"Tudor Hughes" wrote in message
ps.com...

Nobody will cut down on anything while they can still afford it
except things like fags, where there is some self-interest. The answer
is therefore very simple - increase the price of petrol (double it,
say) along with increases in price of all other energy that produces
CO2 either in its consumption or production. Introduce a very heavy
tax on aircraft fuel. (There is none at present). We, and the economy
in general, would be forced to work out new ways of doing things
involving less transport. Nothing remotely approaching this will be
even contemplated because we'd all scream and scream and stamp our foot
à la Violet Elizabeth Bott.

Saying that nobody will cut down is perhaps a bit of a sweeping statement. I
can afford to run a car but I am making an effort to cut my car mileage
down. I can afford central heating but I am making an effort to make my home
more energy efficient.

Problem with increasing the price of petrol is that it penalises people that
use a car because they have too for one reason or another, as well as people
who use a car because they are too bone idle to look at alternatives.

I think the problem is that to live a more energy efficient lifestyle
initially requires more effort and planning and people will instinctively
make choices that require the least effort. Once you get used to the
increase in planning required then it is really not that hard, it's just
getting over the initial hurdle.

Fortunately I shall be dead before any ofthis gets at all serious. (age
63).

And this sort of attitude is part of the problem.