There is a fundamental issue of social justice which the green debate largely ignores. ...the costs of going green will disproportionately affect the relatively poor - the fuel "tax" to pay for higher-cost renewable energy; increased food bills as the push for bio-diesel takes land away from grain production

There is a fundamental issue of social justice which the green debate largely ignores. Just as the richest countries have - in proportion to their population - the biggest global impact in terms of carbon emissions, other pollution and resource depletion, so it is the wealthy within Britain who have the biggest impact. It is a function of their lifestyles, consumption and travel.

Yet the costs of going green will disproportionately affect the relatively poor - the fuel "tax" to pay for higher-cost renewable energy; increased food bills as the push for bio-diesel takes land away from grain production; and most proposed and actual green taxes and levies, eg on flights. The rich cannot lead green lives (in any meaningful and absolute sense) while those in poverty have little planetary impact regardless of whether or not they consciously lead eco-friendly lives. Truly it is the rich who cause the damage and the poor who pay the price.

Web link: http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Greens-in-a-muddl...