It's not often I am on the side of authorities.
Bin taxes rejected by councils
Oh heck, why change now? Not impressed.
I merely mourn, in passing, aspects that did appeal, such as this.. 'Under the plans local authorities were being offered the chance to give rebates to households producing the least waste', that were lost thanks, IMHO, to the other punitive (especially fine revenue generating) ideas floated, and the way they were shared.
Telegraph - NEW - Bin taxes: councils, for once, seemed to listen
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
We do science, we do
As an ex-scientist/engineer I have a firm belief in the value of this country's support of same.
Hence I was attracted to this article in the Newsnight blog:
Restoring science to its rightful place
Sadly, as the comments in reply (the first is a doozy, especially the end piece. I speak as one trying to forge a commercial model new media entity dealing in the environment, and one day found myself competing with BBC Green) would suggest, it has been found rather wanting.
Science deals in fact, as does... should... reporting. It is hard not to feel this piece was more opinion dressed up. And I do wonder how appropriate it is for a 'reporter' for the BBC to be quite so definitive in her critiques on an outgoing administration when much is still unknown. The optimism for an agent of 'change', whatever that is, is perhaps understandable given the degree of uncritical analysis of the new President's plans to date, but surely should be couched in terms, dare I say science-based ones, that accept it's hard to predict based on what we don't yet know.
Shame the vast majority subjected to the broadcast are unlikely to be exposed to such worthy and relevant debate to appreciate the critical underpinnings of 'science', and not the fluffy, agenda-driven versions too often trotted out by our national broadcaster and its often less than qualified, or if so (Ms. Watts' resume is a lot more relevant than most), barely competent and/or objective cabal of 'analysts'.
I happen to think there is much worth considering seriously in the environmental arena, but as a fact-based environmentalist shudder at each grotesque, rushed-out bit of spin from the BBC that seems designed to push an 'ideal' (at least in their eyes), but when found wanting simply sets back the worthy, public-influencing, patient, test and confirm methodologies that can lead to genuine insights we can act on with confidence.
Harmless Sky - BBC Newsnight - Warming up President Obama’s inaugural speech? - Hmnn
The Newsnight editor has now responded:
Hello All,
Re the opening of Susan's piece. We did edit sections of the speech to reflect the elements in it that referred to Science. The aim was to give people an impression or montage of what Obama said about science in his inauguration speech. This was signposted to audiences with fades between each point. It in no way altered the meaning or misrepresented what the
President was saying. You can look for yourself above.
Apologies for not responding sooner. I thought I had. BBC Editors find this blogging software frustrating at times too.
Peter Rippon
Editor, Newsnight
I am afraid I found his reply wanting:
Hello back. Thank you for at last replying, on behalf of Ms. Watts and all involved in this. And the apology... if only for the delay in reply. I can see how, being the editor of a news programme caught in a sticky situation brought to one's attention in places, such as your own blog, one could forget doing so before now. I wonder what aspect of the blogging software let you down? It seems to have been working fine for quite a while now (or was your first effort 'moderated', which I agree can be 'frustrating'?).
It's a pity how often a BBC reply can often seem more like bringing in some Kimberly diamond miners when it comes to digging a deeper hole.
I don't propose to address the 'techniques' and what they were intended to facilitate, as others have clearly explained how well it went down. Nor do I intend to get into any discussion of climate, 'optimist' or 'pessimist', save to say as one environmentally concerned erring on caution, 'helping the cause along' by rigging things makes me groan as it makes my efforts at factual persuasion all the harder.
However, I do now unfortunately have yet more words and phrases to add to along, growing and rather ignoble list of 'journalistic'/reportage'/'editorial' doublespeak being used in weak post justification, that does the cause of conveying objective news little credit.
So to such as 'interpreting events' I can now, sadly, add...
'... reflect the elements...'
'... give people an impression or montage of what [was] said... about [topic]..]
' This was signposted...'
The first two seem barely more than excuses for changing things to suit. The third simply a weasel for very stealthily enabling/excusing very stealthy editing.
Sorry, not convinced, and it would seem I am not alone. Nil points.
Gaurdian - Newsnight in fakery row over Obama report - The quantity, and quality of the replies show a worrying inisght into the midsets at play.
Telegraph - BBC accused of fakery over Barack Obama inauguration speech
Telegraph - Obama can afford to lay off press officers now the BBC is working for him free of charge
Hence I was attracted to this article in the Newsnight blog:
Restoring science to its rightful place
Sadly, as the comments in reply (the first is a doozy, especially the end piece. I speak as one trying to forge a commercial model new media entity dealing in the environment, and one day found myself competing with BBC Green) would suggest, it has been found rather wanting.
Science deals in fact, as does... should... reporting. It is hard not to feel this piece was more opinion dressed up. And I do wonder how appropriate it is for a 'reporter' for the BBC to be quite so definitive in her critiques on an outgoing administration when much is still unknown. The optimism for an agent of 'change', whatever that is, is perhaps understandable given the degree of uncritical analysis of the new President's plans to date, but surely should be couched in terms, dare I say science-based ones, that accept it's hard to predict based on what we don't yet know.
Shame the vast majority subjected to the broadcast are unlikely to be exposed to such worthy and relevant debate to appreciate the critical underpinnings of 'science', and not the fluffy, agenda-driven versions too often trotted out by our national broadcaster and its often less than qualified, or if so (Ms. Watts' resume is a lot more relevant than most), barely competent and/or objective cabal of 'analysts'.
I happen to think there is much worth considering seriously in the environmental arena, but as a fact-based environmentalist shudder at each grotesque, rushed-out bit of spin from the BBC that seems designed to push an 'ideal' (at least in their eyes), but when found wanting simply sets back the worthy, public-influencing, patient, test and confirm methodologies that can lead to genuine insights we can act on with confidence.
Harmless Sky - BBC Newsnight - Warming up President Obama’s inaugural speech? - Hmnn
The Newsnight editor has now responded:
Hello All,
Re the opening of Susan's piece. We did edit sections of the speech to reflect the elements in it that referred to Science. The aim was to give people an impression or montage of what Obama said about science in his inauguration speech. This was signposted to audiences with fades between each point. It in no way altered the meaning or misrepresented what the
President was saying. You can look for yourself above.
Apologies for not responding sooner. I thought I had. BBC Editors find this blogging software frustrating at times too.
Peter Rippon
Editor, Newsnight
I am afraid I found his reply wanting:
Hello back. Thank you for at last replying, on behalf of Ms. Watts and all involved in this. And the apology... if only for the delay in reply. I can see how, being the editor of a news programme caught in a sticky situation brought to one's attention in places, such as your own blog, one could forget doing so before now. I wonder what aspect of the blogging software let you down? It seems to have been working fine for quite a while now (or was your first effort 'moderated', which I agree can be 'frustrating'?).
It's a pity how often a BBC reply can often seem more like bringing in some Kimberly diamond miners when it comes to digging a deeper hole.
I don't propose to address the 'techniques' and what they were intended to facilitate, as others have clearly explained how well it went down. Nor do I intend to get into any discussion of climate, 'optimist' or 'pessimist', save to say as one environmentally concerned erring on caution, 'helping the cause along' by rigging things makes me groan as it makes my efforts at factual persuasion all the harder.
However, I do now unfortunately have yet more words and phrases to add to along, growing and rather ignoble list of 'journalistic'/reportage'/'editorial' doublespeak being used in weak post justification, that does the cause of conveying objective news little credit.
So to such as 'interpreting events' I can now, sadly, add...
'... reflect the elements...'
'... give people an impression or montage of what [was] said... about [topic]..]
' This was signposted...'
The first two seem barely more than excuses for changing things to suit. The third simply a weasel for very stealthily enabling/excusing very stealthy editing.
Sorry, not convinced, and it would seem I am not alone. Nil points.
Gaurdian - Newsnight in fakery row over Obama report - The quantity, and quality of the replies show a worrying inisght into the midsets at play.
Telegraph - BBC accused of fakery over Barack Obama inauguration speech
Telegraph - Obama can afford to lay off press officers now the BBC is working for him free of charge
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A campaign to get behind (and then close)
I very much doubt I was the first to think of it. Or highlight it. But I was... am at least ahead of the Guardian: Open door policy
Anyway, as they have more readers (for now), I'll just say it's a good idea for a campaign. And one that is less ban and more save. So it's hard to see a downside.
Guardian - Shut that door!
Telegraph - NEW - Close the door and save energy - Another door opens?
Anyway, as they have more readers (for now), I'll just say it's a good idea for a campaign. And one that is less ban and more save. So it's hard to see a downside.
Guardian - Shut that door!
Telegraph - NEW - Close the door and save energy - Another door opens?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tony Hart, RIP
TV presenter Tony Hart dies
I don't think that headline does him, and the influence he had, justice.
He was a 'doer', not just a talker, and though very restrained in style, a more eloquent communicator and, as a consequence, inspiration to many than the current crop of talking heads we have today.
He was ahead of his time, AND I am still in envy of his getting a bunch of us to see the value of making things, and better yet making them often out of junk.
I consider him one of the influences that lead me to create Junkk.
http://www.tonyhart.co.uk/gallery/tony_hart_gallery_2005.htm
I don't think that headline does him, and the influence he had, justice.
He was a 'doer', not just a talker, and though very restrained in style, a more eloquent communicator and, as a consequence, inspiration to many than the current crop of talking heads we have today.
He was ahead of his time, AND I am still in envy of his getting a bunch of us to see the value of making things, and better yet making them often out of junk.
I consider him one of the influences that lead me to create Junkk.
http://www.tonyhart.co.uk/gallery/tony_hart_gallery_2005.htm
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The age of oil is ending
When I saw that headline, I thought this article from the Vancouver Sun was going to be another of those sensational headline, eco-warrior, crazy rants ('we're all doomed') about the end of the world being nigh; but this is a largely considered and well structured comment, and is full of factual information, on the subject of Peak Oil.
The strange thing is, even though it is not written as a 'rant' story, it still leaves you feeling, well, rather concerned and worried about the future.
Hmmm .... perhaps time to clean up and re-grease my old bicycle?
President 'has four years to save Earth' - now that's what you call a 'sensational' headline. And from The Observer, no less.
I wonder if Obama will ask for Ol' Golden's help in saving the world?
The strange thing is, even though it is not written as a 'rant' story, it still leaves you feeling, well, rather concerned and worried about the future.
Hmmm .... perhaps time to clean up and re-grease my old bicycle?
President 'has four years to save Earth' - now that's what you call a 'sensational' headline. And from The Observer, no less.
I wonder if Obama will ask for Ol' Golden's help in saving the world?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Box tickers rule?
The Daily Mail has a bit if a reputation for the.. 'sensational'.
However, I believe that most are able to separate the wheat from the chaff and, at the end of the day, a fact is a fact.
Woman, 91, dies 'after becoming stressed over £16,000 council bill to make her home eco-friendly'
No one seems to be disputing what happened. Indeed why seems pretty clear.
How is another matter.
Presuming the reporting to be accurate, this story, and quote, suggests that we are in an era embodied by such as the notorious Baby P cases' Sharon Shoesmith, who has a fellow mindset that is hard to swallow:
Councillor Zita Wiltshire, the local housing chief, said leaseholders were consulted on charges in 2006 and made aware of how much they would have to pay.
Cllr Wiltshire said: 'We are sympathetic to the concerns of our leaseholders but the council does spell out the detail of the financial obligations imposed upon a lessee in the terms of each right-to-buy lease.'
I presume her index-linked will easily cover all such demands on her once in retirement.
This is not the way to save the planet, or indeed sell the wisdom of all necessary measures to help do so.
However, I believe that most are able to separate the wheat from the chaff and, at the end of the day, a fact is a fact.
Woman, 91, dies 'after becoming stressed over £16,000 council bill to make her home eco-friendly'
No one seems to be disputing what happened. Indeed why seems pretty clear.
How is another matter.
Presuming the reporting to be accurate, this story, and quote, suggests that we are in an era embodied by such as the notorious Baby P cases' Sharon Shoesmith, who has a fellow mindset that is hard to swallow:
Councillor Zita Wiltshire, the local housing chief, said leaseholders were consulted on charges in 2006 and made aware of how much they would have to pay.
Cllr Wiltshire said: 'We are sympathetic to the concerns of our leaseholders but the council does spell out the detail of the financial obligations imposed upon a lessee in the terms of each right-to-buy lease.'
I presume her index-linked will easily cover all such demands on her once in retirement.
This is not the way to save the planet, or indeed sell the wisdom of all necessary measures to help do so.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
DDAIDDAIS
That's one of Peter's favourite acronyms - 'don't do as I do, do as I say'.
And it is highly applicable here as this from BusinessGreen.com highlights what appears to be yet another rather large ooooops! from our Gov.
The building that houses the Committee on Climate Change and the Department of Energy and Climate Control (hmmmm, I wasn't even aware we had a department for climate control?) has been graded with 'with the lowest possible energy score, which was described as "one of the worst ratings yet recorded"'
"For years, ministers have promised to ensure that all buildings under central government control are within the top quartile of energy performance. At present, qualifying could mean getting as low a rating as a C. Yet the building that houses the Committee on Climate Change has one of the very worst of the G ratings so far recorded."
And it gets worse - 15 Gov. departments are actually less energy efficient now than they were in 2000!
Twas ever thus.
And it is highly applicable here as this from BusinessGreen.com highlights what appears to be yet another rather large ooooops! from our Gov.
The building that houses the Committee on Climate Change and the Department of Energy and Climate Control (hmmmm, I wasn't even aware we had a department for climate control?) has been graded with 'with the lowest possible energy score, which was described as "one of the worst ratings yet recorded"'
"For years, ministers have promised to ensure that all buildings under central government control are within the top quartile of energy performance. At present, qualifying could mean getting as low a rating as a C. Yet the building that houses the Committee on Climate Change has one of the very worst of the G ratings so far recorded."
And it gets worse - 15 Gov. departments are actually less energy efficient now than they were in 2000!
Twas ever thus.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sometimes you just have to sit back and appreciate the show
This is indeed a class war, and the campaign against the Aga starts here
Actually, some pretty good points being made, but I rather suspect this may get all rather lost as some whipping up a lasagne en route to the next protest won't see it that way.
And, as I now notice the sidebar, it just has to get more... 'interesting'....
This is something worse than class war
One I think I will observe, discretely from a distance. Whilst many Fiesta-driving, tabloid-buying MoPs (Members of the Public Striving) might well know nothing about the battle raging aroun.. above them.
Actually, some pretty good points being made, but I rather suspect this may get all rather lost as some whipping up a lasagne en route to the next protest won't see it that way.
And, as I now notice the sidebar, it just has to get more... 'interesting'....
This is something worse than class war
One I think I will observe, discretely from a distance. Whilst many Fiesta-driving, tabloid-buying MoPs (Members of the Public Striving) might well know nothing about the battle raging aroun.. above them.
First Self Trumpet Blow of the New Year (sorry)
I know green blogs are a bit of a bore when they talk about themselves all the time.But I like to think we're pretty well balanced, and when something complimentary happens it does make you proud and feel like sharing.
This was a welcome surprise, and spin-off from our little Voucher Tree initiative from late last year, which did pretty well locally.
Well, it has spun off and gone a bit further, which is nice, all thanks to my Vac:Sac catching the eye of the Hereford Journal photographer.
It was also worth noting that in chatting with the reporter when she was researching the story, the link we now have with Poundland piqued her interest mote than a little, and cropped up more than once in the piece.
I think a New Resolution might be to get back in touch and a) do something jointly to help their customers 'green up' even more with Junkk.com, and b) PR the heck out of it!
Buy pass
Of all the activist groups, I have found Greenpeace to be the most erratic to follow and/or support consistently.
Protest is very much the bedrock of a free society, and they have dealt in this for decades, pretty much always effectively but not, IMHO, always wisely.
As a rule of thumb, I am not in favour of anything that creates risk, breaks laws, incites violence or, and especially, efforts that selectively target and inconvenience poor schmoes just trying to get on with their lives.
With this latter at least, I usually wonder how the perpetrators would feel if their chance and a holiday or somesuch was ruined by a bunch of others who are often a tad selective about what they do and what they aim to stop.
However, smart ways of raising profile that hit the pockets evenly by being more targeted at corporates and governments (it all ends up back in our wallets no matter what, let's not forget) are, when done well, to be admired.
Hence I think the purchase of a parcel of land in the way of the proposed 3rd runway, to be divided into mini-plots, to be very smart.
Not quite so sure on some of the justifications being used (the spokesperson was very inarticulate and hence less than persuasive in soliciting public support on SKY news just now), and again the choice of celebrity messengers (a few of the luvvies being against this seem quite well travelled, and indeed seem more concerned with what was going on over their West London homes than sea levels in the Maldives), but this is one worth following to see how the various protagonists handle it all (I see Mr. Brown in a dithering funk, the business community tying itself in contradictory 'good for the community' knots and the activists getting more radical and losing public sympathy pretty quickly... all per usual).
BBC - Protesters buy up Heathrow land
Protest is very much the bedrock of a free society, and they have dealt in this for decades, pretty much always effectively but not, IMHO, always wisely.
As a rule of thumb, I am not in favour of anything that creates risk, breaks laws, incites violence or, and especially, efforts that selectively target and inconvenience poor schmoes just trying to get on with their lives.
With this latter at least, I usually wonder how the perpetrators would feel if their chance and a holiday or somesuch was ruined by a bunch of others who are often a tad selective about what they do and what they aim to stop.
However, smart ways of raising profile that hit the pockets evenly by being more targeted at corporates and governments (it all ends up back in our wallets no matter what, let's not forget) are, when done well, to be admired.
Hence I think the purchase of a parcel of land in the way of the proposed 3rd runway, to be divided into mini-plots, to be very smart.
Not quite so sure on some of the justifications being used (the spokesperson was very inarticulate and hence less than persuasive in soliciting public support on SKY news just now), and again the choice of celebrity messengers (a few of the luvvies being against this seem quite well travelled, and indeed seem more concerned with what was going on over their West London homes than sea levels in the Maldives), but this is one worth following to see how the various protagonists handle it all (I see Mr. Brown in a dithering funk, the business community tying itself in contradictory 'good for the community' knots and the activists getting more radical and losing public sympathy pretty quickly... all per usual).
BBC - Protesters buy up Heathrow land
Irony Alert - A picture is worth a 1,000 words
Peter in Greenland
A silent prayer from the media scrum covered the religious group paying for climate action.
Check the picture captioned 'At the end of the trip, Peter flies home...'
I can't believe it wasn't staged. Very subtle if so. Or maybe he just got on the, er, plane first or off last.
A silent prayer from the media scrum covered the religious group paying for climate action.
Check the picture captioned 'At the end of the trip, Peter flies home...'
I can't believe it wasn't staged. Very subtle if so. Or maybe he just got on the, er, plane first or off last.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
It has emerged...
This is less about wind power than media reporting, though it is obviously the topic featured too...
A small complaint
I am still prepared to be convinced on the enviROI of the whole national endeavour, but when I don't trust government and can't reply on the MSM, I have to say that when the latter get nailed like this my scepticism level has to creep up a notch higher.
A small complaint
I am still prepared to be convinced on the enviROI of the whole national endeavour, but when I don't trust government and can't reply on the MSM, I have to say that when the latter get nailed like this my scepticism level has to creep up a notch higher.
Not exactly the best start to the year
Why waste authorities are a lot of rubbish
Sadly, the commenters so far are a wee bit more concerned about the misuse of mobiles, than our seeing yet more decision-making, and accountability, hived off to yet another quango.
Is this really what is taking place?
No point asking my MP as he's out to lunch having decided a year ago to quit next election, which has resulted in 'interesting' representation.
Sadly, the commenters so far are a wee bit more concerned about the misuse of mobiles, than our seeing yet more decision-making, and accountability, hived off to yet another quango.
Is this really what is taking place?
No point asking my MP as he's out to lunch having decided a year ago to quit next election, which has resulted in 'interesting' representation.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Fly me to the moon
I think it's one venue as yet unexplored.
UN Climate Conference: The countdown to Copenhagen
I'm sorry, I got as far as '15,000 officials from 200 countries (officials, advisers, diplomats, campaigners and media personnel)' to start losing faith.
When I saw the rallying cry is back to 'global warming' I pretty much gave up.
UN Climate Conference: The countdown to Copenhagen
I'm sorry, I got as far as '15,000 officials from 200 countries (officials, advisers, diplomats, campaigners and media personnel)' to start losing faith.
When I saw the rallying cry is back to 'global warming' I pretty much gave up.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Value judgements
Regular readers know I often bang on about enviROI of projects.
Well, now there's another one in the mix:
Chance for social enterprise to be more enterprising
I wish them well.
But I can see it being a lot trickier than enviROI which, despite allowing for the option of a person to be content with losing money for an environmental benefit, still is pretty grounded in numbers plus and minus.
I don't envy trying to put a figure that means much on many possibly socially beneficial projects.
Well, now there's another one in the mix:
Chance for social enterprise to be more enterprising
I wish them well.
But I can see it being a lot trickier than enviROI which, despite allowing for the option of a person to be content with losing money for an environmental benefit, still is pretty grounded in numbers plus and minus.
I don't envy trying to put a figure that means much on many possibly socially beneficial projects.
Beating the crunch
Sadly, not the credit crunch this time:(However, in the spirit of 'it's good to share', and my last car-borne outing had a relatively happy outcome (our re-engined Golf doing sterling work as we speak... long may it continue to do so), let's try again.
Monday was, according to the Daily Telegraph, 'the most stressful day of the year.' Well, yes, I could get around to accepting that.
For this was the day my tropics-trained missus met black ice for the first time, and that's one postbox that won't be taking mail for a wee while.
Now it was an incredibly slow impact, as even the airbags didn't go off.
And, though it really... really looks worse in the picture, after a quick gander my hopes were raised.
Sure, all the crumple zones had done what they were meant to, but as far as I could gather, beyond the front, bonnet and a few important bits of engine that bore the brunt, it was all in one piece. And nothing major bent any further back.
Sadly, this seems not enough to be worth saving to the counters of beans at my insurers. I guess the cost of mending came in above the cost of slipping us the road value and, well, money talks.
So again I am presented with a series of dilemmas that span the whole gamut from enviro to eco.. nomic.
Take the money and get a replacement? If so, maybe an existing LPG? Or try and 'save' it. I am not sure what one can do, but assuming they give me the write-off value I can still 'buy' it from them and then try and fix it. But... is it worth it?
Another journey is embraked upon which I'll share....
UPDATE
The plot thick... well, goes further downhill.
It really is not worth trying to save. It can be fixed, but to do so would take something like £5k, and that's to end up with a car 'worth' £1300 (according to the nice man from Norwich Union - I then had to spend all day yesterday 'proving' it was worth more, and ended up in some bizarre Marrakesh-market haggle. Not what I expected from a top insurer).
I am now on the trail of some dual/bifuels, and they do seem to be like hen's teeth. Especially at the budget I have set. A further 'complication' is that having chatted with a few garages they seem to think getting a factory-fitted option is much safer to a retro-fitted kit version, and that reduces things a lot more. So far all I am seeing is a few Volvos.
The hunt continues....
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