, caused by the emissions from furnaces. Doulton Lambeth was one such organisation closed down as a result of the 1956 Act.

We should continue with the green policies in order to continue to improve peoples health and also make the country self sufficient.

Excellent post maddyone

Short term electoral advantage seeking - nothing more. The Tories are ruthless in 0ursuit of power.

Katie59

I had the unfortunate need to drive into central Birmingham today, a
Waiting in the interminable traffic queues I noticed the rows of Victorian terraces in the inner city, bringing them up to standard is going to take many decades. Most had not even got double glazing. There were also a lot of 20mph zones and of course the low emission zone but that’s a different thread.

We'd better get cracking then! The sooner everybody can live in an efficiently heated home the better!

With friends like these ....

Writing on his own social media platform Truth Social, he said: “Prime minister Sunak of the United Kingdom has very substantially rolled back the ridiculous “Climate Mandates” that the United States is pushing on everyone, especially itself.

“I always knew Sunak was smart, that he wasn’t going to destroy and bankrupt his nation for fake climate alarmists that don’t have a clue.”

He added: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Sunak for recognising this SCAM before it was too late!”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald-trump-has-praised-smart-rishi-sunak-over-his-net-zero-u-turn_uk_65116fa5e4b088d5608c6670

Trump praises Rishi Sunak for climate target rollbacks as British PM’s popularity plummets

ndependent.co.uk/climate-change/news/trump-rishi-sunak-net-zero-uk-b2417578.html

I had the unfortunate need to drive into central Birmingham today, a
Waiting in the interminable traffic queues I noticed the rows of Victorian terraces in the inner city, bringing them up to standard is going to take many decades. Most had not even got double glazing. There were also a lot of 20mph zones and of course the low emission zone but that’s a different thread.

Katie59

growstuff

Yes ... and ran electricity and plumbing to it, plus installed solar panels on the roof.

They now have a home office, small gym with shower and cooking corner. They also dry lined and insulated their cellar while they were at it.

At todays prices it sounds like a £50k project unless a lot of DIY is involved.

But they weren't doing it to save energy, although it is energy efficient. If they had been upgrading their main home, they wouldn't have need to do nearly so much as they did.

Pure opportunism on Sunak's part, hoping to bribe the voters. HS2 was a Tory vanity project approved by the Buffoon so the sooner it goes, the better. Outrageously expensive compared with similar projects in the EU.

The UK has reduced CO2 production mainly through replacing coal with gas, the reduction due to economy and change of consumer habit and lifestyle has been very small. We all recycle to the extent of having up to 6 separate bins, how much does that really save taking into account the cost of collecting and recycling

For aggie, and many others, though most of Europe (inc UK) has made huge progress re 'going green', it actually - sadly - makes little difference.

The vast amounts of pollution generated by China, India, Russia, USA and Brazil (with little sign of significant change, whatever they say!) means that our efforts are just a drop in the the (polluted) ocean.

That doesn't mean we should stop, and the tech industries will continue to make great strides, but the really big polluters have to make very big changes and they need to hurry up!

Whitewavemark2

Rishi Sunak's popularity has plunged to its lowest point since taking office following his watering down of key climate pledges.

The prime minister's net favourability rating has slumped to -45, according to a YouGov survey carried out days after his speech rowing back on net zero pledges.

Sky

Another survey says a majority of people agree with pushing back some of the dates - including Labour voters. He has not rowed back on net zero, 2050 is enshrined in law and he reaffirmed his commitment to achieving that. How we achieve it will naturally change periodically as circumstances, and new technology, dictate. We vote for a party, not a prime minister - although I will admit I am not a massive fan of Sunak.

Hetty58

I think it's short-sighted and utterly disgraceful - exactly what I'd expect from this pathetic government.

'We' had the chance to set a good example to the world - but wasted it. Younger people feel let down and they won't easily forgive or forget.

It's not about an 'affordable pace' - it's about commercial interests (as usual). In reality, we simply can't afford not to make drastic changes, and rapidly.

Your answer is what, mine is stop buying Chinese made goods, as it increases their c02 emissions. The most output inthe world, along with India, again huge emissions due to cheap clothing manufacturing, sold in Primark. Can you afford an electric car,because I can't. What is the answer,go back to times of horse and cart,dolly tub washing, as for cooking, well we can't use an open fire now, or gas,can we.
All very well to say no more oil, what are they going to offer in exchange. Black and white arguments , no in between.

He’s also in trouble for putting an electioneering type slogan on his podium. I remember, when people were doing zoom interviews, one politician being reprimanded for having a slightly political looking poster in the wall behind him.

Rishi Sunak's popularity has plunged to its lowest point since taking office following his watering down of key climate pledges.

The prime minister's net favourability rating has slumped to -45, according to a YouGov survey carried out days after his speech rowing back on net zero pledges.

Sky

what else do you expect from this lot.? Make promises to get votes and then back peddle like mad once you get in. Cant believe a word they say. I have the misfortune to have the PM as my MP and round here his major concern seems to be to get as many photo opportunities as possible with anything good that is happening although it is rarely anything to do with him and certainly not the tory party, but concerted efforts by local people. We try our best to fight against such things as sewage allowed to ruin our clean rivers and the sea and keep what small amount of green spaces we have but the latest is closing as many public toilets as possible and trying to take away allotments for building, NOT building affordable housing but for expensive houses most people could not afford. What a shower they are

That was about your post at 19.04 Doodledog.

Doodledog I think I want to put you into Parliament. You always make such reasonable arguments.
I agree with your post of potential ideas 👏👏👏👏

Anyone who thinks doing that sort of work on their house is 'not too expensive' is clearly completely out of touch with the way most UK citizens live.

growstuff

Yes ... and ran electricity and plumbing to it, plus installed solar panels on the roof.

They now have a home office, small gym with shower and cooking corner. They also dry lined and insulated their cellar while they were at it.

At todays prices it sounds like a £50k project unless a lot of DIY is involved.

In fairness the Government has had a lot or renewable energy incentives, FIT, RHI and several other schemes, they still give grants on some Heat Pumps and low income home owners do get upgraded heating systems.
Probably by far the most significant CO2 reduction was closing coal fired power stations, the downside of that is that electricity has cost us much more.

All these actions come a cost, it has been estimated that so far climate change action has cost the UK £500 billion and that by 2050 it will be over double that

Somebody improving the energy efficiency of an already inhabited home wouldn't have had to have spent nearly so much as they did.

They now have three extra habitable rooms for less than the price of moving house within the same area.

Yes ... and ran electricity and plumbing to it, plus installed solar panels on the roof.

They now have a home office, small gym with shower and cooking corner. They also dry lined and insulated their cellar while they were at it.

Growstuff

“PS. My daughter did the same and it wasn't as eye-wateringly expensive as you seem to be claiming.”

So did she dig the floor out and put 100mm insulation in the floor and 150mm around all walls and ceiling, plus timber and insulation has nearly doubled in price in the last 2 yrs.