The Planet in Peril

Posted on 09/10/2018 12:39 by Extugger

If we in Britain all changed to electric vehicles tomorrow, what impact would it have on the planet? Very little. When you consider that Britain is about as large as a couple of US states, ditto China, then until both of them commit to reduce their carbon footprint on this planet, nothing we do will make much impact.

Getting rid of Trump and bringing USA back into the Paris agreement would be a first step, but until then, they'll continue to drive around their roads in their big V8 gas-guzzling trucks, whilst the rest of the world stare in disbelief. Proof, if it were needed, that the oil companies billions of dollars rule this planet.

Posted on 09/10/2018 13:24 by Hedgehurst

In terms of immediate planetary impact, indeed, a UK change to electric vehicles might indeed have relatively little impact, you're quite probably right.

But as David K and others rightly point out, each of us doing what we can does add up. And almost as important, such moves foster the climate (no pun intended!) of acceptance that this is the intelligent and positive way to go, rather than all waiting for someone else to make the first move - that way nothing happens and we continue to pump out the pollutants.

It's hugely encouraging that so much is already happening. Even in the USA there is increasing movement in the right direction. China's a big sinner, but it is vastly increasing its solar energy output, whatever its motivation for doing so.

 

Posted on 09/10/2018 11:37 by Kennine

I would like to point out that there were no records kept over the billions of years that the Earth has been in existence until very recent time. During those billions of years, the Earth has fluctuated from cold to hot in natural cycles.  Therefore to say that the earth is becoming warmer in a much shorter time now, as against the other times is IMO quite simply wrong.  Where is the proof ? , there is none. --------There are only personal opinions based on semantics trying to put fear into the world's population to subscribe to highly profitable Green Energy products ----------------nothing else. 

K 

 

Posted on 09/10/2018 13:24 by Hedgehurst

In terms of immediate planetary impact, indeed, a UK change to electric vehicles might indeed have relatively little impact, you're quite probably right.

But as David K and others rightly point out, each of us doing what we can does add up. And almost as important, such moves foster the climate (no pun intended!) of acceptance that this is the intelligent and positive way to go, rather than all waiting for someone else to make the first move - that way nothing happens and we continue to pump out the pollutants.

It's hugely encouraging that so much is already happening. Even in the USA there is increasing movement in the right direction. China's a big sinner, but it is vastly increasing its solar energy output, whatever its motivation for doing so.

 

Posted on 09/10/2018 16:23 by brue

I think the idea in the UK just now is that we start making changes so that we can make our remaining fossil fuel supplies last a bit longer so that we're not dependent on supplies from other countries. We'll gain from having less particulates in the air if we change to non fossil fuels and we gain if other countries agree to do the same. At present China is not the most polluted country, that record goes to several other countries, have a look on google, anyone who might be interested will probably be surprised.

Posted on 09/10/2018 16:52 by brue

Well, as we've got an EV I think we've made a big change and we're not away in our MH just now and frankly I'm happy to leave it at home this time round. 

Edit...and Oops I don't want to appear "holier than thou" do I?  So I hope to see more discussions in the future about EV ownership, EV towing etc and that will no doubt show that things are changing in a positive way?

 

Posted on 09/10/2018 13:46 by Cornersteady

each of us doing what we can does add up

Excellent so please tell us what you personally are doing as a caravaner/MHer? 

Are you taking less trips in your 'gas guzzling' (your words) car and van? Are you giving up towing (hence using less fuel producing less harmful emissions)?  Are you even giving your present holidaying with a car and van and changing to a bike and tent?

Posted on 09/10/2018 17:10 by JVB66

But to make all the batteries that will/may be required is,  i am told, one of the most environmentally unfriendly methods that is around