No, missus, oo-er, trust me.
You know how 'they' are 'listening' to 'us'.
I followed, and even ended up sharing in an exchange from some guys who do seem to know stuff...
Stakeholder Engagement: The Big Energy Shift
Government intend these to be active and open consultation processes,
and are keen to hear from the households, businesses and communities who
will be affected by the proposals. Government also needs to hear from
local government, community groups, NGOs and the supply chain and
installation companies that will support delivery on the ground.
Government is launching the 'Big Energy Shift' - a series of 40+
road-show events in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland,
involving citizens, businesses, local authorities, community and fuel
poverty groups and the supply chain. Participants will discuss options
for heat and energy savings in homes and communities. These events
will provide the opportunity to discuss the consultations before
formally responding.
Events include:
* Stakeholder workshops on the detail of CESP on the 24 March, and
CERT on the 25 March, hosted by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for
Homes. These events are by invitation only, and these will be issued in
late February;
* Stakeholder workshops in Scotland and Wales on the
consultations, working with the Welsh and Scottish Governments. Further
details will follow, but you can also register your interest by
emailing: cesp.consultation@decc.gsi.gov.uk;
* English Regional "Road-show" events on the consultations, with a
particular focus on CESP. Further details will follow. Spaces will be
limited, however you can register your interest by emailing:
cesp.consultation@decc.gsi.gov.uk;
* A HES workshop on community and renewable heat in local
communities with local authorities - details are to be made available
shortly. For further information contact
hes.consultation@decc.gsi.gov.uk;
* Citizens forums for households and communities - an innovative
programme with 9 separate citizens' forums - involving 250 people - in
neighbourhoods in England, Wales and N Ireland. These will include
peer-to-peer interviews in the community, site visits to see different
technologies in practice, and home visits as well as interactive web
forum. The events will take place throughout February and March;
* Small and medium enterprises - events run in conjunction with
Business in the Community and the Small Business Consortium, to discuss
policy and delivery options;
* Public sector - an event run with the Sustainable Development
Commission to bring together public sector procurers, facility managers
etc, to explore their role in delivering changes in relation to heat,
energy saving, and renewable energy.
The latter three events are invitation only. The findings will be
published by DECC.
> The first sentence in this press release is totally negated by the actual
> details of the "consultation" events, which are all, apparently, labelled
> as "by invitation" or "limited places" - must be some meaning of the word
> "open" that I haven't heard before. This carries on from a fine tradition
> of the government that brought us "Do you want a dozen nuclear power
> stations or only twelve?" and "Sipson village is being dangerously polluted
> by aircraft from Heathrow Airport, don't you think we ought to move it?"
>
> I suppose it's not possible to boycott all such government charades
> totally? Is this what they want? How could we ensure that no one broke the
> picket line?
It gets even better; the HES workshop email address doesn't work.I've tried to ask for further information, from two different email addresses and they both were rejected. The message:
Action: failed
Status: 5.1.1
seems to refer back to an old Elvis number,
"Return to sender, address unknown.
No such number, no such zone."
Rather than a picket line, we need a powerful can opener.
Genius!
Getting with the 'game', I'll leave it open as to which bits - the semantic jiggery-pokery, the Hitch-hikers Guidian 'directions'... or the incisive mockery - I am referring in that statement.
I have a feeling, as with some West End Theatres, I how the authorities' PR machine would plaster that statement on any post(er).
It was about another issue, but I am minded to share a comment by a chap in the Newsnight blog today that I thought would make a great URL: 'itwasntme.gov'
It also goes a long way to why I consider almost an 'research' that leads to a 'poll' that most, and especially HMG and the BBC, carry out to be pretty suspect.
Friday, February 13, 2009
As some around here have been saying...
'Apocalyptic climate predictions' mislead the public, say experts
Met Office scientists fear distorted climate change claims could undermine efforts to tackle carbon emissions
I am no expert, but... D'uh.
New Scientist - NEW - Scientists losing war of words over climate change - the posts in reply rather make a few points.. sadly.
ADDENDUM - 13/03/07
It seems to be sinking in that there is a problem. This just in from The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM - who are not going to get many visitors from the URL they offer)
The UK’s recent cold weather has highlighted that the often interchangeable use of the terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ leads to public misunderstanding.
Misinterpretation of the suggestive term ‘global warming’ has resulted in some people to propose that cold weather events disproves climate change is happening. Therefore CIWEM is calling for greater clarity in the use of these terms by scientists, environmentalists, other professionals and the media so that the general public is able to distinguish between climate change, global warming and localised, short-term weather events.
Global warming describes the increase in average global temperatures due to rising levels of greenhouse gases, whilst climate change refers to regional conditions such as rain, drought and storm events that relate to a long-term change in the Earth’s climate.
Although the UK is suffering from the coldest winter in 30 years, the current weather is entirely consistent with climate change predictions. In pre-industrial days such extreme cold weather occurred every five years but, with climate change, global temperatures have risen, meaning that we now experience it only every 20 years. And in contrast, China’s drought has left more than four million people without drinking water and 24 million acres of crops damaged; parts of Australia are suffering massive flooding, whilst the south’s drought has aggravated the terrible bush fires that have killed over 130 people; Argentina is suffering the worst drought for 50 years; and Israel suffered the driest January since records began.
CIWEM asks whether the term ‘climate change’ is significantly descriptive of the predicted extreme global weather patterns that we will experience. CIWEM puts forward that more dramatic and resonant terms such as ‘climate churn’ or ‘climate convulsion’ may help people to understand that this will not be a gentle transition which can be ignored.
Nick Reeves, Executive Director of CIWEM, says:
“To apply the term ‘global warming’ to explain all extreme weather events including freezing temperatures, snow and heavy rainfall is careless and will only feed the scepticism of the public and some sections of the media that average temperatures aren’t rising and that the climate isn’t changing. As scientists have predicted we are experiencing, simultaneously, extreme weather events around the world, which are causing unprecedented drought conditions, water scarcity, melting of the polar ice caps, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding. Not only is this evidence of climate change but a more serious problem that should be more accurately described as climate convulsion.”
While I have some sympathy with the dilemma, and applaud the attempt, I have to say that after 'Global warming' and then 'climate change', moving to ‘climate churn’ or ‘climate convulsion’ might not quite suffice. There is a lot of baggage to undo, and a few too many who will be trotting out such new buzz words are those who loaded that baggage on the cart in the first place. Message vs. messengers again.
Met Office scientists fear distorted climate change claims could undermine efforts to tackle carbon emissions
I am no expert, but... D'uh.
New Scientist - NEW - Scientists losing war of words over climate change - the posts in reply rather make a few points.. sadly.
ADDENDUM - 13/03/07
It seems to be sinking in that there is a problem. This just in from The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM - who are not going to get many visitors from the URL they offer)
The UK’s recent cold weather has highlighted that the often interchangeable use of the terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ leads to public misunderstanding.
Misinterpretation of the suggestive term ‘global warming’ has resulted in some people to propose that cold weather events disproves climate change is happening. Therefore CIWEM is calling for greater clarity in the use of these terms by scientists, environmentalists, other professionals and the media so that the general public is able to distinguish between climate change, global warming and localised, short-term weather events.
Global warming describes the increase in average global temperatures due to rising levels of greenhouse gases, whilst climate change refers to regional conditions such as rain, drought and storm events that relate to a long-term change in the Earth’s climate.
Although the UK is suffering from the coldest winter in 30 years, the current weather is entirely consistent with climate change predictions. In pre-industrial days such extreme cold weather occurred every five years but, with climate change, global temperatures have risen, meaning that we now experience it only every 20 years. And in contrast, China’s drought has left more than four million people without drinking water and 24 million acres of crops damaged; parts of Australia are suffering massive flooding, whilst the south’s drought has aggravated the terrible bush fires that have killed over 130 people; Argentina is suffering the worst drought for 50 years; and Israel suffered the driest January since records began.
CIWEM asks whether the term ‘climate change’ is significantly descriptive of the predicted extreme global weather patterns that we will experience. CIWEM puts forward that more dramatic and resonant terms such as ‘climate churn’ or ‘climate convulsion’ may help people to understand that this will not be a gentle transition which can be ignored.
Nick Reeves, Executive Director of CIWEM, says:
“To apply the term ‘global warming’ to explain all extreme weather events including freezing temperatures, snow and heavy rainfall is careless and will only feed the scepticism of the public and some sections of the media that average temperatures aren’t rising and that the climate isn’t changing. As scientists have predicted we are experiencing, simultaneously, extreme weather events around the world, which are causing unprecedented drought conditions, water scarcity, melting of the polar ice caps, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding. Not only is this evidence of climate change but a more serious problem that should be more accurately described as climate convulsion.”
While I have some sympathy with the dilemma, and applaud the attempt, I have to say that after 'Global warming' and then 'climate change', moving to ‘climate churn’ or ‘climate convulsion’ might not quite suffice. There is a lot of baggage to undo, and a few too many who will be trotting out such new buzz words are those who loaded that baggage on the cart in the first place. Message vs. messengers again.
Can Can.... er... 't?
The internet can be useful. Especially at putting you right quickly.
Just now I shared a reuse 'tip' from the site, which has proven quite popular, on another site seeking such.
It's a lid from a cream pot that clips on larger food cans, as a substitute for the bought variety.
Seems I may have committed a boo-boo.
Here I was interested in reuse, when 'elf & safety might trump that.
Here's the Food Standards view on it.
I think, for our purposes, we'll stick with the 1/2 day window in the can. We've done a lot worse.
Just now I shared a reuse 'tip' from the site, which has proven quite popular, on another site seeking such.
It's a lid from a cream pot that clips on larger food cans, as a substitute for the bought variety.
Seems I may have committed a boo-boo.
Here I was interested in reuse, when 'elf & safety might trump that.
Here's the Food Standards view on it.
I think, for our purposes, we'll stick with the 1/2 day window in the can. We've done a lot worse.
The real cost of the TWO E dilemma
Millions face 'stealth tax' on heating bills to subsidise green energy
Not an easy one at all.
However, I do concern myself that, with almost painful inevitably, a lot of the costs are biting earlier and harder where they can least be afforded.
I wish I'd logged it, but I was also surprised to find that energy costs are front-end loaded, so smaller homes using less pay proportionately more. Even though I guess my family home (with heating all day - even the gilet I wear needs a bit of help - as I work here) is a beneficiary, this can't be right.
Not an easy one at all.
However, I do concern myself that, with almost painful inevitably, a lot of the costs are biting earlier and harder where they can least be afforded.
I wish I'd logged it, but I was also surprised to find that energy costs are front-end loaded, so smaller homes using less pay proportionately more. Even though I guess my family home (with heating all day - even the gilet I wear needs a bit of help - as I work here) is a beneficiary, this can't be right.
Keep that eyebrow cocked
Some are genuine efforts, and to be applauded.
Many, still, are not.
A while ago I noticed, and still commend, the Greenwash column in the Guardian authored by Fred Pearce.
I'm not sure he's always fair, but he certainly sets out the cases pretty clearly, and if he does push his case there is usually a commenter who can put the other side.
And there still seems to be some debate as to whether things are getting better or worse.
Certainly, such as the ASA have and still are clamping down on blatant factual falsehoods and even excessive claims. But there are still an awful lot where you really have to cock that eyebrow.
I guess, with my ongoing efforts to 'sell' the RE:tie, which I really believe to be a no-brainer positive enviROI idea for all involved - business, consumer & planet - I am quite sensitive to measures that seem more designed to save the company money than anything else.
Which of course IS good, especially if it is through reduced waste which one presumes may get passed to the consumer, but too often there seems really little end-benefit involved where it matters. And then just has to wonder what all the money on the comms efforts could have been spent on rather than making the business seem to be green.
In passing, I noted this little video by MTV Switch advertised. Kinda cute, but then I hark back to a certain song by Dire Straits (!) that celebrated the conspicuous consumption era of the 80's... 'I want my MTV'. Pretty sure most of us still watching think getting a 50" plasma is still a nifty ambition.
Many, still, are not.
A while ago I noticed, and still commend, the Greenwash column in the Guardian authored by Fred Pearce.
I'm not sure he's always fair, but he certainly sets out the cases pretty clearly, and if he does push his case there is usually a commenter who can put the other side.
And there still seems to be some debate as to whether things are getting better or worse.
Certainly, such as the ASA have and still are clamping down on blatant factual falsehoods and even excessive claims. But there are still an awful lot where you really have to cock that eyebrow.
I guess, with my ongoing efforts to 'sell' the RE:tie, which I really believe to be a no-brainer positive enviROI idea for all involved - business, consumer & planet - I am quite sensitive to measures that seem more designed to save the company money than anything else.
Which of course IS good, especially if it is through reduced waste which one presumes may get passed to the consumer, but too often there seems really little end-benefit involved where it matters. And then just has to wonder what all the money on the comms efforts could have been spent on rather than making the business seem to be green.
In passing, I noted this little video by MTV Switch advertised. Kinda cute, but then I hark back to a certain song by Dire Straits (!) that celebrated the conspicuous consumption era of the 80's... 'I want my MTV'. Pretty sure most of us still watching think getting a 50" plasma is still a nifty ambition.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The 'Great British Refurb'
News of this announcement was leaked last week so most of the content, as summarised in The Guardian, is not overtly surprising.
"All (anyone want to bet that that's not true?) UK households will have a green makeover by 2030 under government plans to reduce carbon emissions and cut energy bills.
Firstly, yet again, these are seen only as targets. Another all process initiative with little productive output other than the favoured box-ticking exercises?
Secondly, if you read it carefully, you will see that the funding is to be provided via a levy on the utility providers, which, as previous attempts at similar initiatives have shown, simply means that, in the end, we pay for it out of our own pockets anyway!
As my Granddad used to say years ago - 'You get nowt for nowt in this life'.
Let's hope that we genuinely get some real 'doing' this time, rather than the usual hot air, spin and target playing. I'll keep my fingers crossed, though I'm not particularly hopeful.
"All (anyone want to bet that that's not true?) UK households will have a green makeover by 2030 under government plans to reduce carbon emissions and cut energy bills.
Cavity wall and loft insulation will be available for all suitable homes, with plans to retrofit 400,000 homes a year by 2015. Financial incentives for householders will also be available for low-carbon technologies such as solar panels, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps, paid for by a levy on utility companies."
So is this all new? There seems to me to be little difference from any of the previous initiatives, none of which have proved to be particularly successful. There are a couple of points worth noting though:-Firstly, yet again, these are seen only as targets. Another all process initiative with little productive output other than the favoured box-ticking exercises?
Secondly, if you read it carefully, you will see that the funding is to be provided via a levy on the utility providers, which, as previous attempts at similar initiatives have shown, simply means that, in the end, we pay for it out of our own pockets anyway!
As my Granddad used to say years ago - 'You get nowt for nowt in this life'.
Let's hope that we genuinely get some real 'doing' this time, rather than the usual hot air, spin and target playing. I'll keep my fingers crossed, though I'm not particularly hopeful.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Well, they asked
Tomorrow I head off to ECOpack at the NEC to try to get more support for the RE:tie.
This was timely.
Should packs promote social causes?
So long as the enviROI is positive, it's hard to fault any design for working towards a greater good.
Certainly we at Junkk.com try and advocate reuse at every turn, and facilitate it even if not intended.
But our greatest hope is for second uses that can be built-in, especially if they can be re-evolutionary to existing designs and hence impose little or no capital or material impositions, such as the RE:tie tamper evident security closure for example.
In addition to CSR, PR and marketing opportunities in their own right, such components can surely also provide many of the functions described and discussed above!?
This was timely.
Should packs promote social causes?
So long as the enviROI is positive, it's hard to fault any design for working towards a greater good.
Certainly we at Junkk.com try and advocate reuse at every turn, and facilitate it even if not intended.
But our greatest hope is for second uses that can be built-in, especially if they can be re-evolutionary to existing designs and hence impose little or no capital or material impositions, such as the RE:tie tamper evident security closure for example.
In addition to CSR, PR and marketing opportunities in their own right, such components can surely also provide many of the functions described and discussed above!?
Monday, February 09, 2009
At last, a glimmer
Of hope in common sense, if not much faith in delivery
Quarter of UK homes to be offered a green makeover
In my view, improving home efficiencies to a decent level of enviROI has to be the priority, otherwise any energy generated, no matter how 'greenly', is still being wasted unnecessarily.
Plus there's the small matter of costs, too.
But speaking of money, there is as mentioned that small matter of what is promised vs. what transpires.
Quarter of UK homes to be offered a green makeover
In my view, improving home efficiencies to a decent level of enviROI has to be the priority, otherwise any energy generated, no matter how 'greenly', is still being wasted unnecessarily.
Plus there's the small matter of costs, too.
But speaking of money, there is as mentioned that small matter of what is promised vs. what transpires.
Summit up?
Scientists plan emergency summit on climate change
I am a bit torn on this one.
Fora while I have been banging on that IF it is a serious as is made out then why on earth are the powers that be not making more a an issue of it?
So this looks like a worthy effort to kick-start this.
However, another part of me wonders, post Kyoto, Bali, IPCC, etc, what exactly new they are going to come up with that hasn't worked... obviously... to now, and hence runs the risk of being another high-carbon talk-fest. The word 'summit' gets me right offside immediately, after all the other nonsense events I've been to with the same name.
On past evidence, I honestly don't look forward to how this will get reported, and who these reports will impact and reach. It's the first I have heard of it (didn't look like there was even a website) , and a month is not a long time to prepare, so who is going, why and what are they hoping to achieve?
I am a bit torn on this one.
Fora while I have been banging on that IF it is a serious as is made out then why on earth are the powers that be not making more a an issue of it?
So this looks like a worthy effort to kick-start this.
However, another part of me wonders, post Kyoto, Bali, IPCC, etc, what exactly new they are going to come up with that hasn't worked... obviously... to now, and hence runs the risk of being another high-carbon talk-fest. The word 'summit' gets me right offside immediately, after all the other nonsense events I've been to with the same name.
On past evidence, I honestly don't look forward to how this will get reported, and who these reports will impact and reach. It's the first I have heard of it (didn't look like there was even a website) , and a month is not a long time to prepare, so who is going, why and what are they hoping to achieve?
Sunday, February 08, 2009
IRONY ALERT - speak softly, but carry a big budget
I don't know if I'd go as far as accusing it of greenwashing (they are trying to DO something, well, by 2025), but this banner made me giggle.I don't know if it is complemented by equally large, and expensive print ads, but the TV commercial is certainly pervasive.
So I am a little unclear as to the definition of 'not shouting about it' being used.
And how all that money could be better applied... more tangibly, reducing some more.
Civil unrest
Let engineers make Britain great again
In a quick scan through I think I saw the name 'Dilbert' there; one could do worse than sign up to Mr. Adams' daily bit of genius on the plight of engineers stateside.
I graduated with a Civ. Eng back in the lat 70's, but only on the strict understanding I didn't try and build anything people's lives depended on. Fair enough, and advertising has been mostly kind to me.
Of my graduating class, even back then I doubt more than 10% stayed in the profession for long, and those mostly the guys from the Far East. Almost all my mates ended up as Masters of the Universe in the City; not sure how that is working out now, mind.
I now busy myself with things of a planetary-positive nature, combining my science/engineering education with my media experiences to try and make the world a better place based on a principle I have dubbed the enviROI, basically a measure of how products or initiatives perform in a way that will actually make a positive difference to my kids' futures.
And I have to say that the lack of many... any with even a basic understanding of practical realities in senior government is a worry. And if they do have 'qualified' advisers, these guys don't seem very competent or vocal at setting them straight on what can... and can't work. And that often also includes saving money.
I seem to recall the 'unofficial' motto of either my college (Kings) or the profession was 'An engineer can do for a shilling what any other darn fool can do for a pound'.
Looking at the vast black holes being spun in the the world of green, all I see are targets, box-ticking and lobbyist-fueled agendas that would make any true engineer weep.
We're now in an era of process over product, and being seen to do rather than actually doing anything.
It's a house of cards on near zero foundations. I may not have been the best engineer, but I can see the result a mile off.
And that... really sucks.
In a quick scan through I think I saw the name 'Dilbert' there; one could do worse than sign up to Mr. Adams' daily bit of genius on the plight of engineers stateside.
I graduated with a Civ. Eng back in the lat 70's, but only on the strict understanding I didn't try and build anything people's lives depended on. Fair enough, and advertising has been mostly kind to me.
Of my graduating class, even back then I doubt more than 10% stayed in the profession for long, and those mostly the guys from the Far East. Almost all my mates ended up as Masters of the Universe in the City; not sure how that is working out now, mind.
I now busy myself with things of a planetary-positive nature, combining my science/engineering education with my media experiences to try and make the world a better place based on a principle I have dubbed the enviROI, basically a measure of how products or initiatives perform in a way that will actually make a positive difference to my kids' futures.
And I have to say that the lack of many... any with even a basic understanding of practical realities in senior government is a worry. And if they do have 'qualified' advisers, these guys don't seem very competent or vocal at setting them straight on what can... and can't work. And that often also includes saving money.
I seem to recall the 'unofficial' motto of either my college (Kings) or the profession was 'An engineer can do for a shilling what any other darn fool can do for a pound'.
Looking at the vast black holes being spun in the the world of green, all I see are targets, box-ticking and lobbyist-fueled agendas that would make any true engineer weep.
We're now in an era of process over product, and being seen to do rather than actually doing anything.
It's a house of cards on near zero foundations. I may not have been the best engineer, but I can see the result a mile off.
And that... really sucks.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
CATEGORY - Noise Pollution
Noise Mapping England website -
Don't know if there's one for North of the border or over the water. Maybe they are not noisy?
Don't know if there's one for North of the border or over the water. Maybe they are not noisy?
Shanzai!
The name is reason enough to share.
More Shanzhai madness!
Now the piece itself is not exactly complimentary, but in principle I am on board with (some of)the positive aspects inherent in making stuff out of other stuff.
Also a good opportunity for a punt, not that many others seem to have picked up on it.
More Shanzhai madness!
Now the piece itself is not exactly complimentary, but in principle I am on board with (some of)the positive aspects inherent in making stuff out of other stuff.
Also a good opportunity for a punt, not that many others seem to have picked up on it.
Firefox Surprises
I just upgraded my Firefox browser (Mac only) and a lot of new stuff has popped up.
Oddly (or not, I think they are all Google-linked) this seems to have 'affected' my blog too; I hope in a good way.
A bunch more functionality has appeared.
Now I am all for toys, but having been put off Facebook by all the walls and pokes and what have you I must proceed with caution here.
As building a community is obviously something I am keen to encourage, there is one that strikes a chord immediately, though the name sucks.
It's called 'Followers'. I know this is literally correct, and pretty much says what is on the tin, but I am not sure I like the connotations. Maybe it is just me. Not sure what I would post, but it seems just 'off-putting' in those terms. I guess all who have an interest in my blog and click on a thing to be informed are 'following' it, but for this journey I simply seek to share with 'Fellow Travellers'.
I wonder if Mozilla will be open to the suggestion?
I also need to check out what the other consequences are of adding this, but it may be a worthy option.
Addendum - Let's try. I can 'rename' the title, but it still has those sharing my journey as 'followers' and I can't seem to delete it. Plus there is an option to be 'secret' follower so that allows folk to track without being seen.
Oddly (or not, I think they are all Google-linked) this seems to have 'affected' my blog too; I hope in a good way.
A bunch more functionality has appeared.
Now I am all for toys, but having been put off Facebook by all the walls and pokes and what have you I must proceed with caution here.
As building a community is obviously something I am keen to encourage, there is one that strikes a chord immediately, though the name sucks.
It's called 'Followers'. I know this is literally correct, and pretty much says what is on the tin, but I am not sure I like the connotations. Maybe it is just me. Not sure what I would post, but it seems just 'off-putting' in those terms. I guess all who have an interest in my blog and click on a thing to be informed are 'following' it, but for this journey I simply seek to share with 'Fellow Travellers'.
I wonder if Mozilla will be open to the suggestion?
I also need to check out what the other consequences are of adding this, but it may be a worthy option.
Addendum - Let's try. I can 'rename' the title, but it still has those sharing my journey as 'followers' and I can't seem to delete it. Plus there is an option to be 'secret' follower so that allows folk to track without being seen.
CATEGORY - enviROI
Definition is here
As 'it's not always as clear as you might think', time to start logging instances to demonstrate this.... starting now:
Consumer
Consumer/Industry
Fox News - NEW - The Futility of Hybrid Cars - Now this comes from a certain angle (doesn't everything?), but as this is about enviROI there are legitimate questions if not conclusions.
Industry
packaging news - CPI hits back at Linpac Allibert carbon footprint
As 'it's not always as clear as you might think', time to start logging instances to demonstrate this.... starting now:
Consumer
Consumer/Industry
Fox News - NEW - The Futility of Hybrid Cars - Now this comes from a certain angle (doesn't everything?), but as this is about enviROI there are legitimate questions if not conclusions.
Industry
packaging news - CPI hits back at Linpac Allibert carbon footprint
Sunday, February 01, 2009
CATEGORY - GREEN ROOFS
ARTICLES
Indy - Grass ceiling: How corporate culture is going green
NYT (via Junkk) - NEW - Praise the Lord and Green the Roof
INFORMATION
livingroofs.org -
Indy - Grass ceiling: How corporate culture is going green
NYT (via Junkk) - NEW - Praise the Lord and Green the Roof
INFORMATION
livingroofs.org -
Hey, this could be habit forming
Hey, if it's fun, relevant and somone's kind enough to care and send it in... I'll share:
Praise the Lord and Green the Roof
It actually covers more than green roofs, which is a category already broken out here (and I'll add this to), but is another worthy journey by individuals (in this case a convent) as they try and decide what's best for them... and the enviROI.
Thanks to Junketeer Joseph from, I'm guessing, over the pond. Nice to know this litle blog gets read far and wide.
Praise the Lord and Green the Roof
It actually covers more than green roofs, which is a category already broken out here (and I'll add this to), but is another worthy journey by individuals (in this case a convent) as they try and decide what's best for them... and the enviROI.
Thanks to Junketeer Joseph from, I'm guessing, over the pond. Nice to know this litle blog gets read far and wide.
Friday, January 30, 2009
MAJOR MEDIA E-LINKS
I have done it mentally for so long, but more are springing up daily here's a growing list of where to find stuff out online, and often get to comment upon. When I get time I'll also 'review'.
UK
BBC (B)
iplayer - in theory (!) you can access archive stuff via this. There might be a 7 day window limit on some/most/all
Andrew Marr Show - Has a reply/blog
BBC Green -
cbeebies/ecobeebies -
Green Room - Has a HYS
The Editor's Blog
Newsnight -
Ethical Man - now over. I wonder how much he has stayed with his ethics and how much was just for the duration?
Guardian/Observer (PT)
Ask Leo - Like Prof's Posers, only with answers ready supplied
Climate Change
Climate Change
Conservation
Energy
Environment Weekly - no clue what it is, who is doing or why. Or watching. But here it is. -
Ethical Living
Recycling
Transport
Tread Lightly
What Can I Do?
Independent & Sunday (PT)
Blog
Environment
Ethics Girl
Green Living (inc Green Goddess)
The Environment Channel
Observer (PT)
The Green Gauge
Magazine - has a thing called Ethical that can lead to a Dilemma
Reuters - Environment
SKY
Eden - NEW -
Telegraph (PT)
Earth - leads to more, which I'll look at soon
The Economist
The Times (PT)
Battle of Ideas
Eco-worrier Blog
Environment
Green Central - With Blog
Yahoo -
I've just realised that by trying to compartmentalise I have in fact scattered similar resources across a few category headings. I'll try and bring most under here, including news in the future and others already posted when I get a moment.
One thing seems silly and that's my country separation. This is the net and all things are global. But where necessary I'll break out a place of origin.
Wikipedia - just remember it is not always served by well by those dedicated to objectivity, especially in areas of contention.
Green-err (as in erring on green) Media
ivillage/igo green - US based
responsibility.tv - online
Not a definitive list, so feel free to suggest and I'll add them here.
UK
BBC (B)
iplayer - in theory (!) you can access archive stuff via this. There might be a 7 day window limit on some/most/all
Andrew Marr Show - Has a reply/blog
BBC Green -
cbeebies/ecobeebies -
Green Room - Has a HYS
The Editor's Blog
Newsnight -
Ethical Man - now over. I wonder how much he has stayed with his ethics and how much was just for the duration?
Guardian/Observer (PT)
Ask Leo - Like Prof's Posers, only with answers ready supplied
Climate Change
Climate Change
Conservation
Energy
Environment Weekly - no clue what it is, who is doing or why. Or watching. But here it is. -
Ethical Living
Recycling
Transport
Tread Lightly
What Can I Do?
Independent & Sunday (PT)
Blog
Environment
Ethics Girl
Green Living (inc Green Goddess)
The Environment Channel
Observer (PT)
The Green Gauge
Magazine - has a thing called Ethical that can lead to a Dilemma
Reuters - Environment
SKY
Eden - NEW -
Telegraph (PT)
Earth - leads to more, which I'll look at soon
The Economist
The Times (PT)
Battle of Ideas
Eco-worrier Blog
Environment
Green Central - With Blog
Yahoo -
I've just realised that by trying to compartmentalise I have in fact scattered similar resources across a few category headings. I'll try and bring most under here, including news in the future and others already posted when I get a moment.
One thing seems silly and that's my country separation. This is the net and all things are global. But where necessary I'll break out a place of origin.
Wikipedia - just remember it is not always served by well by those dedicated to objectivity, especially in areas of contention.
Green-err (as in erring on green) Media
ivillage/igo green - US based
responsibility.tv - online
Not a definitive list, so feel free to suggest and I'll add them here.
Put a lid on it. Or... not?
Credit where due...
What should we do about plastic milk bottle tops?
A good post from a useful site on a worthy topic, and the journey to get there. I have replied as there may be a decent dialogue to follow on some issues raised.
Ah, conflicting 'advice' from the authorities. Where we would be without various box-tickers contradicting each other, he asks, rhetorically.
John's final para is bang on, though I fear a vain hope.
I have long since given up trying to get my head around the logic of the stated instructions. The request to collapse surely makes sense to improve the weight:volume ratio lugged by a dirty great truck, but squashing these devils is easier said than done. And having done so, as a matter of physics, without screwing the cap back on I rather suspect they may spring back out.
Thank you for the link to GHS. I have some concerns about logistics, enviROI+ wise, but it's great that there are folk thinking around this. The solution is perhaps in that 500kgs payment threshold.
Now, what if local communities could be coordinated (as you suggest, but on a bigger scale) to drop-off sufficient quantities of any recylate material or reusable item such that it was worth the while of a business to come and get it... and pay. It's possible paying individuals may be a problem, but injecting benefits into the community is still a powerful motivator... and reward.
I have given up on government and LAs, and businesses can be a a tad short-term bottom line (especially at the moment), but am working on it using the postcode location facilities of such as my site, Junkk.com
Thanks also for the associated ideas on reuses. Readers may wish to share any they have on Junkk.com too.
Interestingly, I am still in the thick of promoting my RE:tie re:evolution second use design of the little tamper-evident strap that links the cap to the neck piece (which can be retained on bottle with some closure designs, though not milks) of usually higher end organic milks.
In today's climate, it still amazes me that many high-ups in departments theoretically devoted to reducing unnecessary waste still cannot get their heads round how people might very easily be directed to keep things, reuse things or at least donate in a useful, segregated manner... if well directed, helped and encouraged or, better yet... rewarded.
The time has yet to come. But it will.
What should we do about plastic milk bottle tops?
A good post from a useful site on a worthy topic, and the journey to get there. I have replied as there may be a decent dialogue to follow on some issues raised.
Ah, conflicting 'advice' from the authorities. Where we would be without various box-tickers contradicting each other, he asks, rhetorically.
John's final para is bang on, though I fear a vain hope.
I have long since given up trying to get my head around the logic of the stated instructions. The request to collapse surely makes sense to improve the weight:volume ratio lugged by a dirty great truck, but squashing these devils is easier said than done. And having done so, as a matter of physics, without screwing the cap back on I rather suspect they may spring back out.
Thank you for the link to GHS. I have some concerns about logistics, enviROI+ wise, but it's great that there are folk thinking around this. The solution is perhaps in that 500kgs payment threshold.
Now, what if local communities could be coordinated (as you suggest, but on a bigger scale) to drop-off sufficient quantities of any recylate material or reusable item such that it was worth the while of a business to come and get it... and pay. It's possible paying individuals may be a problem, but injecting benefits into the community is still a powerful motivator... and reward.
I have given up on government and LAs, and businesses can be a a tad short-term bottom line (especially at the moment), but am working on it using the postcode location facilities of such as my site, Junkk.com
Thanks also for the associated ideas on reuses. Readers may wish to share any they have on Junkk.com too.
Interestingly, I am still in the thick of promoting my RE:tie re:evolution second use design of the little tamper-evident strap that links the cap to the neck piece (which can be retained on bottle with some closure designs, though not milks) of usually higher end organic milks.
In today's climate, it still amazes me that many high-ups in departments theoretically devoted to reducing unnecessary waste still cannot get their heads round how people might very easily be directed to keep things, reuse things or at least donate in a useful, segregated manner... if well directed, helped and encouraged or, better yet... rewarded.
The time has yet to come. But it will.
Big issue. Small minds?
Now is the time to think big about man-made climate change
I found this tucked away in the Telegraph today.
That's significant.
Because while I have done, and do most of what I do because of concerns about the possibility of 'our' impact on climate change, albeit in what I consider the more tackleable if possibly minor area (energy consumption and emissions dwarfing all else) of reducing waste, I have noted rather piecemeal, and often contradictory levels of approach and attention paid by 'The Establishment' (Government and media) to date.
If we are about to be toast, the messages we get, and when we get them, and the examples set, don't really... at least to me as one of Joe Public... quite convey the magnitude or urgency that often gets claimed when the topic is 'hot'.
So I have sympathy with Mr. Clover's basic premise. At least the headline and intro.
Not quite so sure on some of the solutions he is advocating.
In fact it is a pity that he gets diverted quickly to these details, when the big one he has raised remains unanswered. Frankly, like too many, and especially those in power, it comes across more as if he is too busy just playing in a lucrative field that he is in, rather than looking more ahead at the main goals.
I think I'll call it, for want of a better word, 'Envirodabbling'. Not sure it's that helpful when pondering the bigger picture.
I found this tucked away in the Telegraph today.
That's significant.
Because while I have done, and do most of what I do because of concerns about the possibility of 'our' impact on climate change, albeit in what I consider the more tackleable if possibly minor area (energy consumption and emissions dwarfing all else) of reducing waste, I have noted rather piecemeal, and often contradictory levels of approach and attention paid by 'The Establishment' (Government and media) to date.
If we are about to be toast, the messages we get, and when we get them, and the examples set, don't really... at least to me as one of Joe Public... quite convey the magnitude or urgency that often gets claimed when the topic is 'hot'.
So I have sympathy with Mr. Clover's basic premise. At least the headline and intro.
Not quite so sure on some of the solutions he is advocating.
In fact it is a pity that he gets diverted quickly to these details, when the big one he has raised remains unanswered. Frankly, like too many, and especially those in power, it comes across more as if he is too busy just playing in a lucrative field that he is in, rather than looking more ahead at the main goals.
I think I'll call it, for want of a better word, 'Envirodabbling'. Not sure it's that helpful when pondering the bigger picture.
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