Blow to image of ‘green’ reusable nappy - Times Online

A government report that found old-fashioned reusable nappies damage the environment more than disposables has been hushed up because ministers are embarrassed by its findings.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has instructed civil servants not to publicise the conclusions of the £50,000 nappy research project and to adopt a “defensive” stance towards its conclusions.

The report found that using washable nappies, hailed by councils throughout Britain as a key way of saving the planet, have a higher carbon footprint than their disposable equivalents unless parents adopt an extreme approach to laundering them.

To reduce the impact of cloth nappies on climate change parents would have to hang wet nappies out to dry all year round, keep them for years for use on younger children, and make sure the water in their washing machines does not exceed 60C.

The conclusions will upset proponents of real nappies who have claimed they can help save the planet.

Is Carbon Tax Political Poison? :: News :: thetyee.ca

...Is it possible to frame the carbon tax in such a way that people will support it?

Can you sell it if you start the debate by stressing that your income taxes will be cut, then say that people who pollute more will have to pay more?

Maybe, said McAllister.