While no one can deny that noble cause these dedicated Environments are fighting for is one of the most important issues of the 21st century confronting humanity. But their tactics, to block roads and bridges, tube stations or Heathrow airport, are inappropriate; as it causes so much frustration and hardships to ordinary people who wholehearted support them.
Quoting experience of one of our elderly friends who was on his way to see hospital Consultant in the city, was trapped in traffic. Although he left early, giving an hour of extra time than normal, he missed his appointment, as he was an hour late. Moreover his black cab cost him a fortune, as such cabs run on meter.
We all know how difficult it is to see specialist, missed appointment is black mark on his record, although in his case, hospital made an allowance and gave him new appointment within four weeks which normally takes at least three months.
There are many other ways to make sensible protest. By blocking roads and bridges, making people late for work, missing hospital appointments, flights and trains is sure way to alienating normal working people whose support they badly need. Peaceful protest outside parliament, starting online petition, signed by a million people and writing to their MPs in droves is one way, especially targeting, persuading MPs who may not be sympathy to their cause.
Another, sensible way is to set good example. We all know that plants and trees play major part in reducing pollution, that is why trees are planted on both sides of motorways, as well as on school boundaries facing busy roads. Their target should be to plant at least one million trees in England annually. Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland could set their own targets. Such a scheme will turn our beloved nation into one of the greenest places on earth, challenging Canada and America where trees are deeply revered.
The third front should be to generate green energy. Being an island nation, we do not have long, powerful rivers like Amazon, Mississippi, Ganges, Narbada and Nile, a few among many rivers that could provide cheap hydro-electric power. But our coastlines are blessed with tidal waves and strong winds that could generate clean energy, using wind turbines in shallow coastal waters, as well as Scottish highlands, most suitable for locating wind-turbines.
All above measures, along with making our homes energy efficient, motor vehicles electric, is better way to save planet than causing hardships to ordinary people living on breadline, especially those on zero hour contract who would lose a day’s wage!
Kumudini Valambia
By email
