Tim Blair's rant "Environmental nonsense gone wild" in the Daily Telegraph today highlights the inability to debate the merits of some sensible environmental initiatives.
As an example. Coles & Woolies removing plastic bags & replacing them with reusable bags isn't a bad thing. Thousands of sea creatures die awful deaths because of plastic bags. If humans were more responsible, perhaps this wouldn't happen. But sadly far too many aren't and that's a problem.
The sticking point for many, will be the 15cents Woolies will charge for the replacement when the current bags as 'free'. But let's not fool ourselves we pay for them anyway it's just not obvious. All things considered, for me with an average of 8 bags per shop that's an extra $1.20. If I reuse 4 times that's 30cents per shop. It won't bankrupt me and if it helps remove bags from waterways and oceans good.
Likewise, reducing car emissions has a lot of merit. But the debate wasn't even allowed to take place!! The mere hint and there was uproar. Car exhaust fumes are a health risk. You only have to look at China to see that. In our own backyard in Sydney exhaust fumes and tunnels is a frequent discussion.
These are just two examples. But regardless, we should be mature enough to have the debate in the absence of emotive diatribe. Not everything should be judged on this ridiculous left, right divide. As adults we really are setting a very bad example. Time we grew up.
