Tag: public transport

Counting on … day 111

21st May 2024

We no longer have a car. The one we had received little use in recent years – its main function being to take Paul’s model railway to exhibitions. We had very much decided that the car was only there for when there was no alternative means of getting from A to B – a decision that became a habit. Being both non ULEZ and increasingly prone to developing faults, Paul finally took the offer of scrapage for the car. 

Living in London we have the advantage of a good public transport network which gets us most places and if need be we can take a taxi. Most of day to day travel is on foot or by cycle.

Counting on … day 82

9th April 2024

Carbon Tax – 2

Carbon taxes are often criticised for impacting most on the poorest or the most vulnerable. People and businesses with wealth can more easily buy their way out of the situation either by absorbing the tax or through buying alternative products and services that avoid the tax. For example a richer person can more readily buy a new efficient electric car, where someone with less wealth may have to pay more on petrol to continue using their older car. A richer person can more readily afford a heat pump (powered by renewable electricity) and home insulation, whilst a less wealthy person – or someone who is rented accommodation- will have to pay more for running an existing gas boiler in an un-insulated home. 

Such issues need to be addressed. Improving public transport, implementing scrappage schemes for old cars and boilers, offering grants for insulation and heat pump installations – including for rented accommodation – are key. At the same time introducing a carbon tax incrementally over time to ensure users can plan and adapt, is also important. 

Given the urgency of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address the climate crisis, maintaining the status quo is not a good option. It is certainly not a good option for the poorest or most vulnerable as they are the ones who are – and will be – most affected by the impacts of the crisis.