CARBON emissions are responsible for 10 deaths a year in Guernsey. Environment minister David De Lisle has based this claim on UK data.
He was responding to resurrected proposals by driving instructor Peter Derham to limit when people can drive in a bid to cut pollution.
Deputy De Lisle has written to Mr Derham after receiving his discussion document.
‘I’ve said we will consider his proposal within the board when we’re dealing with the whole problem of carbon emissions and global warming,’ said Deputy De Lisle.
Reducing the island’s carbon footprint is one of the priorities of the Government Business Plan that will be debated in July.
The impetus means that Environment is moving quickly on the issue, with staff now looking at how Guernsey has changed.
‘The more we can do to reduce vehicle use the better,’ said Deputy De Lisle. 7′We believe that carbon emission pollution is generally taking 10 lives a year in Guernsey. This ‘Mr Derham’s’ is one idea, but our main focus at the moment is getting people on the buses and to use alternative transport modes like cycling and walking.’
A former deputy, Mr Derham sent the paper to all politicians on an issue that he first raised several years ago.
‘This island is in a very advantageous position to become a world-leader in the reduction of carbon emissions,’ said Mr Derham.
‘A method has to be found that is bold, innovative, inexpensive to implement and fair in that it affects everyone and does not disadvantage the less well-off.’
The solution he backed was first raised with him when he was working for the former States Traffic Committee.
Mr Derham estimated that the scheme would reduce traffic by more than 15%.
‘Drivers are generally exceedingly selfish and the car culture is deeply ingrained in most of us,’ said Mr Derham.
‘We all want fewer cars so that the roads are clearer for us to be able to drive without hold-ups. This is why suggestions are made to ban this or that group, such as those of certain age ranges. This is also why suggestions are made about banning certain classes of vehicle, denying freedom of choice.’
He added the appetite for car space was insatiable with almost constant demand over the past 40 years for more parking spaces and better traffic flows. ‘Either the island adapts to accommodate more cars or use of the car is managed,’ he said.
He added that carbon emission in Guernsey needed to be reduced now to benefit future generations.
Article posted on 29th June, 2007 - 12.00am
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