We're sincerely flattered #2

Dave of Solarventi has nagged, and when he nags I have to move quicksmart.
So...

"This one is a definite must ... …. for inclusion on www.junkk.com – crisp bags as CD covers!"

He is, of course, right. It's nifty.

And I have suggested he 'homage' it on our Suggest page.

And readers are welcome to peruse our Ideas pages for something to send in, as nothing with Junkk's or my name on it will get a showing.

For instance, in a similar vein that I use the liner from cereal packets as lunch bags for the boys, often sealing them with one of those pocket heater gizmos.

Time to don my Batman outfit

First Tesco Tel; now this. Who do I have to nobble to get us noticed?

Today in the mail was this book. It's a nice little selection of eco-websites in the UK, and while we know almost all of them (and a few more besides) it's a 'sure, why not?'.

Thing is, we're not in it. Not under the Re's or even packaging. And at last I am seeing how it can be hard as a journalist to remain truly objective. Rest assured, I must be:)

The next slot in the newsletter is taken, but I will review it, as that is what I presume it was sent to us for (unless it was a very expensive way to rub our noses in it). And I will also note that its publishers are Eden Project, who we drove to visit a few years ago to see how we could help each other. Sadly, they (or at least their PR folk) were too busy saving the planet to want to deal any further with us, having dragged us to Cornwall to see them.

It can all... test... you at times.

OK, tell me how to get past his genius gatekeepers

Terry Leahy: Don't blame us: we can't get rid of all packaging

"As we work to reduce our environmental impact on every level, we will continue to look for ways to cut excess packaging and offer our customers rational choices."

I'd say we are one. I've been trying for 3 years. And M&S. And Boots. And Morrisons...

I've just written to the Indy's Editor:

Dear Sir,

"As we work to reduce our environmental impact on every level, we will continue to look for ways to cut excess packaging and offer our customers rational choices."

I'd say we are one. I've been trying for 3 years to get through. And M&S. And Boots. And Morrisons...

Can you help us get past the pen-pushing, bean-counting, career and hence profit-obsessed minions inbetween initiatives like ours and Sirs Terry and Michael, etc and their new-found green commitments. Or indeed Ministers like Miliband, Bradshaw, etc, as they keep churning out more 3rd sector, we must engage with social entrepreneur guff?

Our site is free. It gets good editorial. The public likes it. It makes the environment fun. And it needn't cost anyone (biz, gov or tax/ratepayer) a penny. In fact, by finding ways to reuse packs and packaging it may even add to the marketing, PR and CSR stories of these businesses in a very non-greenwash manner.

When are people going to stop talking long enough to listen to others outside their elite circles who may have complementary solutions on offer.

If you can help I'd be grateful.

BBC - Ask Tel

Enough already.

I've had to write to Newswatch.

"Though there is an objective news aspect, I think we can agree that BBC Breakfast also serves a few agendas, some worthy and some self serving, but certainly including a social one.

On the day Jeremy Paxman publishes a critique of 'mixed messages' in the Times, I wonder how the BBC reconciles placing a slot advocating, indeed selling, space tourism (RyanTrek?) next to one with a celeb selling the latest planet saving effort.

While a why not/better than nothing, this seemed more of an ad for Toyota's Prius, inaccurately stated as the solution to all car-related eco-issues (it is not). And the fact that he was gushing next to Mr. Blair, whose record on eco-cosistency is chequered at best was laughable."

Are you Hello! or a informative news source with decent analysis?"

OH. MY. GOD!

I just watched the piece on BBC Breakfast TV with the bouffant and the blonde gushing over the latest Celeb, Josh Hartnett, who with many other celebs met Mr. Blair to discuss green issues.

Plus side. There is another website to 'make a difference': globalsomething (oddly the URL not mentioned).

Down side. What was mentioned, twice, was that you should buy a Toyota Prius to save the planet. I don't think so.

I doubt they'll publish this either: "One appreciates Josh's sincerity, but Mr. Blair as a role model? And rather than being an complete ad for Toyota Prius (twice), it may be worth pointing out that it may not be the best car to save the planet in certain non-urban circumstances."

ADDENDUM:

I have added several of these posts to Newsnight's blog. Annoyingly they have taken them selectively and /or out of sequence. Here's my latest.

After the piece selling a contest for space tourism, we now have on TV this morning Hollywood star Josh Hartnett, who with many other celebs met Mr. Blair to discuss green issues... as above.

In addition to my comment on the irony of these two items being back-to-back, on top of Jeremy's comments in the Times today, I doubt they'll publish this either: "One appreciates Josh's sincerity.. as above"

There's doing. There's seen to be doing. And there's simply doing what's right and works.

It would be good if the major media could help us decide on the basis of objective information and not ratings-driven hype.

BBC - Josh goes globally cool
Express - Concert

Oh, the irony..

No sooner do I note the piece in the last blog, inspired by a piece in the Times, look what I came across a bit further on...

Praise for bubblewrap could get you into space

I'll pass for now the issue of consistency on the Times' part (though they will argue they are only here to pass on the news), but.... bubblewrap!!! There are a lot of other much better ways to pack things that don't use plastic, guys!

Trouble in paradise?

I was once a star copywriter at an agency, responsible for the vast majority of the won pitches and work that went through. So when I felt things were not being run as well as they could, I felt secure in sharing my wisdom. Which is how I ended up founding my own agency. No one is indispensable.

Which is why I must envy someone who obviously is: You're wasteful hypocrites on being green, Paxman accuses BBC bosses

Maybe he has read my blog on some of the inconsistencies we have, are and doubtless will be seeing between what they say and what they do.

Like the Breakfast TV programme I currently watch as I write. Just saw a piece about a contest to become a space tourist (I don't think NASA has quite yet got the bio-fuel thing cracked yet). Ironically (to me at least, though I doubt they saw it themselves), this was followed immediately by a promo for a piece about a major Hollywood star who is going green, billed as 'saving the planet'.

I doubt they'll publish my comment: "I take it you have not read, taken on board (excuse the pun) or agree with, one of your colleague's views on the BBC's consistency of message as regards climate change and ways to mitigate it"

I merely observe, whilst being relieved I do not take it upon myself to impose:

From the Newsnight blog (and Indy):

"Imagine my surprise this morning opening my copy of The Times to read that my esteemed colleague Jeremy Paxman has offered a devastating critique of the BBC's failures to be Green enough, failures on recycling, failures to cut power consumption, failures to help save the planet.

Great stuff, I thought. Then imagine my surprise because in the BBC office Jeremy and I share with Kirsty and Emily, the computer and monitor (which we also share) were left switched on all night. The culprit? Hmmm. Who could it possibly be wasting all that electricity? Well, the last log-in that I could discover was "Paxmanj." Any ideas? "

Couldn't resist:

Though Mr. Esler refers it in the blog intro this afternoon, I'm guessing guessing Mr. Paxman wrote it yesterday, and this seems the only place to offer an opinion, if not answer, to his question:

The biter bit? Next thing we'll be hearing people are dropping folk in it for fines by leaving stuff with their names on in bins. Imagine if the nanny state figured that was enough to convict?

As a slight attempt to help JP in mitigation should he be 'guilty', there is the notion that some hi-tec PCs need continual updates. Another is that the hardware decay from shutting down and rebooting is actually worse eco-wise than spinning. I'm still deciding, but err on monitor and printer off, CPU on standby... for now.

It's all about being green. Not always black and white.

Still, it again proves a point I often try to make. One knocks, and the comeback is often a bigger 'two wrongs make a good knock' back. Doesn't help the planet much, though, does it?

BBC - How green is my Auntie?