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.

So why, oh why, can't our lot do it?

Yet another example of a country's sensible government issuing tax incentives for the adoption of energy saving measures as reported by EDIE. Well done Ireland!

Our lot seem so stuck with their heads in the sand (or should that be Northern Rock?), talking 'til they're blue in the face, but at the end of the day, achieving, and incentivising, absolutely nothing.

Plus ca change.

Credit Crunch

As a smug, self-satisfied eco-warrior, each action I take of course brings its own reward.

Today was more so than many.

I just flushed a loo that only required a lightning strike to create life in its bowl.

I put out bin liner only half full of various nasties from a family of five in a week.

I exchanged cheery badinage with the nice man from the kerbside collection service, who happily took my letter to his boss to save on post cost and energy.

Now I am switching all off in the house that is not required to attend a council event in the big city. OK, I'm driving. You can't win 'em all.

Thing is, I happily do these because I don't see why not and nothing much hurts (though the missus is not big on the mellow loo notion, especially with 3 males in the house).

But I do wonder about others.

Especially as there is no incentive to do any of these things. No penalty to be sure, but no nudge to the cause of eco-righteousness.

My water is unmetered. I can put out as many bags as I like. No one insists I put out the RE:Box. And no one cares much if I drive to the city at the same time as another attendee (I have the solution!!!!!! If anyone would like to help me develop it!!!!!!)

And that seems to me to be barking.

ADDENDUM - I attended a local meeting the same evening. Our Environment Cabinet Member has told us that 'we' will not have bi-weekly rubbish collections imposed. No eco or financial reasons, either. In a refreshing bit of honesty he admitted it was because very councillor had told him it was not going to happen and he wanted to keep his job, along with theirs. Ah... democracy.

Political common sense shock!

Of course it may be a tad early to cheer too much: Brown to lobby EU on greener VAT

Words and phrases like 'to (as opposed to 'will') lobby (as opposed to 'get in their faces')' and 'push for' (which means?) or 'would seek' (and ye need not necessarily find?) rather make it in the realms of a punt... or, rather, pledge.

And you have gotta love this bit: 'The European Commission welcomed the initiative but said it would require agreement from all 27 member states.' I stand ready to be disabused, but that sounds like 'Yo, Gordo. Still settling in and need to show you're in charge, eh? Sure, we'll help a bit. But the answer is going to be no, ok? But you knew that, right?'

Huge idea, though. Wonder why no one thought of, and/or suggested it before/

Especially as we're trying to encourage better enviro-practice all round.

ps: Is it just me, but is everyone's nearby river coming through their front door?