The former Mayor Of London, Ken Livingstone, has had a colorful professional life. His main objective is making London a green city. By making efficient use of natural resources and energy, respecting the natural world and wildlife, using to the full the varied pattern of open space, eco-friendly design and construction methods, recycling waste and creating new ‘green’ industries. Here are some from many Livingstone’s contribution for London:
Land: One of the most popular action taken by Livingstone is ‘The Congestion Charge’. In order to reduce congestion and air pollution in very the centre of London, all privately owned vehicles have to pay a levy when crossing a cordon. None can escape as the cordon is under 24 hour CCTV surveillance. Next, The Low Emission Zone. This covers all 600 square miles of Greater London and is designed to bring down vehicle-produced air pollution. Older diesel powered vehicles, such as lorries, coaches and minibuses have to be below specific emissions levels to operate within the zone. The Green Homes Program, part of the city’s Climate Change Action Plan, focused upon upgrading the 60% of the city’s housing stock built before 1945. Links up to the commitment to cut the city’s carbon emissions by 60% by 2025 and the Urban Heat Island, which shows the city is nearly 10 degrees centigrade warmer than the surrounding countryside. For the public transport, he will introduce 500 hybrid fuel buses, whose diesel engine–battery combo should cut carbon emissions by up to 40%. Hybrid black cabs are also on the agenda. Livingstone will continue to fight road pollution, with a £25 ‘gas guzzler’ charge for high-carbon-emitting cars and an exemption for ‘green’ cars in central London.
Energy : The London Hydrogen Partnership, launched in 2002 this is a far reaching scheme to ensure London has a viable infrastructure for hydrogen and fuel cell technology in the future. Current projects include introducing the technology into all of London’s schools; while the city’s first wholly hydrogen powered theatre has recently opened. Biodiversity Strategy, launched in 2002 the strategy contains 14 policies and over 70 proposals. It places a statutory obligation to promote biodiversity upon the city’s 32 boroughs and 7m residents. New buildings will be required to install energy generation equipment and meet 20% of their energy needs with renewable energy, while all of Transport for London’s traffic lights will be replaced with low-energy LED lights.
Water :The most heard issue is about a joint public information campaign with Thames Water. The company was proposing a plans for a £200million desalination plant at Beckton. While Livingstone thinking is to call on Thames Water to improve its record on fixing water leaks instead of building an energy guzzling desalination plant, which will increase London’s contribution to climate change. If Thames Water fixes leaks, reduces the demand for water through water saving devices and further educates customers about water conservation there would be no need to build a desalination plant. Furthermore a campaign will feature radio and newspaper adverts highlighting the volume of water wasted around the home and in the garden.
Mr Livingstone is calling on all Londoners to be aware of how they use water, the small changes can make a big impact.
