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Surge in figures not adding up
Sustainability has become one of the hot topics of the decade. A word bandied about by world leaders that rolls a multitude of green issues into one.
Experts tell us we are consuming natural resources at a rate that can not be maintained. The need to find alternatives has never been greater. Sustainability means we must change.
In the meantime the population of Calderdale will, over the next 17 years, rise by 19 per cent to 238,000. The figure is pro rata to the expected surge in Yorkshire as a whole from 5.14 to 6.1 million.
This will in part be because people are living longer and in part be through immigration.
Whatever the reasons, it poses a number of serious questions. Housing for instance. Where will these extra people live? And roads? Transport routes are fit to busting. And what about health and social services?
A larger population will still be entitled to benefits and healthcare. So where will all the money come from?
These figures emanate from the Office for National Statistics and are being treated with the utmost concern by Calderdale Council.
Among a wide number of measures it might take is to allow development of green belt land to keep up with the demand for housing.
So how does this fit with the vision of sustainability? The answer is, it does not. And anyone with a calculator and a pair of eyes must realise that.
Standards of care are already at breaking point and it is hard to see a viable solution, especially in densely populated areas like Calderdale. Nevertheless one must be found.
Sustainability is a double edged sword and it seems perverse that the great strides being made on one side of the battle are in danger of being destroyed by the other.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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