Page 7 - Phonebox Magazine August 2007

HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters
Dear Editor
The recent floods are yet another indicator of irreversible climate change. The science of climate change is beyond dispute despite what some people still seem to think. I would urge anyone who harbours any doubts about climate change; do some research! Have a look on the internet or buy a science journal. Read all you can, both for and against. The overwhelming conclusion is that climate change is an urgent, man-made issue that needs our attention. And, while there are a few who claim climate change isn’t a problem or isn't ‘proved’ my belief is that these people either fall into a ‘I won't believe anything until it happens’ category, or (rather more sinister) they are funded by the oil or nuclear industries.
The remedies to climate change are broadly simple. We need to reduce our fossil fuel consumption as much as possible and as soon as possible. And, to do this we need superb public transport, as much recycling as possible (e.g. packaging needs to display indicators that make it much simpler to categorise). We need new taxes on flying, a huge energy efficiency drive and as much renewable technology as we can realistically get.
The only mature renewable technology, at the moment, is wind power. And yet this first fledgling industrial scale technology comes in for a barrage of opposition from the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) brigade. It is a knee- jerk reaction to something new – understandable but hugely obstructive!
For example, the proposed wind farm at Emberton comprising just seven turbines could provide enough electricity for around 9000 homes and save the emission of 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
It is essential that renewable technologies take business from other energy industries after all, the whole point is to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. To do this we need a large national network of wind turbines that can reliably generate a statistically- predictable amount of power – only then can we reach 15~20% reliance on wind power.
So come on folks, we can do it! Don’t let worrying about growth in India or China or downright apathy drag you down. Let’s set an example to the world. Let’s start here and now with a renewable technology revolution.
It's no use saying such schemes are insignificant – because the only way to change things is for us all to play a part – the problem and now the solution lies in the effect of a huge number of individual but collective actions – it's no use hoping someone else will do it for us.
Mark Handford, Emberton
34 High Street, Olney Telephone 01234 711393
O FANTASTIC VALUE Monday to Saturday two-course menu £5.50 (lunch times/evenings) O Food served from 12.00 – 6pm SUNDAYS O NO SMOKING throughout
O HUGE WALLED GARDEN for families
O BARBEQUES Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday days (weather permitting)
~ AUGUST EVENTS ~
25th MANALISHI III Various Bands down-
stairs, Various DJs up-
stairs 7.30pm – 2am
Doors close 12 midnight Bars close 2am
26th KARAOKE
31st RUBICCUBEPARTY
NIGHT
Come multi-coloured leave in one colour!!
Phonebox Magazine 7
New City Photographic Society
New City Photographic Society held its 10th Annual Exhibition at the Methodist Church, Newport Pagnell on Saturday 30th June. The event was well attended, despite the rain. Out of over 120 prints on display the visitors chose 'Mayfly by Water' by Colin Mill as their favourite. The club may be contacted via its website:
www.newcityps.co.uk