Local people want the cost of motoring to go up
| Published: 27th June 2008 17:42 |
A survey has placed Moseley and B13 as already one of the greenest areas of the city.
Nine out of ten residents are concerned about climate change and have already made changes to reduce their carbon footprint, according to the poll conducted by local MP Lynne Jones.
In an area relatively well served by buses, more than half the people responding to the survey agreed that motoring should be made more expensive. More than two-thirds agreed that drivers should pay more for their impact on the environment, once improvements to public transport were implemented.
"The survey shows that people in Moseley have a real commitment to tackling climate change and reducing their carbon footprint," says Lynne Jones MP.
"It is interesting that people feel they would be more inclined to spend money on motoring if other forms of public transport were developed. If more of us use public transport it is better for the environment as it reduces pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses. Given that 40 per cent of UK car journeys are less than three miles, we would substantially reduce our carbon footprint if car owners restricted their car use to essential journeys. Personally, I am a keen cyclist - the best way for the able-bodied to get around congested areas, but most people in Moseley live near regular bus routes too."
The results of the survey were obtained before the recent increases in the price of oil.
Survey on Climate Change - Summary of Main Points
RESPONSE
222 completed surveys were received.
SUSMO
91% of all people who returned the ‘Survey on Climate Change' were concerned about the threat of climate change, of which 59% said they would like to join Susmo.
LIFESYLE CHANGES
89% of respondents said they had made changes to their lifestyles as a result of the threat from climate change.
Over half of all respondent had made changes to their transport habits, in particular, as a result of the threat from climate change. These changes included: cutting down on car use and flights; using public transport more; and walking and cycling more.
29% of all respondents said that they were recycling their household waste in an effort to combat climate change.
REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS
80% of all respondents think that reducing Moseley's carbon emissions is important or very important.
89% of all respondents think that meeting national and international climate change targets is important or very important.
49% of all respondents agree or strongly agree that they would do more to try to stop climate change if other people did too.
81% of all respondents agree or strongly agree that the Government should take a lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law/tax system to change people's behaviour.
TRANSPORT
Motoring
51% of respondents agree or strongly agree that motoring should be made more expensive.
69% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to pay more for motoring if the money raised was used to improve public transport.
Aviation
59% of respondents agree or strongly agree that aviation should be made more expensive.
67% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to pay more for aviation if the money raised was used to provide fast train links.
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
36% of respondents said that the number one thing they would like Birmingham City Council to do to help tackle climate change was to improve public transport in the city.
Full results from the survey can be found here
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