Green realism
From George Monbiot Sir: I realised long ago that we environmentalists cannot win. When we draw attention to the problem, we are told we are doommongers who refuse to accept that markets and human ingenuity can solve any difficulties caused by the overuse of resources. When we propose solutions, we are accused of being utopians who refuse to accept that nothing can be done.
In reviewing my book Heat (Books, 14 October) Tom Fort agrees that the changes I propose are necessary to prevent runaway climate change, but claims there is no chance they will be adopted. He sees bus lanes on motorways, offshore wind farms and stronger building regulations as the stuff of science fiction. To me, they seem rather mundane.
Mr Fort appears to believe that governments are incapable of pursuing policies that are costly, contentious and technologically demanding. So how does he explain the Iraq war?
George Monbiot Oxford
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