I just heard the announcement that the government is to give the go-ahead for the third runway at Heathrow. Apparently, this is meant to deliver that longed-for but elusive prize: economic growth.
Now, I don’t necessarily have a problem with economic growth and, though it might come as a surprise, neither do I have a problem with air travel. And while I’m at it, I might as well throw in nuclear power as another thing I have recently changed my mind about. Surprisingly, this shift in thinking is driven by the worsening climate crisis.
You see, I can’t see people being prepared to relinquish the opportunity to fly—at least not until it’s far too late for it to make any difference. No, instead, I believe it is absolutely vital to set about producing carbon-neutral aviation fuel—a goal that is extremely difficult to achieve at scale but entirely realistic, provided we commit to it with the urgency normally associated with times of war.
Similar herculean efforts will be necessary in the fields of energy generation, agriculture, and steel production. The sooner we come to terms with this, the better.
So, I’m not much bothered about the third runway either way. In fact, the whole business reminds me of something I remember reading about years ago—cargo cults.
Cargo cults developed in the Melanesian islands shortly after the end of World War II, in response to the experience of seeing large quantities of food, clothing, weapons, and other supplies delivered by air to the various warring parties. With the cessation of hostilities, the islanders resorted to a form of sympathetic magic, cutting landing strips out of the jungle, building control towers, and equipping themselves with wooden headphones—all in the hope of attracting planes to land.
Of course, it’s undoubtedly true that the construction of a third runway at Heathrow will create a huge number of jobs, but listening to ministers extolling its longer-term benefits, I can’t shake the feeling that they are hoping to attract passing high-net-worth entrepreneurs, oligarchs, and suchlike to land and build their nests here.
Instead of carving out yet another landing strip in the hope of luring investors, I’d rather the government invested in the inventiveness and creativity we so often claim as our national strength.
Great image….I’m picturing poor old Rachel Reeves sitting in her control tower with pretend headphones just hoping for the best!
Sadly (for her) she’ll be long gone, and the crisis long solved ( or not) by the time the third runway lands its first investor.
Agree (thanks for the response) …
The logic of your argument is probably impeccable. We’ve got to stop something though, because it’s disastrous going on as it is getting ever bigger. I think having stopped to halt airport expansion, we should stop sending our climate protesters into long prison sentences. The United Nations special rapporteur on climate activism says the UK is over the top in reaction to legitimate peaceful protest.
We could also stop issuing licences for North Sea drilling etc. We could also increase the tax on petrol to the point where it restarts the public sector to look after poor people.
For sure we should stop sending climate protesters to prison (one of our close friends is amongst them). I think it is shameful.
But, in general, I would prefer to see us start doing things rather than stopping them. Things like trying to provide, energy efficient homes etc.
(flippant comment warning)
Wooden headphones might well match the Starmer/Reeves’ delivery style, but surely won’t work with the tin ears?
I think we need to talk about growth! How much growth (both economic and populous) can the country or indeed the world cope with before things burst? Perhaps they are already bursting eg climate change. We need politicians to express ideas about how to reduce consumption and limit the overuse of world resources in a world with a stable population. Growth mostly feeds wealthy investors, that is why it is so important to mainstream economics.