From James Fenton
You state that improving energy efficiency increases energy demand and that
this “undermines a philosophy that has become an article of faith among
environmentalists”. So what should environmentalists be saying? That we should
be profligate with energy? Turning your argument on its head, presumably by
using energy-inefficient devices we will help counteract global warming, and
also ensure future energy supplies?
I would have thought it self-evident that an unregulated free market has
little concern for the environment. There is little evidence that such a market
has helped species and habitat conservation, for example.
It is the role of government to regulate the free market in a way that
reflects society’s values. Low energy prices obviously encourage profligacy so,
as you yourself argue, energy taxes are inevitable. These could be on a sliding
scale so that each household can use a given amount of energy at a low tax rate,
with rates rising steeply for heavier usage.
Abernyte, Perthshire
