Square peg, round hole; papers must be sold
The Independent: Melting Planet
The report, passed to The Independent on Sunday, and commissioned by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), makes gloomy predictions about the world’s animal populations. “The habitats of migratory species most vulnerable to climate change were found to be tundra, cloud forest, sea ice and low-lying coastal areas,” it states. “Increased droughts and lowered water tables, particularly in key areas used as ’staging posts’ on migration, were also identified as key threats stemming from climate change.”
The Independent has been gratifyingly lachrymose over the state of the planet (Won’t somebody think of the polar bears!). When not weeping bitter tears for our furry friends, the Indy is berating The Greater Good for their waste and profligacy, and their gambling with the futures of generations as yet unborn:
The Independent: Waste and hot air as MPs fail green audit
MPs are renowned for emitting hot air in the Commons. But when it comes to conserving energy, their record is feeble. A green audit of the Palace of Westminster has found MPs’ performance on recycling, waste disposal and cutting electricity use fails totally to live up to their rhetoric on the environment.
Lights are left blazing; computers and radiators remain on, and free underground parking and petrol subsidies encourage MPs to drive. Official figures show that the Houses of Parliament have failed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and are producing 2,000 tons of waste a year.
The bastards! The fact is we’re all doomed. I tells ya. Dooooooooooooomed!
The Independent: Global Warming: Death in the Deep-Freeze
[I]t turns out that the impact of global warming could be worse than we first imagined. Ice sheets are mostly frozen water, but during the freezing process they can also incorporate organisms such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. Some scientists believe that climate change could unleash ancient illnesses as ice sheets drip away and bacteria and viruses defrost. Illnesses we thought we had eradicated, like polio, could reappear, while common viruses like human influenza could have a devastating effect if melting glaciers release a bygone strain to which we have no resistance. What is more, new species unknown to science may re-emerge. And it is not just humans who are at risk: animals, plants and marine creatures could also suffer as ancient microbes thaw out.
And what about the Government? There doesn’t seem to be much joined up thinking on the matter, I’m afraid.
The Independent: Revealed: The real cost of air travel
Bizarrely, the Government is facing in two directions at once. In the 2003 energy White Paper, it committed itself to tackling climate change and announced its 60 per cent CO2 target. But in the aviation White Paper later that year, it promised to facilitate the expected mass increase in air traffic, if necessary by providing several new runways to cope with increased demand
There is no sign of the two positions being reconciled by Tony Blair.
So that’s it then. If me and my kids aren’t eaten by a migrating polar bear we’re going to die twitching and gasping from some prehistoric super bug. Our leaders don’t care and we only have the Independent to fight our corner. Depressed? Need cheering up? Never mind! How about a cheap flight to New York? Treat yourself. Go on. Eat, drink and be merry.
The Independent: Win return flights to New York for £10 (including tax)
The Independent and Independent on Sunday have teamed up with American Airlines to offer readers the chance to fly to New York for only £10 return, including tax. 140 pairs of return tickets can be won.
…
PLUS: A fantastic 2 for 1 flight offer to New York for every reader.
American Airlines are offering Independent reader’s return flights to New York for only £488 for two people (inc. taxes & charges). To book your flights simply call 0845 606 0462 and quote ‘The Independent’ offer. For more details please see the terms and conditions or call the booking line.
Our environmental correspondent writes:
Bizarrely, the Independent is facing in two directions at once. In the 2005 news stories, it committed itself to reporting climate change. But in the paper later that year, it promised to facilitate the expected mass increase in air traffic, if necessary by providing several new cheap flight deals to cope with increased demand
There is no sign of the two positions being reconciled by The Independent.
Still, cheap air travel, eh? Salve of the everyday care and the eschatological malaise. Spend your children’s inheritance. Leaving a legacy is so last generation. Kids should stand on their own feet these days and not rely on handouts from Mummy and Daddy.
Get me a bottle of vodka on your way back, would you?
(The links to the Independent stories are on third party sites as the Indy likes to archive its electronic fish and chip paper behind a subscription wall after a few days.)
Posted on October 25th, 2005 at 9:10am under Uncategorized
| Related posts... • Saving the planet one cheap flight at a time • More joined up thinking from the independent • But then a thought hits me |
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• 3 Comments |
I recall that great pro-environment campaigner Sting (surely you should drop nicknames like this once you’re past fifty?) being more than happy to celebrate the last voyage of that wonderfully clean and eco-friendly air vehicle Concorde, by joining other celebs for a free flight across the Atlantic.
I feel reassured about the future of the world knowing such compassionate souls are guarding it.
And there was his advertising campaign for Jaguar cars. That was edifying.
[...] I’ve previously mentioned the Independent’s policy of balancing “we’re destroying the planet” headlines with “have a cheap flight” offers, but the feckless juxtapostion on this morning’s front page is crass even for them. (Click the image for a closer look) Isn’t it a demonstration that, really, they couldn’t care less? [...]