And what did I do – I drove my petrol car to Cornwall and back, but every mile made me feel guilty, and a bit stiff! So in future I think it will be the train for me. The government showed it support for radical change by threatening to dock wages from those not returning to the commute to offices in London. Johnson is already blowing bubbles of hyperbole into the wind ‘We were the first country to commit to zero carbon by 2050 and eliminate sales of diesel and petrol cars by 2030″. But Bozzo, we have seen no action, no input into the electric car infrastructure, our WiFi networks are still woeful in places, gas boilers in homes to be banned (and replaced with what? In an affordable situation).
Richer people are more likely to shop and eat in a more sustainable manner – so levelling up the income distribution would possibly achieve some hidden benefits for the environment.
What is clear is that action needs to be taken now – no pussyfooting around. If countries refuse to sign up I would recommend adverts across social media explaining the facts. I suspect the worldwide purchasing power of the public might make a difference? Am I naive – probably, is it possible – maybe, should we try? Absolutely.
Meanwhile the Dixie fire burns in California, Greece and Turkey are struggling, sea level rises will start to impact soon, it is not just our government that is as useless as transparent tippex, or an ice cream kettle. They all seem useless. Democracies are only working on 2/3 year plans (and then it is election promises), dictatorships seem too inflexible and susceptible to idolisation.
The only government to appear to be doing well is NZ, and that has the benefit of isolation, and even there they are facing much criticism. Israel seems to be doing OK but I wonder if their figures include all the population including Palestinians, places like South Korea appear to have had recent problems too. However the pandemic is no excuse for bad decisions, wrong decisions might be forgiven, but bad ones no. And this government has made a lot of bad ones!