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One Planet: Green taxes, dirty photos and air travel

Factual: Science & Nature

04/11/2010

Green taxes, dirty photos and air travel

BBC World Service - One Planet, Green taxes, dirty photos and air travel

Dirty photos that inspire, green taxes that fuel despair and a river that runs dry

Times are tough for many governments; sluggish economic growth and hefty debts are all too common. So the more cynical reader may suggest it's no surprise that green taxes are on the rise. One Planet couldn't possibly comment, but with the environment a key concern for so many politicians, it's perhaps to be expected that taxes aimed at changing our behaviour in favour of the environment are increasingly popular.

The UK Government has just increased Air Passenger Duty - the tax charged per person flying out of Britain. Prices are up as much as 55%, and the further you fly, the more tax you have to pay. On this week's show Mike asks if these green taxes are an effective way of shifting consumers towards actions deemed more eco-friendly. We hear from James Reynolds of campaign group Plane Stupid, and we chat to tax expert Mark Schofield of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

We also examine the potential impact of the rise in APD on those developing countries that rely on tourists cash to help drive economic growth and provide jobs. Our reporter in Sri Lanka, Charles Haviland, asks tourism chiefs there what the tax rise means for them.     

Plus, in this week's show we visit a photographic exhibition in South Africa to hear from the children who hope to improve their neighbourhoods by taking photos. As ever, tune in, have a listen and then let us know what you think. Email the team at oneplanet@bbc.com, or join us on Facebook for a chat, the link's below.

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