Environmental Issues - article about Environmental Issues

Environmental Issues

Politicians have realized that their voters are worried about carbon gas emissions, pollution and climate change and these environmental issues must be addressed. Traditionally, the political parties have been more focused on winning elections and introducing voter friendly policies with a quick turnaround. Tackling the environment is about finding long term solutions.

Big business has also joined the debate. Oil companies fund their own research into alternative energy sources. Of course, cynics will say, this is more to do with commercial reasons and not as a matter of conscience. The oil will run out sometime and alternatives have to be found.

Sometimes, the ordinary individual feels swamped in the face of such global problems. We are all urged to reduce our carbon footprint but it has to be a unified effort. Taking personal responsibility is the first step. It doesn't take much effort to recycle, buy long life light bulbs and leave the car in the garage for certain journeys. Everyone can get involved in environmental issues. If there is a problem, then there is a solution waiting. Wasted energy is a big factor. Heat escapes from homes with poor insulation, central heating is set too high and most people are guilty of leaving electrical appliances on stand by.

So what are the solutions? For people to be persuaded to leave their cars at home, there must be an improved public transport service. Some local authorities in the UK are piloting a scheme, whereby householders are fined if they don't recycle their waste. We all take our appliances for granted and it's inconceivable that people will do without their washing machines, fridges, TVs and stereo systems. Do we really need leaf blowers, garden heaters and electric carvers? Would civilization come to a halt if we got rid of dishwashers?

The other thorny subject is travel. Plane tickets get cheaper all the time and the British and Europeans particularly enjoy holidays abroad. Some people campaign for holiday airplane trips to be limited. Perhaps domestic plane journeys in small countries such as Britain could be banned. We all like to be mobile but there is a high price to pay. If we don't compromise, we will have to explain to our grandchildren, why we didn't stop constant floods, acid rain and other environmental issues.

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