IT is just about a week to go now until the New Year and the new decade. This is the second part of the review of the Noughties. War, terror, climate change and the boom and bust economy have all played a big part in the last 10 years.
JULY 7TH BOMBINGS
The first week of July 2005 was one of London’s most memorable of the decade. London had just played host to a global concert (Live 8) to persuade G8 leaders to end poverty in Africa. On July 6th London was announced as the host city for the 2012 Olympics but the party atmosphere was short lived. On July 7th suicide bombers detonated explosives on the capital’s tube network and a bus. 52 people were killed and almost 700 injured.
The 7/7 bombings in London like 9/11 changed the way we now live. Government, under the guise of anti-terrorism, have tried and sometimes failed to enforce draconian legislation impacting on civil liberties. The failed 90-day detention law, the over use of section 44 of the anti-terrorism act (stop and search) are just a couple of examples. We live in constant suspicion – which is often over hyped by government and the media. If we are not careful our rights and liberties will be taken away in the name of anti-terrorism, and the Terrorists will have won.
WAR
In the Noughties, Britain was taken into two major conflicts. Both were in the name of anti-terror. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W Bush acted together to invade Iraq – under what can be seen as false pretences. Although the cruel dictator, Saddam Hussein was removed from power, the US and UK’s reputation was severely damaged.
The war in Afghanistan is seen to be more justified, but since 2001 it has taken the lives of many service men and women. The war has spanned most of the decade and looks set to continue into the next.
THE RECESSION!
We started off the decade in fairly good economic health. House prices increased considerably, we spent large amounts of money and we thought we had never had it so good. But, by the later part of the decade Britain and most of the world were plunged into economic doom and gloom. Due to huge amounts of debt, endless credit cards, ridiculously large mortgages, and a great deal of doggy bank activity the UK is in one of the worst recessions ever which we are yet to recover from.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change has become one of the world’s most important issues this decade. In the early years of the noughties it was a thought in the back of people’s minds, now we can barley escape it. Most world leaders are facing up to the consequences that could arise from a rise in global temperatures. Yet the recent climate summit in Copenhagen will probably change little. There could well be problems into the next decade as water, food and land becomes scarce, especially in the poorer developing countries.
FACEBOOK, MYSPACE & A LOT OF APPLES
Technology and the Internet now play a really big part in our daily lives. This was probably unimaginable ten years ago. The popularity of twitter, Youtube and Facebook changed how we communicate. We expect things instantly, TV on demand or through the Internet and BBC iplayer or 3G and WI-FI on our phones. Blackberries and iphones and countless other gadgets have revolutionised our lives, and sometimes not for the better.
So that's it for the round up of the Noughties. If you think something was missed out or you have something else to say then do feel free to add your comments.
I hope you enjoyed it and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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