Councillors: Eco-agenda a waste of time
Councillors have attacked efforts to tackle climate change – and questioned if people in Lincolnshire can really make any difference to global warming.
Conservative Moorland councillor Oliver Peeke said that in years to come, people would look back and realise that carbon management was "a waste of resources" and that the current eco-agenda had been "created by an industry just to make money".
"I think it's very important to question the basis of climate change as it's an issue that isn't discussed enough," he told a full council meeting.
"I believe these things always happen and always will – so we should be concentrating on delivering local services on the ground, rather than worrying about climate change.
"But as an authority, we're under the cosh and have to follow the trends."
Birchwood Conservative Eddie Strengiel said there was "no point" in turning off lights, or looking to reduce the areas carbon footprint if places like London, Las Vegas and Hong Kong were not making similar efforts.
"Don't bully us," he said. "Bully the people outside Lincoln."
Their comments came in response to a City of Lincoln Council report, written by sustainability advocate Councillor Yvonne Bodger.
Lincoln Friends of the Earth campaigner Valerie Wilkinson said it wasn't surprising that some people were extolling an anti-climate change view.
"Of course not everyone in Lincoln believes in climate change," she said. "It's too inconvenient.
"It's difficult to backpedal as people have become used to having everything – we've become spoilt.
"Other great civilisations have perished over the years and ours could be no different – but we have an opportunity to change our ways and think more sensibly."
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by Roger, Leicestershire
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:37AM
“I am delighted to see some common sense in the climate debate. I especially commend Cllr Oliver Peeke for his courage in attacking the Warmist agenda. We face a situation like the Emporer's clothes. More and more people can see that climate alarmism is nonsense, but no one is allowed to say so, and public figures are vilified if they challenge the so-called consensus. But the consensus is rapidly falling apart, as more and more scientists are emboldened to come out of the woodwork and point out that recent small changes in average global temperatures are simply part of well-established, long-term natural climate cycles.”
by Roger Helmer MEP, Leicestershire
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:37AM
“I am delighted to see some common sense in the climate debate. I especially commend Cllr Oliver Peeke for his courage in attacking the Warmist agenda. We face a situation like the Emporer's clothes. More and more people can see that climate alarmism is nonsense, but no one is allowed to say so, and public figures are vilified if they challenge the so-called consensus. But the consensus is rapidly falling apart, as more and more scientists are emboldened to come out of the woodwork and point out that recent small changes in average global temperatures are simply part of well-established, long-term natural climate cycles.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 9:42AM
“Tell me, do you ever tire of telling people what to do, Kevin? It seems that every time I visit this website, you're banging on about how everyone should live according to your eco-socialist principles.
Well, let's see just how dedicated to this premise you are, shall we?
I am willing to invest some of my money in setting up a low-carbon, sustainable public transport company called Sneer's Sedan Chairs. It will, as the name suggests, provide a fleet of sedan chairs that can be hired by the public. The chairs will be built from sustainable wood and because they will be carried by humans on public footpaths, they will help ease both congestion on the roads and pollution.
I'm sure you will agree this is the sort of green initiative we should be investing in, right?
But here's the kicker: for me to set this up, YOU must agree to give up your cushy council job and come and work for me, full time, for at least a year.
Naturally, I won't insult your social conscience by offering to pay you any more than the minimum wage.
So what do you say, Kevin? Do we have a deal? After all, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem - that's the mantra, isn't it?”
by Kevin, Lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 6:07PM
“"What absolutely amazes me is the number of councillors and council employees, both City and County, that drive to work on their own when car sharing could be considered or even public transport"
As a council employee, I'm afraid this is true. Many of my colleagues, who are desk-bound office workers, still insist on driving to work every day even when they live in Lincoln's suburbs and could easily get a bus. Also, the Council hand out "essential car user" status like smarties...”
by Kevin, Lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 6:03PM
“Whether the great scientific minds of the Lincoln Conservatives believe in climate change or not - the fact is that the earth's natural resources are running out. So, regardless of concerns over CO2, it makes sense to try to use less energy.”
by John, Lincolnshire
Monday, March 01 2010, 4:27PM
“It is a great comfort to know we have Consevative Councillors on the city council whose intelectual capacity is greater than that of most of the world's leading scientists.
Well done Oliver Peeke - what a champion ostritch.”
by Steve, Lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 3:55PM
“When all the shops in and around town start turning all their lights off at night, and the amount of street lighting on industrial estates is reduced after 1900hrs, then I'll take this energy saving a bit more seriously.”
by I_dunno, Lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 2:33PM
“Whether you agree with climate change or not, surely it makes sense to reduce costs and pollution by turning lights off, reducing travel etc etc. As for the attitude of no-one else seems to be bothering so why should we, that can apply to anything in life. You do things because you feel it is the right thing to do, not because others are doing the same. That attitude smacks of a person with no intellect, or ability to have original thought. Is the council full of brainless sheep?”
by Tutting loudly, lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 1:50PM
“'What absolutely amazes me is the number of councillors and council employees, both City and County that drive to work on their own when car sharing could be considered or even public transport.' REALLY? And this opinion is made up from what research and facts?? I think you'll find that a good majority of County Council employees are not only registered on Lincoln's car sharing websites, but actually do car share everyday with colleagues, friends and others whom work accross lincoln that are not council employees.”
by John, Lincoln
Monday, March 01 2010, 1:10PM
“I haven't done as much research as your, I would imagine that is true. However that the majority of scientists believe that there is climatic change is enough for me. Their job is to do this on my behalf. If the head of science at Oxford University says it's happening then I¿ll go with that. I don't profess to be an expert of climatic studies and my qualifications lie in a different area of science. That people aren't qualified in the area, and I am not directing this at you but the councillors above, doesn't stop them arguing against climate change. However I am happy to accept I don't know the first thing about how to programme a climatic model, let alone critique someone else's efforts.”