Layers of Denial

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422804100826311617.post-10594512196822605292008-07-01T21:01:00.000+10:002008-07-01T21:24:16.722+10:002008-07-01T21:24:16.722+10:00Layers of DenialAn interesting article, copied below from Reuters, on energy in the UK and consumers' attitudes towards cost and consumption. It seems that even when convinced of the existance of climate change and agreeing that we each need to play a part in addressing the problem, we find it hard to face up to the realities of taking action. It's just another form of denial. But no amount of ignoring this (global warming) problem will make it go away. The sooner we accept that, the better. It will take very brave governments and leaders to implement unpopular measures in the face of an objecting public, but such leadership is needed since we seem incapable of motivating ourselves. Time will tell whether the UK government matches its rhetoric with action - let's hope so. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49098/story.htm">British Renewables Push Will Boost Energy Bills </a> UK: July 1, 2008 LONDON - Meeting Britain's renewable energy targets will add significantly to domestic energy bills on top of already steeply rising fuel prices, a report said on Monday. The report from tax advisory company Ernst & Young comes days after the government called for a 100 billion pound green revolution to get 15 percent of its energy -- equivalent to 40 percent of its electricity -- from renewables by 2020. Britain currently gets barely four percent of its electricity from renewables, primarily wind power. The report said the drive to carbon cutting renewables would add 20 percent in real terms to domestic energy bills by 2020, equivalent to 5.3 billion pounds or just over 200 pounds per household, on top of increases due to booming fuel costs. But a YouGov survey conducted to coincide with the report also noted that most Britons baulked at the prospect of having to pay to combat climate change. The survey found that 67 percent of people said they would not be prepared to pay anything extra on their home energy bills to fight global warming. "Customers face a triple whammy -- rising fuel and oil prices, the costs of climate change mitigation, and on top of both, the additional investment required to become more energy efficient," said Ernst & Young's Simon Harvey. "However, the average consumer does not appear to realise that this additional cost is going to hit their wallets." Confusingly the survey also found that while two-thirds of people said they were responsible for cutting their own carbon emissions a majority said a rise of 200 pounds in their fuel bills would not make them cut consumption. "The challenge for government and the utilities companies is convincing the average UK consumer of the benefits of reducing energy consumption," said Harvey. "Convincing them to undertake the series of measures that will be required to tackle climate change will require multiple changes in behaviour." Reporting by Jeremy Lovell; editing by Matt Falloon REUTERS NEWS SERVICEsustainableIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05567934905197480682noreply@blogger.com0