Better than expected?

I just opened a read the latest email newsletter form the latest in a long line of lifestyle newsletter/feeds that I get. It's called ecogeek, and perfectly good it is too. Today they are suitably excited about their progress:

Another Milestone is Upon Us. We've just passed 1,000 RSS users and are officially being forced onto a dedicated server because people love us so much!

Even more awesome? EcoGeek is now providing content to Yahoo! along with a few other top environmental blogs like TreeHugger and WorldChanging. Check out green.yahoo.com for more.

Good for them, and well done. But it got me to thinking. Junkk.com does waaaaay better than that. Click on the link and we do a lot better than Yahoo, too.

Now, I need to capitalise on this as it obviously matters. And helps spread the word further.

Yet again, this is an area I know of, but not much about, and need to get going on this pronto.

Politics. As Usual.

Good day for burying awkward news?

'Just how does this fit into Gordon Brown's new attempt to build trust?'

Well, I suppose it does seem a good way of trying to erase analysis of various parties' roles in the last ten years, and 'starting afresh', in theory untainted by the fact that he and most who still surround him were in the room when it all happened... Pensions, Education, Health, Iraq...

I'm still trying to get to grips with how this government thinks they bear no responsibility for their collective actions previously - under a leader they elected, - simply because a new leader has oozed into the top slot due to lack of... well, everything really.

I for one am living what they have created and know who bears responsibility. Trouble is, when it comes to voting them out there is precious little alternative, though I'm damned if this time I'll allow my protest be deemed a 'spoiled vote'. It was a democratic statement of my view on the competence who would claim to be fit to lead us, and should have been accorded status as such.

I just hope the 'Anyone but these clowns' clown who does get in has the humility to realise that by scraping in with a pathetic percentage of a pathetic percentage who vote does not count, nor should be trumpeted as 'a mandate from the people'. What are the odds?

Indy - The MP, his quad bike and a phoney scare story - Well said. It's just another nail in the coffin of the people's faith, and trust, in those who would claim to 'serve' the public.

Letters - QED

Indy - MPs have no reason to be exempt from FoI law, watchdog warns

Crashing the party

It's pretty obvious that there are opportunities for promoting Junkk.com on social networking sites, especially as it has a lot that is visual and you can 'do'. And I'd like think our structure and style is appropriate and attractive to such audiences.

Other than the small matter of finding the time to tackle this task, it is also important to do it right. Hence I was pleased to stumble across this piece, which I found useful: Avoiding the MySpace Mistake (though the title may be a tad misleading - we should make such mistakes as MySpace! It in fact refers to etiquette upon it)

Getting Out & About

In terms of priorities, with all that is going on I seem to have a list 'yaaaaay long' of what to do first. Cloning self would be a good start.

However, pretty near the top, it seems obvious that while I have devoted so much time to RE:tie of late, Junkk.com has played second fiddle. I don't mean the site itself so much, which in theory is bubbling along on its own by being designed as a user-managed and evolving experience (exciting new features to come soon, though!), but promoting it.

For a long time I have been well aware of the potential of such sites as YouTube, MySapce, etc in offering routes to expose new markets to what we have on offer, especially as so much of it is stuff to 'DO', and is so visual. I'd also like to think we're pretty hip too, but by using that word I'm probably showing I'm not the guy to ride that particular wave.

Anyway, I was therefore grateful for this piece in BusinessWeek - Avoiding the MySpace Mistake - and even was moved to write to the author.

While my site is itself a budding social exchange, it is obvious to me that there are many opportunities for 'promotion' out there on sites such as MySpace, YouTube, etc.

The key is 'cutting through' and getting noticed, but in focusing on how to do that it would be all too easy to forget there are certain key considerations that need to be borne in mind, and this article was a valuable reminder of these.

Never mind the material. Just listen to the girl.

I too often get distracted by the blog, which really does get a tad 'earnest' itself at times, that I forget just how fun the estimable Grist can be.

So I can only direct you, with relish, at this, their review of Madge's latest incarnation, Earth Mother: And I Am a Recycled-Material Girl

Methinks she doth protesteth too darn after the band's wagon has rolled outta Dodge. And, it seems, perhaps with less than her usual skill.

I have no clue how to link to it as it came as an email, but here it is as received. Go to Grist and try and find it there if you fancy their links (which are many and, I'm sure, worthy, if only of note):

Madonna releases single to support Live Earth climate efforts

What is it about climate change that makes music ... suck? First we had Melissa Etheridge's "I Need to Wake Up," the earnest, Oscar-winning Inconvenient Truth anthem. Now we have Madonna's "Hey You," a somnolent single released this week in conjunction with Live Earth, the continents-spanning climate-awareness concerts planned for 7/7/07. While we can't complain about our favorite virgin's intentions -- the single is downloadable for free for a week, and Microsoft is donating 25 cents for each of the first million downloads to the Alliance for Climate Protection -- we can complain about her music. Because its vapid lyrics and "stripped-down, folksy" style suuuuck. Still, Live Earth's Kevin Wall called the release of the ballad, which Madge will perform at the London concert, "an incredible boost to our efforts to get people engaged in the environmental cause." And you should go download it! To support climate relief! Plus you might love it! In which case, ignore everything else we just said.

I wonder if they'll ask Bob Geldof what he thinks of it? Is it just me, or is Live Earth off to a less than glorious start even from the eco-side of the fence?

Awareness, people! Be aware, be very aware! And don't forget to buy the T-shirt.

They are cracking me up!

Before I go to bed, I just have to get off my chest the latest idiocy from out national broadcaster.

A few years ago, a dirty great lump of ice in the middle of the Canadian wastewaters broke off.

Now, it is probably not a good thing, and possibly a further sign, should we need it, of a warming trend climatically. So far, so factual.

But what do we get? Po-faced, the anchor announces that: 'this is what it could have looked like; before we get what seemed like a cut-price CGI animatic to the opening sequence of Ice Age, the movie. Basically a cartoon of a white thing with a crack running along it.

Then, just for good measure, we get a blow by blow account of the BBC reporter and team struggling, you guessed it, to get there in a chartered airplane to stand on this two year old lump of floating ice, '...to understand what may have caused this'.

For some reason, all watching thought this more of an effective p*ss take than the preceding Have I Got New For You, and fell off their chairs laughing. I sooo feel my licence fee is being well spent.

ADDENDUM - yes, it's now also on the web: Mission to Ice Island - 'you can follow the progress of myself and producer Mark Georgiou and cameraman Duncan Stone.'

Them. The Other Them. And Us in the Middle

'Call us Malcolm, and we are strong (well, we can write really vicious blogs, anyway)!

After a mind-frying week, I decided to have a gentle surf of the 600 legitimate emails in my In-box that have built up over the last few days. Most are from e-newsletters, and will, sadly, now never be read, but the title of one caught my attention enough to read, and I am glad I did. It's good:

MTV Misses the Mark on Eco-Activists

This synergises so well with what I have experienced and write about, especially lately, over here. There is a really disturbing trend for the media and politics to try to drive wedges in matters green for their own short-termist ends.

This must be fought at every silly, sick little attempt to score a cheap vote or easy rating by using concern for the future so selfishly.

ADDENDUM:

I wrote to compliment the author, who has responded most charmingly:

Many thanks for your comments, and for taking the time to write in. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks for linking to it from your own blog!

I was moved to write on this because there were so many obvious, easy, constructive alternatives to what they had in mind. I’ve gotten lots of support from my friends and colleagues about it as well. I’ve been a part of SustainUS—The US Youth Network for Sustainable Development, which is an all-volunteer youth-run organization that sends young people to UN meetings, like the Commission on Sustainable Development, to have a voice. Being in great company there, it is so obvious to me that MTV would have plenty of candidates who would 1) make great TV, and 2) have innovative, educational, and important things to share.

Glad to be in touch.

Best,
Zoe

I hope to stay in touch with such a thoughtful correspondent.

Friday Fun

One should not mock. But as I sit here munching my sarnie I have decided to share a couple of images that tickled me a bit from my travels at the Total Packaging Show. They just go to show that when your travel, your language travels with you.

I have to say one stand could have attracted unwelcome attention; the other may have had some trouble attracting anything at all.

By way of balance, and to show that as a Brit I laugh with and not at, I do recall that that iconic sports car - The Triumph Stag - was discovered to mean something like 'Goat Droppings' in Turkish.

The Banana Metaphor

Sounds like a Robert Ludlum novel, doesn't it?

And apt that I should be penning this having just read this moments before:

The scandal of overpackaging on the doorstep of Parliament

By my best understanding from the organisers, neither the Independent nor any political critic, especially any mentioned here (a real shame, becuase I rated him until now), made it to the Total Packaging Show, at which I have spent the last few days. And that's a pity, because they all might benefit for being a bit better informed, and possibly retain some professional credibility as qualified commentators as well.

I have to say the whole piece seems outrageous just as a free-thinking individual, never mind having had the benefit of some further education at the show on the whys and wherefores of packaging. So I reckon the true scandal can be laid at the door of those seeking to profit from very dodgy politics and reporting.


'His mission was to locate the worst examples and report them to Westminster Council trading standards department for possible prosecution.'

I have to be grateful to the piece for one thing, as part of my learning curve I now have heard of The 2003 Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations, which theoretically outlaws products with unnecessary wrapping, and under which Environment minister (sic) Ben Bradshaw has apparently urged the public to report the worst examples.

"I would regard that as unnecessary" says Mr. Baker.

Has he asked why it is done like that? And in any case who is he to say what is, and is not... 'necessary'. I'm sure the suit he wears is not 'necessary'. But it is a consumer society, free...ish for now, and he chose it. It was on sale, so one can only presume it was permitted to be presented for him to buy it. Are we to believe that government, with all its rules and fees and licences and inspectors and committees and quangos, is seriously saying that it is only when it hits the rubbish bin that they have any part in authorising an item's existence, and are asking the public to police it (fines at the ready) for them on top? Bonkers. If you don't like what comes out at the end, deal with what goes in at the front! Or might that run afoul of a few tax revenues?

One thing I have learned at the show is that almost (an important caveat) no manufacturer, retailer or supplier in their right mind spends more than necessary on packaging. It simply adds cost.

Which brings me to the Banana Metaphor.

In one of the many seminars, a lady from the WI whipped out a cellophane-wrapped bag of bananas. 'Awful', she said. 'No reason for it', she huffed. And there it lay, on the podium, taunting us with its offensiveness.

Thing is, I wondered why it was so wrapped... and asked. She didn't know, and seemed rather stunned at our reaction that she didn't, and hadn't bothered to find out. She had had meetings with Gordon Brown, Terry Leahy and Lord alone knows who else to 'discuss' (they must p*ss themselves laughing as such folk walk out the door thinking they have had a fair hearing - the guy from ASDA actually offered that 'now this has been raised we must discuss it with you', obviously forgetting that the reason for the original campaign was because no one answered the WI's calls and questions) such travesties, but this was someone who didn't know why it had been done in the first place. How can you mount a campaign such as this without knowing all the facts!!! While her heart was in the right place, such lack of preparation undercut her whole message, which was a real shame.

But still, for now, as to why that banana was wrapped, I do not know all the possible reasons, and certainly not for certain. The guy from ASDA had a stab and said it was because they gave off an organic gas that accelerated rotting in other fruit and veg. Fair enough, if true, and not a bad mitigation as food waste is waaaay worse than packaging waste. You are offended by a wrapper? Try a pile of rotting fruit that has been flown from halfway round the world to go off (see the slide above? that's one from a Tesco speaker on carbon footprints, proving that a flower from Kenya can still be better than one from Holland. And I must say it made sense as I saw it).

In a future blog I will share some other stats I have been given which need to be checked, but really do put a different spin on things, as if enough were not being spun out of all reasonable control already. A guy from the floor, who packs for Tescos, offered that it was because it kept the hands together, as loose bananas were not picked up by shoppers and... went to waste.

See where I am going? For a start, it is not so simple as presented, but then there is the fact that the issues are being presented so WOEFULLY by all concerned, and frankly disingenuously for hugely selfish reasons by some, such that the consumer has no clue what to think. And, by my estimation, is thinking up a very wrong tree by what is being served up by our political and media establishments. However, the packaging industry does need to look at itself by fighting its corner so poorly. You may argue that it's not their job; they are merely a business responding to the specifications of those higher up the chain. But this is the new reality, and perception is every bit as key as truth.

"The worst example is the Ferrero Rocher chocolate... The box is probably worth more than the chocolates."

Well, yes, probably. Back to the suit, mate. It is possibly worth more than what's in it too. It's called gilding the lily. Get on this route and we are looking at being told how every free-thinking aspect of our lives is conducted, with no acceptance of style, choice or anything else. You can forget design, advertising...

I am not defending excess, but will totally fight against any hint of such nanny-state, killjoy intervention to freedom of thought and action, by self-appointed 'guardians' with agendas. Whatever means there are to curb excess there have been, are and may yet come, this is not it.

"It is perfectly possible to sell a lot of products without any packaging at all."

Some, yes. But it's a different world now. He, and others, are trying to tackle a global situation of immensely complex, interactive components, by scapegoating, to an incredibly simplistic degree, one, very small aspect. Just like trashing 4x4s lets every Londoner off the hook as they fly off for a skiing weekend because they have bought a Prius to beat the C-charge. It may buy a few more trendy-liberal votes and readers, but it does not make the planet better for my kids.

The Westminster Council decision was a great one for this environmentalist... for common sense. A prosecution here would be like taking a 12 year old to court for not disposing of litter in the right bin... oh, they have, haven't they? Are we really handing over our future, and that of our kids, to such shallow zealots?

"It's terribly wasteful, it won't break down."

Yes. And yes. But it is a box of luxury chocolates. Apply this logic to just about any aspect of our life today. It is one that demands we sit in a small box of our own, in a one-piece overall eating Soylent Green. That is not living, that is simply existing.


"It will go into a landfill site as it is and will sit there for decades."

Probably. But how about coordinating the waste strategy a bit better at your level, matey? That way the public can recycle it effectively. Or... reuse it. Now there is a site that helps with that. . Now, what was it? Not in the Indy because they have other agendas to shriek about... J...something.

"Fruit should be sold loose."

Er, not necessarily. I stand ready to see this further debated, but we get back to what is used and what is wasted, versus what is added by way of packaging to prevent waste. I will put my hand up with an example. My kids will not eat a bruised apple. Call it bad parenting, yoof of today or whatever, but that's the case. So if I buy loose apples they don't get eaten. I buy them protected and they get eaten. There can often be method in this, and the consumer is more often than not the culprit, not the innocent victim to be 'saved' by these folk.

Undoubtedly, some of these examples do seriously breach my ultimate test, which is the enviROI. But against that there are certain freedoms of consumer choice in a democratic society.

Remember that word: CHOICE. I like being able to exercise my right to make it, and to do so on a fully informed basis. This piece and such campaigns that lie behind do not, at least to me, come across as anything like that.

I can't stand....

Well, Monday's are taken as read, but as I am currently doing well skipping being pinned to an actual opinion by simply attributing to others, here is one from St. Bob that I 'noted' in light of some views I have held on this issue already: Live Earth? It's a waste of time, Geldof tells Gore

"To make us aware of the greenhouse effect? Everybody's known about that problem for years. We are all fucking conscious of global warming."

Couldn't have gosh-darn well said it better myself! As he points out, the organisers of Live Earth had no specific target... "So it's just an enormous pop concert or the umpteenth time that, say, Madonna or Coldplay get up on stage."

I am prepared to bet, however, that Indy journos will be gushing to get to the VIP Green rooms when it all hits town. Can't get enough awareness. Doing... well...

As a packager asked me yesterday at the show: 'Why is that they have this big campaign about packaging, yet I have never heard you guys mentioned as you are trying to mitigate its effects?" Quite.

Getting what you deserve?

This could be deemed a slight case of shooting in the foot if taken one way, but I choose to believe that, having had some measure of award success in certain areas, I can at least make comment without being accused of total sour grapes (especially as, in the case below, I didn't apply - by clean forgetting - more fool me).

In fact I won't comment too much, but let the facts, and others, do it for me.

First up is this from the press office of the Observer Ethical (hold that thought) Awards:

AL GORE, GORDON BROWN AND DAVID CAMERON SHORTLISTED

The shortlist is revealed today for the second Observer ethical awards... The entrants were judged by a combination of reader votes and by a celebrity panel, which included Alastair MacGowan, David James and Emily Eavis. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in London on June 7.

The Observer ethical awards aim to reward those pioneering a sustainable
future for the country and provide a unique opportunity to recognise and
reward the very best products, innovations and schemes that make living
ethically achievable.

There are some other interesting nominees in my view (look at the supermarkets), but this little lot grabbed my attention:

Politician of the Year
Gordon Brown
Caroline Lucas
David Cameron

Looking at the way the votes were cast, and having a vague understanding of people's motivations, I can sort of see how Mr. Cameron made it through sheer media spin and presence (that is, being on it, an no , in my view, by having any), if not, by any tangible measure why. Caroline Lucas makes sense, but I'd be fascinated to know who outside a pretty small circle have heard of her.

In fact I'm guessing a lot of folk had to scrabble to think of anyone in politics as actually, genuinely 'green' (which, as Ethical Man's travels taught me, is not quite the same as ethical).

But.... Gordon Brown?????!

Let's leave it to Dave of Solarventi:

And as on one hand Gord tells us about promoting eco houses and renewables....
… the other hand reduces grants! See the Indy

Hmn. Worth winning in such company?

Couldn't Express it better!

A loooong day.

Up very early to try and cover off some work before leaving for the NEC Total Packaging Show again, followed by a very pleasant drive up (1 hr, door to door).

It was well worth it. The booths, sadly, are not the best places to trawl. For a start, as I am finding out from seasoned attendees, the big guys are not there any more, and of those who are you will not meet a decision maker.


So I lurked around the seminars mostly. Now, most of these were as is suspected, and pretty much a guy or gal reading from the PowerPoint slide I was looking at; but there were good opportunities at Q&A afterwards. And my trusty Junkk.com lappy-sling served me well as a substitute billboard, while the Vac:Sac is doing duty elsewhere, in getting the name across to those in the audience who may be moved to come up and chat afterwards, which many did.

My lack of in-depth industry knowledge worked to my advantage, as I was able to pose some pretty dumb questions which nonetheless left a few 'gurus' floundering.

This was mainly because I am acquiring a certain sympathy for the packaging industry. Now, while they may be no more angels than any other profit-oriented business grouping, they know their stuff, what works, what doesn't... and when they are getting a raw deal. Thing is, they are often constrained by relationships from being as vocal as they could be for what is essentially two goat functions: sacrificial and scape.

Government, quangos, activists and, most shamefully, the media have rather dumped the high profile woes of our consumer society upon them, and them alone. And, frankly, a lot of it stinks by being unfair, untrue and often not very 'eco'-logical at all in any case. For a start, I was amazed to learn that, considering this to be one of the highest profile packaging events of the year, no major media - who had been invited - had chosen to attend. Now, it may not be the most exciting niche in the news world, but it has been enough for a few high-profile 'campaigns' to be run in such as the Indy and Daily Mail. I rather think they owe their readers the opportunity to learn just why certain seemingly poor examples of 'excessive' packaging are used... and who specifies them. This latter is important, as the industry is usually only doing what it is asked, or rather demanded of it.

My head is buzzing with facts I simply did not know, and whilst I have no reason to doubt them, really do need to check up a bit before trotting them out. But, as I say, these guys do know their stuff, and it became quickly obvious to me that those who are quick to criticise (a few of whom were game enough at least to attend, to their credit) were doing so from a pretty woeful one-sided or agenda-driven viewpoint. Or were simply very badly briefed. My main concern was that, even at this stage, we seemed to be again only at the start of 'we must start discussing this more' talk. Er... now?

I do have a lot to digest, not just for Junkk.com but also RE:tie, as I also found many people there to be more than helpful in offering advice and leads, for which I must be more than grateful.

Anyway, as I think it is worth going back again, I must hit the sack.

At least one last thing will be worth a pleasant thought or two as I doze off. As I was leaving I had an excited call from Peter, the lovely photographer who had 'shot' me for the rather bruising interview for the Daily Express piece. Well, it had appeared today. And I must say it was a pretty big... and nice... spread (though they did add six years to my age - maybe I look it lately).

I hope it will serve to complement my activities at the show, and soon we will see both RE:tie and Junkk.com move into newer, better... and, with luck, more profitable areas. So now I must go off and work hard at having more luck:)

Like, Total...er..Packaging, man

Just dashing out the door for my second day at the show.

Already a bit exhausted as I'm trying to squeeze a Junkk.com day in at the beginning before I leave and at the end when I get back.

So far, so good. Which is why I'm going back.

There has been a good reception for RE:tie so far. No chequebooks being whipped out, but better than nothing. Unilever seemed more than interested.

The show itself is vast, and gives one a whole new perspective on the industry behind packaging. And just what goes into that bottle, cap and even label.

I have met some nice guys and gals from many aspects of the industry, and have been pleasantly surprised how happy to engage they are... even the media! I guess Junkk.com and RE:tie are not exactly bad for their businesses, so perhaps it's no surprise.

Today I intend to hit some seminars, but am not too hopeful. They tend to be dead boring anyway, so I am trying to score the PDFs of the slides and scoot through here at leisure. Plus the only real value is pouncing on the speaker. This may be more possible as they are quite small (the seminars, not the speakers), and open sided. And it looks like they are happy to hang about and chat.

So... gotta dash!

What's big, yellow...

I was never good at those shark in the custard jokes.

Two letters in reply to a piece I missed in the Indy (which I am sure is traceable):

Sir: Your feature on the huge area of land occupied by oilseed rape (12 May) made me recall a conversation with my father, a former airline pilot. I remarked about how much of France and England were covered in yellow fields and he said that this was how you could tell, from 37,000 feet, where the boundaries of the EU were. Present airline pilots may like to confirm if this is still the case. This would seem to indicate that the supply of oilseed rape products is determined by subsidy, rather than demand.

Sir: "The Rape of Spring"?(article, 12 May) "Garish"; "Slicks of Day-Glo yellow"; "an intercontinental crisis"? What an emotive introduction to a report that fails to find any evidence for a major role for oilseed rape in hay fever. This is a crop that produces a useful and healthy oil, which could also help to cut our carbon dioxide production.

Interesting. I am also keen to understand how it helps cut our CO2 production.

This allows me to air one of my odd ponders, like what happens to the inland climate if we suck all the energy out of the air coming in from the sea with wind farms (just asking - it may be minimal).

I remember an album from my youth, called, I think, Albedo 0.39, which was the reflectivity of the Earth.

My ponder is what the effect of such high reflectivity crops are vs. a darker green on the whole sun beating down thing? One has to presume there may be one if the coverage gets significant.

It struck me as I was leaving the UK for Geneva to help save the planet with RE:tie. By air, I have to admit. But as the Indy did point out yesterday - Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming (I must mention two things. One is that I do recall us all being a bit worried about cutting down rain forests even when I was a kid, so how hidden it is/was escapes me. Two: that's no excuse to keep on wasting away now) - the whole travel thing rather pales (pun intended) in comparison to other effects... possibly.

Grist - If not an answer, a lead to further info

Calls are free. The shrink bill is mounting.

Speaking of count-ups (see previous post).

Today is day 5 of my Skype saga.

Goaded by a more tech-literate mate in Hong Kong, and the promise of free calls, I last week ordered up a handset.

And this weekend I played software roulette with this piece of hardware and the various online options between our PCs and Macs, made all the more fun by the various drivers coming on disks that won't fit into a Mac, and when they do fit in the PC then clashing with the XP OS.

So far, all I now have a very good, extra, instant messaging system, but then what was wrong with email, especially as you don't waste all morning saying hello to and fro? And I can hear the other end but can't seem to get my voice heard even though the test says if you can hear yourself (which I can) then it's all spiffy, while the online icon says 'Skype can't hear you'.

So far, it is: Me = 0. Skype = 0. My psychiatrist = kids through college.

News, new, slow news day

I don't really have much to lose with most parts (a few nice, notable, exceptions, who are the only ones likely to be reading this) of the BBC these days, so what the hey.

Turned on at 5.30am to get straight into day whatever of the Maddyfest. Concerned journalists and anchors here and there swapping war stories about how the beastly Portuguese coppers don't give press conferences BECAUSE THEY ... ER... 'WE' NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! No irony at all when they interview a Brit policeman who mutters that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing here to be allowed to get on with their jobs rather than having to tell the bad guys (I didn't mean the media, but...) every ten seconds what they may or may not be doing to satisfy the demands of the media.

And now, having got that off my chest, here is the rest of the news.

Seems a highly-funded bunch of academics has announced a study that pumping out endless 'We're all toast' climate change doom 'n gloom stories to a willing and eager ratings machine such as our media... isn't helping much. Check back a few years to see why I can only ponder, with some rueful shaking of head, that I wish I'd said that. Oh, I did. Along with a few (not many) others. And I told a few media outlets, such as the BBC, but maybe offering a word of caution on the responsibility of outrageous reporting wasn't quite in keeping with their journalistic standards of... 'WE'RE ALL DOOMED! - say eco-activists with book tours', vs. 'NO, WE'RE NOT! - say big-oil funded deniers'. Which ever way, the ratings flames are fanned to good effect by those less interested in the truth, accuracy and a better future tomorrow, than a good headline today.

And so we come to Declan, 'discussing' (if that is what his slot can be called) train travel today, looking as cute and cuddly as ever in his Thomas the Tank outfit on the footplate of a steam train. Now, remind me, how do these things work? Oh, yes, they burn vast amounts of of coal, and not very efficiently belch it out of their smokestack. Ah, well, a little artistic licence in the name of good TV, eh? But one wonders when he'll be off to the Arctic to 'study' global warming.

Anyway, a point was made. The eco-family tested out a train and the car. Train = fun. Car = chore. No contest. But... Train = loadsamunny, plus lots more per person. Oops. There's also the small matter of where you are setting off from and going to. Plus flexibility. And convenience. And...

I am leaving soon for the first day of the Total Packaging Show at the NEC. I need to get there, do the biz and get back. Money, time and convenience. On a good day in the car outside of rush-hour I can get there in about an hour, and back to get in more work, for about a tenner in petrol. In that time I may just about have got a bus to Gloucester to the station, if one runs at the right time and there is a train. And I have a family to feed by every minute of my day being used to try and make my business work. Because the demands of those in power require that.

Sorry, no contest. So I am not sure what point was served by the piece, as it merely served to confirm my situation. As far as I was aware, not one jot of 'discussion' about how to improve matters was attempted. Plus ca change...

But I think they are flying more reporters to the Iberian Peninsula. The weather is lovely there at this time of year, I gather.

Indy - Wild theories and a warped sense of priorities - at least they didn't also put the latest 'scoop' on the front page.

Indy - Reporting The Hunt For Madeleine: Media and police collide on the Algarve - Has a nice sense of irony and moral outrage, though you do suspect they are also not averse to feeding off it all. One thing that does come across, to me at least, is how sidelined the actual finding of the little girl has become to the process of reporting upon the cirrus surrounding it.

The Human Footprint

Ch4, repeated recently on More4

As I wrote:

I live and work in the world of environmental issues, specifically trying to make people think more and then act on their impacts. This programme was excellent. Entertaining as well as thought-provoking. And stunningly produced, directed, shot and edited. Well done. If you ever decide to move into a similar, more specific effort of this nature on any aspect of our consumer lifestyles, especially packaging (I have, as an exercise, not thrown anything away for 4 years - so the scenes of endless rows of bottles resonated. Though the missus is not thrilled), let me know.

This is the way to make a difference, through fun and not guilt, nanny or scold. Rather than an Inconvenient Truth this should be in all our schools, and I'm amazed to have only stumbled upon it tucked away like this. I must have been asleep when it was aired mainstream.

Only logical, it is.

This is interesting as I had almost given up on Innocent, who seem a darn good fit in more ways than one, but there may yet be a way (he said, mysteriously, and Yoda-like), of which more another time.

Lament for lost Innocence

Such alliances/deals always seem to spark the same commentary. I find it interesting the higher standard that some are held to just because they have a product that is healthier/more ethical, etc. Like Anita Roddick and Body Shop. It is theirs, and business is business. It's not like they are going to the Dark Side.

A powerful riposte to such critiques would be to simply stand one's ground and point out it is a lot more effective to get 'in' and cause change from that side, than being outside ranting... so long as one is firm on one's principles and takes all chances to let them spread.

I was once asked if I'd ever put an Esso ad on my site, and caused much feather ruffling by saying 'of course'. Thing is, my local station has an LPG pump, and I will for sure let them advertise THAT, but certainly not 4* . You never know, if they start seeing enough revenue coming in they may ditch a petrol pump for another more eco-option.

Use the market forces, Luke...

Also cures baldness, the ague, ill humours...

Global Cool is hot on carbon emissions

I just hope that you are right in the hope expressed in your second para.

Just reading the rest of the piece it struck me just how many of the
green elite 'ambassadors' already on board seemed to think nothing
of flying hither and thither in the name of saving the planet...
with it all being hunky-dory so long, one presumes, as it is 'offset'.

As someone who only cares about genuine efforts to reduce the
wasteful and/or not necessarily necessary consequences of
expanding, more affluent populations in a consumer driven global
economy, I remain to be convinced how genuine and/or effective
these efforts really are.

Especially when there's big money to be made dealing in green
as opposed to simply living it.

Steaming

BMW hopes M&S chief will lead the drive towards hydrogen

While the emission of water vapour (itself, I believe, a potential
greenhouse 'gas' ) is certainly to be encouraged as an alternative,
I do wonder about a commensurate commitment to the spirit of
reduction.

Is there any reason this thing is six litres and 300bhp? Is it not possible
to create a safe, high-performance vehicle of more reasonable size?
I recently saw the Governator lob up in his US version of this...
in a 2-ton Humvee!

While one recognises the need for mobile test beds, one has to
wonder a bit about how genuine the green message is. Fine if it is filled
up and only used within range of the station (Mr. Rose, one presumes,
lives and works in the vicinity, otherwise he just got a massive petrol
Beemer to run around the country in), but what is the enviROI of the
hydrogen production considering the cost pressures?

It may not pollute on combustion but how does it rate to get to the
tank vs. other alternatives? Please reassure it's all thought
through as genuine green.

The Write Stuff

Someone (actually a lovely freelance writer called Jo Cantello, who has offered to try and help promote Junkk.com and RE:tie for no more than her own entertainment, another string to a rather humbling bow of support we are bringing to bear in our mission) asked me last night if I'd had a 'productive' week.

If she had used the word 'busy' I'd still be on the floor giggling.

The best I could do by way of reply was to hope that events were still 'promising'.

Thursday I was beeing shot for a few hours by a photographer here, holding the RE:tie, for a possible piece in a national daily (actually, their Sunday Business Section, so a fingers crossed trip to the newsagents tomorrow, even though it may be a tad premature). Then a draining 80 minute interview with the journalist yesterday. No stone was left unturned, nor weakness in strategy exposed, rather proving my point... again... that you can't bang a round peg into a square hole, and it really makes sense to devote more effort now to building a team than making me do stuff I am not very good at. I need Men (or Ladies) in Grey... suits! Who can talk numbers, and IP, etc.

For instance, UKTI has arranged for me to go to Total Packaging at the NEC next week. Assuming the big boss of anything - Tescos, Bottle Top Makers Ltd - is there, and identifiable rather than a face in the crowd, I'm not sure what I do. Rush up with my prototype and say 'Fancy buying this?' I'd get arrested.

But glimmers abound. I had a great chat with the official media editor for the event, Mike Hall of Retail Packaging, and he has offered to usher me around, as well as kindly making intros to people I'd have never found, doing things I didn't know existed, and offering advice and leads I can only dream about. One such is Robin Moorby of Clipper Containers and Closures, who has been more than helpful already. So, busy, yes, and productive... I think so.

Plus the encouraging signs continue. Having moaned about missing all these potentially useful conferences by them being silly money, I have been offered a guest ticket to one biggie by a speaker... via these pages! I just hope it will come off.

And as a further welcome sign that what we are trying to do... and share with a lite green public audience... is being respected and, better yet, valued, a book just plonked in my in-tray for review, totally unsolicited.

By noted enviro-author Leo Hickman, I am hoping to catch a moment to 'relax' this weekend and read it. But I am honour bound to read a few others in the queue first. Plus make a new Vac:Sac as my mobile billboard for next week's show as I'd donated Old Pinky to a Cumbria Recylcing Roadshow. Oh, and do the standby plug tests for my re:view on that. And the low energy bulbs. And the newsletter.....

I think my RSI is coming back.

Saving the planet. Next!

This from the Telegraph - Expanding our coverage - and horizons

'...we hope will gather together in one place on the internet all that we feel the Telegraph already does well about nature and the environment - whether it is the latest news reporting, comment, pictures or features - together with a little bit more.'

'The internet gives us the opportunity to give depth to our coverage of environmental and scientific issues and to expand this by evaluating and giving feedback on environmentally friendly products for our readers whether they find themselves at the leading edge of, or reluctantly bowled over by, the "green" shock-wave currently passing through the High Street.'

'But the green vein in our readership is matched by an equally deep loathing of cant and over-statement. So, we hope, the Earth Channel will be a place with a strong, Telegraph character, where inconvenient facts are sought out and views tested with common sense.'

Hmn. Can't argue with any of that. Hope it all gets delivered.

So far, about 5 readers, at least motivated to write. Not too encouraging.

And I have to agree with the post about their seeking pictures; the science is sloppy, but the ratings intent is clear: 'Oh look, nasty stuff!'.

The Telegraph has a history of moderating me, and Mr. Clover I have approached on many occasions to no result, be it for Junkk.com, a point on coverage or RE:tie. At least this post is now up. Maybe a new era of cooperation may dawn elsewhere, as I have tried to offer a constructive post:

'Anything that spreads further knowledge - especially in clear terms we can all understand and engage with positively and proactively - is welcome.

But be prepared for debate. On the one hand I welcome it, but in some areas I fear I have grown rather weary of all that surrounds 'climate change' or 'global warming' as it seems to pretty soon to end up as a slanging match between 'big oil-funded deniers' at one opposition-designated end, and 'agenda-driven, green elite activists' at the other. To the best of my knowledge neither, yet, can claim to know what the heck is going on, and their spats are simply consuming time we may not have and putting off folk that need to be engaged with and motivated now.

My personal belief is that whatever may or may not be happening, man-created waste (in any form - through disposal or inefficient consumption) is neither justified nor logical on any basis. We are a planet of finite size, with a growing population, and there is an end point approaching to sustain our current behaviours. Checking waste seems a key, immediate task. Not to mention potentially profitable, if also 'inconvenient'. Lifestyle sacrifices will need to be made.

And while the big stuff is the domain of governments and commerce, their actions are ultimately decided by those who vote, with a cross on a ballot or their wallets. These are who need to be persuaded with truth, accuracy, logic, fun and incentive. Not spin, threat, target, agenda, guilt or the frighteners. We need more 'I will...' than 'I can...', as the latter to me offers the option of opting out if not convenient, which is par for the course for a cabinet of lawyers, but less encouraging to those who are thinking less of career, pension and/or profit first at the moment.

I have but one interest for any and all initiatives that cross my path, and that is the enviROI; the return on investment to my kids' futures on this planet. It can be fine if something doesn't make much sense financially - that is a personal choice to make - but it is not idf some green commitment merely serves a short term political point, a CSR cause or a greenwash money motive. It has to reduce the gunk going up in smoke that 'may' be doing the big damage, or going into holes that are full to bursting. A lot do not, and as an ex-engineer and ad man (an odd, but useful mix in this area) I am seeing too much that doesn't add up in this regard.

Technology can help, but it must not be rushed out and especially not be endorsed if the enviROI is not proven.

What is it actually for a B&Q wind turbine, especially as advertised on these pages? I don't know, yet, but I am finding out. I know the financial ROI can often be pretty poor, depending on location, as Newsnight's Ethical Man and Mr. Cameron have already discovered. Why has home solar had almost all its funding removed?

And while a hybrid or electric may make a nifty statement, let's not rush to buy a new one without thinking of the totality behind such an act. Is it instead of another car or as well as? Is the ex-vehicle being removed from use, and hence emissions? What are the consequences of using a hybrid if most travelling is non-urban, simply lugging round a heavy battery? And how 'good' is an electric, really? Its exhaust pipe is merely in another location, and electricity transfer and storage from generator to wheel is not that efficient. They may be helpful for airborne pollution, but how good for enviROI? And for both, what is served by a Congestion Charge-Free pass in London, if that merely allows them to emit away all day, no matter how efficiently?

This is the kind of reporting I would appreciate, to ensure my decisions are informed... and in the best interests of future generations."

Ending on a high note

Life would be pretty boring if one had nothing but victories, but it is nice to cap a day off with a feeling that a few more nice things have happened than downers.

A long time ago I was a guest speaker at event organised by the National B2B Centre (a very useful networking group specialising in IT) of the University of Warwick, held at Aston Science Park.

It was a good event, well attended, with an appreciative audience who responded well to the Junkk.com message. It is telling that I have yet to write to all who gave me their cards... in March!

Anyway, one lady was kind enough to get in touch with me. Her name is Ranbir Sahota, and she has a PR agency called Vitis PR. She really liked what Junkk.com was trying to do, and simply offered to help... no strings.

Well, she has, and when she learned of the RE:tie went ahead and has brought it to the direct attention of some of her contacts, a couple of which I had sent to, but it seems in the mysterious way of media editorial receptions simply got nowhere near the addressee.

Anyway, she's another who I am proud to add to the list of those helping us, and who we will help in any way we can. Which in the absence of revenue is a little bit of profile on our pages.

Getting Places

No, not a new travel agency. Though I'm sure I will soon get a PR from one who is trying (it will be a tough, if interesting, sell) to suggest that they can satisfy our holiday needs and save the planet, too. As I'm still not too big on the buy-off culture that is carbon offsetting, about the only one that would seem to fit the bill would be 'CycleFromHomeTours'. You heard it here first.

No, yesterday was a good day. If exhausting, both physically and mentally, especially the latter, as it was pretty much full on from about 6am until I went into brain-meltdown at 7pm. I'm afraid my days of pulling 24/7 all-nighters as I did in my ad days are over, it seems.

I am still resisting the urge to read all the papers and newsletters, and blog back accordingly. I have to say I miss this to an extent, because I do get to stay on top of stuff but also engage and, often, get the Junkk.com name out there. But it does mean a large chunk of the day is opened up for other activities.

For a while this was filled by the trial journalistic response system I engaged with, which was running at about 50 posts a day. Of these about 5 were relevant, and in replying during the week I was getting positive replies to my input (everything from request for ideas to offer to eco-summer section in Women's Mags, to a comment on the state of social entrepreneurship in Accountancy, which has my RE:tie PR lady biting her nails) , with the chance of coverage. In the great sales scheme of things not too bad.

Trouble is, my free week stopped. And then the invite to subscribe swung in. Gulp! I'd gone for about 10 sections (and there are scores), and each was £200+ per year to continue with. But then I was called by the sales guys and when I told them it was out of my league they went away and had a think and have offered me a deal based on what Junkk.com was trying to do that will make a couple worth investing in. I just have to figure out which to choose, as a good lead can come from anywhere, and often the least obvious. Anyway, thank you Response Source (what goes around..., see).

Next up, my ongoing PR for the RE:tie is still and, at long last, starting to bear fruit. I am getting some very nice reactions from a lot of places. Especially the trade media, which may in the end be the best for forging business relationships. Still not too much from the Holy Grail of consumer nationals, but maybe an award for an idea is not really enough to float their boats. But that said, Lucy Siegel of the Observer wrote back with a nice note about seeing what she could do, and there are a few other irons in the fire that have yet to cool.

The business aspect also gathers steam. Thanks to a connection made by a school chum, I have been put in touch with a Business Angel brokerage that looks not only promising, but has the added value of a personally-endorsed, and hence trusted, relationship to kick off on a more than reassuring note. And this is complemented by UKTI-supported leads in IP and sustainable packaging that is knitting it all together. But you may see why my brain is frying as, at the end of the day, it is still all down to me to get on top of and coordinate.

Speaking of which, after many months, my much-missed ex-Chief of Stuff Emma got in touch. I miss her input so very much, but wish her well in her new career.

And, in a packed day, I came in this AM to find that, at PM, my blog does sometimes get read by more than my Aunty, and a very helpful reply was posted to a rather un-PR (if not PC) comment about London-based, and weighted, conferences. Check back a few blogs to see the latest.

It's still a roller-coaster ride, but as the analogy suggest, it cannot be accused of being anything other than exciting.

When good links go bad

One, of many, things I am desperately keen to address is a proper media management system.

Not just because that would, at last, mean some serious ad revenue flowing through, but I can be responsive to opportunities (a good friend of Junkk.com has asked for a banner in a local section relevant to them, but I can't remove Google Adsense - which does offer some fair revenue - from the system as it is 'all or nothing'), but I can also impose some ethical publisher control.

This is important not just to maintain Junkk.com brand values, but to avoid being accused of the very thing I (don't accuse, but cock a wry eyebrow at on occasion, so for now let's call it...) 'note' some rather preachy media can be when they say such as flying is the work of the Devil, yet run an ad for a weekend in the Bahamas atop the piece. And I know you can't sail there and back and still enjoy a Mai-Tai on the beach in the time... though trying would be fun.

So I was disturbed to see an ad for Tesco Insurance on the site yesterday (unless it was e-related, which I didn't notice, so it wasn't very good if it was). And a few for less than eco-topics on my blog, too.

None were contradictory I guess, but I'd just prefer the ads on the site to be totally in keeping with what is being written about and, just as important, the values we espouse.

Now, how the heck do I get that across to a robot at Google central? I recall the fun my wife had trying to get a human at eBay recently.

Getting reuse taped

There's opportunity at every turn:

End of the reel for cassettes?

If anyone has any tips or suggestions for re:use or re:cycling these little dudes, and their bigger VHS cousins, I'd be grateful.

We are getting asked a lot, and I suspect this news will result in more.

http://www.junkk.com/ideas.asp?slevel=0z622&parent_id=622

The Summit of All Ears... and what action?

I've mentioned this before, and will doubtless mention it again... until I move from being a struggling and in need of help and connections business, to being nice and comfy and no longer in need of much except a cushy lifestyle surrounded by my fellow green elite.

For I have just had yet another 'invitation' - with major price tag attached - to attend yet another summit discussing things green and how to profit from them, this time from Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the Guardian: The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2007

It is 'a must-attend event for all directors and managers wanting to be at the forefront of solving the carbon challenge'. Well, unless you are not quite up for the £1k price tag for the day, once fee, travel and accommodation are totalled up.

I would like to go, as it could be of use to me and, who knows, I could have something to offer. Just look who is going to be there:

Peter Ainsworth MP, shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs
Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF
Kathryn Barker, head of environment, BAA
Paul Dawson, director, Barclays Capital
Richard Gillies, director of store development, design and procurement, Marks & Spencer
Adrian Hewitt, energy and sustainability manager, Merton Borough Council
Senior executive, HSBC
Chris Huhne MP, shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary
Andrew Jones, senior manager, energy and environment, Boots
Tony Juniper, executive director, Friends of the Earth
Sir David King, chief scientific advisor to HM Government and head of the Office of Science and Innovation
Simon Lewis, group corporate affairs director, Vodafone
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London
Caroline Lucas, Green Member of the European Parliament
Paul Monaghan, head of ethics and sustainability, Co-operative Group
David North, community and government affairs director, Tesco
Ian Pearson MP, minister of state for climate change and environment
Jonathon Porritt, founder director, Forum for the Future
James Smith, chairman, Shell UK ltd
Ben Stimson, director corporate responsibility, BskyB
Karl Whiteman, Managing Director, Berkeley Homes (Central London)

Confirmed facilitators (for sector specific breakout sessions):

Simon Mills head of sustainable development unit, City of London
Bill Clark, sustainability policy manager, Southampton City Council
Nick Coad, head of group environmental strategy, National Express Group
Jo Confino, executive editor, the Guardian
James Stacey, head of sustainable business, Standard Chartered

But then again, what chance would I have of actually meeting them? They will be in the VIP enclosure or up there speaking. I would just be a face in the crowd and maybe get to chat to a few guys around me who may ask about my Vac:Sac, which is my mobile billboard.

Frankly, unless you are speaking, it hardly seems worth the money or effort.

However, I may have a rummage round the sponsors list to see who I can try and blag an invite from.

You never know, they could feel having someone from less rarefied places may bring them closer to earth, where the rest of us live.

Studying to death?

I quick Grinch-risking missive to the Beeb:

Dear Sirs,

Re: Antarctic Global Warming Prizes

While the theory behind this initiative, and the ideas it inspired are to be applauded, I have to wonder at the prizes.

Our polar wastelands seem to be getting pretty crowded these days with people traveling there (often with film crews in tow) to 'study the effects', one presumes with certain irony, of people traveling there.

And did I hear right that the runner up prizes were for... travel?

http://www.iceedge.co.uk/

Just watched some winners (with a few non-winners sounding typically much more interesting actual solutions as opposed to TV-friendly gimmicks).

Further to my Grinch views, I thought the comments were telling: 'Well, it is a dilemma flying up there, but at least getting to see it before it goes will be amazing'.

Hmn, indeed. Maybe we should all go up and catch it before it has gone then?

Then I read this:

Binge-flying culture is just beginning. The only way to stop it is a severe tax

As an environmentally-concerned individual, I face the dilemma of being married to a Singaporean with all the family-related annual travel consequences that creates (no flights for several years now, but wife and kids do deserve to see their folks soon). Sadly, time and money preclude the options of other alternatives, unless I can get sponsored on a slow travel blog by some green-minded newspaper. However, unless you are a mate of the editor that may be a dodgy sell, as people may tire of 'I'm spending a year having a hoot doing no work... and getting paid for it' efforts by now.

It does rather seem the travel issue is getting more and more polarised, if you'll forgive the pun... bearing in mind what follows.

Today I watched BBC Breakfast News with what seemed like an excellent initiative to encourage kids to come up with some ideas (a few which that were perhaps less televisual not getting the credit they deserved, IMHO. Chewing gum will sort climate change?) to tackle global warming.

The prize? A trip to see the polar regions before they disappear because, one presumes, of people going to see them before they disappear.

And the runner up prizes were... travel!

There is quite an interesting industry being created in saving, and promoting the saving of this planet.

Shame it seems there is little actual desire or effort to actually get around to actually doing it in favour of hype, spin and a quick slot on the TV.

SlowNewD

Ok, with all that's going on, adding a new category to Blogger, and a non-enviro one at that, seems pretty typical of my tangential nature and knat-like attention span.

But I really have to get this one out of mine and into this system.

SlowNewD stands for Slow News Day, which I will invoke when the sorry collection of individuals that constitutes or media these days, from producers to editors to journalists to anchors, in whichever order of pondweed you choose to stack them, start excavating through the bottom of the barrel en route to China.

I was already poised at 7ish, having watched the latest Newswatch 'don't think so, don't know, don't care if it was' weekly dismissal of some truly egregious examples, when I went to Mum's place to take her lunch over. Sadly she is addicted to BBC News 24, and it is on all day.

Now there is a tragedy that has happened, and still unfurling. And, to an extent, it is news. But the blow by blow bullsh*t that is being served up by the story of this blonde Brit kidnapped kiddie in Portugal is beyond the pale. It was on first thing, and is still on now.

How many kids are abducted every day, all round the world AND in Britain, without so much as a mention?

Everything possible should be done to get her back, but I can't see what serves this process that I am seeing unravel here and now. The act is sickening, but the media coverage is proving more than a complement. Queue the copycats. But at least it will get a rating or two extra.

I probably do agree with what he says...

The right to be wrong

Voltaire is either spinning in his grave or pi**ing himself laughing.

Too.. er, something, to miss

Looking out for polar bears

I think everyone should visit these beautiful, unspoiled but devastated places to see just how in danger they are from folk taking a last chance to see/study these beautiful, unsp...

Are we perhaps in danger of killing with 'awareness'? Just askin'

Let's send a film crew up to find out.

Meanwhile, my Maplin solar phone charger is doing the business in my home office window as I write.

What's source for the goose...

Still in the thick of trying to squeeze the maximum PR for the RE:tie award whilst juggling all sorts of help and advice - solicited and some often not - from everyone who kindly wants a piece of the action.

As a consequence of paying a PR-dissemination service to send out our release, I also ended up with a free trial for a service called 'Enquirer', whereby you get bombarded with pitch and story lead requests posted by journalists.

It has been fairly fruitful, and I have had a couple pick up as a consequence of my replying. With luck one will be in Accountancy with my views on 'being' a social enterprise, and another will pitch my plea for help in a subscription only net magazine called Scientific Business.

Having gone cold Turkey on scanning the papers and online feeds to concentrate on all this, I now have another addiction, as there are about 50 a day. And I can't resist peeking at even those which are nothing in my area.

It's also fascinating to see how 'news' is actually created. I saw on the news today a 'story' which was basically created by a journalist setting out what they needed to fill out their medium's agenda.

War is hell. Except for sales and ratings. Discuss.

Nothing much to do with the environment (though I have to say war is pretty poor on the carbon footprint front), or my current fun and games, but I was moved to write to our national broadcaster again (so there is a tenuous link), and really have nowhere else to file it. Sorry.

Washington's War by Gen Sir Michael Rose

I watched this piece, sporting the now inevitable Newsnight twofer sandwich, with the General on one side, a single, totally opposing view from Washington on the other, and the BBC voice of sweet, cynical reason in the middle.

I confess to little in the way of historical, military or geopolitical education and experience in comparison to this collection, but really couldn't get my head around even the basic premise that has lead the BBC to help this old boy advertise and sell his controversial product, and stir up a nest of WASPS (geddit?) to drive some ratings.

Surely in the War of Independence the British were fighting even initially a relatively coherent, and ever-more united group of folk who stood FOR something, and were prepared to defend it with their lives to get... or keep it, and make it work for self-betterment on resolution?

Whereas, by any reasonable estimation, the coalition forces and those around them are just being attacked by an amorphous collection of anarchic organisations and individuals whose simple, even stated, aim is to stand solely AGAINST anything 'Western' (with the occupation serving up a cause on a plate). And they will attack to their deaths any aspect associated with this, including the very people, soil and ways of life they are in theory 'defending'. Job done, they will rattle about a while to ensure the maximum misery is caused for the benefit of any who may have missed the point... and the media... and then move on to the next appropriate venue. I am sure our political ‘leadership’ will soon provide this opportunity to them.

So in this case I just can't make any aspect of the cited comparison stick, and hence wonder what the point of it all was. Bar the sales and ratings, of course.

Just a quicky

The rich world's policy on greenhouse gas now seems clear: millions will die

Sorry, my limit is 50 posts, so I'll just throw this in and apologise if anyone else has made the point.

It just tickles me we get such articles in a publication with a banner ad that says 'Prefer the Sun? Prefer the Snow? Guardian Unlimited will send you a brochure'