We need green infrastructure projects not more roads
The author of this article kicks off by saying: “We’re going to be building lots more big kit in the UK over the next couple of years, according to the government’s autumn statement. But will we be investing in the right things?
George Osborne did more than wind up environmentalists with his claims that as a result of “environmental goals … businesses will fail, jobs will be lost, and our country will be poorer.” The chancellor also set out a big shift in economic course, with £6bn investment in government infrastructure spending, to be topped-up by a further £20bn leveraged from pension funds.
Investing in infrastructure is a good thing to do – and is certainly far better than the indiscriminate boost to consumption offered by Labour’s VAT cuts or the collapse of demand caused by Osborne’s rapid spending reductions. Infrastructure investment will not only stimulate the economy in the short-term, but will also put us in a far better position to compete in the future.”
He then goes onto criticise the plans for not focusing on cutting carbon emissions.
I think there are a significant number of people who tire of the almost religious zeal with which economic development is relentlessly equated with being bad for the environment. I would like to suggest a new area of research – a study to balance the environmental benefits of depressed consumption since 2008 measured against its human impact on the personal well-being of those without work, a secure home and in some cases very much hope for future.