Dear Shasha,
Thanks for speaking to us on Monday. I thought it went very well and everyone appreciated your visit. My letter to the Guardian has not appeared, which is slightly disappointing but not unexpected. You have to be Prince Charles to be sure of gaining their attention and I am only a very common commoner! However, if you feel the following has any merit, do please use it as an issue:
"Hilary Benn's point that replacing traditional light bulbs with low energy ones by 2012 will save five million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year underlines the domestic sector's enormous potential for fighting global warming.
One way to realise this could be a wide use of solar panels. I suggest they should become as common on our rooftops as television aerials.
The problem is cost. Panels, plus their fitting, are out of reach for most, even with subsidies included. They might become cheaper in time, but can we afford to wait for prices to come down?
I say not, and I suggest the solution lies with creating not-for-profit co-operatives to fill the gap. They offer real advantages. Lowering prices to the consumer by eliminating profits and based firmly in the local community, they present a popular way forward.
Their start-ups could be financed by central government, but with a bottom line covering running costs they should aim to become self supporting,and with local councils helping by donating empty premises, viability can easily be possible.
The propaganda value in seeing a visible effort being made down every street will create a sense of urgency and change attitudes, propelling everyone, especially government, into ever more positive action.
Global warming is making its presence felt today. We know we most act now."
Hope you see some potential here, Shasha. Anyway, nice to meet you, and very best wishes,
Bernie Rickman.
--------------------------------------------------
Tags croydon, greenparty
No comments:
Post a Comment