The Action-Rhetoric Chasm

A new survey by the Energy Saving Trust on personal action to tackle climate change (or rather, the lack thereof):

"Two-fifths of Britons are doing nothing to cut energy use, although 80% believe climate change is affecting the UK, a report has suggested.

"Only 4% of people went on holiday without flying, although 32% said they would consider it, the Energy Saving Trust's Green Barometer report showed. The study suggested tougher measures such as road tolls and carbon rationing were also unpopular.

"Researchers interviewed 1,192 households in February this year. About 75% of people in the UK feel a growing pressure to change the way they live in order to reduce the impact of climate change, the report claimed. Trying to be 'green' is regarded as a virtuous quality by 70% and reducing home energy is considered as virtuous as donating to charity, figures suggest. But only 34% thought green taxes were socially acceptable, while the figure fell to 30% for road pricing and 28% for carbon rationing.

"Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: "There's lots of talk by politicians, industry and the media about environmental issues. For the first time the Green Barometer gives the public a voice in this debate."

"He added: "There's an enormous willingness to take on the environmental challenge, let's make the most of this window of opportunity to make a real difference. There are simple actions we can all do in the home to help reduce the amount of energy we use."

"The Energy Saving Trust said its Green Barometer report was the first national index of public opinion on green issues. These views will be tracked on a quarterly basis."

Coming hot on the heels of the latest figures last week showing that 2006 UK carbon emissions rose by a provisional 1.25%, this is cause for a moment's reflection. Government policy action and leadership at the national level needs to be married with the impetus to take personal action within our daily lives.

The introduction of the smoking ban today has lead me to think that 50 years ago, to think of banning smoking or for smoking to have the social mark of disapproval that it does today would be unthinkable; we don't have 50 years to see the same with carbon-wastefulness and personal behaviour, but hey, I remain optimistic that we can do it!