Commentary
England Launches CO2 Reduction Program
April 24th, 2007 by jayb
The UK and the US couldn’t look more different this morning. Yesterday Prime Minister Blair launched a program asking the British to reduce their CO2 by 16%. The joint announcement was made with 6 leading British businesses, the Church of England and leading environmental groups.
Well hooray for England. A leader, in cooperation with business, religious and environmental leaders, says here is what we need to do to mitigate this significant problem.
They have a website, Together.com where the British sign up, get suggestions on how to reduce CO2 and check off the changes they are making. The site tracks how much CO2 they have reduced and let’s them know when they’ve reached their goal. I think it’s a great idea.
[Of course, I’m just about the least objective person in the US on this subject since, as you Energyracers know, EnergyRace.com works exactly the same way.]
In the US context, the British program is amazing. President Bush would have to be hit by lightning before he asked Americans to reduce their CO2 emissions.
This can in part be explained by the President Carter Effect. President Carter, responding to the Arab Oil Embargo in the 70’s, put on a sweater and asked Americans to drive slower and turn down their thermostats. President Carter was not re-elected. Has any American President since uttered the words “conserve energy” in any serious context?
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Eric said...
Personally I would find the discourse to be more effective if the political vitreole were left out. Divisiveness based on political leanings are not in the spirit of inclusiveness that is what is needed for any and all of us to make a change. President Bush may not have the most stellar of environmental records, but predecessors including President Clinton were not the strong proponents of pro-environmental action while they were in office either. (see the Sierra Club article on whether Clinton deserves their support)
I believe it would be better to take a more positive approach and, say, recommend that we as individuals and as a nation take the actions like the British Government is taking as you reference above and leave the political biases to the pundits.
Posted on: April 25th, 2007 at 10:35am
said...
Eric, thanks for weighing in.
I don’t think President Bush would be offended by my description of his needing to be hit by lightning before he asked Americans to reduce their CO2 emissions. He believes in small government and I think he would be proud of my description. Don’t you agree?
So I don’t see the political divisiveness in my article that you see.
Yes, I let everyone know in the article that I think Britain’s approach to the problem is great. But I also described that, at least in the 70’s, Americans did not respond well to that approach.
It’s fascinating to see the contrast between the two countries on Global Warming, particularly since the two countries have so much in common on other issues.
Posted on: April 25th, 2007 at 11:17am