Business Interests Trumping Environmental Concerns
Jackie Ashley, The Guardian | November 3, 2008
The biggest loser from the global recession will be the environment. ++ In the interest of business, Gordon Brown and his Labour Party look set to revive talks over an expansion of Heathrow and Standsted airports. ++ Although carbon emissions from air travel in the UK only account for 6.3% of current total output, that number is set to skyrocket to as high as 16% by 2020. ++ It seems as if Labour “ministers who know they have lost the next election are cozying up to the business interests that may help them out in the private sector afterwards.”
Mon, Nov 3rd 2008, 18:56
Donald Stadler, Self-employed, Diamond Contributor (1052)
A global recession is going to effect global C02 emissions in many ways, but in the short term a reduction in economic activity will probably lower them or at least lower their rate of growth. SUV's not sold (or produced) do not cause pollution, Empty office buildings mean few or no new office buildings, saving on emissions. People pinching their euros or dollars do not drive or fly as much. Goods not produced don't cause pollution.
Against that there are infrastructure improvements to roads an airport, which cause some emissions. But against that one has to account for a reduction in traffic jams on overly-congested roads, even in the long run. The less time traffic spends in standstill the less it pollutes for a given length of journey. The less time aircraft spend in the air waiting to land the more efficient their energy use and emissions.