The ever rising price of household gas and electricity was much discussed in the newspapers last week http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/22/gas-electricity-energy-bills-rise I worry about the apparently uncritical acceptance of the need for ‘green’ measures, which it is said makes expensive fuel inevitable. Same goes for water charges http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8112953.stm I think that unless immediate ways can be found to lighten the burden of these charges on poor households, then rather than condemning the poor to freeze we should let the planet fry.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Green Wash
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Emotive language, John! But I think I agree. Middle-class dilemmas tend to dominate the media (especially the Guardian!), with the answer being 'obvious' to those who are in a similar situation to the journalists. Making changes that increase the cost of basics such as fuel, while it won't make much difference to the monied few, could have a huge negative impact on poorer households.
I had similar reservations about the Jamie Oliver/Tesco/Fearnley-Whittingstall free range eggs debate. Yes, it only costs a pound or so more to buy free-range eggs, but supporting chicken welfare is essentially a choice which some people can't afford to make. Same with many green issues.
Yes, it's obviously better for the planet to have green fuel, but this needs to be backed up by policies (subsidies?) which ensure that our green values don't shaft other people.
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