Greta Thunberg writes


and from this morning (22nd Feb 2020)

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There have been heated discussions as to whether calling for "real action" is anything like as important as actually taking that action. While a significant number of people remain who are not taking action and indeed while some are still denying the need, both calling for action and taking that action are important. No comparative - it's not a question of ranking one against the other.

I'm telling you it's happening. And I'm telling you I believe that there's a need to keep calls to act on climate change reaching those who can actually make it happen, and those in positions of power / authority who can prioritise others to make it happen.   Whether you choose to use the information about the event to support it, to keep the heck out of Bristol that day, or to describe it as you have done is your choice.

From a Somerset briefing by their county council, I read "The majority of emissions in Somerset derive from the transport sector – 46.7%, compared to 29.5% from industry and 23.8% from the domestic sector".   I believe it is prudent to reduce those emissions from the transport sector.  Part of that is moving people from less 'clean' modes of transport to more clean ones, and part of the is cleaning up even the modes we're encouraging them to move to.    For sure it's a long way from a fare or delay-repay query, but it's still very much transport - and public transport too - related discussions and actions.   And they are part of what publicity stunts (if you like to call the school strike that) help propel up the agenda.

When you think back, can you imagine 5 years ago Somerset County Council organising a climate changed survey?  Perhaps the antics of groups such as you'll see next Friday have been one string on the bow of what's brought it onto their agenda?

I too would like to see joined-up cleaned-up transport, but at the rate things move, I fear that not only will all glaciers have melted by the time something is done, but new ones will have appeared. Greta Thonburg has done a remarkable job of raising the profile of the issue, and I am sure she will be welcomed with something close to ecstasy in Bristol. Mayor Marvin Rees will surely want his picture taken with her before finishing the order for more diesel vehicles for the council, and the Greens will get a look in. Then those with homes will go back to them, public transport will resume where it left off, and all will be as it was on Thursday.

I hope that the burden of arguably the world's biggest problem won't weigh too heavily on the young woman's shoulders. There are many who will turn out for a rock star but not the supporting acts, and she can't do it all herself. One day, the world will have a serious conversation about what is wrong and what to do about it, following the reignition of the debate that she has caused. In the meantime, we will chase a few targets here and there while business lobbies governments and not much happens. The scale of what needs to be done in this country alone to remove fossil fuels from the energy mix hasn't been realised by very many people yet, and if there is a plan for doing it, I have yet to spot it.

If she wants to know how it should be done, we can always let her take a ride on MetroBust via the opposite side of the New Cut rather than the currently defunct pointless guided bit.

When is she appearing at these events in the worst polluting nation such as Russia and China rather than Britain which is making huge improvement already?

Graham - if you could let me have the corresponding dates for Beijing and Moscow I'd be grateful and I'll make sure I "plan ahead" accordingly.

I plan to be there if only to highlight the inordinate time it takes to do anything, plenty of time to gob about plans but action ....0

Have a good day Tarquin 

What route is she following to get to Bristol from Sweden by train? Is split ticketing available?

Little Greta will be a double benefit; not only will she draw attention to climate change but also she will soften the schools' present financial crisis when head teachers fine the many parents for their high minded offsprings' absences.

OTC

I'm waiting to hear the call for the rejection of constantly, or at least frequently, upgraded new hand held mobile electronic devices by those who make up it's key market.
These are largely produced in countries using carbon heavy means and are made of rare and precious minerals and metals which themselves are mined in an ecologically destructive manner.