By Chris Davey
Earthrise by Bill Anders (NASA)
Good news sometimes seems in short supply. Maybe that’s the nature of media news… bad news is more “interesting” than good, sadly. But I’ve come across some good news.
“EU set to suspend Brexit tariffs on EVs for three years in major boost for car industry”
Of course I would say “boost for the continuing electrification of transport”, but anyway…at least for a further three years, EV prices will not go up because of a Brexit-induced tariff. And who knows what the post-Brexit political landscape will look like in 2027?
EVs, by which I basically mean battery electric cars, are still more expensive to buy than their fossil fuel equivalents, as their manufacture is more costly, and because last year the UK government removed the subsidy on new EVs in order to target other areas. But despite the removal of the subsidy, sales of new EVs continue to rise year on year (according to zap-map.com) which should boost the second-hand market and enable more people on lower incomes to afford an EV; and once they get one, their running costs should fall in comparison with fossil fuel cars, especially if charging is done at night on an off-peak energy tariff.
Another bit of news…we are approaching the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission, 21 – 27 December 1968. Apollo 11 was of course “one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind” as Neil Armstrong stepped off the ladder on to the lunar surface. But Apollo 8 was in some ways more significant. It was the first time that humans had left the immediate vicinity of Earth, in other words the surface or low orbit of the planet. They boosted off out of Earth orbit, travelled to the Moon, orbited around it (ten times), then with another rocket burn, made the return journey, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. It was a great achievement with an onboard computer of less power than the average 2020s smart phone. The precision with which the mission was planned and carried out was remarkable; and just as well since a minor error would likely have meant that they would not return.
Much has been said and written about the iconic photo, Earthrise, taken by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders from lunar orbit. It is said that it contributed greatly to the subsequent burgeoning of the environmental movement. Never before had such an image of the Earth been made, and the blue globe in black space is said to have brought home the reality that we live on a small, fragile planet, in the middle of dark, cold space, and this planet is all we have. In other words, There is no Planet B. This built on the efforts of other environmental pioneers, such as Rachel Carson with her book Silent Spring, an early warning of the potential dangers of agrochemicals and their effect on biodiversity, particularly insect life. Friends Of The Earth was founded in 1969, and Greenpeace in 1971. In 1972 the People Party was formed, developing into the Ecology Party, renamed as The Green Party in 1985. Recycling became a thing. Solar panels began to appear on roofs, and then wind generators were put up to give is more renewable electricity. But that was only one half of the equation; we still burned a lot of fossil fuels. And we still do.
Back in October I wrote about a movement called the Climate Majority Project. They have now put out a book:
The Climate Majority Project: Setting the Stage for a Mainstream, Urgent Climate Movement*
I haven’t yet read it; but I’m hopeful that it will be full of practical suggestions as to what concerned citizens can do to bring about that most desirable state, zero carbon emissions. It’s on my Christmas list!
Season’s Greetings.
*Book available from LPP.
