Britons are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago, with twice as many people now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Four in 10 take no action at all to reduce their household carbon dioxide emissions. Experts warn that green fatigue is a major reason why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reduction in the mountain of packaging waste.
As a new energy report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions, environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
Brian Longhurst, 28, investment banker, London. Lives with his girlfriend Dulcie Baldwin, 26, an insurance executive
"I do care more about the environment than I did five years ago, and we recycle all our rubbish. Climate change is important, but the people who are more extreme have split everyone into two camps. We moved into a new house in April and it got a really bad efficiency rating. They suggested improvements like insulation, but they were too expensive. I fly a lot, but I'm not going to get trains – it is just not practical. I don't know how they can justify train prices."
Oh dear, a poor *anker who can't afford a bit of insulation. Should we have a whip round and send him some money?
No-one is seeing any real top-down action by hmg that would actually enable people (and firms) to change, so there's not much to talk about. You can only do so much with "information" (I usually put it on the woodburner).
There is a strong case for insulation, turning lights of, recycling and the rest, but basing it on climate change is the wrong approach.
The problem with climate change is that its all based on various forms of models and there will be people who question this. Far easier for the green lobby to stress the other benefits, primarily saving money and energy security - less dependent upon foreign oil.
Consumers will happily do the above if it is proven that their wallets will benefit - selfish but true. I doubt anybody here will take any notice.
Peace always has been and always will be an intermittent flash of light in a dark history of warfare, violence, and destruction
Consumers will happily do the above if it is proven that their wallets will benefit - selfish but true. I doubt anybody here will take any notice.
At least you're giving people an honest reason why they should recycle, maybe it is slightly selfish but if it gets people involved then there's less of a problem right?
I personally don't know anywhere near enough about the benefits of recycling, I'm new to this site and I have been pouring over various forums trying to gain a little bit of knowledge so to see somebody say something quite to the point was quite refreshing. I do recycle as much as I possibly can, I know it's the right thing to do but I was never 100% sure why.
Brian Longhurst, 28, investment banker, London. Lives with his girlfriend Dulcie Baldwin, 26, an insurance executive
"I do care more about the environment than I did five years ago, and we recycle all our rubbish. Climate change is important, but the people who are more extreme have split everyone into two camps. We moved into a new house in April and it got a really bad efficiency rating. They suggested improvements like insulation, but they were too expensive. I fly a lot, but I'm not going to get trains – it is just not practical. I don't know how they can justify train prices."
Oh dear, a poor *anker who can't afford a bit of insulation. Should we have a whip round and send him some money?
No, just give him a whip round. All round. That will warm him up.
He's probably bought the biggest house that he can afford so it will have high fuel bills, so that he hasn't got any spare cash for insulating the place properly. I do feel sorry for him. Not!!
kenneal wrote:He's probably bought the biggest house that he can afford so it will have high fuel bills, so that he hasn't got any spare cash for insulating the place properly. I do feel sorry for him. Not!!
Or even the biggest house he can't afford, but that his mates are stupid enough to lend him the money to buy!
?