NEWS/Commercial PR - POOH CORNER gets its latest update

Now, in true Michael Caine style, 'norralorra people know this, but...' Junkk.com does have a little place called... POOH CORNER.

It got created to 'address' matters of a more effluvial nature that are nonetheless environmentally valuable, and copped the moniker when my boys heard my talking about the topic, made a very odd connection with Christopher Robin whilst giggling 'He said poo!'. It was a while ago, but even at 12 they still fall about. Like I say... boys.

Nothing there yet, of course, because for now all goes here on the blog, but I really must get busy loading it up as, over the years, a lot has come in that would be ideal to go here.

Anyhoo... to the point.

Those nice folks at ecover, who already dominate the 'E' section of the Ideas pages, have sent us a freebie to go with a bit of worthy PR. The pack is now here and here. No ideas yet, but the cap is promising. Maybe ecover can get busy here as they have before.

The PR is here. The first bit is well worth noting. And as they are mates I've left in the 'product blurb', too (too much to pun it a shamless plug..hole?):

WORLD TOILET DAY

40% of the world's population, 2.5 billion people, don't have access to a toilet. To raise awareness of this global sanitation crisis, and to celebrate the humble yet essential Ecover bathroom cleaner [now that's something I have never seen celebrated before! - Ed], November 19th has been designated World Toilet Day.

We’re excited about World Toilet Day because it complements our three year partnership with WaterAid to provide access to safe water and sanitation in the Hintalo Wajerat area of rural Ethiopia.

For further information on Ecover’s partnership with WaterAid visit www.ecover.com/wateraid

About Ecover Ocean Waves Toilet Cleaner

As with all Ecover products, the Ocean Waves Toilet Cleaner is formulated from plant and mineral-based ingredients, biodegrading quickly and completely to ensure it has a minimal impact on aquatic life.

Telegraph - NEW - Why we shouldn't sneer at World Toilet Day

Efficiency games

New Solar Balloon Creates 400 Times More Energy Than The Average Solar Cell

I'll share because it looks and sounds fun, but the claims may need an eyebrow crank.

When switching off just won't do

7-Eleven Getting Big Gulp-Sized LED Upgrade

'in order to do its part to reduce GHG emissions'

I am glad that they have 'seen the light', but let us not get too carried away with echoing the PR.
'The savings will be worth it as the lights will use about 75% less energy than fluorescents.' '..after they see what kind of savings 7-11 reaps.'

Not to mention the kudos... oh... they can see that already.

Please, let there not be vast acres of print media issued to tell one and all about this measure.

Actually I'd be keen to know exactly how long the $1B investment will take to get to payback... and then accrue major operational savings; not really for the eco-cred but just to stamp on some beancounters' foreheads to show that green can make green.

It needn't be an 'either/or'.

Nice motors, shame aboutthe colour

Leonardo DiCaprio, the star who helped turn Hollywood green

'As well as his Toyota Prius, his latest car is equally in tune with the times - a BMW H7, which runs on hydrogen.'

Must be tricky driving both at once.

'may look like a fuel-hungry executive saloon - but it burns hydrogen, not petrol'

And just because the fuel is not petrol that makes it less hungry... how? And what is the enviROI of hydrogen at the moment?

JUNKK CATEGORY - WOOD & TREES

It's a grower! (sorry:)

Energy Source

Telegraph - Cost of living: some good news for once - I had some dabte on the right category here. Should it have been more under 'Energy' or even 'Alt. Energy'? Still, with two wind-fallen trees' worth out back...

Deforestation

Gaurdian - Rainforests

Looking at the above, that suggest 'Deforestation' as a category, too. Ho -hum.

Reuse/cycling

Times - NEW - New ways to make use of any old wood

Peak Oil

Two words that cause major disagreement every time they are used; so any article that provides a sensible and logically argued explanation of the Peak Oil concept is worth a few minutes reading.

This is one such by investor Praveen Jaiswal in Seeking Alpha. Enjoy.

Water, water, everywhere....

..... and not a drop to drink.

According to this from the International Herald Tribune, that is the prospect facing billions of people, especially in Asia, over the coming decades, as climate change alters rainfall patterns and increases areas that already suffer from droughts.

"global climate change takes many forms, causing droughts in some areas while increasing flooding and the severity of cyclones in others. Droughts reduce water supply, and floods destroy the quality of water. Rising sea levels, for instance, increase the salt content at the mouths of many rivers, from which many Asians draw their drinking water."

By 2080, they reckon that as many as 3.2 Billion people (that's almost half the planet's current population) could face a shortage of clean water.

Yes, I know they use that horrible word 'could', but it doesn't sound too good if true, does it?

Oh, and if you want something topical to actually drink from, how about one of these 'global warming mugs' from gadgets.co.uk?

Nothing ventured

Obama to skip UN climate talks

Probably he and his entourage not going is doing more to reduce carbon emissions than any conversations held there will achieve.

Mini Nuclear Plants...

..... look to be just around the corner; they are even taking advance orders already! No bigger than a large hot tub, and creating enough power to support up to 20,000 homes, the full story is from PhysOrg.

Perhaps in a few years time there will be a matchbox box sized version suitable for generating the power just for one property? The mind boggles!

Turkeys think Xmas is better vegetarian, when asked.

Or, who pays,.... oh, heck who cares?

U.S. Consumers: Companies Should Pay To Manage Climate Change

An interesting survey, and encouraging in parts.

Of course I have never come across anyone (though have seen a few blog posts that would suggest a few of a contrarian aspect) who, if asked, is against anything 'good' that is 'green'.

One also has to wonder to what extent it was made clear, or the respondents made the mental leap on their own and were still cool on the notion, that the personal cost to them of most company products usually includes any costs the company incurs, plus a bit.

Would the results be the same if the headline dropped the :Companies?

CATEGORY - Paper

ARTICLES

Indy - How to cut your paper footprint - Mind you, this cranked an eyebrow a tad: '...on her return from the trip in 2006 which took her round most of the great forests of the world for her new book: Paper Trails. Paper Trails by Mandy Haggith is published Virgin Press £12.99' - call Independent Books Direct'

Gaurdian - NEW - Don't print this post - Perhaps as interesting, if depressing, for the replies. Mind you, a finger-wag from any in 'green' officialdom, DDAIDDAIS-wise, rather invites a mirro being held up.

INFORMATION

shrinkpaper.org

Britain's trillion-page mountain stacks up

donotmail.org

paperplanet

IDEA - It is art...

...but as I have four rescued from my garden, can't a way be found to reuse them?

Artist creates sculptures from hubcaps

Maybe a central community drop off 'lost 'n found', say at a local garage forecourt, to let folk see if they can retrieve them... and make a charity donation as a thank you?

A new mission!

Prof's Poser - Polystyrene cups

Inspired by a post here.

'One of my pet peeves is how many coffee cups are wasted. Why don’t more people use a thermos type or reusable coffee mug?'

I don’t know the answer, but I bet someone does.

As with all things eco, one needs to look at the enviROI. And also bear in mind whether your eco concern is waste, Co2, or a mixture of both.

It can be interesting sometimes to find out the energy used in, say, cleaning a reuseable vs. the cradle to grave of a disposable.

Sad to say, IF these things are a necessary evil, I am stumped as to possible reuses for now, however I then wonder about recycling.

This is not often optimal green-wise or anything like cost-effective, but these wee efforts tend to be used and disposed of in vast numbers by big offices.

Maybe there could be an argument for a dedicated in-house separated collection and purchase of a shredder to create virgin media bags of the stuff someone might be happy to collect and/or pay for to turn back into new ones?

If there isn’t already.

Or… just lob it all in the black plastic bin liner like usual.

RE-miss?

Spot the missing word here.

Now, what could we turn this into?

The Two E's, enviROI... and a plug

I wonder if he posted it anywhere other than the Gaurdian?

A limited, almost certainly hostile audience unlikely to be open to changing entrenched beliefs. Would this not serve more, in every sense of the word, being in a more mainstream arena (maybe it is, but if so I have missed it. Ergo...), where advocates from either side of the arguemnt can debate and 'sell' their points of view?

Maybe a bun-fight is better for ratings... and sales.

The green pseudo-revolution

PR COVERAGE - Nice little Fillip

The other day I was a speaker at an all-day event on the pros and cons of Intellectual Property protection.

It was promoted by Fillip, the organisation that has been very helpful and supportive with the RE:tie invention I am marketing.

Seems my adventures with RE:tie are deemed an entertaining example of the roller-coaster ride it can all represent. At least it got some nifty PR in the Birmingham Post, and major regional daily.

I also had a lot of good feedback from many present, which was encouraging, as we were talking hard-nosed types from the VC and associated worlds.

I feel like sharing an exchange I had with one kind soul who offered some good advice on dealing with money men, with my answers in reply putting it in the context of one from the more creative side of the equation.

One major drum I banged at the event was that too much resource was going into funding the making of things and not enough into complementing these efforts with sales. Inventors tend not to be great at Business Plans or pitching to boards packed with bean counters.

Note that (in big bold letters), they will not do everything for you and I’m afraid to say it takes a considerable and consistent time and energy commitment from the current management team to enable them to do their job.

Don't get me wrong. I will meet more than halfway. The more I do, the more I save... and make. Thing is, there is no management team... I'm it. Chief cook and bottle washer. I can do time and energy. What I can't become is something I am not. Too many suits so far seem to have a problem getting their heads round that. I need a team of complementing talents. Some consultant telling me what I need that I have already told 'em I know I need... er... no.
It will take longer and be more painful than you ever imagine at the start, but there is no magic bullet to either funding or a stronger management team.

It will take longer and be more painful than you ever imagine at the start, but there is no magic bullet to either funding or a stronger management team.

Length and pain noted. Been there, am still... got the T shirt. Robert the Bruce is my inspiration.

I understand where you are, I was in the same position, there was one of me, but if you don’t support them, it’s impossible for them to produce the resources you’ll need to take it to the next stage.

Finding, and clicking with the right guys is the mission. Intros like this one will help that happen.

No VC is going to even consider you without a solid plan.

Noted. But most I'd not be targeting. Their skill sets are inappropriate and while I need hard-nosed money men reigning me in, wannabe Dragon's Denners who have no vision of making the world better whilst making money are not either. Without folk who pluck ideas from the ether, guys like this are nothing. A joke about a one word business plan is funny to other suits, but cheap. What about the story of how they saw a product's potential and worked with the creator to make the plan perfect, if necessary using network contacts to complete the jigsaw. 'Computer says no' followed by 'try again, do better and come back when it's how I expect it' is not a mindset I'd want on my team, even if I could find a way of helping them deliver money I need to pay back with interest. I don't need money as such; I need talent and access... which does take money. It makes sense to have that role performed by a player on my team with a vested interest in long term success, not a vulture hovering above seeking a quick return.

You need the following pieces clearly worked out in your mind to pass on even before you approach anyone else–

The potential for the business, numbers (size of market not micro detail)
Sorted.

The routes to market
Sorted.

The licensing potential
Sorted.

Detailed current and IP road map
Sorted.

SWOT analysis – risks & threats, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses
Sorted.

Where you fit in and your future role
Sorted.

What skills you’re going to need to rent in the future
Sorted.

Exactly what do you want to do with the funds and how will it achieve the growth that will reward anyone coming in
Sorted.

Investors from what I hear rarely feel comfortable with one product companies

Noted. Not really a problem, because it's a design with license potential. See rapstrap. Plus I do have more second use ideas in mind. I need a hero to play off first. Then there is a whole raft of other inventions to come. I am at least smart enough to keep 'em tucked away until I can afford to protect them, and give all necessary resources to exploiting them. Being the guy behind the 'RE:tie' is a brand foundation I am building here.

And I think you need an idea of what will generate growth moving forward.

Those numbers exist, but already this is moving into areas I am not qualified to handle effectively. If a bridge is needed to interface with a VC, so be it. That's who I need to find to fight my corner. There is no point pitting me against a suit who expects me to fit into their mindset totally as it will end in tears.

I am here to make money by doing good. Not just for me, but all who hitch up. That means seeing the potential of what I am seeking to achieve and convincing me that they can make it happen as much as I need to convince them it's worth the effort. A way with P&L's and a swanky office and a client list means diddly. I seek added value, personality matching and end-benefit focus.

If you get the opportunity to pitch to any investors they want to see someone; extremely clear, passionate, focussed, with very defined aims. Don’t forget at our level, 90% of what they’re investing in is your ability to deliver, bring in the rest of the team and manage and motivate.

I am at the bringing in the rest of team stage. It seems my pitch has re-inspired a few to wish to help, with luck not for up front money but to share in the rewards.

My instinct is that you need at least one deal already in place to use as a platform.

Agree. Too many in this country are set on being first to be second. I get one and the dominoes will fall. It will give me great pleasure to charge those who could have had a much better deal a lot longer ago... anything I feel like.

CATEGORY - WEEE

Ministers call on consumers to recycle WEEE - Maybe not the headline I'd have gone for (that said, it got more interest from my boys than something less jargonistic that would probably simply look boring. So let's call it 'creative but still obscure'), but if the infrastructure really is in place then let's all try and use it!

Register - NEW - UK.gov has no idea how much WEEE ends up in landfill - now, where have I seen this phrase before: '..It is hoped that this consultation will..' Bonus-time!

Another lightbulb went off

And here it is. Sorry, no 'idea' inspiration this time.

Unfortuately, It also highlights a slight flaw in my advocacy for writing when you stuck it in around the edge, so you can take it back and demand a refund if the low energy is not matched by the long life.

We're talking 2 years, give or take. In the hall. Call it 2x365x5. Not quite as claimed.

Trouble is, a) I did not note where I bought it and b) if I knew do I have the receipt easily to hand.

Now rectified for the future. Receipt in special file and coded to the actual bulb.

I'll go green, but I am not funding others to profit from not delivering on their promises to help me do so.

You can be too green, apparently

I find I tick a few boxes at the end.

Are you carborexic?

While most, I am sure, are 'total', I do wonder about the enviROI of other activities some of these paragons might be, especially to get into the radar of the London luvvie set.

Not, on the whole, a lot I identify with, or seek to emulate. And hence I wonder how many are inspired or not. Beyond their mates.

CATEGORY - FOOD MILES

The topic is arising more and more. So I thought a new category was in order.

Indy - Food miles: The true cost of putting imported food on your plate

Ch 4 - Kiwi lamb and food miles

Telegraph - NEW - Sainsbury boss says 'food miles’ miss point - funny it comes out at the same time as this: Consumer giants cry foul over EU label laws

Grid and bear it

In amongst a lot of rather ill-defined, news hype and spin of late, this caught my attention:

Yes we can... build the smart grid

A sober (well, a little starry-eyed stuff creeping in) look at what can, and may not be possible to do.

Energy independence is an ideal, and one I support wholeheartedly, so long as the enviROI works out.

Let's see what actually happens. Here's hoping it works out well.

Telegraph - Barack Obama faces a daunting task on the environment

CATEGORY - Site Q&A - Search facile ity

A lot that ends up here can be viewed in light of the fact that I am using Blogger above the site to reply.

Sadly it is steam, driven and glitch-prone. But the core works OK.

One day all will be revamped. And what gets added here seamlessly integrated so as the info updated here goes in, so does the relevant section the site get updated too.

SEARCH

From Junkketeer Shedfirkler (a name with origins well worth investigating - it's OK, it's clean)

Q: "Either the keyword search only looks in very specific fields or it is generally useless! For example, I tried to find my own submitted idea (so I could direct a friend to it on the site), but none of the descriptive or main text words produced the result. Tends to bring up articles rather than ideas."

A (if more a reason than excuse, with no solution in sight for now): Not sure if it is useless. Just... next to it. What to say? It was installed when the site was built, and though many years have passed and advances have been made, we neither have the skills to improve it ourselves nor the money to pay someone who does. Sorry! One day it, and many other things that could be better, will be addressed.

From the site that says 'Rubbish need not be a dirty word'...

...to one that shares many of our visions.

Next Monday Will Be a Rubbish Q&A Day

Tracey knows stuff, and knows people. And she knows people who know stuff.

So it should be well worth it.

And if she is stumped on anything to do with reuse... she can always 'phone a friend'.

Now, what can I pose? Tricky.

When a promise isn't a commitment ......

... Or, when a commitment simply gets fudged and/or bungled?

An interesting comment piece from the Telegraph on when what is on the statute books is simply, well, bypassed. Plus, the author reckons what has happened with the fuel poverty commitment will also happen with the climate change bill.

I can hear the arguments already "errrrr, well, the 80% reduction in greenhouse gases was a target see, and we did not have the available finances to meet it, so, errrr, we haven't, errr, met it, well, as yet".

T'was ever thus!

Joined up what again?

EU law forces Sainsbury’s to ditch witches’ fingers

Is this part of the 'Love waste, love barking regulations even more' campaign?

Quote of the day - QED

As today's papers are excited about some councils removing Latin from our lingua franca...

I thought I'd share this from 21st Century Latin by linguist Sam Foster:

Calefaction muni - veniat! Colorandum pellum totum annum et via brevior ad litus!

Global warming - bring it on! An all-year tan and a shorter drive to the beach.

Gaurdian - Ave atque vale, lingua Latina - Some folk have too much time on their hands. QED.

Also just noticed a wee glitch that might employ many officers for many days if the write the funding application well enough.

'et cetera' is often abbreviated 'etc', I believe.

Now, I see possible problems with either the easily offended or Japanese communities with "and so on".

Newsnight

Daily Mail - The councils who ban Latin words because they are 'elitist and discriminatory' and confuse immigrants

Telegraph - Local council cretins ban Latin as 'elitist', pro bono publico

D'oh!

Brainy children ‘likely to vote Green’

...research suggests.

'Nuff said.

Another great new idea, from 1988

Waste not, want not

And should circumstances, or your search, fail, there is always Junkk.com to deal with the rest.

CATEGORY - CARBON CREDITS

They are coming, so best make sure we are on top of making them as enviROI+ as possible:

ARTICLES

BBC - NEW - The great carbon bazaar - Well, well, well...

Sadly, (necessary) stories like this tar possibly worthwhile and potentially useful enviROI+ projects with a very broad, long lasting brush. Frankly it seems waaaay too late to ask or expect any target-centric government or profit-centric trading entity to clean up their acts. The trust has gone. And with each imposition of such flawed systems by their very comfortable rewarded champions, the public looks like getting ever more resentful.

Indy - Concentrate the mind with carbon credits

As acknowledged: 'minus a handling fee, one assumes' '... also require substantial bureaucracy and would almost certainly be open to fraud and manipulation'. The current crop in charge do not inspire much faith that any planetary positive result will be derived whilst many job creation schemes and self-serving tax-grabs will be first in line.

Gaurdian - Carbon-credit schemes fall 30% short of projections, report claims - In a world of energy effciency, not the best % figure to note

Gaurdian - Personal carbon trading is not as simple as swiping an Oyster card - I note one Polly Toynbee, intellect-extraordinaire, is mentioned. Not in a good way.

Indy - UK’s carbon credits registry goes online

Times - NEW - The fool’s gold of carbon trading

TOG news

Yesterday I had another insight into the confusion on green issues that we all face.

En route to a meeting, I listened to the BBC radio news, with a story about our seabird population.

Not good. Seems they are in a dire state, and this can be traced back to the state of their principal food source, sand eels. And this... is due to global warming.

Oh dear.

Thing is, just 15 minutes later the DJ, Terry Wogan (somewhat of a rebellious spirit to the corporate agenda, like they don't have enough already) read out an email on this story (though without any reference to the news slot just read out) from a listener of unknown professional provenance that the sand eel reductions were nothing to do with climate, but more at the door of Danish fleets 'hoovering them up' (the term used) for animal feed and even, ironically, to be used as an alternative source of fuel.

Now, as a listener, in one quarter of an hour I had two diametrically opposite reasons provided for the fact of sand eel reductions over the airwaves and am currently none the wiser as to which is anything like the accurate one.

Now, I hate to say it, but there has to be a problem that when it comes to read any old press releases by charities that cite 'global warming', the track record of this £3.5B, multi-tens of thousand strong (analysts, researchers, etc) national broadcast entity is a bit suspect, and the net result of all this has been to cast more doubt on anything the BBC comes out with on science issues.

Newsnight

I don't design the 2012 Mascot

London 2012 Olympic mascot: Calling all entries

Dear Sir,

I hadn't realised, by virtue of not reading 'the brief' until now (the point pre-deadline I'd logged in my PC), that this was a search for an agency.

And much as a showcase in the Guardian is attractive, exposing one's brainpower to a potentially profitable property without being more certain of the rewards is unattractive.

Not likely to be a problem bearing in mind the entity involved in the real deal is a committee of worthies from an 'interestingly relevant' set of backgrounds, who don't do bland and yet came up with the whatever it is.

Hence, and rather than submit any doodles, may I instead make a suggestion?

Whatever this 'thing' is, in light of the eco-stance that will form a major part of the games, and the likely frugal, waste-sparing nature of most visitors during this period, rather than piece of useless tat Made in China that serves no function, the brief requires that in addition to being all a mascot needs to be, it is designed to do more than sit on a desk or ending up in a drawer.

Now, having set such a brief, and knowing all the potential manifestations it will need to satisfy in 2 & 3D, in the time left I can't imagine how to fulfill it.

Sorry.

But I would suggest a good start is a hole. You can use it to hang onto things, or things from.

Let the designs begin!

Rgds,

One less reason to shop...?

Has the the lucky Rabbits' foot that is Junkk.com struck again?

Well, for some.

Now, I'd be hard-pressed to say our little effort in Ross is much more than a drop in the ocean, but our local Morrison's has run out of Let's Grow vouchers.

Just popped over to get the boys' lunch, and as the cashier handed me my bill I smiled and asked for my vouchers, too.

"We've run out', she said.

'Well, what do I do to get them,' I asked.... "See the supervisor".

Oddly, I had only got a few words out before this lady was in full 'It's not my fault" mode.

They've run out, they didn't get any more and at this stage (it ends Nov. 6) there may not be any. No offer to log my receipt in case they do.

Now.... I don't know much about marketing, but that rather smacks of a bit of poor planning and rather suspect customer relations at head office.

Happy to play our part in making the scheme a success. Shame we seem unlikely to get any more vouchers, mind.

Anyway, every little bit helps. And maybe we did, a bit, too.

GOOD PACK: BAD PACK - Turkish less than delightful

From our recent hols... not the best example of packaging ever!

Boeing, Boeing..

Timeframes can be problematic.

Biofuel flying will take off in three years, says Boeing

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

Now it is a new ball game.

ps: note 'Will' turns to 'Could'

My Friend's Electric... still emission free?

Just had to write to the BBC Politics Show:

Watching your pre-recorded segment on electric cars.

As I am sure 'experts' such as Mr. 'Monbeeay' [a pronunciation that I have not heard before] will confirm, I don't think it accurate to say that these efforts are 'zero' or 'emission free'.

The exhaust pipe is just in another place.

I am unsure what I am being sold here, but with the BBC selling it with their usual fine grasp of the science and commitment to looking across the issues objectively, I am pretty sure there will be a pup involved.

Now, how many fluffy reporterettes will we get serving up a blatant bit of inaccurate information in this regard before our national broadcaster gets its technical/science act together.

Gaurdian - £100m road to electric motoring ... police, post office and politicians step off the gas

Love the bit about free parking by Greenpeace. I think they might have missed the whole revenue aspect of governance. Plus the point of reduction. Maybe they all have G-Wiz' already and fancy a freebie? While it lasts.....

CATEGORY - HEATING

As a key aspect in domestic emissions (and energy costs), this deserves a break out category.

ARTICLES

Guardian - Tread lightly: Install a condenser boiler
Times - Market for eco heating keeps warming up
Times - NEW - Stoves - energy efficient heating

GRANTS

EST -

INFORMATION

DirectGov -

SUPPLIERS

charnwood.com
euroheat.co.uk
morsoe.com

More telling me what I should think

Perhaps more for El Burro Hotay, but I did not like the way this was heading...

Sarah Palin: her clothes, her shoes and her odd attitude to facts

Every Sunday I pop over to get a summary of issues on matters environmental from the major papers.

And what do I get? Quelle surprise. A rambling diatribe about an aspiring VP in a foreign election, replete with trivia and gossip.

But hey ho, I guess there is some possible relevance to be found...

'...her denial of man-made global warming was in marked contrast to John McCain's acceptance of it...'

FWIW, I thought she had expressed a view along the lines that she was not yet convinced that mankind was totally responsible for negative climate change.

A freedom of thought, and acceptance of others' right to have such a view, that some might find refreshingly less dogmatic than others who are not dependent on votes to be in a position to promote what some in certain positions are convinced is the only 'correct' view.

Good start...

... but, very little, if anything, that represents an end-benefit to the consumer.

Supermarkets come in from cold as part of low carbon revolution

QUOTE OF THE DAY - It must be true, it's in the BBC!

Newsnight supports folk who support the Junkk ethos.... ish.

"Craftsmanship is the way forward. It's perfect for the credit crunch. Things like knitting and so on are very important and very English. It's definitely a good time to start making your own things" - Henry Conway, fashionista son of Tory MP Derek Conway.

An insight?

As to whether it, and the responses it has garnered, bode well is another matter:

Obsessed with saving the planet? There are worse fates

Rising to the challenge

To good to miss, really...

The great green swindle

A genuine question, but how well vetted for 'wash' are the ads that appear on this page, if not the entire Guardian site?

Great to set a bar, and a high one, but it would be best to ensure that it doesn't get knocked off by the judges. And allow critics further opportunities to chip away at 'green' advocacy.

Not greenwash, per se, and not a great example as their claims are, one presumes, verifiable, but even as I glance at the top of the page I have to crank an eyebrow that "You don't have to leave my car at home to save fuel" by fitting a Michelin tyre. They might be bett...er indeed, but I'd be hard pressed to use less on a journey with them than not taking one at all.

Equally not overt greenwash, but glancing to the side bar on a piece about corporate attitudes to eco-marketing, I am not sure that selling a paper by carrying an ad that suggests one might win a skiing holiday to Banff sends out the most coherent, or best message.

Anyway, good luck to them with their mission. Along with others I am sure, I'll be watching. Maybe even contributing, too.

YouTube Videos

Just got my act together on some video archiving on YouTube, and thought it worth listing here too:

Enviro-related

Green is Good - with thanks to Clikingo, and Kipp & Cody

Junkk.com

A quick intro to the site - with thanks to Clikingo

The 12 E-Ways of Christmas - with thanks to Phoenix J

RE:tie

The initial 'pitch' - with thanks to iMovie

A later pitch to a 'Dragon's Den - via Businesszone.co.uk - Didn't work. Still could... here 2

NEWSLETTER - September and a half

Still getting to grips with the new system.

What's not so great is a few folk have written to say the links don't work.

This is really odd. The system itself tests every which way, including pictures and links, and then before sending out to those on the opt-in mailing list I send to some test emails scattered about here.

All worked, from a Mac on OSX/Safari to PCs running FireFox/IE. Can't suss it.

Anyway, just in case it didn't work for you, and the link to the online version did not link (well, it wouldn't I guess) either, or you are just surfing this blog and might be interested (if you like it sign up by registering at Junkk.com!) then here it is.

Time, and tide, and...

I actually missed all of the originals these letters refer to today:

IoS letters, emails & texts (19 October 2008)

However they serve as worthy reminders to take anything in the world of green you read with a pinch of salt (especially in 'major' media), and avoid coming to any conclusions until you have seen a broad variety of opinions, and then take a wee while to see how they shape up.

ps: all here are put pieces in the jigsaw still

Careful what you wish for

An article which got me on board, at least initially...

Miliband's blueprint for greener homes

And that was despite stumbling over this early on...

'The drive has the full backing of the Prime Minister, who has decided that promoting energy saving should be...'

However, I knew I was in a differnt place when I got here:

10 ways to a more energy-efficient house

Eco hat - sounds good. No link. Google is my friend.

Ground source (or geothermal) heat pump - would prefer more info on this

Air source heat pump - ditto

Hydro turbine - I am a fan, but planning is a zoo

Energy meter - well yes, but while a Wattson is very cute, it is not the only one and about as expsnive vs. others as you can find. London rules showing though?

Triple-glazed window - ROI & enviROI?

Biomass burning boiler - I am tempted, if only to get Mr. Putin off my back.

Underfloor heating - new build? Or dig up my stone floor?

Solar-powered charger - just assess hwo long the panel will last. Most are cheap and don't.

Wind turbine - er.... this option is really under challenge on both ROI and enviROI.

and what you should be doing already

Using energy-efficient lightbulbs - OK

Turning down your thermostat by at least 1C - OK

Switching to a green energy supplier - er....

Making sure your home – including potentially wasteful areas such as the loft space – is well insulated - OK

Turning off appliances such as computers and televisions when they not in use, rather than leaving them on standby - depending on...

Using energy-efficient washing machines and fridge-freezers - er...

Getting a free Home Energy check by logging on to www.energy savingtrust.org.uk - if it helps, go for it

CATEGORY - GREEN NAPPIES

But it's worth sharing other, related stuff as it comes our way:

Articles

Guardian - UK's first nappy recycling plant - Must apply for a job(by). Hey, it's not before time!

Letsrecycle - Firm seeks site for first UK nappy recycling plant

Telegraph - NEW - Nappies: terry cloth more environmentally-friendly than disposable

Times - NEW - Blow to image of ‘green’ reusable nappy - Guess it depends on where you read?

Times - NEW - Washable nappies greener than disposables, suggests report - and, indeed, who

Grants


Information

Real Nappy Campaign -
Women's Enviromental Network -

Suppliers

Junkk.com is of course quite in the... er.. thick of this, via a local relationship with aptly-named Green Nappies.


Anything that gets out of the deep doo-doo that our little future generations can crank out!

AWARD - The MediaGuardian Innovation Awards

er... who sez*?

WHEN: Dec 5
WHAT: The MediaGuardian Innovation Awards
WHAT... MORE?: The Awards are open to innovative work in any media or across a variety of media. There are 14 Awards categories each seeking to reward the mould breakers, scene shifters and upstarts in the media industry.

HOW MUCH: Free
URL: http://megas.guardianprofessional.co.uk/
COMMENTS: You never know. *Assuming reuse counts, too.

Worth a ponder or, well, four trillion

I certainly would prefer it go to some of these vs. a pol's pension or City type's bonus.

What would the bank-bail out money buy for the environment?

RE:pair - IT - Answer - Fixing a Mac monitor

Just dashing this out, having scrabbled about for answers to include in the next newsletter.

I really need a better system! And help. And...

Qu: From Junketeer Susan:

'Hi. I have a 17inch Apple monitor which has about a minute to live. Any ideas where it can go to be mended/refurbished and reused?'

Ans: You don't mention where you are located so I can only respond in general terms.

The sad fact is, of course, that repair is seldom cost effective. But that doesn't mean it's not worth trying.

For instance, here in our neck 'o the woods, Herefordshire, I have found a shop which still does just that. In fact just a few weeks ago I took in a TV (which is a CRT monitor in most ways that matter) that didn't work, and now it does. £49, done and dusted. Here's their email: therepairstation@aol.com

If you're not in the area then I am sure there might be a similar outfit around. Google is your friend!

You could also try any of the Mac resources from http://junkk.blogspot.com/2008/04/category-repair.html . http://www.macfixcentre.com/ , http://www.e-repair.co.uk/tipsmon.htm , http://www.applemacrepair.com/apple-emac-repair.html

If it is 'worse than that, it's dead, Jim', or still dying without much hope, then the best you can do is dispose. Your local council site (dump) may well have a dedicated section for this, and even a site (URL) to guide you before making the trip. This will be a one way trip to the knacker's yard, though.

One resort is of course to let another try. Hence an honest post on any one of these from http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/10/reuse-exchange-sites.html may get a hit and find it's gone to a better home. No money, but a warm and fuzzy glow at least... a bit like the last time it worked as it should?;)

Auto default

Can you be a green petrolhead?

Agree on most. Especially on the size of machine required. A point a few of our green-auto advocates who need 6litre Hummers and 7-series Beemers still miss, even if they stick h2 in 'em to show their eco-cred.

But do cut those poor Americans, especially the teenagers, a wee bit of slack. (Oops, I forgot the host of this blog)

I haven't been there too often, but in many states they can't drink 'til they are 21, in others where there are reasonable, practical public transport systems it's no diff to London (Centre of the Universe), but in some places there's the small matter of most living in a country that is the same distance across as it is from here to Turkey.

Aside from the money, and the logistics and a few other things, if you live in a county where some kids need to travel often scores of miles to get in to school/cinema/etc, it's hard to imagine how else they would do it.

With those Yellow bus jobbies they seem to have the school run better sorted than we do here. As to the rest, if you can re-shoot Bullitt with a Prius...

Trailer Trash

Green film festival: the best clips

I almost switched off when I saw some odd movie with Ricky Gervais in it.

But then it clicked. Trailer... then Trash.

I was interested in 'Garbage! The revolution starts at home'

Not now.

This is old territory. We are trying to inspire folk and get the majority onside. A 'P-EU' rant is not going to do that, sorry.

If this is one of the best... oh, dear.

FWIW, my family has barely thrown out anything in several years. Thing is, we separate it out and either Green Cone, compost... or reuse (a few things piling up that have us currently stumped).

No stinky. No messy. Much savey. Even a bit of ma£ey.

Maybe I should film it. And then fly, Irony Air, to get my award in Turin.

Bless.

Messages... and messengers

Piers Morgan solves energy crisis

I was driving to a meeting today (Oh, the irony. However, I did stop off at Ledbury to check out how to get to Brum or London in a more eco and possibly cheaper way... IF the train runs) and listening to the Jeremy Vine show.

It was about charity reverting to home.

Usual wind up. In the stir-up corner was Kelvin McKenzie saying 'sod the rest; Brit is best'.

Against him were lined up at least three fragrant ladies who obviously lunch, but also do good works for 'those less fortunate'. They were very much of the view that more aid rather than less was the order of the day. Folk were starving (true), it wasn't their fault (true. Well, at least the starving ones. I keep seeing nice limos when the Pres lobs up) and 'it's all down to global warming'.

Now, on that last one I am still in a jury that is out. However that all of them opened their pitch with 'I have just got back from flying around...', irony-free, to my mind did not help what else they uttered.

Some are just more equally allowed to 'study the situation' than others, I guess.

Oh, what a state(sperson)

Finding a climate for growth

As to the agreeable (new adjective du jour?:) Mr. Brown, it might be worth looking back and seeing what he has said (or, more likely open-endedly mis- or possibly not spoke) vs. what he has done, on most things but in particular anything to do with my kids' futures on this planet.

As to the awesome thought and authority that has gone in to this... "This is not the time to abandon a climate change agenda which is important for the future... The climate change agenda is part of the solution for many of the problems we face as a world economy"... well, I bet those words stopped all those rowing in their tracks with their substance, depth, detail and insight.

But at least some, somewhere, will be happy. 'We' have yet another, brand new target. Apparently.

Let the lobbyists out of the traps and the subsidies flow!

Telegraph - Ed Miliband promises less hot air

Well, when it comes to assessing talent, everything is relative I suppose. Is there a bar on the shores of the Dead Sea?

Newsnight -

You know what I found most telling about Mr. Miliband (the Even Younger)'s vox pop was his acknowledging that he, and indeed most, involved would not be around in 2050.

For a pol today, that is enough for me to know that a) it ain't going to happen, but b) a lot of folk are going to see target-based careers enhanced and/or making a load of money in the short term looking like they are trying.

Meanwhile, this is another press release that I imagine is already filed.

If we are going to be exposed to this government's latest whirly wheeze, and especially with a ringing stamp of 'You're all doing very well, aren't I' from Young PM Queeg, might we at least have a bit of historical context from the last decade to see how the latest claims might stand up and/or work out.

INdy - Loophole in minister's new emissions target - Rather sets the tone: like "telling everyone you're going on a calorie-controlled diet but not counting cream cakes".

Guardian - Can Ed Miliband deliver?

Guardian - Post-bubble possibility

Guardian - Saving the economy or saving the planet is not an either-or

See, there I was, getting all awed by the massive brainpower and seduced by the compelling skills of persuasion that score one the big bucks in the halls of power, and then I got to this:

"I am confident that we have the bold and challenging leadership we need."

I am sure you are, dear.

Is the Guardian now in the business of posting job applications as well?

At least the posts in reply made the energy consumed reading on worthwhile.

Guardian - Another green dream?

I am continually amazed by the way some manage to divorce 'Britain' from its 'government' - especially in terms of words and deeds carried out in its name - and the 'people' who in theory have given their mandates through 'votes' to others, especially to blow their money in their name via taxes.

Telegraph - Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has his work cut out

Indy - Miliband's blueprint for greener homes - while I was on board with much here, some of the suggestions do fail on my current enviROI measures, and hence rather colour the overall thing with a wash of green.

Guardian - On our present course, the bold new carbon target is worthless

When one's course is set by PM Queeg of the U.S Less 'I feel your pain (well, the pay, perks and pension might help ease it a bit)', cheered on at every repeated Titanic iceberg-ramming by a collection of Westminster Useful Village Idiots already nice and comfy in the few lifeboats, I must say 'worthless' is what first sprang to mind, too.

This is one mutineer ready to sign up on this 'ship in a state'.

Guardian - The greening of Brown

So, if I read the first para right it is basically: 'A distracting chance to just look good to your mates in high places whilst blowing yet more on saying a lot but again doing b-all'.

If his 'towering intellect' hadn't understood and/or got interested until now, then he's a few gigawatts short of a becalmed wind farm.

You damn the man with the faintest of praise.

Indy - Rebels to force climate change Bill concessions

I'd just be happy with a world-class climate my kids can enjoy.

But hey-ho....

Unleash the targets, crank up the bonuses and let the box-ticking commence!

Pedal power

I have had cause to be less than impressed with this 'writer' before.

Let by this 'A cab driver's blog has criticised the Public Carriage Office for allowing tourist rickshaws on the capital's streets' I got to:

Against rickshaws

An interestingly economical form of written communication, but we've established before where the 'journalism' aspect figures.

And obviously remuneration is not by the word (at time of writing they were: 'Cabbies are' ... or is it?

Wonder where Ken or, more relevantly I suppose Boris would stand on this eco vs. econo. vs. safety issue.

Guess we'll never know.

Go figure

It's a list. In a paper. Of the top 100 enviromentalists.

The IoS Green List: Britain's top 100 environmentalists

If they (who?) say so. Fills a page or two, I guess.

I wonder what the criteria were? Volume? Being in (or luvv'd) in London? Applying mine of achieving better enviROI does come up with a rather different result.

I know more, doing more, within 20 miles of here.

ps: No 99. I think it's a water butt? But, then again, maybe not.

Addendum:

But just when you thought the trendy luvvie media had lost the green plot...

20 great green designs

Some are great. So I am just glad this is not claiming the best. Give 'em time, mind.

Department Next

Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has his work cut out

Interesting analysis, but the replies are worth a scope.

AWARD - Shell Springboard 2008

WHEN: Friday Nov 7
WHAT: Shell Springboard 2008
WHAT... MORE?: A programme that provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business ideas from across the UK. The idea behind the programme is that the business response to climate change should not be all about compliance and cost. There is a huge business opportunity if society is to move from a carbon-constrained world.

The criteria for those businesses which apply are very simple. Applications will be considered if the product or service will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emmissions, is commercially viable and is innovative.
HOW MUCH: Free
URL: http://www.shellspringboard.org/about/
COMMENTS: Been going a while. We keep entering, too. Like Robert the Bruce's spider... one day! And yes, we do know that they are an oil company. Thing is, we don't go around telling folk what not to do all the time... so whatever gets the dosh to DO good... we'll live with them trying to PR it.

AWARD - Google Project 10 to the power 100

Awards , eh? Famine, then fest. Or, as we are talking numbers: 38 busses.

WHEN: Oct 20th, 2008...soon!
WHAT: Google Project 10 to the power 100
WHAT... MORE?:

Categories:

Community: How can we help connect people, build communities and protect unique cultures?
Opportunity: How can we help people better provide for themselves and their families?
Energy: How can we help move the world toward safe, clean, inexpensive energy?
Environment: How can we help promote a cleaner and more sustainable global ecosystem?
Health: How can we help individuals lead longer, healthier lives?
Education: How can we help more people get more access to better education?
Shelter: How can we help ensure that everyone has a safe place to live?
Everything else: Sometimes the best ideas don't fit into any category at all.

Criteria:

Reach: How many people would this idea affect?
Depth: How deeply are people impacted? How urgent is the need?
Attainability: Can this idea be implemented within a year or two?
Efficiency: How simple and cost-effective is your idea?
Longevity: How long will the idea's impact last?

HOW MUCH: FREE
URL: http://www.project10tothe100.com/index.html
COMMENTS: It really is hard to see a down side. Remember... do no harm! Actually, keeping thinking of ways to do good, better.

One mighty suck for mankind

Newsnight -

Speaking of sucking...

'Susan Watts reports on a radical new approach designed to stop climate change. Confused?'

As I look out of my window at a lovely autumn taking over from summer (well, what passed for one), I simply ask that whatever man-made effort is made to mitigate (if at all possible and affordable) the power of what man might not be helping much as nature does her thing, I'd still like the climate to change a bit, please.

It's complex, and so easy for us all to get confused, I guess. But while dealing with possibly addressing possibly/probably man-worsened negative climate change is a rallying cry I could get behind, the shorter version used here is about as much use as Global Warming is... was.

Guess we should ask all those chaps I saw on the news recently who are going up to the Antarctic to race about how it's all going. Maybe when they meet the eco-racers driving round the country to see how little fuel they can use?

At least the atmospheric Deep Throat (one mighty suck for mankind) hoover sounds a bit more like DOING than talking, but I do worry about relative %ages near the things. Harking back to my A level sciences, if you suck all the C02 out locally and hence cause an osmotic (or is that fluids?) gradient towards them, won't that monkey around with the natural balances of the various gasses that make up air?

And is that a good thing?

I know it looked nifty (if in reverse) in Total Recall, but it's just that 'we' have not proven over nifty in our meddling with nature before.

Hur-di-Hur

It's about economics, but I sensed an interesting aspect...

Iceland would be mad to join the EU

As it cropped up at the end there, though not perhaps as a major point, I got to wondering about Iceland's energy independence.

Bearing in mind that it is, as far as I am aware, quite isolated from the vagaries of this aspect of economic development, is it just that they have been so profligate elsewhere that their commitment to renewables has not helped much?

Civil exchanges online. A rare pleasure.

I got a reply (well, with a few score others) from a celeb jounro!

The piece in question is below, and I'd popped in a sarky one liner more to keep the author on his toes. He's better than most in the green arena, though can, has, does and will still err on being a bit 'thee and me' in the who's in and who's out of Greeleet VIPdom.

But I did swing to his defence a wee while ago when he came out the the nuclear bunker. Not so much for the nuclear bit, but for his right to speak.

Green shoots of recovery

I was just teasing (some of these posts can come across as a bit worthy), and actually really appreciate the fact that an author here a) reads what they have set in motion and, b) better yet takes the time to reply/engage. Few do. Major kudos.

However....

'marklynas
Oct 08 08, 3:18pm

- Junkketeer - We're talking pretty small beer, just a Shares ISA. Without revealing my entire personal finances, I ain't rich, despite having written a couple of excellent books which everyone on this site really ought to rush off and buy. (there, I have shown there is no better thing than repeated publicity)

- youngpretender - you're quite right, of course. RBS is horrible, and their investments in fossil fuels are indefensible. I'll offload those (small quantity of) shares just as soon as they regain some value...'

I, too, am pondering the penning of a eco-book, with all the recycled, natural-inked, 'just had to fly there to find out how flying there was killing us' pitfalls.

But with this being the Grauniad and all, and there being about 20 articles daily on what to do and, more controversially what NOT to do (or else) du jour, it must surely have occurred that fronting up on investing in a company that invests... etc.. was kind of what a lot of folk get lambasted for/finger-waved at by commentators here all the time. Bit like Mr. Monbiot lobbing up (he didn't I hope) in his new motor for the 'hundreds drive round the UK in cars to show how much fuel we can save by being more careful driving' irony event winner today.

Especially if many seem to figure they'll just have one last, wafer-thin PR-jolly to Antarctica to see.. er ... report on how tourism is killing the polar bears before the ice melts. Or hell freezes over. Or those shares gain enough value so a profit can be made first before any enviro-breast-beating kicks in on a per word basis.

Ain't easy, is it, caring about the future but also trying to be pragmatic? Keep up the good work.

You could always ask Aunty...

... his tame PR arm.

Is Richard Branson a green hypocrite -- or just a bad businessman?

We have always advocated Gold from Green

A certain retailer decides that you can save green in more ways than one by hooking up with Junkk.com, and...

Poundland escapes high street pounding to post bumper results

Coincidence? Who is to say? But whatever it is, it's a happy one we're thrilled to share:)

If nothing else (and, FWIW, we think there is more... lots more), we seem to be very lucky in, with and for the company we keep.

And you know what Napoleon looked for first in his Generals?

AWARD - 2009 ST ANDREWS PRIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Another thanks to Martin of EnviroAbility

WHEN: Closing date for entries is 31 October, 2008
WHAT: 2009 ST ANDREWS PRIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
WHAT... MORE?: Aimed at helping ordinary people find solutions to environmental problems, the Prize was launched ten years ago and is recognized as a prestigious international initiative, attracting entries from around the world. The Prize is a joint initiative between the University of St Andrews and international energy company ConocoPhillips.
Below is a brief description of the Prize. If you know of anyone who would be interested in applying or an organisation that could see a benefit in hosting a link to the Prize website, please forward.

Are you doing something for the environment? The 2009 St Andrews Prize for the Environment is open to entrants from anywhere in the world. The winner will receive $75,000 USD and two runners-up will each receive $25,000 USD.

The Prize recognises significant contributions to environmental conservation and since its launch in 1998 has attracted entries from more than 50 countries each year on diverse topics including;

sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest
urban regeneration
recycling
health and water issues
renewable energy

Submissions for the annual prize are assessed by a panel of eminent trustees representing science, industry and government with the award going to the project the Trustees consider displays the best combination of good science, economic realism and political acceptability.

HOW MUCH: Looks free. Yay!
URL: http://www.thestandrewsprize.com/
COMMENTS: We figure we're in the a left filed entry on recycling...ish.
Note... it is international. If you win and knock us off, think of who told you:) Heck, if you win in those other categories, still think of us!

Maybe they don't know what they are?

Nearly half of FTSE-250 companies keep their carbon footprints hidden

Bet they all have awesome CSR reports, though.

IRONY ALERT - Driving misers crazy

It's a tricky one.

Competition throughout history has driven innovation, and innovation in driving is the competition here.

However, I had to crank a slight eyebrow at a piece on the news today about a driving competition that is based on the lightest foot winning.

I would just wish that there had (if there was I missed it) been a slight tilt towards the fact that, whatever the awareness, there are still an awful lot of cars gadding about the country burning fuel. It's better, but to me still erring on F1 trying to allude to eco-status by thinking about bio-fuels.

So far all I have gleaned as a consequence is that a smaller car uses less fuel, plus if you don't accelerate or break hard. Well, D'uh.

I do wonder what box-ticking effort this latest exercise in awareness might really be serving.

Addendum - Just watched the lunch news. The objective is, apparently, 'to use the least fuel'.

I wrote in and asked if, as a local participant (they went past my home), I could claim a prize, as my car used sod all fuel today as I didn't get in it.

Sadly, no reply. But fear not, this is so popular that there are plans for many more. Gaia breathes easier, I am sure.

Addendum 2 - Just watching the BBC Breakfast News about some noble race or other across the Antarctic. I am sure TV show and book to follow.... on BBC Worldwide.

Now, I am all for all these 'higher, faster, stronger' celebrations of the human spirit, but do wonder how the irony alert gets disconnected because some staffers are on to plug the thing.

Were we not being lambasted for how all we are up to is messing up the wildlife in colder climes? And how do all these guys and their teams get there... kayak?

I am still trying to get my head round yesterday's well-publicised 'eco'-race (one of many to come, apparently. Maybe F1 will get in on the act) where hundreds of folk drive around the country to show how little petrol they used. I was the clear winner by not going out at all in my car, and if I did only for something I really needed it for.

Consistency, Aunty, consistency. Next you'll be vying for a slot on Virgin Galactic... oh.

Join Captn. Fishtock's 'Polar Bears need more settees to rest on icebergs' now!

OCO to monitor CO2

Reported on Economist.com, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) [hey, isn't that yet another CO2 molecule?], to be launched in 2009, is going to gather and monitor planetary wide data with the objective of providing a high resolution global map of CO2.

It all sounds highly intriguing and extremely complex, but, hopefully, will provide some much needed genuine empirical data.

Just love the conclusion ...... "Understanding what might happen is essential. Even if we don’t like the answers."

In the midst of all the financial doom and gloom....

... you can always trust the genius that is Matt of the Daily Telegraph to come up with a slant that will make you smile.