COMPETITION - Lufthansa Air Cargo Innovation Contest

Oo-er, it's been a while.

Not strictly reuse-related (but it could be), but an opportunity to get a prize for a nice eco-idea*:

COMPETITION

WHEN: The contest is accepting proposals through December 19, 2011.
WHAT: Lufthansa Cargo Looking for Good Green Ideas -  Air Cargo Innovation Contest
WHAT... MORE?: From the PR blurb:


Lufthansa Cargo is holding a contest inviting people to use their imagination and present their “Green Solutions” and ideas for “Add-On Services” to help reduce the cargo company’s environmental impact and improve their services.



Lufthansa Cargo will award three winners with a trip to Frankfurt, Germany where they will get to present their proposals to engineers and management and disuss how their ideas may be implemented.  Winners will also receive flight training with a Lufthansa Cargo Flight Captain and up to 25,000 Miles and More Miles. In addition, a Most Valuable Participant will be awarded 25,000 Miles and More Miles, based on activity in the contest, quality of contributions and support for other members.



Ideas are posted online where people can review and comment openly.  Proposals can cover any aspect within the Lufthansa Air Cargo Supply Chain (Sales, Handling, Transport, Customer Service) that fall within the categories of Green Solutions and/or Add On Services.  Candidates get the opportunity to receive feedback and exposure from people all over the world.

The contest is open to anyone and everyone no matter where they live.
HOW MUCH: Free! Just as we like it
URL: http://innovation.lufthansa-cargo.com
COMMENTS: Actually a nice contest site set up.

*However, note the rules, especially regarding IP: 'By entering the Competition, participants irrevocably and unconditionally assign, to the extent legally possible, to LUFTHANSA CARGO any and all intellectual property rights'

POOH CORNER - If you think about it...

...which I would not blame you for not doing:

Nippon Airlines Asks You to Please "Lighten Your Load" Pre-Board

The composting toilet idea might be fun, except for the guys under the flight path.

Now, about not packing 500% more luggage than you actually need...

By example

British public refuse to fly less to reduce their carbon footprint

In many ways the headline is a perfect encapsulation of what I see as a significant issue.

'The British public...' is an odd bunch.

A 'them' that another 'us' seem to see as not cooperating despite near daily nags from those who somehow still don't find it ironic to be constantly climbing aboard (usually to wallow in the front) of aircraft to fly all about (usually to nice places) to either talk about climate, raise 'awareness' or, in the case of many media, stand in front of stuff to decry how flying is doing so much damage.

Even the Guardian is not immune, and of course is famously reluctant to drop lucrative ads suggesting its readers visit far flung places before the actions 'of others' ruin them.

And only yesterday I learn that Dame Ellen MacArthur is to give up sailing for climate change (sic) promotion. I doubt she will be do this exclusively using water-borne free air, which might lead to suggestions of hot air. 'Doing one's job' has consequences, and there is a certain arrogance in a reporter or campaigner (I can concede most pols, though Mr. Prescott took his commitments a tad far... and long) somehow figuring their 'job' is necessary and others are not.

I flew a lot in my Asia days, and I did not do it for fun. Crossing time zones in a stuffy metal tube will never be.

And when it comes to social travel I think we would need to change human nature first. The desire to go other places is ingrained. Which can only mean that the trend will be to making it unaffordable to any but... yes... a grouping I think all ready well represented above. Another social divide that cannot end well.

Just in my personal case, with half our family halfway around the world, it's already an ethical dilemma for those who care about such things, on top of a financial burden enough for those with no choice.

But when the government's latest climate quangocrat reckons he and his family might have to cut back on the long hauls...which they do for fun, annually... there is already a disconnect between the 'do as we says' and the rest. We're saving up to visit in the next few years.

So long as that is not appreciated by the nannies, I don't see much changing.

Boeing, Boeing..

Timeframes can be problematic.

Biofuel flying will take off in three years, says Boeing

When these guys, and celeb supporters like Richard Branson, though biofuels were the answer, few would have argued.

Now it is a new ball game.

ps: note 'Will' turns to 'Could'

Saving the planet by the pound

Soon we will be off on hols.

After a few years camping and a bit of relly duty, it has to be admitted that we are going somewhere sunny (actually also in the vicinity of terrorist bombing, and outbreak of hemorrhagic fever, a 2,000 sqm forst fire and small war) as the kids want to swim, the missus wants sun and I want to eat fun food.

So, what to do?

Well, reading this, in the absence of outright bans (yet), maybe an interim advocacy would be that airlines charge by the pound/kg.

However, there is slight self-interest at work here. Other than the missus' unmentionables and unneccesaries (actually very little compared to some of the fairer sex), other than Speedos* and toothbrushes for me and the boys we are struggling to fill one 20kg suitcase. Oh, and other than yours truly, the rest of the family swings in at about another me.

*There is a limit to what I will bare, and the planet could bear

Stress fractures showing...

I'll stick this under Junkk Male RE:view as it does have a bearing on environment.

I am watching a story about the lucky escape with the Qantas long haul flight. Amazing footage, especially the calm demeanour of crew and passengers.

The point has been made that the airline has never lost a passenger. Such stats matter, I know, as I was once the Account Director for Singapore Airlines. There were big fights over 'world's youngest fleet' and other measures. It's all a tricky balance on safety. In fact number of ups and downs are pretty stressful on the airframe too, so shorthaul can work out more of a problem even with 'younger' stock. But corrosion factors through age are significant.

As in this case. I am frankly gobsmacked how mildly so far the news has been noted that this plane had been flagged by engineers as a concern, and some plastic surgery deemed worthy of merely keeping fingers crossed.

If an airline such as Qantas can be so cavalier with such a valuable asset in their brand reputation, is this a worrying indication of the wafer-thin margins the industry is operating under to stay in business?

Are we to see an airborne repeat of Mr. Nader's expose of the car industry beancounters' calculations on the value of inanimate costs vs. lives.

Addendum:

Indy - Qantas chief denies holed jumbo was a 'rust bucket' - Does aluminium rust?

Look, flying pigs!

Flying empty aeroplanes to keep landing slots should never happen

I have been here before. I wonder why I am back again.

There is what is, and there is what should be. Which is why 'should' is one of my least favourite words, especially when used in headlines.

Can the can?

To Save Fuel, Airlines Find No Speck Too Small

I wonder if they are still lugging litre upon litre and kilo upon kilo of duty frees and cuddly toys to and fro in hope of a sale?

Or putting out newspapers with such crucial sections as today’s classifieds or appointments?

But I guess the public gets what the public…can.

Wish you were here... VISA

Like today, yesterday was gorgeous.

And we are lucky; we live in a part of the UK that when it is gorgeous we don't actually need to go any further than our front door to enjoy it.

In fact we ventured only as far as the back garden.

I attacked the jungle, and then me and the boys pulled my trolley round the dump.

Then we had a BBQ, having picked up the makings en route home.

And then we did sod all the rest of the day. Bliss.

I'd advocate this to anyone.

Thing is, I also see why it might not always be that great, and especially when it's part of a holiday that might fall in a period of unplanned (unlike the trip) bad weather.

The horrifying cost of Britain's top attractions

Been there, been overcharged for that, and got the rip-off T-shirt.

Which is why a holiday to sunnier climes where the boys need no more than water, sand and a spade to spend a blissful 12 hrs is still a pretty good option.

So I think some balance in the 'stay at home' advocacy is in order. To deny the facts is silly.

Lead Balloon

With all due credit to the author: If there is a God, he's not green. Otherwise airships would take off

I like the idea. It's just the disconnect with the realities of the numbers of people there now are, the time they have and the money they can spend. Another topic in many ways, but this just comes across as silly.

I think it's triff.

Sign me up! All I'll need is no day job and limitless funds... or write on enviro issues for eco-aware (if not actually practicing) publications.

I can see it now: 'My blog of a slow food sojourn around the World in the footsteps of Phiny Fogg'

Chapter 2 - Oh, the inhumanity!

'To the clink of organically sourced New Zealand Chablis in recycled (plastic, while lighter, may contain BPA) glasses, we glanced down to see millions of RyanAir eco-unawares/don't cares gobbling up their two week annual holidays crammed on non-eco-tourist (ie: keep the proles out) beaches. I am moved to head to my cabin and Blackberry a post forthwith. It is to be hoped the sights will improve over the next few months when we get to more remote places... Richard has invited us to his island to learn about the next initiative whilst watching some rocket display.'

Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth, in a normal family home near you...

Ask a question...

Is humanity's restlessness a threat to the planet?

'Is this restless addiction to travel - and our desperate demand for more fuel to feed it - our fatal flaw as a species?'

Don't know about fatal (in comparison to say, staying in one place and cooking dinner on a fire the size of Krakatoa, or heating the home with the Siberian tundra.. if you happen to live there of course, and not on a 'must-see' trip courtesy of the Guardian travel pages) but if (yawning gap for the black/green corner to slug it out) one accepts the premise being touted by some/many in government/media/evidence-of-our-own-eyes that carbon is causing a problem, and if we (next yawning gap) as a species are responsible for the consequences of more than is ideal getting out and up then, on balance, I'd have to say it sure can't be helping. Now what?

Then again, having watched Star Trek, maybe our hunger to travel is our only saviour as we seek whole new worlds to breed across and pollute. So it could be Mr. Branson has a point with Virgin 'Have a greenhouse gas Kodak moment' Galactic.

Guardian - I'm trying hard to be eco-friendly. But please don't ask me to give up flying to visit my family - The perfect complement. So much one could say, so much one knows one should not. Bless.

Brain strain

Fares fair?

I'm up for doing my bit for Queen and Planet, so this initially cheered me up as to positive influences on my potential options from Gloucester to London.

However, I don't get the impression I'm better off if I do get a last minute call, or seek to travel outside the now very restricted 9.30ish am to 3.30ish pm or post 7sih pm (fat chance of a connection - my missus has put on more miles driving to Swindon to pick me up to then get may car than if I'd driven round trip) off peak windows.

And as to a discount for a family of four...? Actually, why not a business group discount to get ;'em out the Mondeo?

This looking like you're being all in what you're doing,when in fact you're doing b-all.

It's almost as if money was really all anyone really cared about. Especially HMG.

Out, damn olive!

Every little bit helps..

Fuel efficiency sees airlines trash cutlery, mags, glasses

Too much to hope they might give thought to the shunting of litres and kilos of duty free hither and thither, especially when we all prefer to buy in a mad panic once we get through Passport Control? Singapore Airlines had a neat scheme (I recall when.. ain't flown much of late) where you pre-ordered and picked up t'other end on the ground before customs -seemed a plan.

I once had an airline client and even pre-enviro-junkie days kept coming up with what I thought were awesome wheezes. One was a suggestion that the classifieds and TV sections got taken out of the complimentary papers, as they could be of no use where they were going and would be out of date upon return.

I got my head patted, and my tush kicked a lot back then. It was 15 years ago, mind. Ahead of my time, I guess..

It just all seems very little... very late. Isn't this an industry that prides itself on being cutting edge? Heck, any small car now is costcut to the penny and lighweighted to the gram these days. Yet still they thought a steel elbow-shattering battering ram of a trolley was the best way to convey lunch up and down.... until now???

Next you'll be telling me some airlines reckon having gold fixtures would be a neat idea!

At least they cottoned early onto saving the planet by recirculating the TB and Bird Flu-soaked air around the passenger cabins, those little eco-tinkers.

Reasons. No Excuses.

Any system that results in this is broke, and needs fixing, fast: Airline in row over free tickets on extra flights

While I concede that such as plastic bags are 'an' issue and may well be worth addressing, even just in terms of public awareness (though getting them to do the right thing with reusables would be optimal), things such as the above are what our political masters should be addressing.

Indy - A stunt that exposes the truth about corporate greed - I am not alone!

No.. really?

Travellers ignore pleas to curb air travel amid growing stampede for long-haul mini-breaks

It's worth mentioning to remind 'us' that 'we' are pretty selective about what major enviro-issues will get 'us' excited, but I had to laugh at this po-faced first sentence:

'Holidaymakers are ignoring environmentalists' calls to limit their air travel and are taking more "indulgent" long-haul mini-breaks than ever before.'

Closely followed by this:

'Despite recommendations that they holiday closer to home...'

I'd have to say a lot of folk, from 'evironmentalists' (whoever they may be) to the media (when they choose to be green for a few column inches) are a little up 'emselves if this is the best they can do.

The critiques just comes across as plain silly and petty. And that is going to persuade no one.

Speaking of priorities

Have Your Say: Revolution in the skies... disaster for the planet

I do of course look forward to dark threats from our Dear Leader, plus an open letter to your paper from family in support, replete with dentally-enhanced 2+2 snapshot.

Or not.

Our national followship, especially the PM, rather tends to go with the 'flow of now', as opposed to actually leading with priorities, consistency or what might be right.

Mind you, our media are little better. Nick the Thinker... spot on!

Better than nothing?

Just watching Sir Richard Branson on Breakfast TV.

Not so keen on reporting what will be said (a new, and rather pointless trend) but one key point we will learn come the press conference later is how his Virgin Atlantic fleet will run a biofuel that will not affect the food chain. This was a major concern of mine.

The FoE has already labelled it a 'gimmick' (mot du jour in politics at the moment, too), but Sir. Richard may have had a pop at them talking on flying to international conferences all the time in 'conventional' planes.

It's a dilemma. On the one hand there is the undoubted contributed of air travel to PMWCC, but then there are the practicalities and realities of commercial air travel.

It will be interesting to see just how real this initiative might be as a mitigation.

I remain unclear as to the contribution made by Virgin Galactic, though.

First posted 24/02 - Addenda:

Telegraph - Algae are fuelling Branson's maiden flight - seems they know something the BBC doesn't.

Also just saw a twofer on the morning show again. The FoE guy did not impress; very dogmatic. There was a travel journalist who did; objective and thoughtful. I see this as an interesting one. All agreed it will make no difference to passnger decision, which is based on price. Plus such as this is a drop in the fuel tank compared with flights only one third full vs. full, 1st & Biz vs. cattle for fuel per passenger mile.

Telegraph - Branson: City to suffer without third runway

BBC - Airline in first biofuel flight

Indy - First biofuel flight dismissed as Virgin stunt - Possibly a new PR agency in the offing? But then, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Guardian - Branson's coconut airways - but jet is on a flight to nowhere, say critics

Gaurdian - Forests cleared for takeoff? - I might have to change the title above. And nice to see Virgin Galactic getting a mention.

Ruthless is as Ruth doesn't

Just watched the Andrew Marr Show (why isn't it just Sunday Morning?) with our Transport Secretary.

Usually not the most tenacious or probing of interviewers, Mr. Marr tried (though failed) valiantly to get her to answer a single question on the odd disconnect on what her boss (and various colleagues) say about climate change and how to cure it, and what is going on.

My favourite was his pointed question (and her wishy-washy non answer) about carbon trading with our EU partners.

Seems the plan is that we fly more and more and some Czech farmer doesn't, and then does something to make up. That'll work.

Getting off the ground

Some eco-initiatives often raise concerns on viability. I'm crossing fingers this at least offers some sense of hope for genuine application: The sun kings out to conquer the world

The elephants on the sofa

I was not going to feature this or comment on the BBC RyanAir story this morning as neither, in isolation, seemed quite worth it.

Together they just seemed 'worthy'.

What I found interesting was the premise Declan Curry seemed to be working from, and Mr. O'Leary could give a stuff about, was all the nasty 'extras' that he loads on. Now I have little patience with sneaky marketing, but I'm pretty sure that you can see what the costs are before you hit 'commit'.

So at the end of the day, his airline is popular because people are prepared to pay what they ask. No one is being forced to fly with them.

What it's all costing... is another issue.