Tuesday, 07 Jan 2014 16:36 GMT

Of ice, windscreens, and green politics

As I head out every morning to chip ice of windscreens and drink nuclear strength coffee to try and coax the old brain box into gear, it seems it is not just nature that has gone into hibernation, but also the politics of protecting of it.


As I head out every morning to chip ice of windscreens and drink nuclear strength coffee to try and coax the old brain box into gear, it seems it is not just nature that has gone into hibernation, but also the politics of protecting of it.

When the Conservatives launched their election campaign it was with a key commitment to being the first Government to really take its environmental responsibilities seriously. Indeed, it even included a tree on its logo to mark this new green-fingered approach. But unfortunately that was then, and this is now. Coalition politics, a recalcitrant economy, anti-green lobbying from within its own ranks, and reality just catching up with Mr Cameron, means this agenda has now been quietly swept into a Westminster closet.

I hear you ask: why should I care? Well, if you believe the clever scientists, economic analysts, and environmental campaigners, the fact is that as technology continues to improve, green sources of power will be undeniably cheaper for the end-user”

I hear you ask: why should I care? Well, if you believe the clever scientists, economic analysts, and environmental campaigners, the fact is that as technology continues to improve, green sources of power will be undeniably cheaper for the end-user. And as energy bills make up a huge proportion of outgoing costs for the thousands of sign-makers and their suppliers across the UK, it is perhaps a cause worth joining—and fast.

Two small examples of the shifting winds are that the Department of Energy and Climate Change has been doing some clever fiddling, cutting the subsidies of onshore windfarms by 5 percent—they currently generate some 4.7 percent of our power needs. And to placate its rural supporters, and UK Independence Party swing voters that condemn initiatives such as onshore wind farms, the Conservatives have moved significantly away from its 2010 pro-green position.

No matter how the politicians squirm and wriggle, the conclusive fact remains that the UK’s energy security lies ultimately in renewable sources. It would be better to get ahead of the curve, be brave, and make serious moves to support this sector. Whether you are green-minded or business-minded, the benefits are clear.
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