Post by Clinton Cool on Apr 14, 2016 22:07:57 GMT
The Tories want growth so their supporters can get richer.
The Labour party want faster growth than the Tories so the expanded population can enjoy better benefits and any potential basket cases can be bailed out.
UKIP, the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party also hail growth as if it were the new messiah.
All well and good. However, not so long ago, leaders from all nations apparently reached agreement whereby the world was going to be saved. Lots of back slapping ensued. Those who were instrumental in brokering this 'historic' deal might feel that they are entitled to the worldwide equivalent of a knighthood. Good on them.
Unfortunately for those aspiring knighthood: As soon as the delegates got back to their respective countries the focus appears to have shifted somewhat. Green taxes on dirty energy that were previously 'good' are now seen as 'bad'. Thousands of steel workers are about to lose their jobs you see. All of a sudden the government shouldn't charge more for things that are bad for the environment. No, it should subsidise said energy.
It seems that what used to be bad is now good because it saves jobs.
As for Germany: Somehow the multitude of coal fired power stations they are in the process of building fits in nicely with their self proclaimed position as the ethical, pacifist, world leaders.
China on the other hand will only build 8% more filthy power plants annually rather than the amount the recent 10+% growth dictated. This bodes well for the future of the world doesn't it.
I guess my point is that if you believe that current growth is a danger to the world, and believe that change is needed, you need to start to have lower growth expectations. Sustained growth = sustained damage to the environment. There's no getting away from that
The Labour party want faster growth than the Tories so the expanded population can enjoy better benefits and any potential basket cases can be bailed out.
UKIP, the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party also hail growth as if it were the new messiah.
All well and good. However, not so long ago, leaders from all nations apparently reached agreement whereby the world was going to be saved. Lots of back slapping ensued. Those who were instrumental in brokering this 'historic' deal might feel that they are entitled to the worldwide equivalent of a knighthood. Good on them.
Unfortunately for those aspiring knighthood: As soon as the delegates got back to their respective countries the focus appears to have shifted somewhat. Green taxes on dirty energy that were previously 'good' are now seen as 'bad'. Thousands of steel workers are about to lose their jobs you see. All of a sudden the government shouldn't charge more for things that are bad for the environment. No, it should subsidise said energy.
It seems that what used to be bad is now good because it saves jobs.
As for Germany: Somehow the multitude of coal fired power stations they are in the process of building fits in nicely with their self proclaimed position as the ethical, pacifist, world leaders.
China on the other hand will only build 8% more filthy power plants annually rather than the amount the recent 10+% growth dictated. This bodes well for the future of the world doesn't it.
I guess my point is that if you believe that current growth is a danger to the world, and believe that change is needed, you need to start to have lower growth expectations. Sustained growth = sustained damage to the environment. There's no getting away from that
