Richard Branson's Environment Pledge

StuartDH · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 08:51 AM

Richard Branson has just pledged $3 billion to develop green fuels and other environmental projects. He's barely got his words out and already some have jumped on him by saying that he's not doing enough. What does this mean for the environment and environmentalists? Yesterday, I had a conversation with a few people who felt that it was showing the environmentalists in a poor light:

"Richard Branson gives $3m and he's told he's not doing enough, what does that say about us?"
"Will the ecomentalists ever be happy?"
"Why not wait a year and then pan him if he doesn't keep his promise?"
"What does this do to the next billionaire who thinks about giving his money to environment projects?"

I've never been one for the doom and gloom, "welcome to dystopia", views on bird flu, the environment, terrorism etc. This seems to be another example of "whatever you do, it's never enough", and I sometimes wish that there would be a more positive message forom the environmentalists to provide support for new initiatives.

Yes, he will probably make money out of it. Yes, it'll be good PR for Virgin. But, it might just do something to improve the environment at the same time.

Stu

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 09:40 AM

I think the biggest problem is that he has pledged 3 billion to green fuel research - of which he will be a direct benificiary as it will help fuel his fleet of planes and trains, Whether it was the intention or not that comes over to a lot of people like a self interested publicity stunt.

Like someone said on another thread if he really wanted to make a philanthropic gesture towards combatting cluimate change he could have donated 3 billion or whatever to an organisation which is already working in the field, especially as green fuel has some ...erm interesting... environmental issues attached.

I was far more impresed with his proposal for the lottery , that virgin group would run it for free giving all the money (except for the prize fund) to HLF , BIG etc , but in their infinite wisdom the govt chose to give the contract to profit making camelot instead - doh

StuartDH · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 09:53 AM

I hope he does make a ton of money out of it and in doing so he might solve what will be become an otherwise massive problem in the next few decades. I can't quite see how he'll be able to make green fuels for planes, but that's the beauty of scientific discovery and it's ability to sometimes surpass even our wildest imaginations.

What really concerns me is the typical environmentalist response that he's wasting his time/doing it all wrong/in it for the wrong reasons etc. I think it sends the wrong message to the public, who'd also like to do their bit, but might feel that whatever they do it's never enough.

If Richard Branson makes greener flight and makes a ton of money, maybe it will inspire Ford to make greener cars and make a ton of money, and Taylor Woodrow to make greener buildings and...

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 10:47 AM

Well I think he should be congratulated on making a stand and doing something. His high profile at least gets recognition here and in America where the biggest persuasions need to happen. Good on him and if it does make a difference, I hope all the doubting Thomas's eat their words.

ww

mickoking · #5 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 10:54 AM

I hope what Richard Branson is doing will encourage others in industry to follow suit. Contrast his gesture to a scummy company like Exxon.

speckled wood · #6 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 12:42 PM

Perhaps more important is to change the attitude of the media, give the environment the the same prominence and dynamism as is give to promoting cars, and should the BBC be running programmes and be involved in publishing magazines like "Top Gear"? It is in the media where attitudes are formed and of course can be changed.

ogwen · #7 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 12:58 PM

Some people might argue that he is a hypocrite. He makes money from his airlines etc and polutes the atmosphere and now he's joined the environmental bandwagon.

If it does encourage more businesses to think more about helping environment I suppose it can't be a bad thing. But could it just be a publicity stunt? Or does he actually care?

speckled wood · #8 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogwen

But could it just be a publicity stunt? Or does he actually care?

I would think that it is a combination of these things, his airlines started well into the era when the pontenial environmental problems of air travel were very well known and he must have known about them, and he does love positive publicity. His newish Voyager Trains are overpowered compared with the intercity 125s that they replaced and now that the latter are having new engines his voyagers are much more fuel hungry andless envorinmentally friendy. It does though fit in with his whizz, bang! image. Of course his Pendalino trains are also very glitzy but not really all that much faster station to station than the older trains (that used less power) that they replaced.

As to whether he cares does it really matter? But if there is something postive from this and Ford, GM and the rest are pressured into producing and selling more environmentally friendy and fuel efficient vehicles then it can be for the good.

matt_xyz · #9 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 02:12 PM

I'm sure there is a degree of self publicity associated with Branson's actions (he's not the sort to make an anonymous donation is he?

) but why should we care what his motives were? The struggle to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels needs all the help it can get and technological solutions seem to show more promise than attempts to change behaviour. As such, he should be applauded in the hope that this will encourage others billionaires to act in a similar manner.

Matt