Negative politics?

Michael Bentley (Letters, The Standard, July 9) complained that Party politics are too negative. Perhaps I can help.

There is only one essential issue. This is the survival of the human race so that future generations can benefit from as many opportunities as we have had.

We must all complain. In the last 100 years, due to the burning of fossil fuels, the temperature has risen by one degree. There is another 0.6 degree coming that we can’t do anything about.

We need to say we don’t want runaway climate chaos. World politicians must be persuaded to be harsh to their citizens and insist on change.

Across the planet, we must have mandatory cuts in our carbon consumption. The current weak proposals by our Government, if followed by all the developed nations, will only give humankind a 50:50 chance of survival. The latest G8 proposals are pathetic.

So everything important should be focussed with this in mind. A few examples:

1. The charging structure for energy in our homes is all wrong. There is a standing charge, a high rate for some of our usage and a lower rate for the rest. What should happen is the reverse: no standing charge, a low rate for essential needs and a much higher charge for those wasting irreplaceable resources.

2. Air travel should be taxed at the same rate as public transport. It is ridiculous that it costs so much to travel by train and bus but air travel, with its massive warming of the upper atmosphere, should be so cheap. Air fuel should not be VAT free.

3. We need much more energy from renewable sources. I know this will distress the NIMBYists. Too bad – but it’s for the benefit of all.

4. In the current economic situation, able unemployed people should receive technical training and then be paid to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings. Their wages would boost the economy and these free improvements to our homes would mean lower bills for all and a saving of irreplaceable energy. This insulation, solar panels etc would help UK manufacturing industries and also reduce unemployment. It’s a great idea for Government investment, surely much better than giving money to rich bankers.

5. The speed limit on our roads should be 55 mph. This would allow the stocks of oil to last longer. (I saw a forecast recently saying it will all be gone by 2028. I don’t want to believe this, but I do know that since its discovery, we have already used up well over half the planet’s irreplaceable stock that was created so many millions of years ago.)

The earth’s fifth mass extinction killed off the dinosaurs. If politicians don’t fix the perils now, the sixth will be here this century to say an unpleasant goodbye to our grandchildren.

David Young

The Green Party General Election candidate for Bracknell.