Monday, July 30, 2007

It's not just what you switch off. But what you are now switching on.

This is worth a gander: The Ampere Strikes Back

I am so relieved that we set up Junkk.com to be inspirational as opposed to judgemental. Because there are a lot out there who are telling us what do or simply being snotty that I reckon would fall pretty foul of a few pithy comebacks.

Don't like my bottle or Perrier? Betcha ditched the old TV for flatty as soon as Comet dropped the prices, eh?

And look a DAB radios. This is the direction we are being forced in... by whom?

Pass the remote vicar!

3 comments:

Dave said...

Although the document in the link does make some very salient points, and provides some very interesting power consumption information, it does come across as rather judgmental in parts.

And although we are being pretty much pushed towards using them by you know who, you are quite correct about DAB radios, they actually consume far more power than older technology.

Oh well, at least you could while away some time playing the new Global Warming game on your PC - it's probably more interesting than watching the little wheel go round and round on your electricity meter!

Oh, damn! That'll make the little wheel go round and around a bit faster too!

Dave said...

Peter, another thing, your secret is out - you didn't let on about your other role in life - but you are now outed!

I just found this eyebrow raising and very interesting article on the government's approach to carbon offsetting by a gentleman called - wait for it -
Peter Martin!

Emma said...

Yes, I am aware of my clone (did you know there is a Peter Martin 'group' on FaceBook? Huge... and growing. Also, and here’s a little know fact, there's Sunday Times investigative journalist with the same name. I was flattered 'til he did a piece on the Russian Mafia!).

Only recently I had a press release from his company and totally wound up their PR lady when I called back.

I attach what they sent me, and some questions I sent back, which as yet remain unanswered:

CarbonSense hopes that Monday’s Governmental report on offsetting will not ‘greenwash’ the concept of offsetting, and that UK businesses will get the clarity they urgently need


Peter Martin, research director at climate change consultancy CarbonSense says, “Since the debate on offsetting began in recent months we have received a deluge of enquiries from businesses seeking our advice on the subject. It has become clear that, even now, some UK businesses still view offsetting as the only obvious direction for their climate strategies to follow - while others are in a state of confusion and anxiety, and are unsure as to what view they should take, following recent negative publicity surrounding the subject. It is vital that Monday’s report The Voluntary Carbon Offset Market by the Environmental Audit Committee serves to add clarity to this subject finally, and also that it draws attention to the downsides as well as the positives.”

He continues: “Many businesses that have contacted us recently want to know whether an involvement in offsetting makes sense. They want to understand whether offsetting works; where it sits amongst the range of actions they could take; whether it can help or hinder the engagement of employees and other stakeholders. They also are confused as to whether they should become ‘carbon neutral’ and what will be the benefits and drawbacks – both commercially and ecologically.

“There is clearly a fog of confusion around the issue, and businesses need both clarity and guidance. The Government should use its findings on Monday to help shed light on the issue in a fair and balanced manner.”

As to what has prompted the recent spate of enquiries Peter Martin says:

“In some cases the questions that businesses ask have an immediacy that has clearly been prompted by the marketing claims of their rivals. Others are having last minute doubts about an offsetting contract, or are concerned about critical reports they read in the media about offset projects. In other cases the questions are to do with brand, strategy or investment, or are being framed within a longer-term perspective to do with the consequences of climate change and the geo-political context in which they operate.”

CarbonSense admits that it has a clear stance on the subject, but that this differs to the stance it held a couple of years ago. Subsequently CarbonSense’s recommendations to business as to how they should approach climate change has changed accordingly. CarbonSense now believes that there are certain serious flaws in the concept – some of which have not yet been clearly highlighted in the media even now. (More detailed information is available on these points).


The Voluntary Carbon Offset Market report is published on www.parliament.uk/eacom

My questions : Do you guys feel the recent Ch4 documentary on this subject was fair and balanced? If not, why? If so, how does the industry get public trust (a tad dented of late) back on track?

In particular I'd value tangibles that clearly show spin-free examples of what we would deem clear and positive enviROIs, or benefits to the planet.