Virtuous can-kicking

There are a number of plausible drivers for Net Zero and windmills on the hills. From virtue-signalling in politics, media and celebrity gossip, a widespread fondness for bandwagons plus what isn’t far removed from slush funds and racketeering. And a dash of simple stupidity.

An important influence which is often forgotten is the political predilection for kicking the can down the road. Rather than tackle a nuclear future with its many political and regulatory drawbacks, politicians in the developed world use wind, solar and Net Zero as a particularly handy way to kick the nuclear can a very long way down the road.

It’s a powerful political attraction, this virtuous can-kicking. Although there are hints that the end of the road is now worryingly close and the virtue somewhat flaky, it is long enough for the present. Possibly one of the main reasons why virtuous imbecility may prevail for some time yet.