Currently there is debate of a ‘rainwater tax’ being levied on, particularly, charity organisations, see below.
United Utilities affects this Blog, being based in the North West of the UK, and whilst not wanting to take a moral or ethical stance, we want to open up the issue.
We have in the West build up infrastructure, including water, that did not take regard of the ‘resource intensity of society’ it created, the knowledge and skills needed to maintain it or the ‘first law of sustainability. http://trailblazerbusinessfutures.wordpress.com/the-one-planet-equation/
Gandhi clearly recognised this when, years before India became independent, he said “If it took Britain the rape of half the world to be where it is now, how many worlds would India need?”
In 2006, the World Watch Institute’s ‘State of the World’ had a Foreword from Sunita Narain in which was written
The case of water management is the same. India and China cannot afford to first become water wasteful and the efficient. They cannot afford to pollute and then clean up. They have to reinvent the water paradigm.”
download Foreword ww-forward-2006-sunita
Individual states are increasingly losing control of infrastructure to transnational utilities who have little regard for the ‘fabric of society’ and their profits are usually based on the historical paradigm of increasing its ‘resource intensity’. Selling more, then building the infrastructure to supply it.
Our challenge is to face the reality of the ‘One Planet Equation’ and invent the new paradigm that Gandhi recognised was necessary all those years ago.
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Synod to debate ‘rainwater tax’
Published Date: 22 January 2009A “RAINWATER tax” which has seen church water bills increase by up to 1,300 per cent is to be debated by the Church of England.A lay member of its General Synod, Martin Dales, has had a private members motion on church water bills accepted for the meeting on February 11.Thousands of protesters have signed a petition on the Downing Street website against what Mr Dales decribes as a “rainwater tax” which has seen church bill increase from £80 to £800.
The bills have increased because some water companies now charge churches the full cost of draining away the rain that falls on to their roofs. In the past the calculation was based on their rateable value, which was often near zero.
Mr Dales said: “It is quite clear that these iniquitous charges for surface-water and highway drainage are causing huge problems for many churches, charities, sports clubs, and scout groups who already face serious financial funding problems due to the economic downturn.
“I am very surprised that the Government has not made an effort to address the situation despite numerous requests and the 40,000 signature petition on the Downing Street website……….
See also
