Britains diesel scandal

[Lancpudn]

There's an interesting program coming on channel 4 'Dispatches' titled 'Britain's diesel scandal' 8:00pm Monday.
I'm making a reminder before I forget about it.

[rrobson]

I won't be, I'm sick to death of hearing about it all tbh...

[Darcydog]

It is rather done to death - we all know that diesels were never a good idea for our town centres and inner cities but the Climate Change Alarmists had the ear of Governments and common sense went out the window.

The REAL data was there about the dangers of particulates and NOx. - Manufacturers were experimenting with CNG as one option and LPG had a growing distribution network and subsidised conversion via the Powershift Scheme.

I really hope the programme looks at how zealots managed to corrupt the scientific process to suit their own agenda.

I doubt it will but I do live in hope. So far the those that are really responsible for the debacle have managed to wriggle away from responsibility by blaming Governments and the manufacturers.

Governments certainly changed the tax incentives to make diesels more attractive - and manufacturers simply made the product people wanted. Many people no doubt thought they were helping to save the planet and now feel monumentaly betrayed.

Their cars resale value has plummeted

From my perspective - the only good thing that comes out of this is that Governments are now wise to the Snake Oil Salesmen.

[SCP440]

I popped down to the local car auction this week, I have not been for a few months and the biggest thing I noticed was the amount of Diesels being put through. A lot were struggling to even get a bid. Even the high end stuff was struggling, to see 2 year old Mercs and Audi's struggling to sell at 1/3 of what they cost new was odd.

Petrol stock even in rough and/or high mileage was fetching crazy prices. £1000 for an 03 plate Fiesta seems crazy to me but that is what they were paying.

[AndyN01]

Which makes buying a diesel actually quite attractive.......

Lots and Lots of car for very few £££££££'s

Now where else have I heard that .

Isn't it something like 80% of the pollution caused to the planet is created by simply making the thing?

Oh the power of the media and the smoke and mirrors of politicians........

Andy.

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by AndyN01

Which makes buying a diesel actually quite attractive.......

Lots and Lots of car for very few £££££££'s

Now where else have I heard that .

Isn't it something like 80% of the pollution caused to the planet is created by simply making the thing?

Oh the power of the media and the smoke and mirrors of politicians........

Andy.

Certainly I would be interested in a good car for less money!

And yes - I think you are correct - the vast majority of total emissions are from manufacture and of course transporting the components back and forth - as well as the transport of the finished item to its designated marketplace.

One thing that has come out of the Trade Talks with Europe (trying not to mention the ‘B’ word - I did it once but I think I got away with it!!) was just how many times components travel back and forth in the manufacturing process.

The “emissions” caused by this transporting process must be immense. Surely it has to be better to keep our older cars on the road than tax them off it so we buy a new one?

As regards “Politicians” - I certainly agree with your sentiment - I would add tho’ that whilst some Politicians - Edd Milliband in particular - was an out and out zealot when he was Minister for Energy and Climate Change - other Politicians from all parties were swept along by the hype and the spin.

To their credit - they now take a more sensible and pragmatic approach.

[Number 6]

Once again it is the minority who inflict their views onto the majority by shouting the loudest......

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by Number 6

Once again it is the minority who inflict their views onto the majority by shouting the loudest......

Indeed. Their other favourite tactic is linking any disagreement with their views to horrendous events.

The term “Denier” - with all its Holocaust association is a typical example.

Another extreme one I have seen is:-

“Do you agree that it is the third world that suffers from floods?”

“Well yes - that is certainly true” is the sensible reply.

To which an alarmist replied “Well that means you are a racist because floods are caused by Climate Change and you obviously don’t care about people in the third world!”

Stopping debate by such antics is sadly quite normal tactics for some.

[rustymotor]

There's me thinking it was cows farting that was the main source of pollution and as it takes 15,114 litres of water to produce 1kg of beef

[topman]

Originally Posted by Darcydog

And yes - I think you are correct - the vast majority of total emissions are from manufacture and of course transporting the components back and forth - as well as the transport of the finished item to its designated marketplace.

Very difficult to get an exact number. figures vary from 90-10%, take your pick I guess.