I know a headline like 'Major global blue-chip will say anything to flog tat' is not exactly news, but this left me... almost... speechless:
New Zealand schoolgirls find there's no C in Ribena
Just how low will they stoop?
And heaven forfend one affects the legal process at any stage.
Mail - The schoolgirls who cost Ribena £80k for its vitamin fib
Monday, March 26, 2007
No news is...
Is there no end to my ignorance?
You don't need to understand the news. You are not meant to. It is merely one of a few ways to fill space and generate ratings, especially if you work for the BBC, as that is how you can get measured accurately enough to bail for the even bigger money.
I have a complaint in process at present for them taking a solicited comment, deleting the beginning and ending and re-presenting the middle chunk to say the total opposite of what I meant, to suit their agenda.
They will of course have a 'thorough review' and in two weeks I'll be told they care a lot so now be a good boy and buzz off.
This time, I think I may not be so inclined to do so.
You don't need to understand the news. You are not meant to. It is merely one of a few ways to fill space and generate ratings, especially if you work for the BBC, as that is how you can get measured accurately enough to bail for the even bigger money.
I have a complaint in process at present for them taking a solicited comment, deleting the beginning and ending and re-presenting the middle chunk to say the total opposite of what I meant, to suit their agenda.
They will of course have a 'thorough review' and in two weeks I'll be told they care a lot so now be a good boy and buzz off.
This time, I think I may not be so inclined to do so.
From a Horse's Mouth. About policies from 'tother end
I would have pitched in. Not really worth it. It would be tilling already very overworked soil.
A Stalinist solution
A Stalinist solution
Now let's see what she and her paper DO about it
Because I doubt we'll ever get a mention.
Dear Ms. Stephenson,
I could not agree more with what you wrote on Thursday about yet another climate change conference. At least it was in London. I just heard on the politics show yesterday some Lib Dem luvvie justifying a jolly to Brazil because she had her people ask some people to pay some people to whack a fir in the firmament. Or so she thought they had... maybe.
There is a vast industry involved in saving this earth. And it is growing daily. Trouble is, the majority are engaged in the age old profession of being 'all marf and no trarzers'. This green elite, sadly many located with the London C-entric zone, and spanning politicians, activists and some media, have spun a very nice little earner out of spinning.... in one place.
What a waste of space they all are. And yes, the same people pontificate to the same people again and again. And as part of what I do, I am cursed to read it all... again and again. I feel I should, in case there may be a nugget of gold in all the slurry that can be turned into a shiny piece of inspiration.
The eco-blosphere is alive with debate, but sadly its the big-oil denier vs. eco-fascist kind, so even those from the day-to-day world who may try and dip in get very burned in the flames and retire immediately.
There are those trying to make a difference, and do with style, grace and humour which, I am hoping, will win out over agenda, target, personal interest and greed. To be cliched myself, I think it is the British way, and what folk will engage with. Fines, nannying, guilt-trips and scaremongering are so.... last resort of the feeble self-appointed opportunitsa.
Dear Ms. Stephenson,
I could not agree more with what you wrote on Thursday about yet another climate change conference. At least it was in London. I just heard on the politics show yesterday some Lib Dem luvvie justifying a jolly to Brazil because she had her people ask some people to pay some people to whack a fir in the firmament. Or so she thought they had... maybe.
There is a vast industry involved in saving this earth. And it is growing daily. Trouble is, the majority are engaged in the age old profession of being 'all marf and no trarzers'. This green elite, sadly many located with the London C-entric zone, and spanning politicians, activists and some media, have spun a very nice little earner out of spinning.... in one place.
What a waste of space they all are. And yes, the same people pontificate to the same people again and again. And as part of what I do, I am cursed to read it all... again and again. I feel I should, in case there may be a nugget of gold in all the slurry that can be turned into a shiny piece of inspiration.
The eco-blosphere is alive with debate, but sadly its the big-oil denier vs. eco-fascist kind, so even those from the day-to-day world who may try and dip in get very burned in the flames and retire immediately.
There are those trying to make a difference, and do with style, grace and humour which, I am hoping, will win out over agenda, target, personal interest and greed. To be cliched myself, I think it is the British way, and what folk will engage with. Fines, nannying, guilt-trips and scaremongering are so.... last resort of the feeble self-appointed opportunitsa.
No sense
I just have one question to this:
Consumers in the dark over 'greenest' gadgets
In the name of all that is green and profitable to promote, why are they not making it the easiest thing in the world to make the best eco-decisions?
Consumers in the dark over 'greenest' gadgets
In the name of all that is green and profitable to promote, why are they not making it the easiest thing in the world to make the best eco-decisions?
A new source of free, but doubtless still taxable, energy
Ministers suspend solar panel grants
As it is obvious they think the sun will shine from there no matter what they do, I'd suggest photovoltaics in every Ministerial chair seat.
As it is obvious they think the sun will shine from there no matter what they do, I'd suggest photovoltaics in every Ministerial chair seat.
I love to say I 'told you so', so...
... well, D'uh: Biofuel demand makes food expensive
In the spirit of shared citizen journalism, another forward from Dave of Solarventi, with whom I must move in and between us we may just manage 'A' life.
I suspect I read more e-news than even him, and what worries me is how I see those in politics and business squaring up behind this industry, and I don't think green is the colour they are looking for on the bottom line.
To try and spin it more positively, an Taiwanese guy once eat a Volkswagen. But he may have needed the iron.... glass, rubber...
In the spirit of shared citizen journalism, another forward from Dave of Solarventi, with whom I must move in and between us we may just manage 'A' life.
I suspect I read more e-news than even him, and what worries me is how I see those in politics and business squaring up behind this industry, and I don't think green is the colour they are looking for on the bottom line.
To try and spin it more positively, an Taiwanese guy once eat a Volkswagen. But he may have needed the iron.... glass, rubber...
H2 Oh... yeah!
I am again grateful to Dave of Solarventi for this encouraging notion on Hydrogen.
This is a fuel I have some significant faith in, IF it can be produced to a reasonable enviROI.
There is also the small matter of reduction. As water, in the form of vapour, is still a greenhouse gas, I don't want to find we substitute one man-made exhaust pollutant for another, no matter how seemingly benign it may be.
This is a fuel I have some significant faith in, IF it can be produced to a reasonable enviROI.
There is also the small matter of reduction. As water, in the form of vapour, is still a greenhouse gas, I don't want to find we substitute one man-made exhaust pollutant for another, no matter how seemingly benign it may be.
Walking the walk so others can talk
Today is a very interesting day to be reading this:
Parents who park near schools may be fined
Every school day, rain or shine (barring monsoons), I walk the boys to school. I do it because we are relatively near, it gives us a chance to chat... and I enjoy the exercise. Where possible, and time permitting, I also meet them at the end of the school day to stroll back.
But today, despite clement weather, we are going by car.
Why? Because they are going on trip, and I am afraid I don't see how to get them, much earlier, to school to meet the coach along with a suitcase and ruscksack apiece.
It's not practical. Just as it is not practical for some others to do it daily. And the BBC blonde and bouffant (and reporter - I just heard him tell us what his cabby said en route to the story!) seemed to feel it would not be for them. While it is for our kids. As to safety, kids are to be 'trained'. And doubtless there is a nice little extra group who can be hired to act as councilors to those who have suffered a loss those another group has be tasked to 'encourage':
Parents could face fines...
Powers come into force...
...all councils will have to collect information...
...every authority will have to develop school "travel plans" to meet tough targets...
The theory is sound. Typically the practices is being managed cack-handedly with breath-taking hypocrisy and a stunning simplistic dismissal of the dangers posed by kids being forced onto busy roads. As I wrote to the BBC just now:
Interesting that the presenters today on kids' cycling did not feel the piece they carried applied to them in any way.
I just loved the reporter mentioning his cabbie's views en route to the story. Irony anyone?
I know it's probably 'just not practical', but if we are to trot out official propaganda (in some papers backed, it seems, by fines!) it should be shown for the latest half-considered nonsense it is.
How can something be deemed OK to apply for kids daily but not media workers? More media churn with no analysis or real critique.
BBC - Cycling tests return to schools
'Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn.' - Without the ton of metal to protect them if it all goes pear shaped.
Parents who park near schools may be fined
Every school day, rain or shine (barring monsoons), I walk the boys to school. I do it because we are relatively near, it gives us a chance to chat... and I enjoy the exercise. Where possible, and time permitting, I also meet them at the end of the school day to stroll back.
But today, despite clement weather, we are going by car.
Why? Because they are going on trip, and I am afraid I don't see how to get them, much earlier, to school to meet the coach along with a suitcase and ruscksack apiece.
It's not practical. Just as it is not practical for some others to do it daily. And the BBC blonde and bouffant (and reporter - I just heard him tell us what his cabby said en route to the story!) seemed to feel it would not be for them. While it is for our kids. As to safety, kids are to be 'trained'. And doubtless there is a nice little extra group who can be hired to act as councilors to those who have suffered a loss those another group has be tasked to 'encourage':
Parents could face fines...
Powers come into force...
...all councils will have to collect information...
...every authority will have to develop school "travel plans" to meet tough targets...
The theory is sound. Typically the practices is being managed cack-handedly with breath-taking hypocrisy and a stunning simplistic dismissal of the dangers posed by kids being forced onto busy roads. As I wrote to the BBC just now:
Interesting that the presenters today on kids' cycling did not feel the piece they carried applied to them in any way.
I just loved the reporter mentioning his cabbie's views en route to the story. Irony anyone?
I know it's probably 'just not practical', but if we are to trot out official propaganda (in some papers backed, it seems, by fines!) it should be shown for the latest half-considered nonsense it is.
How can something be deemed OK to apply for kids daily but not media workers? More media churn with no analysis or real critique.
BBC - Cycling tests return to schools
'Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn.' - Without the ton of metal to protect them if it all goes pear shaped.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Work with me on this
Please read the following (It mirrors what I heard on the TV this morning):
Sailors admitted incursion - Iran
Royal Navy personnel seized at gunpoint by Iran in the Gulf have admitted being in the country's waters, an Iranian general has claimed.
At what point did it really become clear to you that our armed forces may have done nothing and admitted nothing wrong, and in fact the whole story is based on pure speculation provided by a questionable source?
British Backstabbing Craven News
Sailors admitted incursion - Iran
Royal Navy personnel seized at gunpoint by Iran in the Gulf have admitted being in the country's waters, an Iranian general has claimed.
At what point did it really become clear to you that our armed forces may have done nothing and admitted nothing wrong, and in fact the whole story is based on pure speculation provided by a questionable source?
British Backstabbing Craven News
Well at least 2 others liked the Budget.
Politics Show West Midlands
Caught the tail-end of the piece with the Lab Enviro Minister and the Lib Dem MP (no Tory? Maybe that was explained earlier).
Pathetic. The former vainly trying to keep his seat in the face of gesture politics ('My ministerial car is a Prius', indeed). The latter trying to do the same whilst trying to explain away, much less justify using whose money to buy-off a trip to Brazil on a jolly.
I hope the voters should them the contempt they deserve. Not for wishing to address environmental issues. But for trying to do it so hamfistedly and in such hypocritical ways.
Caught the tail-end of the piece with the Lab Enviro Minister and the Lib Dem MP (no Tory? Maybe that was explained earlier).
Pathetic. The former vainly trying to keep his seat in the face of gesture politics ('My ministerial car is a Prius', indeed). The latter trying to do the same whilst trying to explain away, much less justify using whose money to buy-off a trip to Brazil on a jolly.
I hope the voters should them the contempt they deserve. Not for wishing to address environmental issues. But for trying to do it so hamfistedly and in such hypocritical ways.
Why I cannot respect most UK institutions.
Following the kidnapping of 15 British service personnel by a hostile and erratic foreign power, what we are treated to from, and in, way too many quarters?
A minor royal in a night club.
Sad.
A minor royal in a night club.
Sad.
Possibly not too good for the planet, either.
Changing a bulb is risky at BBC
Maybe, in mitigation, and in light of the BBC's climate concerns, we are talking low energy, long life bulbs?
Maybe, in mitigation, and in light of the BBC's climate concerns, we are talking low energy, long life bulbs?
As Bono's people said to my people...
A conflict of interest?
Having lived and worked (albeit a long while ago) in the States, I was struck how much more important journalistic standards were held to be there, by both protagonists and their audiences.
I tend to agree that it is a bit of a storm in a tea-cup in many ways, but does highlight that what we are served these days is all to often not what matters, but what gets cooked up between a small, privileged cabal of media elite chums who exist merely to serve each other's, or their paying client's interests.
As you say, we can make our own minds up. Maybe that is why so many turn to blogs, in the hope of accessing real news not concocted between a PR agency and 'corespondents' who are addicted to the celebrity access and lifestyle they gain by being compliant in their 'reporting'.
Having lived and worked (albeit a long while ago) in the States, I was struck how much more important journalistic standards were held to be there, by both protagonists and their audiences.
I tend to agree that it is a bit of a storm in a tea-cup in many ways, but does highlight that what we are served these days is all to often not what matters, but what gets cooked up between a small, privileged cabal of media elite chums who exist merely to serve each other's, or their paying client's interests.
As you say, we can make our own minds up. Maybe that is why so many turn to blogs, in the hope of accessing real news not concocted between a PR agency and 'corespondents' who are addicted to the celebrity access and lifestyle they gain by being compliant in their 'reporting'.
Do Tel
Wogan's World
To mutilate Voltaire, 'I may not like the way you choose to say it... but by heck you are right!'
As one committed to DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE and INCENTIVE-BASED with a little reuse website whatever is practical to reduce unnecessary waste simply because it makes financial sense, I despair of the ill-considered measures in the name of green that have been rushed out by inept aspiring 'managers of our minds'.
ADDENDUM:
By way of a more tangible point-to-ponder, your motorist friend will of course get hammered for driving a few miles into town (unless he already lives within the London C- for centric - zone) and then stopping the engine for the day.
Should he invest in a hybrid, however, he can of course test his endurance driving around emitting away all day long. Of course, should he need to drive in from outside our fair capital, he will spend most of the journey lugging along a heavy battery. Such cars are also not so hot at pulling out stumps.
Gesture politics, often supported by rich, urban, blinkered, liberal activists and media luvvies are making efforts to make the planet better for our kids a lot harder, with all their green elite posturing.
To mutilate Voltaire, 'I may not like the way you choose to say it... but by heck you are right!'
As one committed to DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE and INCENTIVE-BASED with a little reuse website whatever is practical to reduce unnecessary waste simply because it makes financial sense, I despair of the ill-considered measures in the name of green that have been rushed out by inept aspiring 'managers of our minds'.
ADDENDUM:
By way of a more tangible point-to-ponder, your motorist friend will of course get hammered for driving a few miles into town (unless he already lives within the London C- for centric - zone) and then stopping the engine for the day.
Should he invest in a hybrid, however, he can of course test his endurance driving around emitting away all day long. Of course, should he need to drive in from outside our fair capital, he will spend most of the journey lugging along a heavy battery. Such cars are also not so hot at pulling out stumps.
Gesture politics, often supported by rich, urban, blinkered, liberal activists and media luvvies are making efforts to make the planet better for our kids a lot harder, with all their green elite posturing.
Oh, the irony.
Well, it is a skill, if not a virtue.
I long for high office without low comedy
'...should we not be just a bit bothered that one of the most important things that the Prime Minister's office has to report is that the nation's leader is a good comic actor?'
But you cannot, at least, resist reporting on it, too.
Am I ...concerned with what today's media demands, and rewards?
Yes.
I long for high office without low comedy
'...should we not be just a bit bothered that one of the most important things that the Prime Minister's office has to report is that the nation's leader is a good comic actor?'
But you cannot, at least, resist reporting on it, too.
Am I ...concerned with what today's media demands, and rewards?
Yes.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Emperor's 2p
2p won't buy Brown a ticket to No 10
I don't get it.
This seemingly hailed, at least initially, 'masterstroke of political theatre', that left all and sundry gasping, was almost immediately seen for what it was and is now confirmed to be a hollow sham just a few days on.
In my line of work you keep in work by promising with professional caution, and then delighting with even better delivery. Dazzling with smoke and mirrors is bad enough when there is no substance, but is a major backfire when it turns out to be a botched attempt to conceal a failing patch-job on already straining band-aids.
This has served to do nothing but dismay, and further hold up today's political process as a piece of theatre dispensed for and only savoured by those players and favoured critics allowed within the venue, and either dismissed or despised by those outside in the real world.
I don't get it.
This seemingly hailed, at least initially, 'masterstroke of political theatre', that left all and sundry gasping, was almost immediately seen for what it was and is now confirmed to be a hollow sham just a few days on.
In my line of work you keep in work by promising with professional caution, and then delighting with even better delivery. Dazzling with smoke and mirrors is bad enough when there is no substance, but is a major backfire when it turns out to be a botched attempt to conceal a failing patch-job on already straining band-aids.
This has served to do nothing but dismay, and further hold up today's political process as a piece of theatre dispensed for and only savoured by those players and favoured critics allowed within the venue, and either dismissed or despised by those outside in the real world.
Recycling is all the rage
At least I can do it with my posts, too
I want a year off paying any taxes
I was listening to a BBC Budget follow-up... and the 'performances' I heard, from both sides of the table (we pay the BBC salary bill, too), support your notion.
To be fair, much can be laid at the door of the facile demands of soundbite media, where interviewers get constrained and now savvy politicians can use the ridiculous timeslots to say nothing, not answer or duck and run to best advantage.
Dismissing the talentless robots put forward by the Conservatives and Liberals. I think I could have drummed up more coherent counter-argument from my kids' playground. There was such fertile ground for opposition to shine and show government failings and where they would make a difference. Sadly, rehashing outdated (things can change in minutes and you need to move fast to react) spin-meister training may seem like good micro-management, but doesn't do much beyond making them seem like only being worried about being on-script.
But Mr. Brown....
He was allowed to waffle out facts ... over and over and over again... that neither answered the questions nor excused the positions the country finds itself in.
This... government has had a long time more to do what it said it wished to do. Not only has it either not done it, but in many cases has changed its tune to suit.
In fact the only real achievement, supported by Mr. Brown's own testimony, has been to pour money into black holes, and/or employ legions more people to help gobble this money up to little or no result.
As just one example, to a challenge that most people, including Doctors, find the NHS to be in a dire state despite the multi-billions lavished upon it, we were treated to a time-consuming rumbled drone of figures and excuses about 'modernisation'.
And whoever thought up the nonsense of consuming precious challenge time with 'listener questions' should be shot. One, isolated, cock-up is legitimately and reasonably dismissed as not something he has heard about, but write in and it will be dealt with. When.. in another ten years?
At least Mr. Brown's red to green deep nostril investigations showed a commitment at least to recycling.
That's my 2p worth anyway.
I want a year off paying any taxes
I was listening to a BBC Budget follow-up... and the 'performances' I heard, from both sides of the table (we pay the BBC salary bill, too), support your notion.
To be fair, much can be laid at the door of the facile demands of soundbite media, where interviewers get constrained and now savvy politicians can use the ridiculous timeslots to say nothing, not answer or duck and run to best advantage.
Dismissing the talentless robots put forward by the Conservatives and Liberals. I think I could have drummed up more coherent counter-argument from my kids' playground. There was such fertile ground for opposition to shine and show government failings and where they would make a difference. Sadly, rehashing outdated (things can change in minutes and you need to move fast to react) spin-meister training may seem like good micro-management, but doesn't do much beyond making them seem like only being worried about being on-script.
But Mr. Brown....
He was allowed to waffle out facts ... over and over and over again... that neither answered the questions nor excused the positions the country finds itself in.
This... government has had a long time more to do what it said it wished to do. Not only has it either not done it, but in many cases has changed its tune to suit.
In fact the only real achievement, supported by Mr. Brown's own testimony, has been to pour money into black holes, and/or employ legions more people to help gobble this money up to little or no result.
As just one example, to a challenge that most people, including Doctors, find the NHS to be in a dire state despite the multi-billions lavished upon it, we were treated to a time-consuming rumbled drone of figures and excuses about 'modernisation'.
And whoever thought up the nonsense of consuming precious challenge time with 'listener questions' should be shot. One, isolated, cock-up is legitimately and reasonably dismissed as not something he has heard about, but write in and it will be dealt with. When.. in another ten years?
At least Mr. Brown's red to green deep nostril investigations showed a commitment at least to recycling.
That's my 2p worth anyway.
Just what we needed
The world's poshest farm shop
The planet can now breathe easier.
Even though most farm shops hereabouts are usually on the farm, though to be fair they don't provide too many yoga mats. I'd drive to London to get mine but unlike the clientele above, would probably need a C-charge sticker for my 4x4, if I could afford one.
Are JCB's exempt?
The planet can now breathe easier.
Even though most farm shops hereabouts are usually on the farm, though to be fair they don't provide too many yoga mats. I'd drive to London to get mine but unlike the clientele above, would probably need a C-charge sticker for my 4x4, if I could afford one.
Are JCB's exempt?
The enemy of my enemy
Storm in a TV studio
'We should complain, loudly and aggressively, every time we catch the Corporation being lopsided. Believe me, they really will listen.'
Can't speak for the EU aspect, but I have complained to the BBC several times recently, loudly if politely, every time they have engaged in dire standards of journalism and plain twisting of facts to suit editorial agendas. In one recent episode, they selected just one sentence of three that I sent in as comment, which turned what I said through 180 degrees.
Believe me, when you do fire off a serve they have a vast funded empire of munchkins who will indeed send you placatory emails that they are listening, checking and, eventually, don't see the problem but thanks for writing. To insist on a follow up you can't reply directly, but have to restart the process all over again.
Even the cosy, pointless Newswatch, which gets junior management up at dawn at the weekend to sulkily say 'maybe we need to do better' or 'no, we've checked (probably with the complaints dept. munchkins) and it was all fine' in reply to prime time transgressions, at least tries... a bit. But what they choose to share, or not, is down to internal decision... of the BBC.
Who monitors the complaints department? Like so much spun and hyped in politics and business these days, there is no point in listening if you have no intention of hearing, much less acting.
'We should complain, loudly and aggressively, every time we catch the Corporation being lopsided. Believe me, they really will listen.'
Can't speak for the EU aspect, but I have complained to the BBC several times recently, loudly if politely, every time they have engaged in dire standards of journalism and plain twisting of facts to suit editorial agendas. In one recent episode, they selected just one sentence of three that I sent in as comment, which turned what I said through 180 degrees.
Believe me, when you do fire off a serve they have a vast funded empire of munchkins who will indeed send you placatory emails that they are listening, checking and, eventually, don't see the problem but thanks for writing. To insist on a follow up you can't reply directly, but have to restart the process all over again.
Even the cosy, pointless Newswatch, which gets junior management up at dawn at the weekend to sulkily say 'maybe we need to do better' or 'no, we've checked (probably with the complaints dept. munchkins) and it was all fine' in reply to prime time transgressions, at least tries... a bit. But what they choose to share, or not, is down to internal decision... of the BBC.
Who monitors the complaints department? Like so much spun and hyped in politics and business these days, there is no point in listening if you have no intention of hearing, much less acting.
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Tooth Hurts
Re-cycle of Life
Though you are too polite to mention it here, I am not and will add that the irony of your dental dilemma is all the more painful in the knowledge that via his salary and, possibly, ministerial perks, we the taxpayers funded Mr. Brown's private cosmetic visit to let him sell his visions to us more palatably.
Though you are too polite to mention it here, I am not and will add that the irony of your dental dilemma is all the more painful in the knowledge that via his salary and, possibly, ministerial perks, we the taxpayers funded Mr. Brown's private cosmetic visit to let him sell his visions to us more palatably.
Colour him bad.
How red is Brown?
As we are working our way through the rainbow, I had initially thought that my feelings on Mr. Brown's conversion from Red to Green had been analysed for what it was already, but it seems it was to depths I would not wish to fathom.
For those perhaps more interested in the environmental aspects of this newer, kinder, gentler, more treehugging Green pol, may I invite you here
At least he seems keener on recycling than I thought.
As we are working our way through the rainbow, I had initially thought that my feelings on Mr. Brown's conversion from Red to Green had been analysed for what it was already, but it seems it was to depths I would not wish to fathom.
For those perhaps more interested in the environmental aspects of this newer, kinder, gentler, more treehugging Green pol, may I invite you here
At least he seems keener on recycling than I thought.
Next!
FOR sale: 5,000-odd mannequins, no heads or legs. All serious offers considered. Please contact Simon Wolfson, Next Plc, Leicester. Next is chucking out the old and bringing in the new. In an attempt to reverse falling like-for-like sales we are promised new ranges, new stores, a new logo, new adverts and even trendy new carrier bags. Not forgetting of course 5,900 new mannequins.
I'm guessing that this is one company not likely to be trumpeting the CSR greenwashing efforts this fiscal then?
If they can't sell them, we could still help find a home - JunkkYard.
I'm guessing that this is one company not likely to be trumpeting the CSR greenwashing efforts this fiscal then?
If they can't sell them, we could still help find a home - JunkkYard.
It's not what you know. It's how the media sk... screws it
I maintain a watching brief on the Sky Big Idea website. There are still some who use it, and they are on the whole a nice, talented, well-informed bunch. They also have little love for TV reality shows, and Dragon's Den in particular.
So let's see if and where this goes...
I just watched BBC Breakfast TV where, for the first time in the history, all the Dragons in the BBC show's Den had unanimously backed... a standby plug.
I was just wondering how this differed from Karl's show winner back in November?
They had the lady Dragon on to show how serious and professional they were, but when the subject of patent protection came up it seemed to veer from vague to simply not answering the key question of whether this idea was protected, and to what level, if at all.
I also noted that the inventors have signed over 50% of their concept to a collection of ego-driven, competitive money-folk. An interesting recipe.
How this one pans out I will await with interest.
But in wishing these guys and the planet well, why to I get the feeling the only real winners, if any, will be the TV show ratings and its 'stars' profiles.
ADDENDUM: The inventor, Karl, has replied, I'd say in remarkably placid terms. I felt less conciliatory process.
Miffed?! I'd be livid!
The TV stations, from 'entertainment' shows like DD & TBI, but also news, must bear some responsibility for the state of genuine invention and product development here.
For the sake of their own odd agendas in the case of the former, and the cause of co-promotion (in the case of the BBC with the latter), pure bad practice and sloppy reporting is letting genuine stories about potentially significant developments get sidelined (or worse, in your case, barred for no better reason than it has been 'seen' before).
This not only does not serve the interests of contributors like you, but is also not helping viewers gain access to the best information to the options out there.
Thanks to the Sunday Times I am looking at 'the next big thing' in this arena - the Bye Bye Plug - which is apparently going to help me go green and save money.
Maybe it will... I don't know. But I have bought all that I have seen advertised and am/will be testing them to try and produce an objective report. Let me know when yours is ready.
I'm fed up with editors and PR people controlling the access to objective information that I need to lead a greener lifestyle, as opposed to genuine, fact-based investigative reporting.
This is a country in the thrall of 'talk' hype and spin, when more than ever we need to reward 'walking the walk' substance.
So let's see if and where this goes...
I just watched BBC Breakfast TV where, for the first time in the history, all the Dragons in the BBC show's Den had unanimously backed... a standby plug.
I was just wondering how this differed from Karl's show winner back in November?
They had the lady Dragon on to show how serious and professional they were, but when the subject of patent protection came up it seemed to veer from vague to simply not answering the key question of whether this idea was protected, and to what level, if at all.
I also noted that the inventors have signed over 50% of their concept to a collection of ego-driven, competitive money-folk. An interesting recipe.
How this one pans out I will await with interest.
But in wishing these guys and the planet well, why to I get the feeling the only real winners, if any, will be the TV show ratings and its 'stars' profiles.
ADDENDUM: The inventor, Karl, has replied, I'd say in remarkably placid terms. I felt less conciliatory process.
Miffed?! I'd be livid!
The TV stations, from 'entertainment' shows like DD & TBI, but also news, must bear some responsibility for the state of genuine invention and product development here.
For the sake of their own odd agendas in the case of the former, and the cause of co-promotion (in the case of the BBC with the latter), pure bad practice and sloppy reporting is letting genuine stories about potentially significant developments get sidelined (or worse, in your case, barred for no better reason than it has been 'seen' before).
This not only does not serve the interests of contributors like you, but is also not helping viewers gain access to the best information to the options out there.
Thanks to the Sunday Times I am looking at 'the next big thing' in this arena - the Bye Bye Plug - which is apparently going to help me go green and save money.
Maybe it will... I don't know. But I have bought all that I have seen advertised and am/will be testing them to try and produce an objective report. Let me know when yours is ready.
I'm fed up with editors and PR people controlling the access to objective information that I need to lead a greener lifestyle, as opposed to genuine, fact-based investigative reporting.
This is a country in the thrall of 'talk' hype and spin, when more than ever we need to reward 'walking the walk' substance.
If you want to do it right...
Yesterday I went to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC... as invited press! Wooooo.Pretty worth it. My main port of call was the Eco Homes section, which amounted to about a hundred booths.
Unsurprisingly, many were the same as last year. And I was reminded how many of them did not take me up on an offer of free publicity via our diRE:ctory, on site reviews and newsletter mentions since then. The offer still stands, but I am buggered if I am spending any more time chasing folk to offer them a chance at selling their stuff for free.
I was also struck how broad the definition of 'eco' can be. I guess it's fair enough, but I sailed past an awful lot of stands pushing bazzillion £ oak beamed houses. Not my bag.
What was worth it was stopping at the B&Q stand, which was hosting wind turbines from Windsave. Now, I have been dubious to date about some aspects of micro-generation, especially home wind turbines, and had a lot of questions.
Many of these were answered by their sales manager Anya, but she was very keen that more were addressed by technical experts, as one of their frustrations has been the way some media have not understood, or wanted to understand that there are many complex issues at play here.
I am therefore hoping they will take me up on my invitation to come and survey my home for suitability, and provide fair estimates of the ROI's (financial and enviROI) as to how worth it to us it will be. Not only that, we are planning to use a few other homes in Ross as examples to see how things change in even a small area, depending on local conditions.
The rest of the show... well, OK. But hardly worth the shoe leather. What was a surprise was a few other eco outfits had decided not to be in the 'zone'. Not sure that was a good idea. Apparently the majority of the visitors to the show came first and foremost for the eco section, and as it is a big show, one may miss other areas if time is tight.
One such was nuaire, who were showing a technology that was a bit different from the horde of other solar guys, and which caught my attention. Basically an air driven system, not dissimilar I believe to that of our Solarventi dehumidifier here at Junkk Towers. I look forward to sussing out its merits.
I also had a interesting chat with the technical sales manager of lighting specialists Snaplite, who had a lot of great information on what is real and what is bogus in low energy lighting. My report on this area is looking more and more like it will be a worthy journey.
Then I passed by FiberTech, which has a great UV cured patch for exterior plastics repair called 'Rapid Repair'. I have a sample and now need to find a broken gutter to test it on. Will report back.
And finally REHAU. I mention them because they not only have a load of fingers in even more eco-pies, but also they are based in... Ross-on-Wye. And that appeals to me in more ways than you can imagine. I just love the notion of having a core of technical experts literally right next door to bounce stuff off with.
There may be more to come. I have a stack of guff a foot high to wade through. And will likely enjoy every minute.
The Won't Budg... et
Wednesday, 21 March, 2007
Yesterday I was listening to the Jeremy Vine show Budget follow-up... and the 'performances' I heard, from both sides of the table, had me wishing for Jeremy Paxman to be in the chair.
Though, to be fair to Mr. Vine, much can be laid at the door of the facile demands of soundbite media, where interviewers get constrained and now savvy politicians can use the ridiculous timeslots to say nothing, not answer or duck and run to best advantage.
In Eric Morley, Miss World style, let me in reverse order dismiss the talentless robots put forward by the Conservatives and Liberals. I think I could have drummed up more coherent counter-argument from my kids' playground. There was such fertile ground for opposition to shine and show government failings and where they would make a difference. Sadly, rehashing outdated (things can change in minutes and you need to move fast to react) spin-meister training may seem like good micro-management, but doesn't do much beyond making them seem like only being worried about being on-script.
But Mr. Brown....
He was allowed to waffle out facts ... over and over and over again... that neither answered the questions nor excused the positions the country finds itself in.
It is a possible failing of our political system that some parties have only 5 years to effect real change, but you work with what you have got.
This... government has had a long time more to do what it said it wished to do. Not only has it either not done it, but in many cases has changed its tune to suit.
In fact the only real achievement, supported by Mr. Brown's own testimony, has been to pour money into black holes, and/or employ legions more people to help gobble this money up to little or no result.
As just one example, to Mr. Vine's challenge that most people, including Doctors, find the NHS to be in a dire state despite the multi-billions lavished upon it, we were treated to a time-consuming rumbled drone of figures and excuses about 'modernisation'. You can't blame pre-1997 any more Mr. Brown!
And whoever thought up the nonsense of consuming precious challenge time with 'listener questions' should be shot. One, isolated, cock-up is legitimately and reasonably dismissed as not something he has heard about, but write in and it will be dealt with. When.. in another ten years?
And thus he managed to tell the interviewer wordlessly that he was busy and had enough and that was that. What a waste of space.
And speaking of waste, well, the environment, which is my core interest, I came back last night to a post on my site from a reader which sums up how green this budget was (noting some other great points above):
"I'd like to share the fantastic increase in the budget for microgeneration grants administered via the Low Carbon Building Fund. From £6Mill to £9Mill - brilliant!... that'll make a massive difference! Here's where it will go - half to employ more administrators and bean counters with gilt-edged pensions and half (I hope!!) to those concerned (albeit well entrenched) consumers who would like to do their bit.
So now the LCBF grants will run out at 11:45 on the morning of the first working day of each month rather than at 10:30? Fat lot that goes towards helping. Uncle Gord might as well have stuck two fingers up to the electorate .... or did I blink and miss him doing just that?"
That's our 2p worth anyway.
Telegraph - Budget has left us no better off say 7 in 10
A letter in the Telegraph:
Sir - Well done, Mr Brown. Yet another nail in the coffin of the British farmer - £400 a year to tax our Land Rover. What a good idea. I'm sure my husband will be delighted when I tell him we are selling the Land Rover to become "greener" and save ourselves £400 a year and suggest he gets around the fields to feed our 400 ewes on his bicycle, or perhaps a Smart car would fit the bill?
Unlike many of the owners of 4x4s, we rely on our Land Rover to get around the farm and for hay deliveries, which is one of the things we do to diversify. Perhaps we should get out of farming altogether, so that we can import all our food, and use lots of planes to get it here. Very green, very environmentally friendly.
Yesterday I was listening to the Jeremy Vine show Budget follow-up... and the 'performances' I heard, from both sides of the table, had me wishing for Jeremy Paxman to be in the chair.
Though, to be fair to Mr. Vine, much can be laid at the door of the facile demands of soundbite media, where interviewers get constrained and now savvy politicians can use the ridiculous timeslots to say nothing, not answer or duck and run to best advantage.
In Eric Morley, Miss World style, let me in reverse order dismiss the talentless robots put forward by the Conservatives and Liberals. I think I could have drummed up more coherent counter-argument from my kids' playground. There was such fertile ground for opposition to shine and show government failings and where they would make a difference. Sadly, rehashing outdated (things can change in minutes and you need to move fast to react) spin-meister training may seem like good micro-management, but doesn't do much beyond making them seem like only being worried about being on-script.
But Mr. Brown....
He was allowed to waffle out facts ... over and over and over again... that neither answered the questions nor excused the positions the country finds itself in.
It is a possible failing of our political system that some parties have only 5 years to effect real change, but you work with what you have got.
This... government has had a long time more to do what it said it wished to do. Not only has it either not done it, but in many cases has changed its tune to suit.
In fact the only real achievement, supported by Mr. Brown's own testimony, has been to pour money into black holes, and/or employ legions more people to help gobble this money up to little or no result.
As just one example, to Mr. Vine's challenge that most people, including Doctors, find the NHS to be in a dire state despite the multi-billions lavished upon it, we were treated to a time-consuming rumbled drone of figures and excuses about 'modernisation'. You can't blame pre-1997 any more Mr. Brown!
And whoever thought up the nonsense of consuming precious challenge time with 'listener questions' should be shot. One, isolated, cock-up is legitimately and reasonably dismissed as not something he has heard about, but write in and it will be dealt with. When.. in another ten years?
And thus he managed to tell the interviewer wordlessly that he was busy and had enough and that was that. What a waste of space.
And speaking of waste, well, the environment, which is my core interest, I came back last night to a post on my site from a reader which sums up how green this budget was (noting some other great points above):
"I'd like to share the fantastic increase in the budget for microgeneration grants administered via the Low Carbon Building Fund. From £6Mill to £9Mill - brilliant!... that'll make a massive difference! Here's where it will go - half to employ more administrators and bean counters with gilt-edged pensions and half (I hope!!) to those concerned (albeit well entrenched) consumers who would like to do their bit.
So now the LCBF grants will run out at 11:45 on the morning of the first working day of each month rather than at 10:30? Fat lot that goes towards helping. Uncle Gord might as well have stuck two fingers up to the electorate .... or did I blink and miss him doing just that?"
That's our 2p worth anyway.
Telegraph - Budget has left us no better off say 7 in 10
A letter in the Telegraph:
Sir - Well done, Mr Brown. Yet another nail in the coffin of the British farmer - £400 a year to tax our Land Rover. What a good idea. I'm sure my husband will be delighted when I tell him we are selling the Land Rover to become "greener" and save ourselves £400 a year and suggest he gets around the fields to feed our 400 ewes on his bicycle, or perhaps a Smart car would fit the bill?
Unlike many of the owners of 4x4s, we rely on our Land Rover to get around the farm and for hay deliveries, which is one of the things we do to diversify. Perhaps we should get out of farming altogether, so that we can import all our food, and use lots of planes to get it here. Very green, very environmentally friendly.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Let the flames begin!
Budget 07: mean not green
I have long since ceased to try to understand, let alone believe, and much less be convinced by anything the current crop of politicians and self-appointed green elite 'commentators' have to say about where we've been, are and could/should be going.
As this blog testifies, it has made not one whit of difference to entrenched positions which, by my estimate square up as about the population of tube-proximate, cycling Islingtonistas in the ecofacist pro camp, vs. the rest of the country's Daily Mail/Sun reading (well, you know what I mean) big-oil funded, Ch4 watching (and believing... how dare they) climate deniers... as a 'no' then.
So if, like me, you think there is a smidge of an issue here, and the best way to sort it is by persuasion and willing cooperation of the masses, I'd say we need a new broom pronto to sweep clear the whole sorry 'I care/know better than you lot'... pronto.
IMHO:)
I have long since ceased to try to understand, let alone believe, and much less be convinced by anything the current crop of politicians and self-appointed green elite 'commentators' have to say about where we've been, are and could/should be going.
As this blog testifies, it has made not one whit of difference to entrenched positions which, by my estimate square up as about the population of tube-proximate, cycling Islingtonistas in the ecofacist pro camp, vs. the rest of the country's Daily Mail/Sun reading (well, you know what I mean) big-oil funded, Ch4 watching (and believing... how dare they) climate deniers... as a 'no' then.
So if, like me, you think there is a smidge of an issue here, and the best way to sort it is by persuasion and willing cooperation of the masses, I'd say we need a new broom pronto to sweep clear the whole sorry 'I care/know better than you lot'... pronto.
IMHO:)
I may not agree...
What's the point of Channel 4?
'the propoganda that was The Great Global Warming Swindle.'
In passing, I am presuming that to be a typo (mea cupla, hourly) and not, in fact, a new word meaning it's well proper'.
However, I am very keen to learn more on the outcome of all the serious consequences being threatened here and there - 'Wunsch is reportedly considering [my emphasis - what the heck does that mean?] a complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom' - to justify that rather, shall we say 'one-sided' view above of what was, shall we say, another, if alternative 'one-sided view'.
One man's big oil denier is another's ecofascist 'n all.
Balance, Grasshopper, balance, is how to win minds.
'the propoganda that was The Great Global Warming Swindle.'
In passing, I am presuming that to be a typo (mea cupla, hourly) and not, in fact, a new word meaning it's well proper'.
However, I am very keen to learn more on the outcome of all the serious consequences being threatened here and there - 'Wunsch is reportedly considering [my emphasis - what the heck does that mean?] a complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom' - to justify that rather, shall we say 'one-sided' view above of what was, shall we say, another, if alternative 'one-sided view'.
One man's big oil denier is another's ecofascist 'n all.
Balance, Grasshopper, balance, is how to win minds.
Who does he think the press is working for?
Set information free
It's a very good, more than fair question.
One you could ask one of your colleagues a few pages over who I just took to task on her blog, who seems to think investigations into fraud should cease when they become 'boring'. Sounds like Lord G would agree. Bore it down and bury, hmnn?
Call me old-fashioned, but I like my press feisty, factual, fanatical and fair. And tenacious (no f'in that, sorry).
It's a very good, more than fair question.
One you could ask one of your colleagues a few pages over who I just took to task on her blog, who seems to think investigations into fraud should cease when they become 'boring'. Sounds like Lord G would agree. Bore it down and bury, hmnn?
Call me old-fashioned, but I like my press feisty, factual, fanatical and fair. And tenacious (no f'in that, sorry).
Lions led by donkeys, fed by jackals
Mr Brown’s long fuse
Au contraire. As we were obviously watching another performance entirely.
As I watched BBC's Breakfast's morning cuddlefest analysis, a series of taking heads, whilst happily agreeing that it was a massive nothing at best, and con at worst, all agreed that it was politically 'brilliant'.
When are those who work in Westminster, and those who work at feeding off them, grasp that the rest of the population can figure out that if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, looks like a duck and stinks like a duck, we can probably assess it for the duck it is.
Time to get back to politicians who stand for something more beyond getting into or staying in office, and a complete purge of the whole Pundit Zero class with highly vested interests, and careers, in making it all seem like anything other than another catwalk run by the latest naked emperor.
ps: All that simply means I agree. Chance of showers to come.
Au contraire. As we were obviously watching another performance entirely.
As I watched BBC's Breakfast's morning cuddlefest analysis, a series of taking heads, whilst happily agreeing that it was a massive nothing at best, and con at worst, all agreed that it was politically 'brilliant'.
When are those who work in Westminster, and those who work at feeding off them, grasp that the rest of the population can figure out that if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, looks like a duck and stinks like a duck, we can probably assess it for the duck it is.
Time to get back to politicians who stand for something more beyond getting into or staying in office, and a complete purge of the whole Pundit Zero class with highly vested interests, and careers, in making it all seem like anything other than another catwalk run by the latest naked emperor.
ps: All that simply means I agree. Chance of showers to come.
What a waste
Call for council tax rise - and a charge for emptying your bin
"But Sir Michael said with local government facing huge EU fines for missing waste targets "a charging regime would act as a powerful incentive" on householders to recycle."
No, it may act as a powerful DISINCENTIVE NOT TO, and is certainly passing the burden for meeting administrative targets onto those who are meant to be served. And pay for the 'privilege'.
Another nail in the 'fine first, figure out solutions later' coffin of what's being achieved by 'green' policies we are being subjected to these days.
"But Sir Michael said with local government facing huge EU fines for missing waste targets "a charging regime would act as a powerful incentive" on householders to recycle."
No, it may act as a powerful DISINCENTIVE NOT TO, and is certainly passing the burden for meeting administrative targets onto those who are meant to be served. And pay for the 'privilege'.
Another nail in the 'fine first, figure out solutions later' coffin of what's being achieved by 'green' policies we are being subjected to these days.
Ask. Don't Tell.
I'm on a ro... mission:
Noted that Declan asked the 'enviro question' of the BMI boss regarding the impact of increased flights as a result of new regulations.
And noted that the airline industry takes this issue very seriously (where have we heard that before.. ad nauseam).
But as to the answer that he (the BMI guy) doesn't think it will adversely affect the contribution of greenhouse gasses to climate change, [MY QUESTION:] does the BBC think leaving it at that is adequately dealing with this as a major aspect of news issue, on the day the budget is discussed for its green influence?
Noted that Declan asked the 'enviro question' of the BMI boss regarding the impact of increased flights as a result of new regulations.
And noted that the airline industry takes this issue very seriously (where have we heard that before.. ad nauseam).
But as to the answer that he (the BMI guy) doesn't think it will adversely affect the contribution of greenhouse gasses to climate change, [MY QUESTION:] does the BBC think leaving it at that is adequately dealing with this as a major aspect of news issue, on the day the budget is discussed for its green influence?
Nice one BIll
I usually lump him in with the blonde as the bouffant, however in the spirit of fair critique as my concern is the lack of fact in news these days:
'I have to give a big up to Bill.
He was the only one who kept trying to point out the facts to what sounded like the most nonsensical Westminster insider hype worship I have ever heard on Mr. Brown's budget, from the Lib Dem spokesperson and Telegraph columnist.
I don't want this country, or its economy, run by people who play silly games and only admire those who do so well at the expense of substance, and certainly not commentated upon by those who have lost touch with how the normal, working person exists and views things'
Let's see if one of those get a mention!
'I have to give a big up to Bill.
He was the only one who kept trying to point out the facts to what sounded like the most nonsensical Westminster insider hype worship I have ever heard on Mr. Brown's budget, from the Lib Dem spokesperson and Telegraph columnist.
I don't want this country, or its economy, run by people who play silly games and only admire those who do so well at the expense of substance, and certainly not commentated upon by those who have lost touch with how the normal, working person exists and views things'
Let's see if one of those get a mention!
Just the facts
My discourse with BBC Breakfast over the standard of their features and reporting continues, as summarised by this, which with luck will speak (write) for itself (I could have added that this black vs. white issue was left unresolved by the blonde and bouffant 'hosts', who just giggled):
I just saw your regular medical feature Doctor directly contradict the BUPA representative.
And he in reply told her she was wrong.
I do trust by the next screening 'we' will know who, if necessary via the moderators.
Otherwise what is the point of such news?
I doubt it will get read out at all, but if it does one can only wonder which sentence they will choose this time to suit their odd notion of truth.
I just saw your regular medical feature Doctor directly contradict the BUPA representative.
And he in reply told her she was wrong.
I do trust by the next screening 'we' will know who, if necessary via the moderators.
Otherwise what is the point of such news?
I doubt it will get read out at all, but if it does one can only wonder which sentence they will choose this time to suit their odd notion of truth.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Nelson Touch..
..a patch from a more jaundiced eye?
Brit's Eye View: U.K. climate politics heating up
It is worth remembering that, like many cultures, there are always a few alternative ways something can get taken, depending on the point you are looking from.
In the UK, it often seems there is what happens in the corridors of power and the surrounding London C-zone (in London the C is for congestion charge, but some may say it could also stand for ‘centric’, the way the city’s young, non-parent, tube, bus and flat-road blessed cyclopaths seem to view things) that takes in the media and urban luvvies.... and the rest of the country.
For sure, the environment is BIG. Certainly in government - we just had another budget where they stuck it to those 4x4s again, which will really make a difference to those in the City earning a bazzillion trading carbon credits when it comes to the annual upgrade to a wind-powered Cayenne, but may make it a bit harder in countryside where folk are still running 30 year old Land Rovers. Remind me again, how much of a car’s carbon is in manufacture?
Glad the EU is agreeing to stuff anyway. Well, the leaders are not agreeing to very much they are asking the rest of us to do, if Mr. Baroso's defence of his Touareg is anything to go by. And our dear leader, and equally dear leader of HM’s Opposition seem to have a small problem with the whole not flying thing if it applies to making THEIR lives nicer, easier and/or more profitable. Like the rest of us were doing it, especially on business, because we just love sucking up the bird flu from row 22.
And as to targets, we have enough for even an NRA Glee Club to go ape over. Hitting them... not so good. But we got ‘em. Squillions! And even more folk to assess, measure, interpret, committee, file, report, fine, explain, excuse, fly to Bali to discuss and all round not do very much but add to the demands on the public purse to keep a load of folk in green-gold until Armageddon.
Now I don’t want to get into a ‘Big Oil denier/Eco-Nazi who said what and is funded by whom’ quote-fest, but I would like to know who the ‘most commentators’ were who welcomed this package. ‘Cos I don’t recall it being quite as all round rosy and unequivocal as that. At least outside the C-zone, and even a few media guys from within that seemed a little less than impressed with how recognition of a need ever seems to turn into effective action.
Yes, stuff needs doing. And to ensure it gets done right, what it is needs to be agreed. Sadly, and it pains me to say this, this does necessitate some KPIs, but here is where think-tanks, government, eco-activists, business, the media, the public and real life may start to diverge.
Me, I just want what’s best for my kids and their kids, so all I really care about is the enviROI, the return that the planet gets on any efforts made to reduce man’s impact upon it (if indeed there is any, or whether it is necessary or not to mitigate a possible natural influence... or not). Been there. Got the blog-flames and a nifty hemp T-shirt that says “Make sure your footprint isn’t a CarbCon one’.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, who MAY be Prime Minister from June unless I have missed something, does have a fondness for decrees. Not so popular with the British public though, such things. And as pointed out, there is theory and there is practice, and who is in office and who is not. Plus who has retired with a nice index-linked, gold-plated pension, and who is mopping up afterwards.
Unless I was only reading subversive underground literature, Enviro Minister David Miliband’s floated ideas on personal carbon allowances were more of the lead balloon variety, being meant for no more than a toe dip and not exactly floated very high at all. And the guns seemed pretty well out for it even with the wee outing it did have.
A bit like those punted by David Cameron, the Conservative leader and, possibly, next leader of the land if the current polls are anything to go by. Both see carbon allowances and trading as a wheeze, and it is easy to see how they would appeal to those with mates in London, and being immune from the consequences of their actions ’because they are busy and important’. Just ask how the old road pricing went down. No problem in London. Not so great where folk have 50 mile round trips daily in the provinces.
I am also unclear as to how the science is getting... any clearer. The IPCC report rated two days in the broadsheets and barely got a mention in the tabloids. A few niche TV media had a stab. Then along came the Channel 4 documentary (mentioned in these pages), and fewer people think climate is an issue than did before. And that wasn’t many. Most think it’s a big con to squeeze taxes in the name of green to prop up runaway public spending and ministerial pensions and pointless campaigns from overfunded comms budgets.
If big companies are getting serious, it’s only because they don’t like the look of the fines coming, or see money in the marketing. Major retailers like Tescos are struggling to explain how a wind-turbine on a trial store’s roof makes up for concreting over most of the country with car parks to sell Spanish strawberries in foam packs. Especially as the former will boost profits anyway. Meanwhile Richard Branson is still spinning how sending billionaires up on a column of greenhouse gasses for their own inter-stellar Kodak moment is offset by his air fleet not yet being on biodiesel. And Stuart Rose of M&S has ordered a hydrogen-powered Beemer which will need a truck to follow it with refills. Bless.
Speaking of which, and competition between political parties, it was Mr. Cameron who rather famously cycled to work with his lunchbox following behind in a hybrid Lexus. But at least his wind turbine went up today. I have posed a question online as to its actual enviROI during its lifespan. While I see no problem with forking out extra cash to save the planet, I do have one with churning out superficial guff that will do no such thing. And the spin vs. action surrounding that inner-city propeller blade makes for a worthy metaphor on what we are facing.
I have long been in favour of allowances, but simply can’t see how they are to be managed. Who gets one tax–free flight? Me? Madonna and Guy? What about every Kalahari bushman and Mekong Delta boat lady who didn’t even know they were part of the global reckoning. Or... aren’t they? Is it just for rich folk to trade with each other? Because if 6 billion get one free flight I’d say Ryan Air shares will go ballistic. And the planet will fry in a fortnight.
There’s debate all right. Maybe it’s me, but from deniers and e-fascists on climate change, to politicians trying to score cheap, non-binding e-points, it all seems pretty ineffective stuff. And if it’s passing me by when I care as much as I do, I think it all needs to get a bit more relevant to the rest of the UK population sooner rather than later.
And on the day we see a bunch more taxes go up in the budget, with little to show for it than more beancounters with clipboards, those who are in power, and those in un-elected Quangos doing very nicely from their profligate, unaccountable spending, would do well to remember the people still have a vote.
At least for now.
Nope, still can't see any ships on the horizon quite yet.
ADDENDUM:
Phew. And I thought no one read... or cared... about Little Britain (now a Virgin Atlantic campaign being run in New York under the guise of 'a local initiative'. Go get 'em, Ricardo!).
Heathrow scramble starts as EU agrees historic 'open skies' deal - http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2383920.ece
'European transport ministers took the historic step of approving an open skies pact to liberalise the transatlantic airline market yesterday, triggering a scramble to launch new services from Heathrow to major US cities' - weeeee, more planes! That will help.
Budget 07: mean not green - http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/john_sauven/2007/03/budget_07_mean_not_green_.html - 'The reintroduction of the fuel escalator was the chancellor's only real concession to the environment lobby.' - so, not so green from HMG's next PM then.
Green groups warn of backlash against Budget - http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2377703.ece - kind of does what it says on the tin
'You can't change world by wearing sandals' - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/17/noleary17.xml - Luckily, the heads of EU government feel his pain
I'd go on, but then Mr. cc would mock me for my awesome length, and I am feeling Friday fragile.
It would still be nice to get an answer to my question, though:)
I'd like to understand how this CarbCon trading thing works.
No, really.
Brit's Eye View: U.K. climate politics heating up
It is worth remembering that, like many cultures, there are always a few alternative ways something can get taken, depending on the point you are looking from.
In the UK, it often seems there is what happens in the corridors of power and the surrounding London C-zone (in London the C is for congestion charge, but some may say it could also stand for ‘centric’, the way the city’s young, non-parent, tube, bus and flat-road blessed cyclopaths seem to view things) that takes in the media and urban luvvies.... and the rest of the country.
For sure, the environment is BIG. Certainly in government - we just had another budget where they stuck it to those 4x4s again, which will really make a difference to those in the City earning a bazzillion trading carbon credits when it comes to the annual upgrade to a wind-powered Cayenne, but may make it a bit harder in countryside where folk are still running 30 year old Land Rovers. Remind me again, how much of a car’s carbon is in manufacture?
Glad the EU is agreeing to stuff anyway. Well, the leaders are not agreeing to very much they are asking the rest of us to do, if Mr. Baroso's defence of his Touareg is anything to go by. And our dear leader, and equally dear leader of HM’s Opposition seem to have a small problem with the whole not flying thing if it applies to making THEIR lives nicer, easier and/or more profitable. Like the rest of us were doing it, especially on business, because we just love sucking up the bird flu from row 22.
And as to targets, we have enough for even an NRA Glee Club to go ape over. Hitting them... not so good. But we got ‘em. Squillions! And even more folk to assess, measure, interpret, committee, file, report, fine, explain, excuse, fly to Bali to discuss and all round not do very much but add to the demands on the public purse to keep a load of folk in green-gold until Armageddon.
Now I don’t want to get into a ‘Big Oil denier/Eco-Nazi who said what and is funded by whom’ quote-fest, but I would like to know who the ‘most commentators’ were who welcomed this package. ‘Cos I don’t recall it being quite as all round rosy and unequivocal as that. At least outside the C-zone, and even a few media guys from within that seemed a little less than impressed with how recognition of a need ever seems to turn into effective action.
Yes, stuff needs doing. And to ensure it gets done right, what it is needs to be agreed. Sadly, and it pains me to say this, this does necessitate some KPIs, but here is where think-tanks, government, eco-activists, business, the media, the public and real life may start to diverge.
Me, I just want what’s best for my kids and their kids, so all I really care about is the enviROI, the return that the planet gets on any efforts made to reduce man’s impact upon it (if indeed there is any, or whether it is necessary or not to mitigate a possible natural influence... or not). Been there. Got the blog-flames and a nifty hemp T-shirt that says “Make sure your footprint isn’t a CarbCon one’.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, who MAY be Prime Minister from June unless I have missed something, does have a fondness for decrees. Not so popular with the British public though, such things. And as pointed out, there is theory and there is practice, and who is in office and who is not. Plus who has retired with a nice index-linked, gold-plated pension, and who is mopping up afterwards.
Unless I was only reading subversive underground literature, Enviro Minister David Miliband’s floated ideas on personal carbon allowances were more of the lead balloon variety, being meant for no more than a toe dip and not exactly floated very high at all. And the guns seemed pretty well out for it even with the wee outing it did have.
A bit like those punted by David Cameron, the Conservative leader and, possibly, next leader of the land if the current polls are anything to go by. Both see carbon allowances and trading as a wheeze, and it is easy to see how they would appeal to those with mates in London, and being immune from the consequences of their actions ’because they are busy and important’. Just ask how the old road pricing went down. No problem in London. Not so great where folk have 50 mile round trips daily in the provinces.
I am also unclear as to how the science is getting... any clearer. The IPCC report rated two days in the broadsheets and barely got a mention in the tabloids. A few niche TV media had a stab. Then along came the Channel 4 documentary (mentioned in these pages), and fewer people think climate is an issue than did before. And that wasn’t many. Most think it’s a big con to squeeze taxes in the name of green to prop up runaway public spending and ministerial pensions and pointless campaigns from overfunded comms budgets.
If big companies are getting serious, it’s only because they don’t like the look of the fines coming, or see money in the marketing. Major retailers like Tescos are struggling to explain how a wind-turbine on a trial store’s roof makes up for concreting over most of the country with car parks to sell Spanish strawberries in foam packs. Especially as the former will boost profits anyway. Meanwhile Richard Branson is still spinning how sending billionaires up on a column of greenhouse gasses for their own inter-stellar Kodak moment is offset by his air fleet not yet being on biodiesel. And Stuart Rose of M&S has ordered a hydrogen-powered Beemer which will need a truck to follow it with refills. Bless.
Speaking of which, and competition between political parties, it was Mr. Cameron who rather famously cycled to work with his lunchbox following behind in a hybrid Lexus. But at least his wind turbine went up today. I have posed a question online as to its actual enviROI during its lifespan. While I see no problem with forking out extra cash to save the planet, I do have one with churning out superficial guff that will do no such thing. And the spin vs. action surrounding that inner-city propeller blade makes for a worthy metaphor on what we are facing.
I have long been in favour of allowances, but simply can’t see how they are to be managed. Who gets one tax–free flight? Me? Madonna and Guy? What about every Kalahari bushman and Mekong Delta boat lady who didn’t even know they were part of the global reckoning. Or... aren’t they? Is it just for rich folk to trade with each other? Because if 6 billion get one free flight I’d say Ryan Air shares will go ballistic. And the planet will fry in a fortnight.
There’s debate all right. Maybe it’s me, but from deniers and e-fascists on climate change, to politicians trying to score cheap, non-binding e-points, it all seems pretty ineffective stuff. And if it’s passing me by when I care as much as I do, I think it all needs to get a bit more relevant to the rest of the UK population sooner rather than later.
And on the day we see a bunch more taxes go up in the budget, with little to show for it than more beancounters with clipboards, those who are in power, and those in un-elected Quangos doing very nicely from their profligate, unaccountable spending, would do well to remember the people still have a vote.
At least for now.
Nope, still can't see any ships on the horizon quite yet.
ADDENDUM:
Phew. And I thought no one read... or cared... about Little Britain (now a Virgin Atlantic campaign being run in New York under the guise of 'a local initiative'. Go get 'em, Ricardo!).
Heathrow scramble starts as EU agrees historic 'open skies' deal - http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2383920.ece
'European transport ministers took the historic step of approving an open skies pact to liberalise the transatlantic airline market yesterday, triggering a scramble to launch new services from Heathrow to major US cities' - weeeee, more planes! That will help.
Budget 07: mean not green - http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/john_sauven/2007/03/budget_07_mean_not_green_.html - 'The reintroduction of the fuel escalator was the chancellor's only real concession to the environment lobby.' - so, not so green from HMG's next PM then.
Green groups warn of backlash against Budget - http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2377703.ece - kind of does what it says on the tin
'You can't change world by wearing sandals' - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/17/noleary17.xml - Luckily, the heads of EU government feel his pain
I'd go on, but then Mr. cc would mock me for my awesome length, and I am feeling Friday fragile.
It would still be nice to get an answer to my question, though:)
I'd like to understand how this CarbCon trading thing works.
No, really.
I won't be the first...
All homes energy efficient within decade says Brown
'Based on consultations with banks and building societies, he said measures to lower a household's carbon footprint had the potential to create a market for a range of new "green" financial products'
Nice idea.
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=6038
'Based on consultations with banks and building societies, he said measures to lower a household's carbon footprint had the potential to create a market for a range of new "green" financial products'
Nice idea.
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=6038
Doing the rounds.
Up on the roof...Cameron's wind turbine arrives
I do wonder what the enviROI - the return on investment to the planet in terms of carbon saved, and the bit that really matters to those serious about making our kids' futures better - was of designing, making, delivering and erecting this edifice?
Is it possible that it actually has been worse (I only ask... I don't know. But if the lifespan is in excess of the payback period, what then)?
If so, then it truly is a fitting testimony to the fact that we live in an era of spin over substance.
I do wonder what the enviROI - the return on investment to the planet in terms of carbon saved, and the bit that really matters to those serious about making our kids' futures better - was of designing, making, delivering and erecting this edifice?
Is it possible that it actually has been worse (I only ask... I don't know. But if the lifespan is in excess of the payback period, what then)?
If so, then it truly is a fitting testimony to the fact that we live in an era of spin over substance.
You're on Can'd Camera!
Only that was funny ha-ha, not sadder than hell.
Cameras in cans to spill the beans on fly-tippers
Nice to see some authorities still have their priorities straight.
Cameras in cans to spill the beans on fly-tippers
Nice to see some authorities still have their priorities straight.
Author! Author!
I am again grateful to reader Dave of Solarventi, who sent me this link to a piece entitled 'Fifteen painless ways to save the World', with the comment 'they are missing re:use'.
Quite.
One day I am going... need to write a book based on Junkk.com.
In many ways it will be totally pointless, because all it will contain is a synthesis of the thousands of pages freely available on the site. But some people just like to pay money for a thing, and as I need money it seems like a good exchange.
Of course, there is the small matter of it being produced in bookly stuff, which may be deemed a tad un-eco, as opposed to squirted down a broadband connection near you, with an almost infinite and searchable database of whatever takes your fancy.
Tricky to browse in the loo of a morning, or the conservatory on a Sunday, I'll grant you, but compromises need to be made, I guess.
Whether on not it will include a link to the author of the piece above, or her book, is rather down to her. When I first heard of it, as always I sent a cheery hello and invited them to upload, for free, onto the site. I even called a few times to see how we could do stuff together for mutual benefit. Sadly, she has people, and people who have people are the luckiest people in the world. Because they are very busy, and thus the people they have can deal with so much more. Or not. They're still welcome to upload, but I am not doing it for them.
And, I guess, despite knowing full well who I am and what Junkk.com does, they are more in the business of selling green rather than sharing it, so we may be on a hiding to nothing.
Pity.
Because while there are some fine, if obvious, suggestions, I could have suggested a few things, such as...
3 Ask your water company for a free "hippo"..
...or... an even simpler plastic device to put in the cistern from what you throw out, to obviate the need to make a new thing out of plastic simply to fill some space. Oh, and if it doesn't flush properly because of it, careful you don't end up flushing several times, which kinda defeats the purpose.
4 Install a condensing boiler to heat your water and home...
For sure. Though how that is easy and painless I'd like explaining. As stated, at least you get a return for your outlay, but not all have the outlay, and this needs facilitating, Gordon, about... now (Budget speech is on)
5 Use energy-saving light bulbs.
Yup. And the shops to buy them come in all shapes and sizes beyond ebulbshop.com. Many however make claims they don't live up to on lifespan. Write when you fitted one in felt tip on the housing. You can soon see if you are getting your average as claimed. If not, take it back.
6 Don't overfill your kettle.
There may be others, and I'll sahre equally if they let me know, but our EcoKettle does the trick. Maybe they are not good mates like ecobulb.
7 Lower your thermostat.
Yup. Try telling my Chinese missus that is painless. I'd say insulation was a better bet, but there you go.
8 Buy organic food .
Er, maybe. This jury is still out, at least on such a broad claim. Big Barn is good, though, as a start.
9 Reset your computer.
There is theory and there is practice. My monitor goes off. My CPU stays on to get updates. I am also debating the damage due to spinning up and down and hence requiring renewal. Sorry.
10 Save paper.
Ever tried reloading used paper into the printer? It's a nice theory. I am trying to figure out just how much value there is to this (plus security issues) when my paper is recycled and/or from managed forest. Isn't this like creating a carbon sink?
11 Don't buy "sweaty" fabrics such as nylon and polyester
That's the fleece made from old Coke bottles out then.
12 Use your washing line.
Today (lovely & sunny)... no prob, though in the conservatory. It doesn't work so well in the rain. Or if you have a flat. Or don't have much time. I converted our airing cupboard to a drying version of same, and it takes damp from the washing machine to dry overnight. Not so sure about the humid air driven off. I think Dave may have a suggestion on that! A wall mounted solar dryer!
14 Convert to a green energy tariff
Just make sure you do the maths and know the provenance chain. It's one thing to blow extra cash to save the planet. Another to line some green spiv's pockets.
15 Recycle!
This may sound obvious, but try re:use or re:pair first. That way you are stopping stuff going into a target-based system that gobbles up energy and may not be as good for the planet as contractor's profits and public servant's pensions.
ADDENDUM:
Have written to the Enviro Ed, Charles Clover:
One of our readers has just popped this over.
While it's great to see interest in such matters generating informational resources, it can be disappointing when some of the advice may be a bit 'Islington vs. Ipswich' with, for instance, the purchase of a new boiler being possibly slightly more painful to some than suggested, no matter what the long term ROI. With luck Mr. Brown may be helping with this as we speak. A boy can dream:)
I just like to suggest that there could well be many, more, and more down to earth measures than those indicated, and would fly the flag for a few more to add, such as re:use and re:pair to that 15, in time to come.
I am please to say that he replied in short order, and was kind enough to see my point.
Quite.
One day I am going... need to write a book based on Junkk.com.
In many ways it will be totally pointless, because all it will contain is a synthesis of the thousands of pages freely available on the site. But some people just like to pay money for a thing, and as I need money it seems like a good exchange.
Of course, there is the small matter of it being produced in bookly stuff, which may be deemed a tad un-eco, as opposed to squirted down a broadband connection near you, with an almost infinite and searchable database of whatever takes your fancy.
Tricky to browse in the loo of a morning, or the conservatory on a Sunday, I'll grant you, but compromises need to be made, I guess.
Whether on not it will include a link to the author of the piece above, or her book, is rather down to her. When I first heard of it, as always I sent a cheery hello and invited them to upload, for free, onto the site. I even called a few times to see how we could do stuff together for mutual benefit. Sadly, she has people, and people who have people are the luckiest people in the world. Because they are very busy, and thus the people they have can deal with so much more. Or not. They're still welcome to upload, but I am not doing it for them.
And, I guess, despite knowing full well who I am and what Junkk.com does, they are more in the business of selling green rather than sharing it, so we may be on a hiding to nothing.
Pity.
Because while there are some fine, if obvious, suggestions, I could have suggested a few things, such as...
3 Ask your water company for a free "hippo"..
...or... an even simpler plastic device to put in the cistern from what you throw out, to obviate the need to make a new thing out of plastic simply to fill some space. Oh, and if it doesn't flush properly because of it, careful you don't end up flushing several times, which kinda defeats the purpose.
4 Install a condensing boiler to heat your water and home...
For sure. Though how that is easy and painless I'd like explaining. As stated, at least you get a return for your outlay, but not all have the outlay, and this needs facilitating, Gordon, about... now (Budget speech is on)
5 Use energy-saving light bulbs.
Yup. And the shops to buy them come in all shapes and sizes beyond ebulbshop.com. Many however make claims they don't live up to on lifespan. Write when you fitted one in felt tip on the housing. You can soon see if you are getting your average as claimed. If not, take it back.
6 Don't overfill your kettle.
There may be others, and I'll sahre equally if they let me know, but our EcoKettle does the trick. Maybe they are not good mates like ecobulb.
7 Lower your thermostat.
Yup. Try telling my Chinese missus that is painless. I'd say insulation was a better bet, but there you go.
8 Buy organic food .
Er, maybe. This jury is still out, at least on such a broad claim. Big Barn is good, though, as a start.
9 Reset your computer.
There is theory and there is practice. My monitor goes off. My CPU stays on to get updates. I am also debating the damage due to spinning up and down and hence requiring renewal. Sorry.
10 Save paper.
Ever tried reloading used paper into the printer? It's a nice theory. I am trying to figure out just how much value there is to this (plus security issues) when my paper is recycled and/or from managed forest. Isn't this like creating a carbon sink?
11 Don't buy "sweaty" fabrics such as nylon and polyester
That's the fleece made from old Coke bottles out then.
12 Use your washing line.
Today (lovely & sunny)... no prob, though in the conservatory. It doesn't work so well in the rain. Or if you have a flat. Or don't have much time. I converted our airing cupboard to a drying version of same, and it takes damp from the washing machine to dry overnight. Not so sure about the humid air driven off. I think Dave may have a suggestion on that! A wall mounted solar dryer!
14 Convert to a green energy tariff
Just make sure you do the maths and know the provenance chain. It's one thing to blow extra cash to save the planet. Another to line some green spiv's pockets.
15 Recycle!
This may sound obvious, but try re:use or re:pair first. That way you are stopping stuff going into a target-based system that gobbles up energy and may not be as good for the planet as contractor's profits and public servant's pensions.
ADDENDUM:
Have written to the Enviro Ed, Charles Clover:
One of our readers has just popped this over.
While it's great to see interest in such matters generating informational resources, it can be disappointing when some of the advice may be a bit 'Islington vs. Ipswich' with, for instance, the purchase of a new boiler being possibly slightly more painful to some than suggested, no matter what the long term ROI. With luck Mr. Brown may be helping with this as we speak. A boy can dream:)
I just like to suggest that there could well be many, more, and more down to earth measures than those indicated, and would fly the flag for a few more to add, such as re:use and re:pair to that 15, in time to come.
I am please to say that he replied in short order, and was kind enough to see my point.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Procrastination can have its merits
A wee while ago Dave of Solarventi wrote asking me my thoughts about M&S's 'There is no Plan B' eco-conversion.
My reply at the time was that I'd be more impressed if they would answer my calls and those of some others (like Dave) who had a few actual suggestions on reduction and reuse that might actually do more than spin the hype turbines. Then I forgot all about it as I now have 500 emails in my in-box since the weekend.
But then I read this: Is Rose's footprint as green as it seems?
Now I have been a bit exhausted by the venom flying about when critics address the man (sorry, PC-types) and not the science, but I do rather share the notion that if the message the messenger is bringing is one of 'do as I say!' then not doing it personally chips at the old pedestal foundations a tad. Especially when these folk are either rolling in it and/or have long since ceased to have any grasp on the realities of paying the bills by being in waaaaaay too much power.
So to the merry ranks of Tony 'Well me not flying isn't really isn't practical when I have lectures to fund my mortgage(s)' B, David 'See how it spins... and the turbine' C, Richard 'My whole fleet is flying on old chips, including the geriatric billionaire space tourists' B et Al 'But I only fly my own jet because I'm busy' G, I think we can add Stuart 'My Beemer may be saving the planet, but the fleet of trucks following behind with liquid hydrogen refills may not be' R.
PolPorkies.info almost has enough to kick off.
Ya think?
Though I doubt I'll ever get my calls answered now.
My reply at the time was that I'd be more impressed if they would answer my calls and those of some others (like Dave) who had a few actual suggestions on reduction and reuse that might actually do more than spin the hype turbines. Then I forgot all about it as I now have 500 emails in my in-box since the weekend.
But then I read this: Is Rose's footprint as green as it seems?
Now I have been a bit exhausted by the venom flying about when critics address the man (sorry, PC-types) and not the science, but I do rather share the notion that if the message the messenger is bringing is one of 'do as I say!' then not doing it personally chips at the old pedestal foundations a tad. Especially when these folk are either rolling in it and/or have long since ceased to have any grasp on the realities of paying the bills by being in waaaaaay too much power.
So to the merry ranks of Tony 'Well me not flying isn't really isn't practical when I have lectures to fund my mortgage(s)' B, David 'See how it spins... and the turbine' C, Richard 'My whole fleet is flying on old chips, including the geriatric billionaire space tourists' B et Al 'But I only fly my own jet because I'm busy' G, I think we can add Stuart 'My Beemer may be saving the planet, but the fleet of trucks following behind with liquid hydrogen refills may not be' R.
PolPorkies.info almost has enough to kick off.
Ya think?
Though I doubt I'll ever get my calls answered now.
You never know
Green and pleasant
'The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.'
Now... don't get worried, get weaving!
At least you have been moved to try, and are to be applauded. All I ask is that we don't get subjected to yet another Islington version of making a difference, so those of us not blessed with the speed dial to a rocker with a tight schedule may feel equally inspired to do our bit as well, with perhaps a little less of the green that makes going green more pleasant for some.
Stop thinking interest-group (that includes Govt.) agendas. The heck with carbon trading (so long as guys in suits are in charge of them). Recycling is great. But reduction is better. And in between are reuse and repair, which can be fun and very rewarding.
I'm staking my kids' future on it. And it's a heck of a legacy to leave.
Click the link to find out more. We can all be bipolar explorers together.
'The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.'
Now... don't get worried, get weaving!
At least you have been moved to try, and are to be applauded. All I ask is that we don't get subjected to yet another Islington version of making a difference, so those of us not blessed with the speed dial to a rocker with a tight schedule may feel equally inspired to do our bit as well, with perhaps a little less of the green that makes going green more pleasant for some.
Stop thinking interest-group (that includes Govt.) agendas. The heck with carbon trading (so long as guys in suits are in charge of them). Recycling is great. But reduction is better. And in between are reuse and repair, which can be fun and very rewarding.
I'm staking my kids' future on it. And it's a heck of a legacy to leave.
Click the link to find out more. We can all be bipolar explorers together.
Funny old thing, irony, eh?
Are we all explorers now?
'Package holidays are in such steep decline that holiday companies are taking drastic action.'
And here was me thinking folk were getting the green bug and staying at home.
Nope, they are just going even further.
Next thing they'll be punting themselves into outer space atop a pillar of greenhouse gasses just to take a picture of what the planet used to look like before, well, they started punting themselves into outer space atop a pillar of greenhouse gasses just to take a picture of what the planet used to look like.
Funny old thing, irony, eh?
'Package holidays are in such steep decline that holiday companies are taking drastic action.'
And here was me thinking folk were getting the green bug and staying at home.
Nope, they are just going even further.
Next thing they'll be punting themselves into outer space atop a pillar of greenhouse gasses just to take a picture of what the planet used to look like before, well, they started punting themselves into outer space atop a pillar of greenhouse gasses just to take a picture of what the planet used to look like.
Funny old thing, irony, eh?
Way too much time on his hands
It's OK, MPs are recycling hot air
"How, I hear you ask, did your old chum W. A. come to be the leading "green guru" (dread job description!) to all three major parties?"
To be deadly, if unfashionably, serious juts this once, for a scribe the mandatory is also to live only within the London C (as in 'centric')-zone.
That way the fool-miles are easier to justify:)
"How, I hear you ask, did your old chum W. A. come to be the leading "green guru" (dread job description!) to all three major parties?"
To be deadly, if unfashionably, serious juts this once, for a scribe the mandatory is also to live only within the London C (as in 'centric')-zone.
That way the fool-miles are easier to justify:)
I'm a poet. But you... would probably disagree
A host of plastic daffodils
I drove my G reg, gas-guzzlin' Silver Cloud
Bought for naught but now dripping bills
When all at once by light as indicator flickr'd
A hedgerow decked with witches' knickers
Atop the lake, hanging from trees,
Sod the planet, we've tourists to please.
I drove my G reg, gas-guzzlin' Silver Cloud
Bought for naught but now dripping bills
When all at once by light as indicator flickr'd
A hedgerow decked with witches' knickers
Atop the lake, hanging from trees,
Sod the planet, we've tourists to please.
No FT, no...?
A healthy debate
FT stands for Flippin' Time. If I haven't got much spare, and there is no end benefit, what's the point in wasting any?
I'm really only interested in what might score some readers back to my blog, which needs a link, or furthering my pet causes, which needs some open minds online.
The Telegraph 'moderates' a lot, which can be off-putting. The Guardian does not. The former puts last first, while most you have to scroll all through to get to the latest. All can add, or detrat, to the appeal of offering free editorial.
I have a cut-off of a hundred, because usually that means by then a core brigade are trading shots, which gets no one anywhere. A shame, because often a good post can come in late as the poster has only just arrived and still feels they can contribute.
That said, I often wait a few days and lob one in just to have the last word. Though to be professional, that does mean reading all inbetween, which can be a chore.
Like digging for the gold seam, you never know what you may miss if you give up to soon.
Curse this damn urge to discover and share!
Hey, it's lunchtime. I had a banana in one hand and some time on the other.
FT stands for Flippin' Time. If I haven't got much spare, and there is no end benefit, what's the point in wasting any?
I'm really only interested in what might score some readers back to my blog, which needs a link, or furthering my pet causes, which needs some open minds online.
The Telegraph 'moderates' a lot, which can be off-putting. The Guardian does not. The former puts last first, while most you have to scroll all through to get to the latest. All can add, or detrat, to the appeal of offering free editorial.
I have a cut-off of a hundred, because usually that means by then a core brigade are trading shots, which gets no one anywhere. A shame, because often a good post can come in late as the poster has only just arrived and still feels they can contribute.
That said, I often wait a few days and lob one in just to have the last word. Though to be professional, that does mean reading all inbetween, which can be a chore.
Like digging for the gold seam, you never know what you may miss if you give up to soon.
Curse this damn urge to discover and share!
Hey, it's lunchtime. I had a banana in one hand and some time on the other.
Nothing like a bit of editting
Manipulating 'weak-minded Westerners'
Take a careful look at the comments that are posted to your favourite blogs. They could come from Muslim extremists in disguise. Honestly.
Take a careful look at the news from your daily newspapers. They could come from agenda-driven hype merchants disguised as journalists. Honestly.
Take a careful look at the comments that are posted to your favourite blogs. They could come from Muslim extremists in disguise. Honestly.
Take a careful look at the news from your daily newspapers. They could come from agenda-driven hype merchants disguised as journalists. Honestly.
Words, almost, fail me
A celebrity-endorsed bag proclaiming 'I'm not a plastic bag' is expected to sell out within hours
But I may just manage a quick comment that this pack of eco-morons and their sheep like media luvvies think it is helping the planet to get the brain dead, more money-than-sensisats to dash out to buy another bag to do their shopping in.
But I may just manage a quick comment that this pack of eco-morons and their sheep like media luvvies think it is helping the planet to get the brain dead, more money-than-sensisats to dash out to buy another bag to do their shopping in.
What chance doing if they are still not yet understanding
Gordon the green engine?
Whatever measures Mr. Brown does take, and lord alone knows some are necessary, it is to be hoped that they will be thought through and 'sold' to the public a darn sight better than they have been to date.
One major hurdle is to convince those who do not live in the London-C - for centric- zone (between the BBC in the West, Canary Wharf in the East, and all the various political and activist hotspots in between, which are easily accessed by tube, bus and bike (weather, lack of kids, more than one shopping bag, not living in a flat city... permitting}) that this is not some half-baked notion cooked up by an urban elite with no idea of the real world most of the population is struggling to live and work in.
So how one financially dissuades a squillionaire Yummy Mummy in her annually renewed Cayenne, whilst not bankrupting a farmer in their 30 year old Land Rover (how much is produced simply in in a car's manufacture?), to get both in a Hybrid (good log pullers, I'm sure) is anyone's guess.
Especially, as I understand it, in London (all hail) the EverReady-buggy can buzz about all day, emitting away, for free, while a Suzuki Vitara would get busted for a 3 mile trip to and from Paddington from Wandsworth to be parked, CO2less, all day. Kensington to the City and you're golden... er.. green to go in a Hummer, of course.
So how long 'it' emits is surely as key as what? But then you need to work around the district nurse in the Dales with her Fiesta, and you have a Gordknotian problem to unravel.
As for air travel, well let's just not go there. Really. Let's not. At least, if you are serious (Tony B, Al G, all climate 'experts' with conferences and/or book deals, etc, please note).
I wish any pol good luck signalling their understanding of this. And in ways I not only understand... but believe.
If not... see you at the voting booth.
Telegraph - Brown's green tax rise on 'gas-guzzling' cars
Whatever measures Mr. Brown does take, and lord alone knows some are necessary, it is to be hoped that they will be thought through and 'sold' to the public a darn sight better than they have been to date.
One major hurdle is to convince those who do not live in the London-C - for centric- zone (between the BBC in the West, Canary Wharf in the East, and all the various political and activist hotspots in between, which are easily accessed by tube, bus and bike (weather, lack of kids, more than one shopping bag, not living in a flat city... permitting}) that this is not some half-baked notion cooked up by an urban elite with no idea of the real world most of the population is struggling to live and work in.
So how one financially dissuades a squillionaire Yummy Mummy in her annually renewed Cayenne, whilst not bankrupting a farmer in their 30 year old Land Rover (how much is produced simply in in a car's manufacture?), to get both in a Hybrid (good log pullers, I'm sure) is anyone's guess.
Especially, as I understand it, in London (all hail) the EverReady-buggy can buzz about all day, emitting away, for free, while a Suzuki Vitara would get busted for a 3 mile trip to and from Paddington from Wandsworth to be parked, CO2less, all day. Kensington to the City and you're golden... er.. green to go in a Hummer, of course.
So how long 'it' emits is surely as key as what? But then you need to work around the district nurse in the Dales with her Fiesta, and you have a Gordknotian problem to unravel.
As for air travel, well let's just not go there. Really. Let's not. At least, if you are serious (Tony B, Al G, all climate 'experts' with conferences and/or book deals, etc, please note).
I wish any pol good luck signalling their understanding of this. And in ways I not only understand... but believe.
If not... see you at the voting booth.
Telegraph - Brown's green tax rise on 'gas-guzzling' cars
Title Fight #2 - the US primaries!
More prompted by Grist:
The latest debate on 'overselling' climate science
In an earlier post on these pages I have cautioned against a defensive mentality... Hiding behind the veracity of science is comforting as a justification, but care must be taken that one only sees one aspect of science as 'the truth', and remains didactic in fighting from only that corner. These are challenges to be addressed...
But in light of a few posts above I'd like to share an exchange I had in the UK media:
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/03/it-must-be-true-i-read-it-in-paper.html
---
Titles matter.
Does an Ace beat a King? A King a Queen, etc.
Of course, there is the small matter of the Jester.
Because when it comes to climate science, this has become key.
I am guessing a Professor beats a Doctor, but maybe not.
Then there are qualifiers.
Does 'eminent' mean more than 'noted'. And in what combination?
And is the quiet guy, who knows his/her stuff and gets on with it, better to explain than the one with a slick sound bite and speed dial to the media?
Frankly, I do not know what to believe any more, because I do not know who to believe.
Pity.
---
To which I had what I consider a fun, but still helpful reply:
---
Personally I'd be inclined to proceed by a lexicographic ordering on the following:
1. area of specialisation (climatology > geology > chemistry > mathematics > other science > arts, etc.);
2. level of qualification (in the UK, professor > senior fellow > lecturer > postdoc > PhD student > graduate), i.e. prefer the lecturer in geology to the PhD student in the same subject;
3. host institution, i.e. when faced with conflicting opinions from two climatology professors, prefer the Oxford professor to the one hosted by some US big-oil thinktank.
---
Sadly the majority of the other artillery exchanges mirrored those I too often see here.
To make it a more of a global wa... rming affair, you may enjoy playing with these too: http://www.badscience.net/?p=386
The latest debate on 'overselling' climate science
In an earlier post on these pages I have cautioned against a defensive mentality... Hiding behind the veracity of science is comforting as a justification, but care must be taken that one only sees one aspect of science as 'the truth', and remains didactic in fighting from only that corner. These are challenges to be addressed...
But in light of a few posts above I'd like to share an exchange I had in the UK media:
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/03/it-must-be-true-i-read-it-in-paper.html
---
Titles matter.
Does an Ace beat a King? A King a Queen, etc.
Of course, there is the small matter of the Jester.
Because when it comes to climate science, this has become key.
I am guessing a Professor beats a Doctor, but maybe not.
Then there are qualifiers.
Does 'eminent' mean more than 'noted'. And in what combination?
And is the quiet guy, who knows his/her stuff and gets on with it, better to explain than the one with a slick sound bite and speed dial to the media?
Frankly, I do not know what to believe any more, because I do not know who to believe.
Pity.
---
To which I had what I consider a fun, but still helpful reply:
---
Personally I'd be inclined to proceed by a lexicographic ordering on the following:
1. area of specialisation (climatology > geology > chemistry > mathematics > other science > arts, etc.);
2. level of qualification (in the UK, professor > senior fellow > lecturer > postdoc > PhD student > graduate), i.e. prefer the lecturer in geology to the PhD student in the same subject;
3. host institution, i.e. when faced with conflicting opinions from two climatology professors, prefer the Oxford professor to the one hosted by some US big-oil thinktank.
---
Sadly the majority of the other artillery exchanges mirrored those I too often see here.
To make it a more of a global wa... rming affair, you may enjoy playing with these too: http://www.badscience.net/?p=386
Mirror, mirror
I rely on the very excellent Grist for many things, and will continue to do so, but where it strays into Global Warming territory I think they are in danger of losing the plot. I don't doubt their sincerity, but as to the methodology... well, they've lost me.
A long rant about facts, persuasion, and global warming
'If only God the gift had gae us, to see oursel's as others see us'
Robert Burns
Re: A long rant about facts, persuasion, and global warming
I guess it's OK here (though while I am personally interested, I don't feel qualified and hence any more able to stay adequately focused on all this, possibly along with a few others who may not feel motivated to make it even as far as this fine forum), but here are a few subjective points to offer.
While some facts do need length for the full stories to be adequately told, when talking about persuasion on global warming, I suspect few media outlets are prepared to permit anything more than a sound bite that will feed the next headline.
Hiding behind the veracity of science is comforting as a justification, and its purity over realities of communication a possible consolation, but care must be taken that one only sees one aspect of science as 'the truth', and remains didactic in fighting from only that corner.
These are challenges to be addressed, whist avoiding a few other things.
High on the list, possibly, could be rants?
A long rant about facts, persuasion, and global warming
'If only God the gift had gae us, to see oursel's as others see us'
Robert Burns
Re: A long rant about facts, persuasion, and global warming
I guess it's OK here (though while I am personally interested, I don't feel qualified and hence any more able to stay adequately focused on all this, possibly along with a few others who may not feel motivated to make it even as far as this fine forum), but here are a few subjective points to offer.
While some facts do need length for the full stories to be adequately told, when talking about persuasion on global warming, I suspect few media outlets are prepared to permit anything more than a sound bite that will feed the next headline.
Hiding behind the veracity of science is comforting as a justification, and its purity over realities of communication a possible consolation, but care must be taken that one only sees one aspect of science as 'the truth', and remains didactic in fighting from only that corner.
These are challenges to be addressed, whist avoiding a few other things.
High on the list, possibly, could be rants?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Another Idea Gets Approved
There, but for the grace of God...
Poor man's floating home turns Rio recycling model
I have the trash.
And the River Wye looks set to oblige.
I have the trash.
And the River Wye looks set to oblige.
DO what?!!!!!
Council tax valuers recruit a spy in sky 'snooping on households'
If it's true, of course.
If it's true, of course.
Yummy... mummy!
Re-cycle of Life
Sorry. Don't feel sorry for Dave the Wave.. er.. Save at all. So as ye preach, so shall ye have your nethers rummaged, n' all. Comes with the territory.
I have to say I was more surprised the Turquoise (that's blue/green right?) hype & spinmeisters had missed this one as a possibility, being that it has been done before, to great effect, to such as Mr. Bradshaw, etc. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Regrading you experiment, if your council does not collect then anything is better than nothing, and shame on them for not helping your area's residents to do so.
I have to wonder how good it is as an enviROI to not have a council truck collect and crush tonnages of material from each person in the street, and instead deliver it by Personal Fedex to a high volume, low weight skip.
Me, I keep a lot of it and make stuff (have done for years) . That doesn't cost money. It saves it. And can even make it.
Sorry. Don't feel sorry for Dave the Wave.. er.. Save at all. So as ye preach, so shall ye have your nethers rummaged, n' all. Comes with the territory.
I have to say I was more surprised the Turquoise (that's blue/green right?) hype & spinmeisters had missed this one as a possibility, being that it has been done before, to great effect, to such as Mr. Bradshaw, etc. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Regrading you experiment, if your council does not collect then anything is better than nothing, and shame on them for not helping your area's residents to do so.
I have to wonder how good it is as an enviROI to not have a council truck collect and crush tonnages of material from each person in the street, and instead deliver it by Personal Fedex to a high volume, low weight skip.
Me, I keep a lot of it and make stuff (have done for years) . That doesn't cost money. It saves it. And can even make it.
At least we still have the vote. For now.
Council salaries revealed under the FoI act
One presumes this information freel... er... grudgingly shared also extends to the numbers of officers there are in total, their functions, salaries and pension consequences.
Where it might fall down is actually finding out what gets done for the money, to assess the ROI per person for this investment by the local taxpayers. But it's better than nothing (the information, I mean).
But such data is only worth having if it can be used.
And with luck the local taxpayers of Hackney will make very good use of it.
One presumes this information freel... er... grudgingly shared also extends to the numbers of officers there are in total, their functions, salaries and pension consequences.
Where it might fall down is actually finding out what gets done for the money, to assess the ROI per person for this investment by the local taxpayers. But it's better than nothing (the information, I mean).
But such data is only worth having if it can be used.
And with luck the local taxpayers of Hackney will make very good use of it.
It must be true. I read it in the paper.
High hopes
'...the agreement's dirty little secret: it will do next to no good, and again at very high cost'
Oo-er. Careful with that. I rather suspect this will be the next flames begin!
I recently decided to have no more to do with the arguments over climate change, and concentrate instead on doing what I can personally and to encourage others - via objective information, entertainment and reward - to simply cut back on unnecessary waste and reduce consumption wherever reasonably possible.
Addendum to a reply:
'With so little making sense in this arena, at least even I could grasp your explanation.
It may even help assess what's being said by the various merry crews a tad better for validity.
As a mere graduate in Civil Engineering (BSc, but only on the strict promise I would not try and build anything, so I went into advertising. At least I can still figure out dodgy numbers), but with a Brigadier Generality in BS, hype & spin (field commissions), I know what I know, and I know what I don't know.
And I also know when others are in the same boat. It's a shame they can't admit it.
We'd get more DONE that way:)
Guardian - The water of discontent
'...the agreement's dirty little secret: it will do next to no good, and again at very high cost'
Oo-er. Careful with that. I rather suspect this will be the next flames begin!
I recently decided to have no more to do with the arguments over climate change, and concentrate instead on doing what I can personally and to encourage others - via objective information, entertainment and reward - to simply cut back on unnecessary waste and reduce consumption wherever reasonably possible.
Addendum to a reply:
'With so little making sense in this arena, at least even I could grasp your explanation.
It may even help assess what's being said by the various merry crews a tad better for validity.
As a mere graduate in Civil Engineering (BSc, but only on the strict promise I would not try and build anything, so I went into advertising. At least I can still figure out dodgy numbers), but with a Brigadier Generality in BS, hype & spin (field commissions), I know what I know, and I know what I don't know.
And I also know when others are in the same boat. It's a shame they can't admit it.
We'd get more DONE that way:)
Guardian - The water of discontent
Nice vest. Is it Semtex?
Recycling taxes - what a load of rubbish
When you fail to tackle advancing issues in good time and good order, the number of 'targets' can end up on your doorstep very quickly.
At this point the solution seems to be to move from rifle to shotgun to dropping a hand grenade at your feet, and hoping that it doesn't wipe out more who are 'innocent' in the hope of being seen to deal with the 'guilty'.
Nice vest. Is it Semtex?
Pathetic.
When you fail to tackle advancing issues in good time and good order, the number of 'targets' can end up on your doorstep very quickly.
At this point the solution seems to be to move from rifle to shotgun to dropping a hand grenade at your feet, and hoping that it doesn't wipe out more who are 'innocent' in the hope of being seen to deal with the 'guilty'.
Nice vest. Is it Semtex?
Pathetic.
Suffer little children. It's good business.
I just saw an ad man and a charity lady discuss a kid's ad that has been pulled for 'being distressing'. And justified as necessary to secure money, most of which goes on the next campaign.
I was sickened. But not by the ad.
Here's what I wrote.
These 'tactics' can lead in only one direction. Loads of awards for the ad agencies. Bubbly corks popping in the media agencies. Nice salaries for the expanding charity marketing departments. And how much going to what that tangibly helps kids... exactly?
I would wish this question had been answered, despite being posed more than once.
I was sickened. But not by the ad.
Here's what I wrote.
These 'tactics' can lead in only one direction. Loads of awards for the ad agencies. Bubbly corks popping in the media agencies. Nice salaries for the expanding charity marketing departments. And how much going to what that tangibly helps kids... exactly?
I would wish this question had been answered, despite being posed more than once.
The rich are different to you and I. They can better afford to cope with (knee) jerks.
I suspect that I will be adding links from elsewhere to these, not to mention a whole raft of emotive comment, Just what the media loves.
Pressure group urges higher air taxes to penalise 'rich' flyers
Brown tackles 'Chelsea tractors' in final Budget
As with road pricing I simply fear potentially necessary measures to manage personal travel emissions will get snarled up by woeful knee jerk legalisation that has little to do with the environment and more to do with hype. Not all who fly or use 4x4s are rich or doing so simply for fun.
Let's see how the BBC mangle that one.
ps: The banner ads at time of writing were... ironic. One for short haul flights. And the other for a dirty great Beemer.
BBC - Budget 'to hit gas guzzlers hard'
Guardian - Budget to give tax breaks for green homes
Sir,
As a strong advocate of incentive based measures, this is, on the surface, hard to fault. I just worry about the practice. And how fair it can be made without more legions of civil servants draining the public purse simply to assess measure, approve and/or fine.
Not all are in a position to whack up a wind turbine to order. At least the payback is being claimed as on energy created and sent back tot he grid.
What I am not keen on is greenwashing measures, that may be acceptable if it leaves the financial ROI to the wallet and conscience of the consumer, but not if the ultimate enviROI is actually worse for not being done at all. That would not be helping my kids' futures.
The question then arises whose shorter term interests are being served.
Pressure group urges higher air taxes to penalise 'rich' flyers
Brown tackles 'Chelsea tractors' in final Budget
As with road pricing I simply fear potentially necessary measures to manage personal travel emissions will get snarled up by woeful knee jerk legalisation that has little to do with the environment and more to do with hype. Not all who fly or use 4x4s are rich or doing so simply for fun.
Let's see how the BBC mangle that one.
ps: The banner ads at time of writing were... ironic. One for short haul flights. And the other for a dirty great Beemer.
BBC - Budget 'to hit gas guzzlers hard'
Guardian - Budget to give tax breaks for green homes
Sir,
As a strong advocate of incentive based measures, this is, on the surface, hard to fault. I just worry about the practice. And how fair it can be made without more legions of civil servants draining the public purse simply to assess measure, approve and/or fine.
Not all are in a position to whack up a wind turbine to order. At least the payback is being claimed as on energy created and sent back tot he grid.
What I am not keen on is greenwashing measures, that may be acceptable if it leaves the financial ROI to the wallet and conscience of the consumer, but not if the ultimate enviROI is actually worse for not being done at all. That would not be helping my kids' futures.
The question then arises whose shorter term interests are being served.
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