Two interesting examples of modern governance on BBC News this morning, especially with regards to the inevitable fiscal complements.
First up we learn that there is an 'issue' with Doctor's pay. Fewer hours; oodles more dosh. Like... 60% pay rises.
I have no real comment save to chuckle at that made by a BMA rep: 'It's merely the consequence of a contract signed off by the then Chancellor.' Maybe not so prudent then?
But what has inspired this was the news that a railway company is being fined a record amount for failing to deliver a proper service. Fair enough. Hit 'em where it hurts, right? At least the bonusses might take a hit and, who knows, a few numpties may get promoted sideways.
But...
It seems that the money to pay the fine will actually come from the taxpayers, as we are funding the useless load of sods already. And I also wonder where this money actually goes? Better services? Or to pay for ever more parastic entities staffed to the gunnels and tasked to simply look for more ways to keep public money in the system by any means.
And the perfect environment for this trend? You guessed it...
Reuters - Network Rail fined over engineering delays
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Rose-tinted reporting
I am awaiting the BBC Breakfast News to wheel out Sir Michael Rose of M&S to share with us the exclusive news that his dealing with the plastic bags issue.
Now, one could wonder why him, again, when many others are already doing so. But hey.
There are a few other matters I wrote to ask in hope we get get reporting rather than propagandising, especially as a few questions were posed by earlier consumers:
Re: Why not biodegradable plastic bags? Why not paper?
Good questions all. Maybe as a retail expert Sir. Stuart Rose can answer?
Or explain how charging 5p prevents a bag getting into the ecosphere and choking a turtle?
I don't know, which is why I'd like answers.
Are you going to feature other industry experts to cover the whole issue?
*ps: I'm trying to find out.
My information so far is biodegradables/compostables require levels of waste system complement that may not make them as effective as they can be.
Paper may actually be worse for the environment, but not for wildlife.
It probably isn't as simple as made out.
ADDENDUM:
Just watched the man himself on the sofa. Interesting. I thought the plastic bag (well, no one quite seems to know what they are banning or bringing in by way of substitute) must be a dead duck by now, at least with the current level of (mostly pretty mis-informed) negative PR.
But, despite being there to plug Plan A, Sir Stuart fought a pretty good corner. Mind you, he was hijacked at the end by the reporters trying to get him to make the simplistic pledge to 'ban' them outright.
His main focus of defence was the customer is king (the issue of packaging waste vs. food waste as a consequence of cuctomer rejection came up), which is well focussed as a sales spiel, but one wonders how it went down with the PR dept. or Sustainability Manager.
What did impress is that he addressed those two questions above. In detail.
He dragged the authorities back into the recycling issue, which I am sure they are trying to duck in this big time. Also he.... at last.... raised the enviROI aspects. Sadly, of course, this is one where the environment may be split between ECO(logical) and Environmental, at least if one still accepts there are ECO(nomic) drivers that are inevitable.
And he also clarified the actual limitations of many bio/compost options, though it's a shame he had no time to explain the difference betwen a landfill, an in-vessel composter and your back yard effort in dealing with them. Pretty key.
As to turtles, I'm guessing biodegradables may well be better as they must fall apart pretty quick, but as to the effect of what they break down into solution on the ecosphere (plastic soup, anyone?) I am not so sure.
All I know is that clear, balanced information on this is noticeable by its absence. You can expect, and dismiss it from the Daily Mail (though I think they have pretty much nailed the coffin of this aspect of the plastics industry with their reach and influence). I expect better from the BBC.
Now, one could wonder why him, again, when many others are already doing so. But hey.
There are a few other matters I wrote to ask in hope we get get reporting rather than propagandising, especially as a few questions were posed by earlier consumers:
Re: Why not biodegradable plastic bags? Why not paper?
Good questions all. Maybe as a retail expert Sir. Stuart Rose can answer?
Or explain how charging 5p prevents a bag getting into the ecosphere and choking a turtle?
I don't know, which is why I'd like answers.
Are you going to feature other industry experts to cover the whole issue?
*ps: I'm trying to find out.
My information so far is biodegradables/compostables require levels of waste system complement that may not make them as effective as they can be.
Paper may actually be worse for the environment, but not for wildlife.
It probably isn't as simple as made out.
ADDENDUM:
Just watched the man himself on the sofa. Interesting. I thought the plastic bag (well, no one quite seems to know what they are banning or bringing in by way of substitute) must be a dead duck by now, at least with the current level of (mostly pretty mis-informed) negative PR.
But, despite being there to plug Plan A, Sir Stuart fought a pretty good corner. Mind you, he was hijacked at the end by the reporters trying to get him to make the simplistic pledge to 'ban' them outright.
His main focus of defence was the customer is king (the issue of packaging waste vs. food waste as a consequence of cuctomer rejection came up), which is well focussed as a sales spiel, but one wonders how it went down with the PR dept. or Sustainability Manager.
What did impress is that he addressed those two questions above. In detail.
He dragged the authorities back into the recycling issue, which I am sure they are trying to duck in this big time. Also he.... at last.... raised the enviROI aspects. Sadly, of course, this is one where the environment may be split between ECO(logical) and Environmental, at least if one still accepts there are ECO(nomic) drivers that are inevitable.
And he also clarified the actual limitations of many bio/compost options, though it's a shame he had no time to explain the difference betwen a landfill, an in-vessel composter and your back yard effort in dealing with them. Pretty key.
As to turtles, I'm guessing biodegradables may well be better as they must fall apart pretty quick, but as to the effect of what they break down into solution on the ecosphere (plastic soup, anyone?) I am not so sure.
All I know is that clear, balanced information on this is noticeable by its absence. You can expect, and dismiss it from the Daily Mail (though I think they have pretty much nailed the coffin of this aspect of the plastics industry with their reach and influence). I expect better from the BBC.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
NEWS/Commercial PR - Drinks Co. in charity tree planting partnership!
Another commercial/NGO (well, charity) combo today!
We're not always that keen on the 'whack a fir in the firmament' notion, mainly as most press releases allude to some offsetting... off somewhere.
This one is a bit closer to home... and our hearts.
PR mainly as received, with edits. Check websites for details:
Tree Cheers – Feel Good Drinks in UK charity tree planting partnership!
Feel Good Drinks has teamed up with independent charity, Trees for Cities, for a national year long tree planting partnership. This initiative will see Feel Good Drinks and the charity holding ‘Feel Good Carnival Planting Days’, throughout the year.
Trees for Cities is an independent charity that works to transform urban wasteland into green spaces, by getting the local community involved in the tree planting and educating them on how to sustain the transformed green areas.
As well as tree planting, each carnival planting day will include face painting, live music, football games and loads of arts and crafts, including bird box making! On top of planting 1000 trees, Feel Good Drinks will be supporting the partnership with sampling, digital and PR activity.
The first of the five ‘Feel Good Carnival Planting Days’ kicks off on Saturday 1st March at Braithwaite Park in East London.
We're not always that keen on the 'whack a fir in the firmament' notion, mainly as most press releases allude to some offsetting... off somewhere.
This one is a bit closer to home... and our hearts.
PR mainly as received, with edits. Check websites for details:
Tree Cheers – Feel Good Drinks in UK charity tree planting partnership!
Feel Good Drinks has teamed up with independent charity, Trees for Cities, for a national year long tree planting partnership. This initiative will see Feel Good Drinks and the charity holding ‘Feel Good Carnival Planting Days’, throughout the year.
Trees for Cities is an independent charity that works to transform urban wasteland into green spaces, by getting the local community involved in the tree planting and educating them on how to sustain the transformed green areas.
As well as tree planting, each carnival planting day will include face painting, live music, football games and loads of arts and crafts, including bird box making! On top of planting 1000 trees, Feel Good Drinks will be supporting the partnership with sampling, digital and PR activity.
The first of the five ‘Feel Good Carnival Planting Days’ kicks off on Saturday 1st March at Braithwaite Park in East London.
More on re-labelling
Recycling concerns beat health on shoppers' agenda
Good on shoppers. But...
Do they have a clue that what they are being told works, or is even accurate...?
'Recyclable' on its own, and without a bunch of other stuff in the loop, is essentially meaningless.
Also while WRAP and some industry brands may be in discussion, there are a ton of others doing their own funky thing and that may be tricky to undo.
So as Mr. Bird says, like the traffic lights/roundel/charts for health, it all becomes a bit of a mess really. But boxes will be ticked!
Good on shoppers. But...
Do they have a clue that what they are being told works, or is even accurate...?
'Recyclable' on its own, and without a bunch of other stuff in the loop, is essentially meaningless.
Also while WRAP and some industry brands may be in discussion, there are a ton of others doing their own funky thing and that may be tricky to undo.
So as Mr. Bird says, like the traffic lights/roundel/charts for health, it all becomes a bit of a mess really. But boxes will be ticked!
NEWS/Commercial & NGO PR - CSV Action Earth environmental volunteering campaign
Here's one that has 'thrown' the system!
It's both Commercial and from the Social Enterprise sector, so I have listed it under both.
Another that looks worth rushing out, so it's PR 'as supplied' with only some editing, so all due caveats as always. Though it's pretty clear what is being advocated and you can check through the various weblinks yourselves.
Let's just say Junkk.com will be applying... IF we qualify! Worth a go to us all!!!
CSV Action Earth environmental volunteering campaign
From March 1 2008 - July 31 2008
Supermarket giant Morrisons is giving away cash grants to help the local environment as part of the CSV Action Earth volunteering campaign. Morrisons have agreed to provide £50 grants to 900 voluntary groups across the country to help kick start community environmental projects.
Gillian Hall, Customer Services Director at Morrisons says: "We are pleased that the sponsorship we have given CSV is going to help kick-start many excellent community environmental projects.
Mike Williams, Director of CSV Environment says: "Helping the environment can seem like a monumental task, but volunteering in your local community, whether collecting dumped plastic for recycling, planting trees or clearing up a grotty area is something we can all do. We believe that local people themselves are best placed to decide what needs doing in their area and thanks to Morrisons' grants they can now do something about it."
To register a project and apply for a grant or get more information on CSV Action Earth, call CSV on Tel: 0121 328 7455 or visit www.csv.org.uk/actionearth.
Note: To receive a £50 grant, which covers expenses including materials, projects must:
* improve the local environment,
* involve volunteers,
*or meet a local community need.
Examples of projects completed by volunteers last year include: Planting up a wildlife area in a local school, erecting bird/bat/hedgehog boxes in a nearby wood, cleaning up a local beach and clearing and signing local footpaths.
It's both Commercial and from the Social Enterprise sector, so I have listed it under both.
Another that looks worth rushing out, so it's PR 'as supplied' with only some editing, so all due caveats as always. Though it's pretty clear what is being advocated and you can check through the various weblinks yourselves.
Let's just say Junkk.com will be applying... IF we qualify! Worth a go to us all!!!
CSV Action Earth environmental volunteering campaign
From March 1 2008 - July 31 2008
Supermarket giant Morrisons is giving away cash grants to help the local environment as part of the CSV Action Earth volunteering campaign. Morrisons have agreed to provide £50 grants to 900 voluntary groups across the country to help kick start community environmental projects.
Gillian Hall, Customer Services Director at Morrisons says: "We are pleased that the sponsorship we have given CSV is going to help kick-start many excellent community environmental projects.
Mike Williams, Director of CSV Environment says: "Helping the environment can seem like a monumental task, but volunteering in your local community, whether collecting dumped plastic for recycling, planting trees or clearing up a grotty area is something we can all do. We believe that local people themselves are best placed to decide what needs doing in their area and thanks to Morrisons' grants they can now do something about it."
To register a project and apply for a grant or get more information on CSV Action Earth, call CSV on Tel: 0121 328 7455 or visit www.csv.org.uk/actionearth.
Note: To receive a £50 grant, which covers expenses including materials, projects must:
* improve the local environment,
* involve volunteers,
*or meet a local community need.
Examples of projects completed by volunteers last year include: Planting up a wildlife area in a local school, erecting bird/bat/hedgehog boxes in a nearby wood, cleaning up a local beach and clearing and signing local footpaths.
Reading between the lines
Follwing quickly on from the previous note on targets vs. actual results: Charities criticise npower’s ability to effect green tariff
I must say I stumbled a bit on the headline use of the word, but read on to see what is meant is 'environmental charities', who these days seem mainly around to 'slam' things.
What was of more note is that 'Npower says that it has the facility to supply just 2% of customers with renewable energy.' Hmn.
Which does rather make oen wonder why 'the company is planning to launch a major TV campaign to push its green tariff, Juice'. Is that the one which works/ed with Greenpeace?
But, at least, 'Npower will be spending £100m this year on the Government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)'.
Bless.
I must say I stumbled a bit on the headline use of the word, but read on to see what is meant is 'environmental charities', who these days seem mainly around to 'slam' things.
What was of more note is that 'Npower says that it has the facility to supply just 2% of customers with renewable energy.' Hmn.
Which does rather make oen wonder why 'the company is planning to launch a major TV campaign to push its green tariff, Juice'. Is that the one which works/ed with Greenpeace?
But, at least, 'Npower will be spending £100m this year on the Government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)'.
Bless.
There's also whether they add up
It was about, I believe, drug programmes, but as easily can apply to every aspect of current government policy.
In a rather matter of fact BBC news piece there was the choice insight that 'all that matters is the numbers who sign up, rather than whether anything effective gets done [with them].'
This target-based, box-ticking culture is spiralling us ever downwards.
In a rather matter of fact BBC news piece there was the choice insight that 'all that matters is the numbers who sign up, rather than whether anything effective gets done [with them].'
This target-based, box-ticking culture is spiralling us ever downwards.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
2nd Use in Action!
Just had in the latest consumer-inspiring creative from those jolly recycling chaps.Fortunately, it has arrived just as I am preparing my speech for the forthcoming ECOPACK conference on the topic of, well, amongst other things: 'Giving your plastic bottles the chance of becoming something else.
Only... perhaps with a bit more Junkk.com end-benefit and a little RE:tie twist to top it off.
Nice to see the big bucks comm budgets cranking out those award-winners.
RE:VIEW - BOOK - 21st Century Stallholder
OK, I am buying time here.This is not a review... yet.
The good news is that I intend to do one.
The bad news is that there is a bit of a backlog on the reading and writing front. My bad.
This is a stopgap that hopefully serves to say (mainly to those nice enough to send it) I have it, it looks neat and I look forward to one day soon getting the time to go through it.
At which point this gets revisited and upgraded to an actual review and goes on the site, in the newsletter, etc.
Best I can do!
Better than nothing?
Just watching Sir Richard Branson on Breakfast TV.
Not so keen on reporting what will be said (a new, and rather pointless trend) but one key point we will learn come the press conference later is how his Virgin Atlantic fleet will run a biofuel that will not affect the food chain. This was a major concern of mine.
The FoE has already labelled it a 'gimmick' (mot du jour in politics at the moment, too), but Sir. Richard may have had a pop at them talking on flying to international conferences all the time in 'conventional' planes.
It's a dilemma. On the one hand there is the undoubted contributed of air travel to PMWCC, but then there are the practicalities and realities of commercial air travel.
It will be interesting to see just how real this initiative might be as a mitigation.
I remain unclear as to the contribution made by Virgin Galactic, though.
First posted 24/02 - Addenda:
Telegraph - Algae are fuelling Branson's maiden flight - seems they know something the BBC doesn't.
Also just saw a twofer on the morning show again. The FoE guy did not impress; very dogmatic. There was a travel journalist who did; objective and thoughtful. I see this as an interesting one. All agreed it will make no difference to passnger decision, which is based on price. Plus such as this is a drop in the fuel tank compared with flights only one third full vs. full, 1st & Biz vs. cattle for fuel per passenger mile.
Telegraph - Branson: City to suffer without third runway
BBC - Airline in first biofuel flight
Indy - First biofuel flight dismissed as Virgin stunt - Possibly a new PR agency in the offing? But then, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
Guardian - Branson's coconut airways - but jet is on a flight to nowhere, say critics
Gaurdian - Forests cleared for takeoff? - I might have to change the title above. And nice to see Virgin Galactic getting a mention.
Not so keen on reporting what will be said (a new, and rather pointless trend) but one key point we will learn come the press conference later is how his Virgin Atlantic fleet will run a biofuel that will not affect the food chain. This was a major concern of mine.
The FoE has already labelled it a 'gimmick' (mot du jour in politics at the moment, too), but Sir. Richard may have had a pop at them talking on flying to international conferences all the time in 'conventional' planes.
It's a dilemma. On the one hand there is the undoubted contributed of air travel to PMWCC, but then there are the practicalities and realities of commercial air travel.
It will be interesting to see just how real this initiative might be as a mitigation.
I remain unclear as to the contribution made by Virgin Galactic, though.
First posted 24/02 - Addenda:
Telegraph - Algae are fuelling Branson's maiden flight - seems they know something the BBC doesn't.
Also just saw a twofer on the morning show again. The FoE guy did not impress; very dogmatic. There was a travel journalist who did; objective and thoughtful. I see this as an interesting one. All agreed it will make no difference to passnger decision, which is based on price. Plus such as this is a drop in the fuel tank compared with flights only one third full vs. full, 1st & Biz vs. cattle for fuel per passenger mile.
Telegraph - Branson: City to suffer without third runway
BBC - Airline in first biofuel flight
Indy - First biofuel flight dismissed as Virgin stunt - Possibly a new PR agency in the offing? But then, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
Guardian - Branson's coconut airways - but jet is on a flight to nowhere, say critics
Gaurdian - Forests cleared for takeoff? - I might have to change the title above. And nice to see Virgin Galactic getting a mention.
Why do you ask? Wanna make something of it???!
I was moved to write to the author by the following: Why are we obsessed with taking offence?
I either made it up, or paraphrase another poorly, but it seems to me that 'if you go looking to be offended, spare you energies; it will soon oblige by coming to find you'.
Sadly, and as a member of the media you must surely acknowledge this, there is now an actual value beyond the emotional 'rewards' that make the search actively promoted as much by the reporting of it.
I either made it up, or paraphrase another poorly, but it seems to me that 'if you go looking to be offended, spare you energies; it will soon oblige by coming to find you'.
Sadly, and as a member of the media you must surely acknowledge this, there is now an actual value beyond the emotional 'rewards' that make the search actively promoted as much by the reporting of it.
Seems fair
US to set 'binding' climate goals
Having just slammed what seemed a pretty dubious headline, I thought it only fair that I give praise where due.
And not just to the writer. Without going through the details (yet), the first para indicates the US might have a good point,too.
The US is ready to accept "binding international obligations" on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, officials say, if other nations do the same.
Now, of course, we await the cry of: 'Unleash the weasels!'
Having just slammed what seemed a pretty dubious headline, I thought it only fair that I give praise where due.
And not just to the writer. Without going through the details (yet), the first para indicates the US might have a good point,too.
The US is ready to accept "binding international obligations" on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, officials say, if other nations do the same.
Now, of course, we await the cry of: 'Unleash the weasels!'
Free directory enquiries
0800 100100
Gets my vote.
I like the business model too; it reminds me of another free to user experience near here:)
Gets my vote.
I like the business model too; it reminds me of another free to user experience near here:)
The headlines don't work*
Which is more accurate in conveying the notion that a bit of research may have a contrary (though possibly worthwhile) view from a team (no matter how 'offical') on the value (or not) of depression medication?:
Effectiveness of antidepressant drugs questioned
Antidepressant drugs don't work – official study
Anti-depressants 'of little use'
Prozac, used by 40m people, does not work say scientists
New anti-depressants 'little effect'
What is wrong with our news media? I have 'contributed' to the BBC, who at least allow the possibility:
'IF' what I read is borne out, this is indeed of serious concern, but is the headline and how this news has been portrayed fair and accurate in conveying the notion that 'a' bit of research may have 'a' contrary (though possibly worthwhile) view from 'a' team (no matter how 'offical') on the value (or not) of depression medication?
Are the entire prescribing medical profession fools or charlatans then? If so, I want my £100kpa back.
So whatever you do read, on anything substantive remember: read long, read broad and don't read anything into anything until you think you might have gained all the relevant facts, and as good a cross-section of opinion as you can to arrive at a well-informed one of your own.
Live by the headlines, links and summaries served up to 'help' us in this time-poor infromation age we live in, and you may get what you deserve.
*With apologies to The Verve
Effectiveness of antidepressant drugs questioned
Antidepressant drugs don't work – official study
Anti-depressants 'of little use'
Prozac, used by 40m people, does not work say scientists
New anti-depressants 'little effect'
What is wrong with our news media? I have 'contributed' to the BBC, who at least allow the possibility:
'IF' what I read is borne out, this is indeed of serious concern, but is the headline and how this news has been portrayed fair and accurate in conveying the notion that 'a' bit of research may have 'a' contrary (though possibly worthwhile) view from 'a' team (no matter how 'offical') on the value (or not) of depression medication?
Are the entire prescribing medical profession fools or charlatans then? If so, I want my £100kpa back.
So whatever you do read, on anything substantive remember: read long, read broad and don't read anything into anything until you think you might have gained all the relevant facts, and as good a cross-section of opinion as you can to arrive at a well-informed one of your own.
Live by the headlines, links and summaries served up to 'help' us in this time-poor infromation age we live in, and you may get what you deserve.
*With apologies to The Verve
Here to help
I don't mean to single out Morrsions in this, but it just so happens they are where we mostly shop, and they have a (doubtless well-intentioned) pack-recycling labelling policy.
It's just that I, as a consumer, all too often either don't have a clue what they are talking about, find what they are talking about to be daft, or... can DO precious little about what they TALK about. The latter is part of a bigger picture, but then we all need to see this for what it is to address it properly.
These two packs were from last night's meal. The plastic wrappers from a frozen veg and a fresh veg.
One, quite clearly, IS recyclable, though 'facilities may be limited'. In the bin or in the the... er... what again? They carrier bag slot? The binliner hanging off the plastics skip? I don't know.
The other is 'partly' recyclable with all due caveats as above. Being that this initially appeared to be a printed clear plastic bag this was odd. Other than the contents and the bag, what else was there?
Well, irony of ironies, on closer looking there was an extra clear sticker in the mix. A bonded-on effort (why? The rest is custom to contents) whose principle function was to tell me it country of origin. Holland, since you ask.
ps: I went to the recyclenow.com site to find out what to do and where. Maybe it was just me, but when it came to sorting out these babies... nothing leapt out. In the bin liner then.
Public - one for trying.
Business - zero for being anything other than a useless gesture.
Authorities - minus points for wasting so much money on ineffective systems and pointless comms efforts.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Talk about an incentive!
Which, as you know, floats my eco-boat! Try this: Cycling assessed at 20p a mile by IR.
And it's a tad better on the running costs, too. Like £1.08 a litre better, last time I looked.
And it's a tad better on the running costs, too. Like £1.08 a litre better, last time I looked.
NEWS/MEDIA PR - The Woman Who Stops Traffic
A new category for when I get a potentially worthy bit of PR about a media event (eg: TV programme) that may be worth a gander.
All the usual caveats as to possible green bandwagon vs. enviROI value apply, I for now simply cut & paste editted highlights as provided.
The Woman Who Stops Traffic
Get On Your Bike to Pledge Regional C02 Emissions Cuts
To coincide with the start of a compelling new three part series – The Woman Who Stops Traffic – Channel 4.com/green is launching an interactive map of the UK to track which region can come out on top for CO2 emission savings.
The online interactive UK map highlights the amount of CO2 emissions people can prevent in their region if they walked, cycled or used public transport to do any daily journey. Users can pledge how many times they will do a journey without the use of the car (based on the output of an average family car) and their CO2 prevention will be added to the map for their region.
The site will go live on the 26 February.
The heroine is one Kris Murrin, who says: “I’m not anti-car. I’ve got three kids. I’m a family of five. I’m not exactly going to be able to do a huge weekly shop on my bike. But the thing that bugs me is that a lot of people get into their car without even thinking ‘Is there another way I could do this journey?’”
May be worth a gander.
All the usual caveats as to possible green bandwagon vs. enviROI value apply, I for now simply cut & paste editted highlights as provided.
The Woman Who Stops Traffic
Get On Your Bike to Pledge Regional C02 Emissions Cuts
To coincide with the start of a compelling new three part series – The Woman Who Stops Traffic – Channel 4.com/green is launching an interactive map of the UK to track which region can come out on top for CO2 emission savings.
The online interactive UK map highlights the amount of CO2 emissions people can prevent in their region if they walked, cycled or used public transport to do any daily journey. Users can pledge how many times they will do a journey without the use of the car (based on the output of an average family car) and their CO2 prevention will be added to the map for their region.
The site will go live on the 26 February.
The heroine is one Kris Murrin, who says: “I’m not anti-car. I’ve got three kids. I’m a family of five. I’m not exactly going to be able to do a huge weekly shop on my bike. But the thing that bugs me is that a lot of people get into their car without even thinking ‘Is there another way I could do this journey?’”
May be worth a gander.
CATEGORY - THE GREELEETS
New category. Stands for 'Green Elites', and isn't meant in a good way.
Don't mind anyone with money, power, privilege or media connections caring about the planet.
Do mind, awfully, when it comes across as just more than a little insincere, disconnected from reality, exclusive, up-a-pedestal, self-indulgent, etc...
And more about filling some column inches with one's life to impress one's mates, than any real effort at making a difference. Ok, yah?
Times - A green battle at home
Just wondering... does one know any eco-hapless couples who live in a Midlands flat, but whose weekend options might not have included hunting the lesser-spotted Bruni on the estate?
Don't mind anyone with money, power, privilege or media connections caring about the planet.
Do mind, awfully, when it comes across as just more than a little insincere, disconnected from reality, exclusive, up-a-pedestal, self-indulgent, etc...
And more about filling some column inches with one's life to impress one's mates, than any real effort at making a difference. Ok, yah?
Times - A green battle at home
Just wondering... does one know any eco-hapless couples who live in a Midlands flat, but whose weekend options might not have included hunting the lesser-spotted Bruni on the estate?
Nothing like a bit of balance...
...but you can just end up coming down on neither side: Tories ditch green taxes
See, this blog is balanced; we think they are all useless. However, it would be nice to see one of the sorry crew in Westminster (Greens excepted) take a principled stand and stick to it, whilst finding ways to balance the two 'E's (see labels).
See, this blog is balanced; we think they are all useless. However, it would be nice to see one of the sorry crew in Westminster (Greens excepted) take a principled stand and stick to it, whilst finding ways to balance the two 'E's (see labels).
Killing two birds with one turtle?
I think I a mixing a saying with the death of a famous Greek, but hey.
Our national broadcaster's commitment to news.. and global warming: Slow news day
Slow.... Tell me about it!
I tuned into BBC Breakfast about 10 times this morning over 90 minutes, and every single time all I ended up with was some BBC brunette airflown in to flounce around the post-Oscar bashes.
It was obviously getting desperate as they they couldn't find any frocks on anyone remotely relevant to talk about, so they decided on talking about hers.... again... and again.
Licence fee issues, what licence fee issues? Climate change? What climate change?
I'm surprised they didn't do the turtle thing (missing irony is pretty common with the BBC when it comes to 'global warming'), but given their commitment to serious journalism I am sure they could have got one on a skateboard eventually.
Our national broadcaster's commitment to news.. and global warming: Slow news day
Slow.... Tell me about it!
I tuned into BBC Breakfast about 10 times this morning over 90 minutes, and every single time all I ended up with was some BBC brunette airflown in to flounce around the post-Oscar bashes.
It was obviously getting desperate as they they couldn't find any frocks on anyone remotely relevant to talk about, so they decided on talking about hers.... again... and again.
Licence fee issues, what licence fee issues? Climate change? What climate change?
I'm surprised they didn't do the turtle thing (missing irony is pretty common with the BBC when it comes to 'global warming'), but given their commitment to serious journalism I am sure they could have got one on a skateboard eventually.
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