HI all,

I am very keen to start a Carbon Rationing group in Islington or in
North London. After doing a quick poll after the cycling group meeting
last night, it looks like there might be other takers.

Carbon Rationing and Personal Carbon Allowances is very much in the news
at the moment. David Miliband is showing a lot of interest and Poly
Toynbee wrote about it yesterday.

http://www.davidmiliband.defra.gov.uk/blogs/ministerial_blog/archive/2006/07/19/\
1557.aspx
http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,1824241,00.html
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/comment/0,,1839360,00.html

But it will take several years and a willing electorate for a national
scheme to get started. A lot of people think this is a completely nutty
idea. I don't. If the government were to adopt this scheme, it would
allow them to accurately set CO2 levels at the start of each year simply
by issuing the appropriate number of credits. This would, no doubt be
debated very intensely before a general election. Many people say carbon
credits are just another tax but taxes do not provide the precise control.

In the meantime, I think we should try it for ourselves. Here is a good
introductory article:
http://www.greenfutures.org.uk/briefings/default.asp?briefingtypedisplay=5&id=25\
73

There are lots of ways that a local Carbon Rationing group can work.
Each group sets its own rules and does it's own thing. It's not about
making or saving money by selling/buying credits to/from someone else.
Usually the credits are made very cheap. It is about sharing and
learning. One of the things I am wondering is whether I can or should
try to improve the insulation in my flat, either externally or
internally or give up and move out. I'd also love to get a PV panel on
the roof but I don't own my own roof. By the way, we should always
remember that the good things in life: wine, women, song and football
are all carbon free activities!

Of course Britain is a small fish on the global scene but I think
Britain that should step forward and lead the world on carbon
reduction. The Chinese and Indian populations have other pressing
problems right now and we need to try these things out before asking
them to embrace them.

This post was written by Andy Ross in the West Midlands who set up the
first scheme.
http://portal.campaigncc.org/?q=node/550

Anyone interested? If I get a few positive email responses, I was
thinking of setting up a yahoo group. Then we would get something in the
local papers and having an initial meeting. If we kick something off, I
am guessing that we'd meet occasionally and compare emissions,
experiences and discuss condensing boilers and the like. Gosh, cannot
wait! We might want to get some politicians and the odd journo involved
as well. You never know, a councillor might sponsor us and let us get
free meeting space at the town hall.

John


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John Ackers
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