Carbon reductions.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by gmc

Can't see it happening without govt action

Gov't action is happening, though - the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions is in the Climate Change Bill, which sets a legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emission by at least 26 per cent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. The Bill also commits to reducing these levels by 60% 2050, now revised AFAIK to an 80% reduction.

[Bill Sikes]

So, 2020 is 11 years away, and we're to reduce carbon emissions by 26%.

How will it work?

[Snowfire]

Bill, will the oil industry allow easy introduction of carbon free/electric cars.

I'm pretty certain that given the will, efficient, cheap Electric/Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could be built at the drop of a hat. With enough investment it could be done easily. Is the economy ready for such a drastic drop in reliance on oil. The fact of the matter is, the world revolves around oil, whether we like it or not. We go to war over it.

How much influence does the oil industry have in the progress of carbon reduction. A lot if it means taking money from their pockets and I'm sure they wouldnt let that happen readily.

I'd love that change to happen overnight but I feel the oil industires reigns tightening around Governments necks.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by Snowfire

will the oil industry allow easy introduction of carbon free/electric cars

I don't know - however, it seems likely that the consumer will lead in the case of transport and domestic energy use, due to punitive measures to spur us on, combined with tecnnical developments - we're already seeing both the stick (the Fuel Price escalator, "road tax", the compulsory phasing out of 100W incandescent bulbs, "Energy efficiency" surveys), and the carrot (general financial benefits for electric vehicles, subsidised "low energy" bulbs", grants for home insulation). I wouldn't think that the Oil Industry would do much about it, except diversify and evolve.

[ekotter]

I'm in favor of developing technology that has minimal reliance on fossil fuels, not because I believe that humans are causing climate change, but because I believe in progress. However, I do not believe in governments forcing what they see as "progress" on the general public through extreme regulations.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by ekotter

I'm in favor of developing technology that has minimal reliance on fossil fuels, not because I believe that humans are causing climate change, but because I believe in progress. However, I do not believe in governments forcing what they see as "progress" on the general public through extreme regulations.

Given that the governments of the world are not doing this because they see it a "progress" you shouldn't have a problem with is then.

[Clodhopper]

I'm in favor of developing technology that has minimal reliance on fossil fuels, not because I believe that humans are causing climate change, but because I believe in progress. However, I do not believe in governments forcing what they see as "progress" on the general public through extreme regulations.

Well, the first thing is to say hello, because I haven't met you before.

But the second thing is to say that if you believe climate change is a figment of oppressive govt's imagination I have to wonder where you live. I'm in southern England and I'm already seeing climate change. In the last two years I've seen insects in my garden I've never seen before and the weather has changed. It used to rain, gently, for a week. That hasn't happened in several years. We get the same rain in a day, or half an hour. Now, whether it's just the sun or not, it is still happening and the effects are horrendous. Myself, given the thinning/collapse of ice sheets, I expect to see much more dramatic effects in the next 90 months, and (cynically) no concerted world wide concerted governmental action. If I (and the vast bulk of scientists who look at the issue) am correct the death toll will be not in the millions, but in the thousands of millions.

I hope and pray that you are correct and I am wrong. But that is not what I see.