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[Wheaters]

I have also read that although CO2 levels are rising, they are rising from what were dangerously low levels.

Yes, I hate it when my beer goes flat.

[Wheaters]

I understand the probable outrage that would follow a decision to take internal combustion engines off the road. But what climate advantage would there be if they were left on the road and run together with the (highly polluting) electric versions?

If climate protection is the aim (wise or unwise) then internal combustion engines must come off the road. That has to be the logic (false or otherwise) of the climate lobby.

The problem we face is too many people, coupled with the effects of meat production.

The only logical answer is cannibalism.

[Adrian]

You can of course add the climate activists' pathological hatred of coal-burning to the mix, even though there are ways to make it much cleaner. Preserved railways are not currently targeted by any impending UK legislation, but with the loss of deep mining and the last UK opencast coal extraction due to end soon, also the looming ban on domestic coal-burning, their costs will dramatically rise when they can only use imported coal.

A.

[singleminded]

As has already been alluded to, the world's greatest problem is population growth.

All economic and social decisions made by governments and big business are based on the principle that populations (aka consumers) will increase in number, presumably without end.

Back to transport, just consider HS2 or the proposed rail developments 'needed' for the future of the 'Northern Powerhouse.'
These rail 'improvements' are to enable more trains to run, at higher speeds, to deliver more people from A to B and back again. These trains are destined to be powered by the endless electricity provided by magicians who are adept at other such feats, like plaiting soot, for instance.

If we want to work in city A, we should live there. If we want to live in city B, we should get a job there. The need for commuting is removed overnight.

The only people who will benefit from all this are the financiers, owners/boards of infrastructure companies and the suppliers of energy. They all have a vested interest in increasing the unnecessary movement of people - every additional commuter means more profit for them.
Each new commuter, however, basically increases the effective length of their working day, thereby increasing stress levels, strain on family relationships etc.

And, of course, more people being born to become the commuters of the future is just what the financiers and big business need.

No wonder we will all be legislated off the roads before long.

[Duke of Wybourne.]

I dare say there would have been those that would miss the clatter of horse's hooves on cobbles, and towards the end of the 19th century one of the big concerns was what to do with the ever increasing amount of horse dung. Things change, and the new generation soon forget what the old one lived for. By the time the internal combustion engine is eradicated I won't be here to bother about it. Personally I think it's up to the next generation to decide how they want to go forward. If you want noise in your electric bike, there's always a solution.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_D4reewr9Cc

[Presto]

Not at all sure that the problem is population. Less than 6% of the earth’s surface is inhabited, with half the world’s population on just 1% of its surface. The problem isn’t population but greed.

And meat production? Whose vested interest is promoting that one? Is not the supply chain the bigger emitter, not meat production as such?

Adrian refers to the demise of coal burning – at least in the UK, no evidence of that in the vast majority of other countries! But more concerning is the prohibition on wood burning for home heating! Excellent news for investors in the monstrosities of wind-turbines. Anyone know the stats for the CO2 emitted in the construction and subsequent dismemberment of those atrocities?!

All these trends without exception will heavily disadvantage the poor in terms of fuel costs, transport, food, housing and employment. Ah well. Nothing new there! And we’ve yet to get any idea of what it’ll all mean for the likes of India – and our favourite motorcycle maker! Has there been any hint that Enfield are researching electric motors?

[stinkwheel]

Yes. If only there was some sort of well proven and highly flexible motorcycle chassis design with a separate transmission that virtually any rotating motor can be plumbed into with an appropriate set of engine plates and a drive sprocket...

[Adrian]

Yes, I eagerly await the first multi hamster-wheel powered Bullet with droppings-catching tray to facilitate later methane recovery. 4 or 5 speed box for that sort of power?

A.

[singleminded]

'Not at all sure that the problem is population. Less than 6% of the earth’s surface is inhabited, with half the world’s population on just 1% of its surface.'

It is of more relevance if the uninhabitable areas are removed from the calculation.

[Presto]

Uninhabitable earth surface? Approx 50%.

Which still leaves more than enough for all. And much of that 50% could be made habitable with less ingenuity then it’ll take to fix climate change the way it's now being tried.