Go Green, for a sane society

Preamble the situation is at crisis point

The problem:- the world temperature is rising

The cause the light/heat from the sun is not escaping back into space at a sufficient rate to keep the earth at a steady range of temperatures.

Light from the sun interacts with the atoms/molecules it comes into contact with and warms them up.

If all the sun’s light was reflected the earth would temperature would drop to absolute zero, if none was reflected the temperature rise to unbearable levels and no life would be possible. To keep the temperature within an acceptable range is the challenge!

All animals contribute to global warming, all life contributes to biodiversity. Both global warming and biodiversity threaten the continuing existence of all kind.

The powerful should take control of the situation. All energy used contributes to global warming regardless of source while as long as fossil fuels are being consumed.

All actions undertaken should not be at the cost of biodiversity, which is as great a threat to human survival as global warming due to the law of unintended consequences. (i.e. we wipe out all the wasps, then we could get an influx of aphids.)

The poorest can do very little and they are the ones who will suffer most. Ironically the poor give the smallest contribution to global warming, while are most likely to suffer the most from the effects of climate change.

What intergovernmental organisations/UN can do?

1.       Arrange a Climate Change Group of countries, to in effect Tax the export/import of fossil fuels. The monies collected would go towards renewable energy projects in the poorer/more at risk countries of the world under ownership/control of the Climate Change Group. All Nation States should be invited to join the new International Organization.

The CLIMATE CHANGE GROUP should

a.       Set up an international electricity grid of all member states

b.       Set up renewable energy schemes in the countries in the world, who will receive 50% of the energy produced and 50% added to the electricity grid.

c.       All member states to receive a quantity of electricity free on a per capita basis. This will

What state governments can do?

1.       Increase tax on fossil fuels while giving grants to renewable sources.

2.       Tax all products on their “Carbon Content” see appendix 1.

3.       Label all processed items with carbon cost in manufacture and transport.

4.       Encourage potential parents to keep their family size to a minimum, every human being contributes to global warming.

5.       Giving grants to local councils to build energy neutral/positive houses for long term lets to people in need of homes at zero rent, these should be of a minimum size per occupant.

6.       All new builds must be carbon neutral and if feasible contribute to the energy requirements of the society

7.       All new cars/commercial vehicles to be electric.

8.       Public transport subsidies should be increased financed by costs on private transport, including private/company “personal transport” this would include a fee if a plane was assumed to have fuelled in a non participating country of Climate Change Group see above.

9.       Tax residential property on its square footage, every empty space takes heating. Set on sliding scale i.e. 15 square foot per person over 3 free, then £1 a square foot up to 30 square foot per property, then a sliding scale upwards. With all monies collected going to local councils.

10.   Increase tax on imported energy into any commercial property and residential property built under 3 above. If they don’t produce enough energy for their own use over any 12 month period. They will have to pay a premium for any extra energy required. All previous excess generation can be set against any future losses.

11.   Provide a free “Energy Storage Facility” for both residential/commercial properties to facilitate above.

12.   Tax pets as they do not contribute to biodiversity, and contribute to global warming. Horses, Cats and Dogs will be charged an annual fee. (say Horses £50 a year, Dogs £20 a year and Cats, which have a detrimental effect on biodiversity, £30 a year. To “off set” their effects while recognising the emotional requirements they provide to their owners.

13.   Encourage/enforce the use of waste disposal units and legislate that all waste disposal companies should other then clean the rubbish out of the waste they should also produce fertiliser for the farming industry. Thereby there would be less need to recycle food waste etc., if any.

14.   Minimal tax on carbon miles on all products by weight at point of sale. (proposed 5 levels local (within 50 miles) 0%, Regional (i.e. County/250 miles) 1%), country 2%, Continent 4% anywhere else 5%)

15.   Subsidise food production if carbon capture is greater than zero, after crop removed.

What scientists/professionals can do?

1.       What is the best carbon capture system both man-made and natural?

2.       “Which is best option in specific locations” such as an acre of wheat or an acre of trees in a specific location is better as far carbon is concerned.

3.       Finding ever more efficient methods of energy

What local governments can do?

1.       Stop refuse collections from door steps, instead create bottle banks, paper banks and rubbish collection points. All rubbish/recyclable goods where useful at one time so the collection points should be close to the points of origin as well as in strategic places as decided by the council. (Disabled people get their goods provided by someone, that someone should take the waste away)

2.       Set up village halls/hubs, in conjunction with local secondary schools etc. as learning hubs between 9am and 5pm, for up to 4 days a week, during term time for remote learning, with internet access with intranet facilities to local secondary schools and local workers, hence saving on transport costs etc. These spaces also to be made available to home workers. (So they can “Go to work”) these could be linked to “Clock in/out facility” if businesses require it.

3.       Make all public properties carbon positive wherever possible

4.       Set up carbon storage, i.e. Landfill for carbon waste, i.e. cardboard.

5.       Set local Gobal gas units to produce energy for local use and fertiliser generation.

6.       Create as many allotments as people that want them, to cut down on food miles.

7.       Organise green spaces litter picks etc.

8.       Plant trees in appropriate places, i.e. on the edge of roads between the road and cycle lane/pavement

9.       Invest in “green” public transport.

10.   Replace council tax with an annual accommodation tax based on the square of the residential building where the first 300 square foot free per adult over 18, (100 square foot for children over 3) living in the property, then an upward sliding scale to a maximum of £2 a square foot per person. All residential property that has no permanent residents should be charged at the maximum.

11.   Councils build property, with grants from central government see above, of the minimum size as defined above for various family units. And rent them out for rent dependent on income of the residents. Each property given a minimum rent. The occupants/tax unit  (see E of the Manifesto)  will be charged according to their income and the rent will be increased according to their income. (All rent collected above the minimum rent, will be earmarked for the occupants/tax units (see E of the Manifesto), for a deposit on a property on the open market). This needs to be organised at the highest level of government thereby allowing people to move around and carry their “Housing fund” with them.

12.   All new build  planning permission granted should include a positive contribution.

13.   Build minimum size homes for long term let, 6&7 above.

14.   Create local energy collection/storage and distribution

What individuals can do?

1.       Every action should be questioned. Is the action required? Is there a way of doing it with less energy?

2.       Every item you purchase needs carbon for its production and its delivery. No alternative fact!

3.       Pets make contributions to climate change and do nothing to mitigate it and so please think carefully about having them, especially cats as they kill millions of birds so threatening the biodiversity of our planet. All pets are net contributors to global warming, as the food they devour needs holds carbon, which the pet expels the global warming gases are put into the atmosphere.

4.       Give up Tea bags, easy and the micro plastics they contain.

5.       Turn vegetarian/vegan it is more carbon/methane neutral to have a plant based diet.

6.       Grow your own produce due to your means.

7.       Offsetting is a privilege of the rich to pacify their conscience, the poor have no option.

8.       Grow your own,

9.       Generate your own electricity if you can.

 

What business can do?

1.       All staff where practical should be encouraged to work from home “Village hubs” see above.

 

 

Conclusion

Every individual contributes to global warming, as a general rule the more you spend more you contribute.