Posted on 02/16/2007 8:21:11 AM PST by qam1
People aged between 50 and 64 have the UK's largest "carbon footprints", according to research.
But they are also the most concerned about climate change, and want the government to do more to tackle global warming, the study says. The report - Greening the Grays - is published by the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York.
The research included analysis of UK residents by age and expenditure, along with surveys and focus groups. Researchers found that people in the 50-64 age group have a carbon footprint of 13.52 tonnes per capita per year, compared with the UK average of 11.81 tonnes.
Carbon intensive activities, such as high car dependence, holidays abroad and eating out, are factors which contribute to the size of their footprint.
"In order to close the gap between concern for climate change and the impact of current lifestyles, the government needs to take action to make a low carbon lifestyle an easier option not just for the over-50s, but for everyone."
But the report adds that the over-50s worry about the climate their grandchildren will inherit, and feel frustrated by what they see as the failure of the government and businesses to tackle the problem adequately.
Dr Gary Haq, researcher on lifestyle and climate change and lead author of the report, said the government should take measures to help everyone in the UK lead a less carbon intensive life, not just the older population.
"The government is essentially pushing at an open door with regard to achieving a change in behaviour in the over-50s and a move to a low..........
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Heh heh...
Well, not the 50-year olds --- they're still being bleed errr... I mean paying taxes. But for those over age 64, it's intolerable that they cause so much destruction while "contributing" so little. This definitely calls for a Green Final Solution.
Oh, for pity's sake. Eating out and carbon footprints. Harumph *snort*
The carbon units are infesting the planet. V'Ger (aka Al Gore) says that the carbon units must be patterned for data storage.
RENEW!
I will put up my carbon footprint aganst any 20 or 30-something any day of the week.
50to64-year-olds are party animals?Give me a break!
But this article raises a fascinating question: who estabishes the "carbon-footprint" budget for every human activity? Who appointed them? Who pays their salary? Do they make stuff up and change things to suit their current ideology?
Inquiring minds...
A "Blast From the Past?"
In the USA we call them the babie boomers right? Hippie freaks.
Proposed "Green" crimes...
The camel has its nose under the tent.
They didn't call it Soylent *GREEN* for nothing!
I was wondering when the first "Logan's Run" reference would show up on this thread.
Like Soylent Green.
Funny the play on words for a movie made so long ago.
Now MANBEARPIG approved........Soylent Green!
This study has one or two holes - as you might expect. For example, old people who heat with electricity generated by nuclear power will have a markedly lower carbon footprints than those who burn coal and wood -- both are distinct possibilities in Yorkshire. Oops coal mining is a major industry in Yorkshire. Let's close down the pits!! No we can't do that because then they will stay home and generate more carbon (see below). Better lets send everybody to the Costa Brava or Florida where the winters are warm, that will produce a clear net carbon saving of immense proportions as long as they don't all go out to eat!! Okay we need the carbon footprints of those who work but spend the winter in Costa Brava/Florida to the second decimal place in tons of carbon. I bet you it's way below 11.81 tonnes!!
Secondly since this research only covered people over 50 - how do they know that the 45-49 year olds are not the real villains? And what about those 42 to 43 year olds? Did you check what 39.5 year olds were doing? This is a pathetic research methodology.
Third, what kind of pronouncement is really warranted without knowing the make-up of the survey population since there is a clear suggestion that those who stay at home are bigger culprits than those who go to work (unless of course they are those nasty enablers who work down the mines). Seems to me that by the logic of this study, cutting unemployment, welfare and OAPs will reduce the carbon footprints of two entire generations.
The whole think is bizarrely stupid, simple-minded and has a real luddite ring about it.
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