We all want our economy to grow, but at what cost?
One reader on MetroTalk wonders if climate change fits into the discussion of growing the economy.
Meanwhile, it’s an alternative to building in the greenbelt staring us right in the face? And after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, what happened to make him admit America’s gun problem?
Share your thoughts on these topics and more in the comments.
We need to think more about water
Furthermore, P Munden urged us to reduce our water usage (MetroTalk, Friday).
We don’t think about how we spend our resources. And we see this thoughtlessness in major infrastructure proposals that almost always lead to environmental damage.
There is ‘good’ growth, which supports the local economy, local employment, local food grown on local farmland, building local houses for local people, increasing the skills of local residents, local autonomy, restoration/adaptation of existing buildings, and reduce. had to travel long distances for work and supplies.
Contrast this with ‘bad’ growth, which strips away environmental protection so that big business more or less takes over the local area for its own economic benefit in exchange for indifferent jobs, freedom from paying local taxes, indifferent building (almost broken) houses, schools and hospitals and other infrastructure. All dedicated to intensifying the current economic model that has brought us to the edge of climate collapse.
In all the talk about the rush for ‘growth’, we haven’t heard a single word about climate change and the need to protect the land that guarantees our domestic food supply. Peter Thompson, Altrincham
METRO TALK – WHAT?
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Maybe we shouldn’t build on the greenbelt?
Building in the green belt – as proposed by Labor – may not be needed. There is a lot of unused land in major cities and suburbs. The problem is, everywhere in this land there are vacant properties, mainly empty shops.
Maybe the council could be asked to identify those properties that are suitable for demolition and the land used to build affordable three-storey apartments and multi-storey houses, hopefully not far from workplaces, so transport costs are lower. Irene, Liverpool
GGT (MetroTalk, Friday) is right in saying there is another problem than the green belt holding the house.
It’s basically an affordability issue and that’s why Barratt Homes will be building fewer homes next year than last.
I’m not a Nimby, I’m surrounded by housing, but I’m an environmentalist and Labour’s plan to build in a beautiful countryside that’s not in my backyard worries me.
It’s not just the house – I’ve walked through many majestic highlands and the thought of being destroyed by wind turbines is very worrying.
It is said that housing is needed in central London, so let’s see Labor build a park there. Hampstead Heath, near Sir Keir Starmer’s home, could hold thousands of homes.
And guess who objected to the 1,500 house project in the constituency by 2021?
A Tory MP in the shires? Err no, Labor MP in London – Matthew Pennycook, the new housing minister! John Daniels, Redhill
Sir Keir Starmer and his staff say not enough homes are being built in the South East. Are they laughing?
In north-west Kent, from Dartford to Gravesend, thousands of homes have been built. In and around Dartford there are thousands of flats and houses, in the belt between Bluewater and Northfleet, thousands more, also between Greenhithe and Swanscombe Peninsula. There are 700 opposite Darent Valley Hospital and more in every nook and cranny in between.
So, before they rebuild in this area, look north. Den, Dartford
The last time Labor came to power, the environment secretary, John Prescott, overruled the borough’s planners and allowed so-called ‘developers’ to build housing estates in a riverside parkland in the heart of Colchester.
A path of much-loved and blossoming cherry trees fell victim to an inexplicable decision. John Tavner, Dedham
Julian Self (MetroTalk, Fri) blames Thames Water’s debt-piling problems on a culture of rewarding apathy and incompetence at the top.
Of course, bringing a company to the brink of bankruptcy by paying high dividends and excess remuneration from unquantifiable profits is fraudulent trading.
If that is the case, those responsible should be sentenced to prison. Sorry, not enough prison cells. Martin Grossman, Hackney
Will gun laws finally change?
Will the assassination attempt of Donald Trump (Metro, Mon) see Republicans and the National Rifle Association finally agree to more gun control laws?
Trump himself has claimed this kind of shooting is not a ‘gun problem’.
If this shooting isn’t enough to make these people reconsider, it will show they consider human life second only to the money they make from selling guns.
Matthew, Birmingham
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