Pavlos Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I thought this one would pop up before now but it hasn't so, here I am... posting it. BBC News Prime Minister Gordon Brown has committed the UK to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60% before 2050 to help tackle global warming. The Climate Change Bill will make the UK the first country to put carbon emissions reduction targets into law. An independent committee on climate change will be set up to advise on "five-year carbon budgets" - part of a new commitment to carbon reduction. Environmentalists welcomed the move, but said higher targets were needed. While the bill will also enforce reductions of greenhouse gas emissions of between 26% and 32% by 2020, Mr Brown previously said he would consult the new committee to see if bigger reductions were required. Green campaigners have urged the government to go further. A report from think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, the RSPB and WWF on Monday claimed the government's 60% target did not go far enough. Instead, it claimed Britain could achieve an 80% cut by 2050. Yearly targets 'needed' Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth, said he was "delighted" the UK was to become the first country "to introduce legislation to cut its contribution to climate change". He said Britain needed to set yearly targets, as well as show a commitment to reducing emissions by 80% by the middle of the century. He also called on the government to include international aviation and shipping, which are currently not covered by the Bill. Along with the measures on climate change, the Queen's Speech also included an Energy Bill, which aims to reduce emissions while ensuring secure energy supplies. It will allow private investment in offshore gas supply projects as well as carbon capture and storage, and boost renewable energy in the UK. So, is this a landmark decision or is it just gimmick? A gimmick, easily scrapped by the next government, I might add. I'm not sure what to make of it, myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MdKnightR Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagobahn Eagle Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I can easily see it as a gimmick, but I can just as easily see it as a real move. England, like the West Norway, is one of the countries actually feeling the negative effects of global warming. Both have been subjected to abnormally heavy rainfall, which is predicted to get even worse. Both in England and Western Norway this has caused loss of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Actually, the ice is coming already.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth InSidious Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Gimmick, like all 'targets' and 'initiatives' put out by New Hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totenkopf Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Nice find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True_Avery Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 I can do it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gargoyle King Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 This is good news, but i'm afraid without the support of other economical (and polluting powers) such as the United States, China, Japan etc. it won't help. We need international action now to even have the slightest of hopes of reverting the damage we have done to our planet. I don't like to sound pessimistic, but some days i do genuinely feel concerning Global Warming that we have crossed the point of no return and well we'll just have to deal with climate change as it comes - and of course worry for our future generations as it them we are leaving this crisis to afterall. As one of the highest contributions to pollution in Europe however i'm glad that the UK is taking a stand. If the UK can influence America to also do the same and cut their carbon output considerably, then i'm sure the East will follow suit and we can begin to rebuild our damaged atmosphere - before it's too late. It's a longshot but only by international cooperation we can deal with this crisis head-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mur'phon Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Nice one True:) As for wether this is just for show or not, I'm not sure either. Still, Brown seems to have a more realistic idea of what can be done than Blair. I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.......... for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcesious Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I'm not really worried about global warming that much but i do think it is important to try and keep our blue/green planet in good condition. I think the newlaw in the U.K is half a good idea, half a bad idea. here's why: good for climate and health of population and region, but bad for civilians because it forces them to start buying those super expensive new cars that have very low carbon emmissions. forcing the population to go into bankrupcy is a bad idea. then again... it is at a deadline of 2050, and by then, super-low carbon emmiting cars will be ery cheap and affordable i bet. just as logn as the U.K governement doesn't force anything to drastic that could make their citizens angry and forced into poverty or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavlos Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 good for climate and health of population and region, but bad for civilians because it forces them to start buying those super expensive new cars that have very low carbon emmissions. forcing the population to go into bankrupcy is a bad idea. then again... it is at a deadline of 2050, and by then, super-low carbon emmiting cars will be ery cheap and affordable i bet. just as logn as the U.K governement doesn't force anything to drastic that could make their citizens angry and forced into poverty or something. The government already heavily subsidises fluorescent light-bulbs and will likely increase that to reach the targets. The plan is to switch our energy dependency from fossil fuels to renewables (and nuclear power - yes... it's a good idea to replace dependency on one fuel with dependency on another!) but there's nothing like hypocrisy in the morning when the government feels it's necessary to build coal-fired power stations. The Labour party is 11 points behind in the polls right now anyway, they've got nothing to lose - why not be radical for once? People may like it... I certainly would; it would remind me that the left still exists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoiuyWired Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Yes, now you will need to find some third world country willing to store the nuclear waste under their beaches and watering holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth InSidious Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 ^Why not just ship freighters of the stuff out of the system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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