I think it’s a pretty inescapable fact that the Earth is over populated and I can’t help feeling that at some point, something will go wrong, that could cause drastic reductions in population (Perhaps a war over diminishing resources). We are all only here as temporary tenants and I hope that I will be able to lead a full life before the crunch comes. I actually pity those born these days, as I don’t know that they will be able to achieve that aim.
My father well remembers London “Pea soupers” and now something else has cropped up, that is perhaps as bad, if not as obvious when it happens. The only way, to curtail these things, is to cut back. Even if technology can come up with a solution to pollution, I’m not so sure that it can come up with a means of replacing resources.
Nobody ever mentions air travel. I am sure that the airports around London are adding to the levels of pollution (I think I’m right in saying that Heathrow has an aeroplane landing or taking off every other minute or so). I have seen a statistic that says aviation uses enough fuel in one day, to keep everything else going for a period measured in years.
Our politicians are basically sales people, trying to sell an idea to the voters. If they were to point out some hard facts and tell voters what they don’t wish to hear, they would never get elected. Therefore if they said that everyone would get an energy ration, so that commuting 60 miles to work and jetting off to Spain three times a year, would no longer be possible, they would lose their deposits. If they advocated that people should make do and mend more, the result would be the same. Lots of people like to be trendy and claim to be “Green” but I am once again reminded of Tony Hancock and his “Wild man of the woods” episode -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T0dVCdAqxI . When it comes down to it, we all want to be “Near the shops” and far too many people are concerned with “Keeping up with the Jonses”, thus fuelling their wishes to consume.
With three classic cars, many would say that I am in no position to lecture anyone and if they happened to be Aborigines, they would have a point. However were they many other people living in Britain (Or many other parts of the developed world), I’m not so sure. Afterall, I have owned the Midget for 31 years, the V8 has been with us almost as long and the Morris has been with me for 12 years (How many cars have Mr & Mrs Mondeo consumed over that period?). Even allowing for my marathon drive to Le Mans and then on to Civray last year, I still cycled more miles than I drove. I suspect most people consume one hell of a lot more than I do (I haven’t flown for eight years and have no plans to do so any time soon….I wouldn’t mind another trip to Austria but I don’t crave it) and that many of them would think I lead a very dull life. I don’t care what people think…..perhaps assume is a better word!!!
Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.