Another possibly dodgy belief-set pricked:
They really need a 'stuff hierarchy', especially in the world of green, across all consumer categories.
In the world of textiles I had cotton just above whale foreskins down at the lower ends (excuse pun), but right up there at the top, along with hemp and Katherine Hammett bags I thought there was bamboo.
Pandering to the green consumer
Or... not.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Perhaps we should ask the flora and fauna?
This from Science Daily reports on research into the habitat boundaries of plants and animals in N. America.
It would appear that lots of species of flora and fauna are moving their habitat boundaries northwards (and in some cases, upwards) at an observable rate (we are talking decades here) as the planet's climate warms.
Now that's really strange, because I keep reading comments in posts on climate change that insist that the planet is actually cooling.
Maybe we should give Dr. Dolittle a call?
It would appear that lots of species of flora and fauna are moving their habitat boundaries northwards (and in some cases, upwards) at an observable rate (we are talking decades here) as the planet's climate warms.
Now that's really strange, because I keep reading comments in posts on climate change that insist that the planet is actually cooling.
Maybe we should give Dr. Dolittle a call?
Spin
Phillipe Starck's Designer Wind Turbine
Without that name attached I doubt it would have rated a column inch anywhere, nor indeed would I be commenting.
But it does present an interesting, if rather worrying, insight in what that is 'green' gets done, and covered, that may or may not be actually worth a damn.
I have to say that my initial reaction to his 'conversion' was 'well, at least the profile of trying is worthy and if style will make 'em try, why not?', but then I looked at the thing, and the claims made for it, and started to wonder about the substance. And enviROI.
I'll leave the piece, and some very pertinent thread comments in reply, to speak on.
Times - Philippe Starck turbine creates green juice for homes - Nice of 'em to catch up
Greenbang - NEW - Designer Philippe Starck tarts up turbines
The world according to Starck...
Now. He's told the Times. And The Times has told this august tome. And, as is the way, you have now told us. According to what I have read.
Has anyone popped out to check the enviROI on this thing?
I have heard that it might be a wee bitty more style than substance, and the planet is running like a UK Olympic diver in the actual 'doing some good 'rankings.
It would be nifty to find out what the actual facts are. As with a possible IKEA solar panel, after my B&Q wind turbine temptation, there may be that which looks good, does their profits good, but by golly isn't all it's cracked up to be at end of t'day.
Without that name attached I doubt it would have rated a column inch anywhere, nor indeed would I be commenting.
But it does present an interesting, if rather worrying, insight in what that is 'green' gets done, and covered, that may or may not be actually worth a damn.
I have to say that my initial reaction to his 'conversion' was 'well, at least the profile of trying is worthy and if style will make 'em try, why not?', but then I looked at the thing, and the claims made for it, and started to wonder about the substance. And enviROI.
I'll leave the piece, and some very pertinent thread comments in reply, to speak on.
Times - Philippe Starck turbine creates green juice for homes - Nice of 'em to catch up
Greenbang - NEW - Designer Philippe Starck tarts up turbines
The world according to Starck...
Now. He's told the Times. And The Times has told this august tome. And, as is the way, you have now told us. According to what I have read.
Has anyone popped out to check the enviROI on this thing?
I have heard that it might be a wee bitty more style than substance, and the planet is running like a UK Olympic diver in the actual 'doing some good 'rankings.
It would be nifty to find out what the actual facts are. As with a possible IKEA solar panel, after my B&Q wind turbine temptation, there may be that which looks good, does their profits good, but by golly isn't all it's cracked up to be at end of t'day.
Do you hate junk mail?
Like most of us, the answer is almost certainly yes.
Now there is another good reason for detesting that pile of useless paper that drops through your letter box each week. This from BusinessGreen.com suggests that junk mail, just in the USA alone, has a carbon footprint equivalent to some nine million cars!
Now that sounds like a great reason for banning unsolicited junk mail to me! (Unless you've elected to opt in to receive it.)
Now there is another good reason for detesting that pile of useless paper that drops through your letter box each week. This from BusinessGreen.com suggests that junk mail, just in the USA alone, has a carbon footprint equivalent to some nine million cars!
Now that sounds like a great reason for banning unsolicited junk mail to me! (Unless you've elected to opt in to receive it.)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Basking in a green glow
I was going to let it wash over me, but seeing a global PR campaign at work can be a scary thing.
IKEA to Sell Solar Panels, "Smart" Meters
This has to be the nth article on the topic I have seen today, from Sydney to Seattle.
Now, on balance, fair enough. However this also comes on the day I am reminded about the last home eco outing that has proven 'interesting', namely wind turbines.
So my envIROI meter is twitching again.
I just hope the company, and those who will buy from it, have and/or will do their homework very carefully before leaping.
I have but scratched the surface on the solar industry and its potential to me as a consumer, but one thing I already know is the first few 'toys' I bought were a variety of panel that are good for a few yeast tops. Not so good for pocket of planet.
Worth bearing in mind as you wheel your trolley down the aisle and see a tantalising display that might not work out as well as you bargained. It has happened before, and I was one who almost made a rash decision in a B&Q with a windmill that looked so shiny and worthy.
Not saying it might not bring affordable options to the masses and be done right, but just be aware.
ps: Smart meters are OK, I guess, but I haven't looked at ours in an age. What I do use, a lot, is the wireless standby remote.
IKEA to Sell Solar Panels, "Smart" Meters
This has to be the nth article on the topic I have seen today, from Sydney to Seattle.
Now, on balance, fair enough. However this also comes on the day I am reminded about the last home eco outing that has proven 'interesting', namely wind turbines.
So my envIROI meter is twitching again.
I just hope the company, and those who will buy from it, have and/or will do their homework very carefully before leaping.
I have but scratched the surface on the solar industry and its potential to me as a consumer, but one thing I already know is the first few 'toys' I bought were a variety of panel that are good for a few yeast tops. Not so good for pocket of planet.
Worth bearing in mind as you wheel your trolley down the aisle and see a tantalising display that might not work out as well as you bargained. It has happened before, and I was one who almost made a rash decision in a B&Q with a windmill that looked so shiny and worthy.
Not saying it might not bring affordable options to the masses and be done right, but just be aware.
ps: Smart meters are OK, I guess, but I haven't looked at ours in an age. What I do use, a lot, is the wireless standby remote.
I stand, on terra firma, corrected
At least, so it would seem.
I have in the past been, if not a critic, then at the very least a tad dubious about some of the green noises being made around sending a bunch of rich tourists up to space for a Kodak moment atop a column of greenhouse gasses.
Virgin Galactic is one giant leap for the well-heeled
'Incidentally, the carbon dioxide emissions of a passenger on a spaceflight will be roughly 60pc of those of a passenger on a regular London-New York flight, with Galactic working with engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney towards eventually flying the aircraft on renewable jet fuel.'
Renewable jet fuel? That's a new one on me.
Anyway, see... in fact, it is saving the planet. Says so in the brochu... Telegraph.
I have in the past been, if not a critic, then at the very least a tad dubious about some of the green noises being made around sending a bunch of rich tourists up to space for a Kodak moment atop a column of greenhouse gasses.
Virgin Galactic is one giant leap for the well-heeled
'Incidentally, the carbon dioxide emissions of a passenger on a spaceflight will be roughly 60pc of those of a passenger on a regular London-New York flight, with Galactic working with engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney towards eventually flying the aircraft on renewable jet fuel.'
Renewable jet fuel? That's a new one on me.
Anyway, see... in fact, it is saving the planet. Says so in the brochu... Telegraph.
Now, who'dathunk?
Recyclers are cashing in on the fortune in your bin
Times - NEW - Local councils find that it's waste not, want not with rubbish
Times - NEW - Rubbish is fast becoming the new gold as cost of raw materials rises
WRAP - NEW - Barriers to recycling at home - Worth bearing the above in mind as you read this
Times - NEW - Local councils find that it's waste not, want not with rubbish
Times - NEW - Rubbish is fast becoming the new gold as cost of raw materials rises
WRAP - NEW - Barriers to recycling at home - Worth bearing the above in mind as you read this
Well, that worked well. Not.
I will not be adding my comment on the original blog. Enough has been said already. But...
On a planet 4C hotter, all we can prepare for is extinction
What... as in: 'this is an ex-Dodo. It is no more'?
Now, being that I hope soon to swap 20 degrees for 30 odd and the slim chance of getting a swim in some warm water, and that's double the increase in that headline....
Ah, headlines. I wonder if they get paid by the number on who clicked it. I did. How could I not?
Thing is, while there may be some smart insights into preparedness in there, I could not get past the idiocy of the headline.
Oh... and guess what? There's a book.
Just saw that. I will now be adding my comment.
BBC - NEW - Extinction 'by man not climate' - The Lord giveth... some other bloke slaughter away. So, it seems, by coincidence, that man is again the cause of all possibly natural ills. Subtle.
On a planet 4C hotter, all we can prepare for is extinction
What... as in: 'this is an ex-Dodo. It is no more'?
Now, being that I hope soon to swap 20 degrees for 30 odd and the slim chance of getting a swim in some warm water, and that's double the increase in that headline....
Ah, headlines. I wonder if they get paid by the number on who clicked it. I did. How could I not?
Thing is, while there may be some smart insights into preparedness in there, I could not get past the idiocy of the headline.
Oh... and guess what? There's a book.
Just saw that. I will now be adding my comment.
BBC - NEW - Extinction 'by man not climate' - The Lord giveth... some other bloke slaughter away. So, it seems, by coincidence, that man is again the cause of all possibly natural ills. Subtle.
Let's go fly a kite
An, interesting, and potentially exciting notion.
High-Flying Kites Could Produce Enough Energy for a City
However, I have to pose them a question, beyond the safety issue (what goes up...):
What's not to like?
However, I have to wonder about the reliability factors.
Like Charlie Brown, my efforts at getting a kite up, staying up and back down (if it got too gusty) have never been that successful. And certain involved a lot of kidpower on the ground.
So if (as it surely might) the wind drops, what is the proposed procedure to get the generating mechanism back up again?
Greenbang - Kite power takes flight
High-Flying Kites Could Produce Enough Energy for a City
However, I have to pose them a question, beyond the safety issue (what goes up...):
What's not to like?
However, I have to wonder about the reliability factors.
Like Charlie Brown, my efforts at getting a kite up, staying up and back down (if it got too gusty) have never been that successful. And certain involved a lot of kidpower on the ground.
So if (as it surely might) the wind drops, what is the proposed procedure to get the generating mechanism back up again?
Greenbang - Kite power takes flight
Sunday, August 10, 2008
More questions than answers
I was interested in this piece in the Indy: 'To greens, I was worse than a child abuser'
Now it has to be stated upfront that Mr. Durkin, and his doco, were pretty darn fat and loose with some truths, and certainly acted in the best interests of ratings over accuracy and fairness.
However, I am intrigued by a few fair issues/questions raised in this piece, which, whilst erring on 'two wrongs' I was not aware of until now.
'Harrabin had to go on to Newsnight and put some of these obvious points to Gore in person. Big Al squirmed and evaded and, according to Harrabin, later accused him of being a "traitor"'.
'Harrabin wrote a piece admitting he had thought the film was a bit off when he first saw it. Did he indeed? So why didn't he tell the rest of us? What do we pay him for? And how about all those "scientists" who, to their eternal shame, lined up to heap praise on the film?'
As many are asked of our national broadcaster, and the response systems of that august body are 'selective' at best, and none exists on this piece, I guess I may never know.
Plus ca change.
Now it has to be stated upfront that Mr. Durkin, and his doco, were pretty darn fat and loose with some truths, and certainly acted in the best interests of ratings over accuracy and fairness.
However, I am intrigued by a few fair issues/questions raised in this piece, which, whilst erring on 'two wrongs' I was not aware of until now.
'Harrabin had to go on to Newsnight and put some of these obvious points to Gore in person. Big Al squirmed and evaded and, according to Harrabin, later accused him of being a "traitor"'.
'Harrabin wrote a piece admitting he had thought the film was a bit off when he first saw it. Did he indeed? So why didn't he tell the rest of us? What do we pay him for? And how about all those "scientists" who, to their eternal shame, lined up to heap praise on the film?'
As many are asked of our national broadcaster, and the response systems of that august body are 'selective' at best, and none exists on this piece, I guess I may never know.
Plus ca change.
But, it's art!
I remember cranking an eyebrow at this when it first went up.
Not so much for the materials, but the energy required to lift water up and drop it down.
Now it seems there may be another reason to think one's eco-ware artform through a tad better before making one's point (plus laods of PR & wonga):
NYC Waterfall Installations Might be Killing Trees
Hmmn.
I remember when these first went up wondering what was the energy source used to elevate large volumes of water artificially up to drop down.
I asked a similar question of an 'eco-wareness' installation in some Nordic capital that involved lighting all the buildings up in colours to reflect 'moods' as I recall.
Apparently, as it was night, demand was low. So that's OK then.
There's a certain irony that falling water is often used to generate energy.
Not so much for the materials, but the energy required to lift water up and drop it down.
Now it seems there may be another reason to think one's eco-ware artform through a tad better before making one's point (plus laods of PR & wonga):
NYC Waterfall Installations Might be Killing Trees
Hmmn.
I remember when these first went up wondering what was the energy source used to elevate large volumes of water artificially up to drop down.
I asked a similar question of an 'eco-wareness' installation in some Nordic capital that involved lighting all the buildings up in colours to reflect 'moods' as I recall.
Apparently, as it was night, demand was low. So that's OK then.
There's a certain irony that falling water is often used to generate energy.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
A large steak please, and make it Skippy!
An interesting little story from the Telegraph, reporting on a suggestion that farming Kangaroos, rather then sheep and cattle, could markedly reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.
Kangaroos apparently have a unique stomach bacteria which means that they produce far less methane than cattle or sheep.
Jeez, just imagine trying to round up a herd of kangaroos!
Kangaroos apparently have a unique stomach bacteria which means that they produce far less methane than cattle or sheep.
Jeez, just imagine trying to round up a herd of kangaroos!
Is over-population the key problem?
I, like Peter, am somewhat of a wuss when it comes to mentioning the 'policy that dare not speak it's name', but this piece, by Paul Valelly of the Indy, definitely warrants a thorough read.
The article contains so many facts and figures that my head is still spinning. The key points to note, however, seem to be that when it comes to population:-
- nothing is simple,
- there are loads of paradoxes,
- religion, and cultural differences, are very important,
- social change does make a huge dent in birth-rates,
- the magic figure is 2.1 births per couple,
- large parts of Europe are well below 2.1
The UK is destined for a declining (and aging) population. Perhaps the article on the report by the BMJ in Science Daily that we mentioned a little while back was not considering all the facts?
My mind has always felt that over-population IS the key problem for our planet as an entity, but after reading this, I'm not too sure, as the implication is that as the world's population gets more educated, and more wealthy, the population, in the main, will naturally decline.
The article contains so many facts and figures that my head is still spinning. The key points to note, however, seem to be that when it comes to population:-
- nothing is simple,
- there are loads of paradoxes,
- religion, and cultural differences, are very important,
- social change does make a huge dent in birth-rates,
- the magic figure is 2.1 births per couple,
- large parts of Europe are well below 2.1
The UK is destined for a declining (and aging) population. Perhaps the article on the report by the BMJ in Science Daily that we mentioned a little while back was not considering all the facts?
My mind has always felt that over-population IS the key problem for our planet as an entity, but after reading this, I'm not too sure, as the implication is that as the world's population gets more educated, and more wealthy, the population, in the main, will naturally decline.
Write on!
Words of warming
Nifty, if a smidge irony-free.
I must rush to print, this online free stuff is killing me (if not as many trees - i know, I know, they are from FSC-certified managed forests and act as a carbon sink).
Nifty, if a smidge irony-free.
I must rush to print, this online free stuff is killing me (if not as many trees - i know, I know, they are from FSC-certified managed forests and act as a carbon sink).
Friday, August 08, 2008
Bad Dragon's breath
Boo hiss.
Peter Hopton, Very PC interview
I have not seen the actual show (gave up watching ages ago, when I got booted in the auditions for seeing clean through the set-up but not being smart enough to hide the fact I was only interested in PR exposure - mind you they can edit any negative stuff that shows them up out).
What I have read is a few reviews by folk who know a bit about VCs, as well as the actual technology, and by all accounts not only are the Dragons a bunch of egoistical bullies (like we hadn't sussed that) dancing to the tune of a ratings-obsessed medium (nice one, BBC) at the expense of quality programming, they, and especially 'byte-me' guru Peter Jones, apparently were not quite as acronymically on top of IT as they thought. And to cover this up (if they knew), the best solution was to but the boot in.
I don't know which is the more sad. The people involved (from these iconic business 'stars' to Evan Davis and the outfits he works for, or the national culture that has given rise to them.
Makes you proud to be a UK-based eco-entrepreneur.
Businesszone - Dragons' Den episode three: Lessons learned
Oh, for heaven's sake.
This is as relevant to business as my Dad getting excited at a 70s Jackie Pallow vs. Mick MacManus wrestling match being 'unfair'.
It is entertainment, pure and simple, successfully aiming at the rules of the Coliseum to get ratings.
The only wonder is that these 'successful' business folk have sold their souls so easily just to be the right side of a very nasty one-sided exchange.
I gave up ages ago when the BBC News trumpeted some eco-effort that 'was the only one that had all 5 Dragon's applauding and wanting to invest', with acres of free national PR to help it along.
Only thing was, despite it all, no one seems to have bothered to ask, or cared, before, during or until much later what the IP was.
Quietly shelved; job done for all parties concerned. Except for any accurate reflection of how business works or how partnerships are forged.
Does anyone serious, seriously think anyone with a great idea and all the numbers is going to accept chump change (that might buy a director for 3 months or a 1/2 page in a tabloid) from some bozo who has not shown any real evidence of what else they can bring to the table bar the support of our national, commercial-free broadcaster?
What's the successful hit rate?
All I can recall is Reggae-reggae sauce, and while big up to the lad who came up with it and played the 'any publicity' card well, I rather suspect major retailers might not have been so keen to offer rack-space without a full crew from Aunty showing lots of logo love and boardroom-level furrowed brows for weeks afterwards.
As that other inspirational titan of the pinstripe suit, Siralun, might say: 'Do us a favour!'
Peter Hopton, Very PC interview
I have not seen the actual show (gave up watching ages ago, when I got booted in the auditions for seeing clean through the set-up but not being smart enough to hide the fact I was only interested in PR exposure - mind you they can edit any negative stuff that shows them up out).
What I have read is a few reviews by folk who know a bit about VCs, as well as the actual technology, and by all accounts not only are the Dragons a bunch of egoistical bullies (like we hadn't sussed that) dancing to the tune of a ratings-obsessed medium (nice one, BBC) at the expense of quality programming, they, and especially 'byte-me' guru Peter Jones, apparently were not quite as acronymically on top of IT as they thought. And to cover this up (if they knew), the best solution was to but the boot in.
I don't know which is the more sad. The people involved (from these iconic business 'stars' to Evan Davis and the outfits he works for, or the national culture that has given rise to them.
Makes you proud to be a UK-based eco-entrepreneur.
Businesszone - Dragons' Den episode three: Lessons learned
Oh, for heaven's sake.
This is as relevant to business as my Dad getting excited at a 70s Jackie Pallow vs. Mick MacManus wrestling match being 'unfair'.
It is entertainment, pure and simple, successfully aiming at the rules of the Coliseum to get ratings.
The only wonder is that these 'successful' business folk have sold their souls so easily just to be the right side of a very nasty one-sided exchange.
I gave up ages ago when the BBC News trumpeted some eco-effort that 'was the only one that had all 5 Dragon's applauding and wanting to invest', with acres of free national PR to help it along.
Only thing was, despite it all, no one seems to have bothered to ask, or cared, before, during or until much later what the IP was.
Quietly shelved; job done for all parties concerned. Except for any accurate reflection of how business works or how partnerships are forged.
Does anyone serious, seriously think anyone with a great idea and all the numbers is going to accept chump change (that might buy a director for 3 months or a 1/2 page in a tabloid) from some bozo who has not shown any real evidence of what else they can bring to the table bar the support of our national, commercial-free broadcaster?
What's the successful hit rate?
All I can recall is Reggae-reggae sauce, and while big up to the lad who came up with it and played the 'any publicity' card well, I rather suspect major retailers might not have been so keen to offer rack-space without a full crew from Aunty showing lots of logo love and boardroom-level furrowed brows for weeks afterwards.
As that other inspirational titan of the pinstripe suit, Siralun, might say: 'Do us a favour!'
I cannot tell a lie: He did it!
Survey: Should outsourced CO2 count?
Love it. 'Outsourced Co2' indeed. You'll be saying they'll be trading it next.
Sorry, almost every survey I am sent/get confronted with leaves me seeking an option usually not there.
'Should an iPod’s pollution be counted as Apple’s or China’s?'
Er... both? That way the company and the country can be held to account for the stuff going into the global atmospheric pot. Anything else would suggest all sorts of neat ways to shunt a problem out of line of sight, not that anyone would dream...
Love it. 'Outsourced Co2' indeed. You'll be saying they'll be trading it next.
Sorry, almost every survey I am sent/get confronted with leaves me seeking an option usually not there.
'Should an iPod’s pollution be counted as Apple’s or China’s?'
Er... both? That way the company and the country can be held to account for the stuff going into the global atmospheric pot. Anything else would suggest all sorts of neat ways to shunt a problem out of line of sight, not that anyone would dream...
Win win?
There have been a few today (except, possibly, the planet*).
Scargill challenging (no hyperbolic headline grabbing there) Monbiot to go into respective rooms full of Co2 and radioactive waste.
And in some sort of luvvie melt-down of the Guardian pages' favourite sons and daughters, Monbiot having a go at Burchill.
I'd rather be a hypocrite than a cynic like Julie Burchill
'Handbags', or should it be 'book launches at dawn''.
I'm just trying to get my understanding of English sorted, especially when it come to matters environmental.
A cynic is, generously, one who might have a questioning attitude expressed in a not altogether 'nice' way, or, at worst , 'suggests a disbelief in the sincerity of human motives':
Which would seem not altogether unreasonable when dealing with, say, 'a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc.', or.... 'that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs'.
Tough call. A person with a cranked eyebrow at all they are supposed to swallow, or one who effectively says one thing but does another.
The planet breathes easier in such company, I am sure.
Where will it end? In tears, I fear. Especially when class is brought in for good measure.
*George Monbiot won the day in tussle with Julie Burchill
Telling. Outside a rather insulated bubble quite far from where I live, I am not sure who 'won' or not, Mr. White, but I rather suspect my kids' futures on this planet were net losers. Hope you all got what you needed from the exchange.
Personally I'd leave environmental commentary to people who do care and actually DO positive stuff than endlessly count debating points. But I thought your contribution to this morning's piece of Dear Leader's fitness to govern regime was cutting edge. Keep up the good work in the BBC studio next door. They do have space to fill, as you say. Mind you, what they choose to fill it with... Might one ask why such a critical debate is booked between two sound bite extremes and not any who may bring rational information and even decently subjective debate to the table. That's rhetorical. All any of you in the media want... need... are addicted to... is ratings. Which is how you are measured and make your money. Mind you, when it comes to the other 'green' that gets sampled as an issue on occasion, what can... do you all spent it on?
Telegraph - Class will matter more, not less -
Gaurdian - NEW - Old King Coal is a brave old soul, but he is talking utter nonsense - I'll post it, but can muster little interest to read or comment on what now seems personality-driven issues. Coming soon: Eco-'celebrity' mudslinging tag team action... the DVD, book and world (while it lasts, but might as well make some serious dosh on the back of its demise) tour!
Dire. Meanwhile, elsewhere, there might be some actually quietly working away on DOING positive, proactive things that might make a difference.
Scargill challenging (no hyperbolic headline grabbing there) Monbiot to go into respective rooms full of Co2 and radioactive waste.
And in some sort of luvvie melt-down of the Guardian pages' favourite sons and daughters, Monbiot having a go at Burchill.
I'd rather be a hypocrite than a cynic like Julie Burchill
'Handbags', or should it be 'book launches at dawn''.
I'm just trying to get my understanding of English sorted, especially when it come to matters environmental.
A cynic is, generously, one who might have a questioning attitude expressed in a not altogether 'nice' way, or, at worst , 'suggests a disbelief in the sincerity of human motives':
Which would seem not altogether unreasonable when dealing with, say, 'a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc.', or.... 'that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs'.
Tough call. A person with a cranked eyebrow at all they are supposed to swallow, or one who effectively says one thing but does another.
The planet breathes easier in such company, I am sure.
Where will it end? In tears, I fear. Especially when class is brought in for good measure.
*George Monbiot won the day in tussle with Julie Burchill
Telling. Outside a rather insulated bubble quite far from where I live, I am not sure who 'won' or not, Mr. White, but I rather suspect my kids' futures on this planet were net losers. Hope you all got what you needed from the exchange.
Personally I'd leave environmental commentary to people who do care and actually DO positive stuff than endlessly count debating points. But I thought your contribution to this morning's piece of Dear Leader's fitness to govern regime was cutting edge. Keep up the good work in the BBC studio next door. They do have space to fill, as you say. Mind you, what they choose to fill it with... Might one ask why such a critical debate is booked between two sound bite extremes and not any who may bring rational information and even decently subjective debate to the table. That's rhetorical. All any of you in the media want... need... are addicted to... is ratings. Which is how you are measured and make your money. Mind you, when it comes to the other 'green' that gets sampled as an issue on occasion, what can... do you all spent it on?
Telegraph - Class will matter more, not less -
Gaurdian - NEW - Old King Coal is a brave old soul, but he is talking utter nonsense - I'll post it, but can muster little interest to read or comment on what now seems personality-driven issues. Coming soon: Eco-'celebrity' mudslinging tag team action... the DVD, book and world (while it lasts, but might as well make some serious dosh on the back of its demise) tour!
Dire. Meanwhile, elsewhere, there might be some actually quietly working away on DOING positive, proactive things that might make a difference.
...OI
Not really worth adding to the Hydrogen category (but it will be linked via Labels), I add this for the glimmer that enviROI and even ROI is getting an airing.
Boris: no more energy for sustainability?
Not by the activists and the media that support them, of course, but the beauty of the blogging system is that casually thrown out rallying cries can now be challenged to support the practicalities behind the headlines.
Boris: no more energy for sustainability?
Not by the activists and the media that support them, of course, but the beauty of the blogging system is that casually thrown out rallying cries can now be challenged to support the practicalities behind the headlines.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Great. Now we've got past how it looks, maybe we can look at what still needs DOING!
Suddenly being green is not cool any more
Not that this has sunk into the thick, superficial skulls of the majority of most media reporters or columnists.
All These Green Taxes And Rules Are Just Witless Nods To Fashion
Not that this has sunk into the thick, superficial skulls of the majority of most media reporters or columnists.
All These Green Taxes And Rules Are Just Witless Nods To Fashion
Sticks and stones... and degrees... and QEDs
I usually steer clear of the whole CC thing, but this caught my attention: Planning for the worst
First up there was the 'planning for' vs. 'avoiding' shift (albeit with an inevitability slant), but also the first line resonated: 'Just like blades, phrases can be blunted by overuse. Talk of avoiding "catastrophic climate change" is so familiar, the words no longer instantly stir up apocalyptic images. '
All, sadly, true. And one must wonder why.
Even more sadly, I tended to skip through the SOSO text in a pretty cursory manner, and then alighted on the comments in reply, of which this was the first: 'I see the climate change 'denier' nutters are on here as usual.'
And so I gave up. QED.
First up there was the 'planning for' vs. 'avoiding' shift (albeit with an inevitability slant), but also the first line resonated: 'Just like blades, phrases can be blunted by overuse. Talk of avoiding "catastrophic climate change" is so familiar, the words no longer instantly stir up apocalyptic images. '
All, sadly, true. And one must wonder why.
Even more sadly, I tended to skip through the SOSO text in a pretty cursory manner, and then alighted on the comments in reply, of which this was the first: 'I see the climate change 'denier' nutters are on here as usual.'
And so I gave up. QED.
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