Gollygosh. Two in one day. Another I can't really fault in message and tone, and am happy to endorse. Interesting however to note this one requires your address to be valid, whilst the previous one did not. I wonder who was right?
Aviation is the fastest-growing contributor to climate change. As part of Airportwatch, Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to rethink its aviation policy - you can make a difference by emailing the Secretary of State for Transport at http://www.rethink.airportwatch.org.uk/ You can also lessen your environmental impact by holidaying in the UK or finding alternative ways to travel at http://www.seat61.com (includes destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond).
And of course, I did have a few tweaks of my own. It is hardly credible that 'we' do all this and end up at the mercy of economies not so moved:
To: Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport
Dear Mr Alexander,
Re: 2006 Aviation White Paper Review
As you will gather, I am using the template provided by airportwatch, to which I was directed by Friends of the Earth.
I have to take as fact their assertion that The Government’s 2003 Aviation White Paper was widely condemned as unsustainable, even by its own environment and sustainability advisers. And aspects of its methodology have been repeatedly questioned but never addressed. I note the problems with current aviation policy, which include:
Climate Change
It allows a huge increase in CO2 emissions from aviation, making it all but impossible for the Government to meet its long-term climate change targets.
Noise
It means worsening noise levels, day and night, for more people because the increase in the number of planes will more than offset any improvements in the noise of individual aircraft.
Countryside and Heritage Under Threat
It will threaten the character, diversity and tranquility of the countryside and sacrifices an unacceptable number of historic listed buildings
Impact of Oil Prices on long-term passenger forecasts
Current forecasts underpinning the White Paper do not take sufficient account of rising oil prices.
Economy
The programme of airport expansion was justified by a flawed assessment of the economic benefits of aviation, funded by your Department and the industry working in tandem. It failed to address the tax breaks the aviation industry enjoys through tax-free fuel and exemption from VAT, which cost the economy at least £9 billion a year in lost revenue.
In 2006 the Government has a unique opportunity to review its policy. Yet so far it has talked of producing only a ‘progress report’. Given the problems outlined above, nothing less than a fundamental policy rethink will do. Please write to assure me that you will:
1. Rein back expansion so it is consistent with your target of a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
2. Recognise the limits rising oil prices will put on demand for air travel as we head towards $100 per barrel
3. Remove the tax-breaks the aviation industry enjoys*
4. Reassess air freight which currently pays no tax whatsoever *
5. Reduce both the day and night time noise suffered by local communities, as well as the numbers of people affected
6. Respect the country’s biodiversity and heritage including ancient woodlands and listed buildings
7. Revisit (with all that word entails) rail as an alternative to short-haul flights
8. Revise the economic assessment of the aviation industry
9. Review your unsustainable expansion plans for the UK air transport industry by taking immediate urgent action on all the points above
10. Rethink the "predict & provide" approach put forward in the White Paper.
*I am encouraged that this template does try and offer workable solutions without being impossibly idealistic. However I do also recognise that there are economic imperatives nationally, within the EU and amongst the major economies that do make unilateral actions problematic. However these cannot be used as excuses for inaction or procrastination.
Personally, all I need to do is look up at the sky over Ross on Wye to see how much the current level of air travel must be leaving its mark on the climate. Any more planes in the air can only be a very serious retrograde step, and adding more airports is like adding more bars to the high street whilst talking about the consequences of our drinking culture.
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