Leila's blog

Tue, Mar 18, 2008

In with the old, out with the new, and whose asking the real questions about the economic crunch?

With the government push to build new homes, many of which are bound to further eat into this green and pleasant land, I was pleased to read this report by the Empty Homes Agency. Yes, they are partial, but they do demonstrate clearly the common sense of refurbishing and renewing existing buildings over building new ones. An existing building may need more work to make it energy efficient but it uses less energy to do this in most cases as it saves the embodied energy in the structure. They demonstrate that reusing empty homes could: "...make an initial saving of 35 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per property by removing the need for the energy locked into new build materials and construction [therefore] over a 50-year period, this means there almost no difference in the average emissions of new compared with refurbished housing." Clearly, building new homes is popular with developers, builders and land owners as they get more money from this than refurbishment. Surely, if taxation were based on reflecting the outcome VAT on refurbishing materials should be dropped from 17.5% to 5%, as is suggested in the report.

What I find is that when we look at the world without a view dominated by a need to make money (like many property developers...) the ways forward become far less constrained. With our lives focused on a make and spend cycle the limits of the system are all too apparent. With markets crashing all around and fear being built into everyday lives as to the consequences of a depression, I am continually staggered that not one comment and analysis programme seems to be asking the fundamental questions. By this I don't mean what can the Chancellor / Bank of England / Opposition do but if the financial system is flawed. Given the coverage over the last 3 years of green everything the possibility of green economics is conspicuously absent. Are they afraid of giving air time to radical proposals. Why should we accept the inevitable ongoing future of multinationals, boom and bust, capitalism? I want to see debate on green taxes instead of VAT, nationalisation not privatisation and PFI, localising economies, the impact of personal carbon credits; but what I really want to see is the government held to account - are they considering them or not?

Sun, Mar 16, 2008

Llongyfarchiadau - Congratulations

I am not a sporty person, just ask my friends who have spent a fruitless two years trying to persuade me along to their netball games. However, in deference to my two sons wishes to watch the final of the Six Nations I spent this afternoon on the sofa and to my surprise found I was clenching my fist each time it looked like France would score. I was so pleased when Wales won. I might not understand the rules, I have no desire to start playing, and I have never supported a team before at anything but I think today I found that my heart was with Wales and regardless of blood I felt Welsh.

Thu, Mar 13, 2008

Labouring over the figures, but not facing up to the facts

I am disappointed with Alistair Darling's first Budget,he has climbed down on the planned 2p increase in fuel duty and the missed opportunity of a windfall tax on energy company profits to tackle fuel poverty. He has focused on Economic Growth over long term stability and happiness - simple measures like charging for plastic bags will not 'save the planet', especially when placed next to incentives for further exploration of North Sea oil and gas reserves and planned airport expansion. Altering the way the economy is structured by raising revenue from green taxation is possible and can be ring-fenced (hypothecated). This taxation should not be in addition but as a replacement for existing taxation. Reintroducing the 10p rate of income tax is one example of how green taxation needn't mean more taxation.

I also condemn the proposed Post Office closures. Whilst only 13 rural post offices have been earmarked for closure in Wales, this is 13 too many. These forced closures will be in addition to the steady decline in rural post offices across Wales. Living in a rural location myself I have seen two of my nearest post offices close, with a third, Llanilar, now on the condemned list. It is this loss of services and the jobs that go with them which turns thriving villages and hamlets into commuter country. When small shops, schools, and services are lost this increases the pressure on people living in the countryside to travel to meet their needs. This disadvantages those without their own vehicle and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. I am calling on the Welsh Assembly to give serious consideration into buying out these Post Offices like Essex county council is proposing to do. They argue that such a move would help ensure their survival and could revive rural areas. Candidates for Wales Green Party standing in the forthcoming council elections have promised to make support for local services and businesses one of their key priorities if elected.

What bothers me most is the inherent short-sightedness in politics in the UK - build coal powered stations today think about the emissions tomorrow; build on flood plains today, deal with the property damaged by flooding tomorrow; cut bus services today increase car duty tomorrow. Why they can't join the dots is beyond me, the sad thing is the consequences for the rest of us.

Mon, Mar 03, 2008

The pots are calling the kettles black

The hypocrisy of some people! It makes you mad doesn't it. At this moment I am writing in some fever at the coverage of the Russian elections. I am not in a position to comment on their validity or otherwise but the main criticism being levelled is the unfair media coverage given to the front runner. If that makes an election unfair then we haven't had fair elections in Britain in decades. The political coverage on our television and radio stations is dominated by a small elite, alternative political voices are rarely aired. Just look at Question Time and Any Questions, apparently having the Green Party on twice a year is balance. We are the fourth largest party (with elected members in the London Assembly, European Parliament, Scottish Parliament and 50 plus Councils) but get less coverage than the CBI. If elections are judged fairest when media coverage is equal, UK media outlets should give everyone their chance to have their voice heard clearly.

Sun, Mar 02, 2008

Freedom to grow

We had some friends over for lunch today. They home educate and we had an interesting discussion about the relative merits of different types of schooling. My eldest son and I are currently thinking hard about which secondary school he should attend - mainly Welsh or mainly English - no happy bilingual medium. T.ese type of choices highlight the obvious: that our current system doesn't work for some children. It is too rigid both in subjects taught and the school day as a whole. This rigidity is made a necessity by the demands of the National Curriculum, the poor adult:child ratio, and the increasing size of schools. My friends and I would both like to see greater availability of schools like Summerhill and Steiner / Montessori across the country with state funding. This would improve child / parent choice especially if it were put in place with flexi-schooling, support for the development of small schools and smaller class sizes. I think far more children would have a happier educational experience.

After we had fed and watered our guests we went out to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and fresh air. In our now expanding veg garden we planted an early sowing of carrots and broad beans, whilst indoors we planted broccoli and salad. As you can tell I am feeling ambitious this year and am looking forward to saving on food miles with plenty of homegrown veg.