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This information sheet is based on a shortened version of a report by the Church and Nation
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Committee of the Church of Scotland to the General Assembly 1998
The Problem
Of all the causes of environmental damage, the fastest growing are the exhaust emissions from our cars, lorries and aircraft - producing the main greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions - a cocktail of gases and particulates which has returned urban pollution to levels we thought we had left behind. Not only does this damage the urban and rural environment, but it is strongly suspected that this pollution has led to the increase in respiratory disease in the UK, especially in children. What's more, road accidents still account for some 4000 deaths and 350,000 serious injuries each year. Increased use of private vehicles has led to reduced demand for public transport and so less provision. And then there's the vast economic penalty to the nation from lost working hours due to respiratory disease, injury and traffic congestion.
Central Government has so far failed to introduce sufficient national measures to address these problems. Increases in fuel taxation and vehicle excise licences have not made a real impression on the car population, and penalise residents in rural areas, where the car may be the only available means of transport. Such people already bear markedly higher fuel costs - in the remote parts of the Highlands and Islands petrol costs as much as 10p per litre more than in central Scotland.
Central Government
The Road Traffic Reduction Act of 1997 was the first of its kind and is a hopeful development. It required local authorities to draw up reports on traffic levels in their area and set targets to reduce them. This is merely a first step in addressing the problem; national targets have still to be set. It has been estimated that fuel costs would need almost to treble before the targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions were attained. Such an increase would be an excessive burden to rural areas. So a differential approach, sensitive to the needs of rural areas is essential, but it must still aim to secure alternative systems of transport.
Local Government
Some enlightened City Authorities are investigating methods of reducing inner city traffic by methods which do not penalise the rural population. Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Leicester, Bremen and Oslo are examples of cities employing techniques such as car clubs, car-free areas, cycle routes, bus lanes and enhanced public transport. Freiburg and Stuttgart are examples of the many European cities where investment has been made in trams for a cleaner, quieter urban environment.
What Can we do in the Church about Car use?
Through our worship and reflection, we are challenged as Christians to reorder our lives and priorities. Church members should undertake to use personal vehicles less; walk, cycle or use public transport when possible; even consider a "car-free Sunday". Commuting members might explore sharing vehicles on a rota basis. Consider making greater use of the vehicle pollution reporting system when a bus, lorry or taxi belches out black exhaust fumes at pushchair level. And support local authorities in taking initiatives to encourage environmental transport practices.
Kirk Sessions can do a number of things to help congregations to make a contribution to longer-term solutions. Not least they can stimulate debate and reflection in the Church on transport issues, and do an environmental audit of the church's activities. Governments find it very difficult to transfer resources to dealing with long-term problems unless they see considerable and obvious support for the issue. Kirk Sessions could ensure our congregations are well informed.
Some environmental groups have briefing papers and can advise on monitoring equipment. Christian literature is also available, for example from the SRT Project. Congregations might consider regularly writing to Government Ministers, their local MPs, MEPs and councillors, encouraging them when they make positive statements or take action promoting environmentally sustainable transport. Encouragement is an extremely valuable political tool.
Individuals and groups within the congregation might join environmental organisations which keep up pressure on Government and other institutions in our society on environmental matters. But whatever measures are implemented by government at national or local level, Christians cannot escape personal and collective responsibility for the stewardship and love of God's creation.
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