Green Issues

(This is the version of the index page that held until 15 September 2014 when it was revamped.)

These are various writings on Green (Evnironmental) Issues:

On Wind Power 7 September 2008
Wind Power on Frodsham Marshes - ** New 7 December 2009 **
Greens living in modernity: a rant against the hypocrisy of those who accuse greens of hypocrisy. 16 Sep 2007
Response to the Eddington Transport Study - Discussion of impact of transport on economy to 2030.
Major response to UK Government's UK Climate Change Programme Review for Halton Friends of the Earth. See below for direct-access table of major issues disucssed.
Effects of Climate Change on Poverty and Prosperity (3 April 2005)
Various Pieces of Evidence to refer to:
Definitions of Environmental Net Gain (23 January 2005)
Responsibilities and Rights - Human and Animal (1997)
Essay on Farming on Romney Marsh, Kent in the early 1900s, by my mother, Dr. Joan F. Basden.
Problems of the British Countryside (1998)
On Inward Investment, and around a dozen Dangers thereof. (1998)
Comments on Housing - Where Shall We Live a publication by UK government warning of a need to build more houses. This comment seeks to understand 'why' and 'whether'. (pre 1998)
An overview of my approach to Involvement in Land Use Planning over the years from 1987 onwards.
Various plain text (downloadable) comments and responses as submitted to:
- Cheshire 2011
- Cheshire County Council Strategic Plan for 2001
- Comments on Halton Borough Council Plans for Reductions in Bus Services 2001 for Halton Friends of the Earth.
- Warrington Local Transport Plan 1999
- Clwyd County Council by Cllr. K. Armstrong-Braun Denbighshire 2000 by Cllr. K. Armstrong-Braun
- Fflintshire County Council Economic Development Plan by Cllr. K. Armstrong-Braun
- Shotwick Evidence by Cllr. K. Armstrong-Braun

Table of Major Issues in Response to Climate Change Programme Review Response

Section (click)	The principle it espouses
ToR.1 The eventual 60% Target	The necessity of achieving the 60% reduction and how that should be reflected in all policy. The key principle.
ToR.2 Aspirations of Less Developed Nations	People in 'less developed nations' aspire to our way of living. To 'make poverty history' might be self-defeating unless we urgently set the example of CCE reduction now.
Q2.1 Problems with Relying on Technological Advance	Technology seldom delivers all its early promise nor what the early adopters expect. So it is unwise to rely on technology to achieve a 60% reduction.
Q5.1 On Signals and Example-setting	We in the U.K. must set an example, and give clear signals that we mean business.
Q6.1 A comment on ETS	Some reasons why Emissions Trading Schemes are likely to be counter-productive.
Q7.1 How to calculate targets	Targets tend to get missed (e.g. the U.K.'s target of 20% will be 30% out). So take this tendency into account and set more stringent targets.
Q7.2 Targets should be plan-led, not demand-led	If we predict demand and provide for it, our climate change emissions will rocket.
Q8.1 Lifestyle: Ways of Living and Working	Our lifestyle -assumptions, habits, expectations and aspirations - is the real problem. We must change them. This Programme ignores this important issue.
Q9.1 Ensure Measures do not Mislead	We in the UK seem to be meeting our Kyoto targets - but only by shifting emissions to other parts of the world. Our measures should be for global, not UK, reductions.
Q9.2 An Integrated Approach	Climate change is not the only environmental problem we face.
Q9.3 Attitude and Responsibility	We should show a attitude of responsibility, not of competition or defensiveness.
S6.1 Additional Preliminary Comment on Energy	This section should focus on energy use, not energy supply. Reduce use, and then supply will reduce too.
S7.1 Additional Comment: Indirect Impacts and Pull-Through	It's all very well making business processes more efficient. But if more products or services are sought, then the total emissions will still rise. We must recognise indirect pull-through effects.
S8.1 Additional Comment: Questioning Mobility and Demand for Travel	The government assumes we need mobility for a prosperous economy. We do not. We must cut mobility.
Q28.1 Transport: A Deceitful, Misleading Section	The only figure in this section has a large 'lie factor'. And the important issues are studiously avoided. Why?
Q29.1 Fuel Duty Escalator	The fuel duty escalator was making a significant contribution to reducing road use. It sent an important signal. But it was scrapped for political reasons.
Q33.1 Aviation	Air transport is even worse than the car. Yet flights are being encouraged. Why?
S12.1 Measurements and Structural Mechanisms r.t. Actions	We need action, not merely measurement.
S12.2 Global Adaptation	200 million refugees are likely when climate change really gets going; what are we going to do with them?
Q51.1 Stakeholder-led Adaptation, Enforcement and Leadership	The government should lead.
OC.1 Religion and Theology of Climate Change	Religion is important to most parts of the world outside Europe; we need a theology of climate change.

Contact details.

Created: 17 April 2005. Last updated: 6 January 2006 uktptstrategy link. 7 September 2008 wind. 26 September 2008 modernity rant. 19 October 2009 corrected link. 7 December 2009 frodsham. 16 May 2011 broken link to andrew repaired. 15 September 2014 renamed index-110516.