Dear Sir/Madam,

Transport policy in this, as in many other countries, although barely recognised or admitted as such, has been a social and ecological disaster. But there is worse, far worse, to come, because we persistently refuse to face up to the question of its sustainability. The levels of individual motorisation and air travel, which have become a way of life and account for a huge proportion of economic activity in industrialised countries like Britain, are simply not sustainable in the long term, even for the relatively small fraction of the world's population which can currently afford them.

Because of its global impact on Earth's finite resources and carrying capacity, transport policy must be seen in its global context. We cannot reasonably (although unreasonably this is what we do) consider our own means of getting about without considering how the world's other 6 (soon to be 7 - 9) billion inhabitants are also doing so, or plan to do so in the future.

I repeat, the  levels of individual motorisation and air travel currently "enjoyed" in the industrialised world are, certainly on a global scale, non-sustainable. If we continue to ignore, deny or play down this fact, and proceed with the course we are on, it will have catastrophic consequences, for which coming generations, possibly our own children, will curse us.

There are some very interesting parallels between society as a whole and its individual members. One such parallel is a propensity towards "addictions".  As a society, we are not just dependent on but addicted to the motorcar!  And it is far from being a harmless addiction, like tea-drinking, for example. It is as serious an addiction for society as alcoholism is for an individual. Already it has done serious harm to the health of society, and if we continue, eventually it will kill us. 

But like many an alcoholic, we are still in denial that we have a problem. 

We need 12-lane freeways to ease the crisis on our roads (12-lane freeways to ease crisis on roads, 15 June 2003) like an alcoholic needs another crate of whiskey!