marklynas.orgLondon takes on the climate challenge 28 February 07
Four cheers to Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, who has just announced what is almost certainly the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target adopted by any political leader in the world – a 60% cut by 2025. Livingstone now says that climate change is the central focus of his administration, demonstrating a degree of vision and leadership that is sorely lacking elsewhere: his determination to make change happens highlights even further the UK government’s timidity on global warming.
True, Livingstone admits in the report he launched adopting the target [here in PDF] that it won’t be possible to meet it without wider changes across the UK and Europe to put a price on carbon, for example. London can’t act alone.
Already the enemy of the motoring lobby for introducing a ‘congestion charge’ on vehicles entering central London – soon to be banded according to the CO2 emissions of the vehicle in question – Livingstone also takes a pop at SUV drivers: “Buying a gas-guzzling 4×4 is is an ‘individual choice’ but it creates carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and harm everyone. It should be no more sociably acceptable than to claim the right to dump rubbish in the street,” he insists. Amen to that.
The right-wing press, particularly the London Evening Standard, have for a long time tried to smear Livingstone and get him removed from office – there was a hullabaloo a year or so ago when he compared a reporter from the Standard to a Nazi concentration camp guard. But Ken’s outspokenness and good humour is part of his charm, particularly in this age of bland politicians who never veer from the party line – even when staying ‘on message’ means telling lies. Having shrugged off the Standard’s smear campaign, Livingstone has continued to pursue his vision of a more sustainable London – and he should be applauded for it.
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Yes, credit to Ken (and a related campaign)
Yes, credit to Ken (and a related campaign)
I agree, Ken deserves credit for what he is doing about climate change.
On that subject, readers may like to lend their support to an online campaign to make politicians aware of the importance of the ‘DESERTEC’ concept developed by the ‘TREC’ international group of scientists and engineers ( www.trecers.net ). The main page for the campaign is at www.trecers.net/yourvoice.html where further information may be found.
In brief, the DESERTEC concept is a very important ‘vision’ for future energy supplies and other benefits in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EUMENA). The main elements of the concept are these:
- Desalination of sea water using waste heat from CSP plants – a valuable bonus in arid regions.
- Shaded areas under the mirrors of CSP plants are protected from the full glare of harsh tropical sunlight and may be used for many purposes, including horticulture using desalinated sea water.
- Reduced tensions arising from shortages of energy and water.
- Improved relations amongst people in EUMENA via a collaboration that yields benefits for all. This is a positive alternative to the confrontational policies of recent years.
- Jobs and earnings throughout EUMENA.
The DESERTEC concept is described in detail in the ‘MED-CSP’ and ‘TRANS-CSP’ reports, commissioned by the German government. They may be downloaded via links from www.trec-uk.org.uk/reports.htm . Further information may be found at www.trecers.net and www.trec-uk.org.uk .
PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE FAR AND WIDE
Gerry Wolff
Coordinator of TREC-UK, www.trec-uk.org.uk , +44 (0)1248 712962.