Seems like a good day for interesting developments so far. This one from motortorque.com reports how general motors and Coskata have signed an agreement to utilise Coskata's technology to "derive cellulosic ethanol from household waste, wood, plastic bottles and old tyres using bacteria."
They "believe the process is cleaner than using crops - with one study claiming that study cellulosic ethanol up to 90% less greenhouse gas than petrol and 30% cheaper to produce." "The company says it can turn four tyres into seven gallons of ethanol and two bales of hay into five gallons for under $1 per gallon."Sounds a lot better than turning corn into ethanol to me. There are an awful lot of used tyres lying around our planet and anything that can turn household waste into a potentially useful fuel has surely got to be better than dumping it into landfill?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Another new technology ......
.... that just might be a major breakthrough. Introducing the LETG (Light Electric & Thermal Generator), which appears to be a combined hybrid PV (Photovoltaic cell) and thermal energy capture (much like Solar Water Heating arrays) device. See Global Warming Solutions.
"The LETG captures and stores sunlight using a hybrid module design that differs from previous combination module devices, making possible the year-round production of thermal and electric energy. Its spectral-selective thermal liquid circulates on the reception surface of a photoelectric circuit, which makes it possible to increase the quantity and to change the quality of incident solar radiation spectral distribution as well as carry out the thermal energy recovery with minimum loss. To put its potential power in perspective, the LETG can increase electric power 250% and thermal output by 170%."
Their press release (via Fox Business News) claims - "Global Warming Solutions, Inc. ....... today announced successful testing of novel, hybrid (heat and electricity generation) solar modules created for the LETG (Light Electric Thermal Generator) project. The combined energy efficiency of the modules reached values of 85%, even exceeding energy harvesting efficiency of green plants."
Considering that most current photovoltaics are considered to be outstanding when achieving anything approaching 20% efficiency, that's one hell of a set of claims. I will await with interest to see what commercialisation of this technology brings.
"The LETG captures and stores sunlight using a hybrid module design that differs from previous combination module devices, making possible the year-round production of thermal and electric energy. Its spectral-selective thermal liquid circulates on the reception surface of a photoelectric circuit, which makes it possible to increase the quantity and to change the quality of incident solar radiation spectral distribution as well as carry out the thermal energy recovery with minimum loss. To put its potential power in perspective, the LETG can increase electric power 250% and thermal output by 170%."
Their press release (via Fox Business News) claims - "Global Warming Solutions, Inc. ....... today announced successful testing of novel, hybrid (heat and electricity generation) solar modules created for the LETG (Light Electric Thermal Generator) project. The combined energy efficiency of the modules reached values of 85%, even exceeding energy harvesting efficiency of green plants."
Considering that most current photovoltaics are considered to be outstanding when achieving anything approaching 20% efficiency, that's one hell of a set of claims. I will await with interest to see what commercialisation of this technology brings.
UK facing stringent renewables targets
This from the Financial Times (you need to register [free] to read the entire article) suggests that the EU targets that the UK will receive next week are going to be pretty tough to meet.
"officials in Brussels and Whitehall have told the Financial Times that Britain will have to increase its use of renewables as a share of all energy use from about 2 per cent to 13-14 per cent by the end of the next decade."
"Britain has the lowest renewables share of any major EU country: only Malta and Luxembourg have less."
Given that Tony Blair was warned that his agreement to the overall 20% target by 2020 was unachievable, this could get very interesting. "Mr Blair was warned by the former Department of Trade and Industry that the scheme was unachievable and costly, but he overruled ministers."
I wonder what the level of fines the UK is going to have to pay for failing to meet the targets will be?
"officials in Brussels and Whitehall have told the Financial Times that Britain will have to increase its use of renewables as a share of all energy use from about 2 per cent to 13-14 per cent by the end of the next decade."
"Britain has the lowest renewables share of any major EU country: only Malta and Luxembourg have less."
Given that Tony Blair was warned that his agreement to the overall 20% target by 2020 was unachievable, this could get very interesting. "Mr Blair was warned by the former Department of Trade and Industry that the scheme was unachievable and costly, but he overruled ministers."
I wonder what the level of fines the UK is going to have to pay for failing to meet the targets will be?
Seen, but heard enough? And by the right people?
Further to my last post, it's telling that I almost skimmed over this: Founder of bottled water company honoured for work in Third World
I wouldn't call it 'tucked away', but considering what it was/is it will be interesting to see how much coverage this gets elsewhere.
I know a bit about it because I entered myself. Junkk.com and RE:tie. I think we qualified: Its model and eco-friendly bottle technology are highly replicable – one of the key criteria for the judging panel.
Obviously not even close and no cigar here (I am still looking for 'wealthy benefactors'... who may also help with the business side I am so woeful at, plus perhaps knowing a few more of the 'right' folk), but the winner is deserving. Not so sure about some of the other, usual suspects. No probelm with something good that does the job getting lauded, and often, but often it seesm that nominees and winners are more on the basis of familiarity than seeking new possibilities.... who may need and deserve the profile and/or money to get going more.
I am also intrigued as to who constitutes 'the community of 120 social entrepreneurship winners, who will meet before the World Economic forum at Davos next week', and how they were deemed to be so.
ps: On another topic, note this: '...or commercially composted back to soil in just eight weeks.' Which means popping it in your back garden ain't going to do it. Who the heck knows this, and hence does whatever is necessary with whoever can help to actually make it work properly? Surely the disposal system should be addressed to a satisfactory degree before getting too excited by the thing that may be disposed. Or not. Otherwise it's useless.
I wouldn't call it 'tucked away', but considering what it was/is it will be interesting to see how much coverage this gets elsewhere.
I know a bit about it because I entered myself. Junkk.com and RE:tie. I think we qualified: Its model and eco-friendly bottle technology are highly replicable – one of the key criteria for the judging panel.
Obviously not even close and no cigar here (I am still looking for 'wealthy benefactors'... who may also help with the business side I am so woeful at, plus perhaps knowing a few more of the 'right' folk), but the winner is deserving. Not so sure about some of the other, usual suspects. No probelm with something good that does the job getting lauded, and often, but often it seesm that nominees and winners are more on the basis of familiarity than seeking new possibilities.... who may need and deserve the profile and/or money to get going more.
I am also intrigued as to who constitutes 'the community of 120 social entrepreneurship winners, who will meet before the World Economic forum at Davos next week', and how they were deemed to be so.
ps: On another topic, note this: '...or commercially composted back to soil in just eight weeks.' Which means popping it in your back garden ain't going to do it. Who the heck knows this, and hence does whatever is necessary with whoever can help to actually make it work properly? Surely the disposal system should be addressed to a satisfactory degree before getting too excited by the thing that may be disposed. Or not. Otherwise it's useless.
Stretch to fit
I am all for positives, but some do stretch things a tad: Defra hails 'positive green' readers
The up side is that one in five of the population are 'positive greens', though the definition requires an eyebrow cock between self-perception, research definition and actual enviROI+ behaviour.
Where I am a little intrigued is the the leap from the Indy's readership that I believe numbers a few hundred thousand.
Sounds an interesting report and I'd like to see it. Odd that I have never heard of it 'til now, and it is not linked to.
Actually, many of the subsequent insights were/are very telling, and frankly deserve greater consideration.
I leave you with this: 'Some people in the greenest categories have higher carbon footprints than others because of their high incomes'. Mainly Indy readers and BBC employees and supporters, I'd hazard all now planning their next skiing trips along with the next ban-it campaign for some minor enviro-nuisance.
It all rather smacks of being happier with looking good rather than doing it to me.
The up side is that one in five of the population are 'positive greens', though the definition requires an eyebrow cock between self-perception, research definition and actual enviROI+ behaviour.
Where I am a little intrigued is the the leap from the Indy's readership that I believe numbers a few hundred thousand.
Sounds an interesting report and I'd like to see it. Odd that I have never heard of it 'til now, and it is not linked to.
Actually, many of the subsequent insights were/are very telling, and frankly deserve greater consideration.
I leave you with this: 'Some people in the greenest categories have higher carbon footprints than others because of their high incomes'. Mainly Indy readers and BBC employees and supporters, I'd hazard all now planning their next skiing trips along with the next ban-it campaign for some minor enviro-nuisance.
It all rather smacks of being happier with looking good rather than doing it to me.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Biofuels not a silver bullet
"Biofuels risk failing to deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from transport and could even be environmentally damaging unless the Government puts the right policies in place"
That's from a report issued by the Royal Society which warns that "without the right support, including of the research and development community, there is a risk that we will miss out on developing the biofuels that could bring greater benefits and that we could become locked in to using inefficient biofuels."
Let's hope that our government, for once, listens, takes note, and acts accordingly. The crazy subsidies that the US government put in place for the production of ethanol from corn has already started to cause a disaster. I hope our lot can learn from that. It's not too much to ask, is it?
That's from a report issued by the Royal Society which warns that "without the right support, including of the research and development community, there is a risk that we will miss out on developing the biofuels that could bring greater benefits and that we could become locked in to using inefficient biofuels."
Let's hope that our government, for once, listens, takes note, and acts accordingly. The crazy subsidies that the US government put in place for the production of ethanol from corn has already started to cause a disaster. I hope our lot can learn from that. It's not too much to ask, is it?
Both poles now suffering
We have commented many times on the staggering effect that the warming of our little planet has had on the Arctic ice. At no time had anyone reported or suggested that anything similar was happening in the Antarctic, indeed, some scientific studies reported that the temperature in the heart of Antarctica was actually decreasing and going against the trend of the rest of the planet.
However, that seems to be changing, according to a study published in Nature Geoscience, and as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The study reports that "researchers found that the rate of ice loss in the affected areas has accelerated over the past 10 years — as it has on most glaciers and ice sheets around the world." The areas worst hit are the enormous western ice shelf, which covers an area something like the size of Texas, and the peninsula that points up towards S. America.
Given that Antarctica holds something approaching 90% of the planet's ice that starts to become quite worrying; the loss of the western ice shelf alone could theoretically account for a sea level rise of several metres.
However, that seems to be changing, according to a study published in Nature Geoscience, and as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The study reports that "researchers found that the rate of ice loss in the affected areas has accelerated over the past 10 years — as it has on most glaciers and ice sheets around the world." The areas worst hit are the enormous western ice shelf, which covers an area something like the size of Texas, and the peninsula that points up towards S. America.
Given that Antarctica holds something approaching 90% of the planet's ice that starts to become quite worrying; the loss of the western ice shelf alone could theoretically account for a sea level rise of several metres.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
If ever there was one for DDAIDDAIS*
Assuming it's factually true (my faith even in news media's accuracy levels has been tested a tad too often): BIN TAX WILL HIT EVERYONE...UNLESS YOU ARE AN MP
Another wedge between those who are imposing eco 'initiatives' and the odds of those upon whom they get imposed being positively inspired by them.
*Don't do as I do, do as I say
Another wedge between those who are imposing eco 'initiatives' and the odds of those upon whom they get imposed being positively inspired by them.
*Don't do as I do, do as I say
Friday, January 11, 2008
Now who's a lucky monkey?
No, not M&S's version.
Some might recall that a while ago I latched onto a pretty positive fortune cookie that rather specifically indicated a lot of hefty nice stuff in the work arena by year's end.
Well, hard to say that came to pass.
Anyhoo, here's hoping that as the exact reverse happened with this (as Dave cautioned/predicted) then the same will apply here, being that I am a Monkey in the Chinese Lunar Calendar:)
The Monkey will not have an easy year compared to last year. But while the financial loss star will affect your luck this year, you also have some measure of protection with the Golden Deities star. Helpful people will rescue you out of any predicament. There is a tendency for the Monkey to lose his cool this year and this could lead to problems with relationships. So watch your temper. Carry the Four Heavenly King Protection Amulet and wear the Dragon Eye Dzi for protection. Activate Golden Deities luck by inviting a Golden Kuan Yin into your home and display her in the Northeast corner of your living room. Protect your house against burglary by displaying the Black Precious Elephant in the Southwest. For personal luck, wear the "Om Ah Hum" Pendant in gold . To enhance for better income, display a Dzambhala Water Feature in the Southwest of your living room. To enhance for relationship luck and good networking, place glitter lamps in the Southwest 3, Southeast 1 and North 2 corners of your home as this completes the 'Tien Ti Ren' formation which is very auspicious.
Anyone know if Tesco carry a Four Heavenly King Protection Amulet or associated artifacts?
Some might recall that a while ago I latched onto a pretty positive fortune cookie that rather specifically indicated a lot of hefty nice stuff in the work arena by year's end.
Well, hard to say that came to pass.
Anyhoo, here's hoping that as the exact reverse happened with this (as Dave cautioned/predicted) then the same will apply here, being that I am a Monkey in the Chinese Lunar Calendar:)
The Monkey will not have an easy year compared to last year. But while the financial loss star will affect your luck this year, you also have some measure of protection with the Golden Deities star. Helpful people will rescue you out of any predicament. There is a tendency for the Monkey to lose his cool this year and this could lead to problems with relationships. So watch your temper. Carry the Four Heavenly King Protection Amulet and wear the Dragon Eye Dzi for protection. Activate Golden Deities luck by inviting a Golden Kuan Yin into your home and display her in the Northeast corner of your living room. Protect your house against burglary by displaying the Black Precious Elephant in the Southwest. For personal luck, wear the "Om Ah Hum" Pendant in gold . To enhance for better income, display a Dzambhala Water Feature in the Southwest of your living room. To enhance for relationship luck and good networking, place glitter lamps in the Southwest 3, Southeast 1 and North 2 corners of your home as this completes the 'Tien Ti Ren' formation which is very auspicious.
Anyone know if Tesco carry a Four Heavenly King Protection Amulet or associated artifacts?
Something for nothing ..... for once, yes!!
I've re-read this twice looking for the inevitable get-out clause, but am unable to find one - it really does look like a genuine something for nothing offer ........ providing you are over 70 years of age (or on certain benefits).
As reported in the The Guardian (article is dated Saturday 12th although it is not yet 17:00 on the 11th Jan?), British Gas are offering free loft and cavity wall insulation [worth an average £600 per house] to anyone over the age of 70, and you don't even have to be a customer of British Gas! It appears to be a subset of the government's CERT {Carbon Emissions Reduction Target} scheme which "obliges energy suppliers to promote reductions in carbon emissions for households. The companies are required to spend £1.5bn over the next three years to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of people on low incomes and the elderly."
For once I'm almost lost for words .... a genuine case of something for nothing!
______________________
Addendum:
Actually there IS a teeny-weeny little catch in there - the rest of us will pay for it! I quote - "Ofgem, the energy regulator .............. said this week that around £38 is being added to each household's gas and electricity's (I assume they meant to include 'bills' here) to pay for the Cert scheme."
At least it's a start, and given that £1 in every £3 spent on heating homes is lost because of inadequate insulation, it will have quite an impact on household CO2 emissions, at least for the over 70's.
As reported in the The Guardian (article is dated Saturday 12th although it is not yet 17:00 on the 11th Jan?), British Gas are offering free loft and cavity wall insulation [worth an average £600 per house] to anyone over the age of 70, and you don't even have to be a customer of British Gas! It appears to be a subset of the government's CERT {Carbon Emissions Reduction Target} scheme which "obliges energy suppliers to promote reductions in carbon emissions for households. The companies are required to spend £1.5bn over the next three years to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of people on low incomes and the elderly."
For once I'm almost lost for words .... a genuine case of something for nothing!
______________________
Addendum:
Actually there IS a teeny-weeny little catch in there - the rest of us will pay for it! I quote - "Ofgem, the energy regulator .............. said this week that around £38 is being added to each household's gas and electricity's (I assume they meant to include 'bills' here) to pay for the Cert scheme."
At least it's a start, and given that £1 in every £3 spent on heating homes is lost because of inadequate insulation, it will have quite an impact on household CO2 emissions, at least for the over 70's.
Snow in Baghdad!
Yet another example of our climate going crazy, just like the cold snap that killed 20 people in India at the new year.
This from Reuters reports that despite all the strange climatic things happening (we mentioned the problems that they were having at the ice carving festival in Harbin only the other day), the planet is still inexorably warming.
This from Reuters reports that despite all the strange climatic things happening (we mentioned the problems that they were having at the ice carving festival in Harbin only the other day), the planet is still inexorably warming.
If all you fight are corners, the rest of the room gets ignored
Newsnight - Galloway v Frum - not an eco aspect in sight, but goes to the set up for debate we are subjected to these days.
What a spectacular show... and follow up... if all you are gunning for is to win is a ratings war with the WWF.
A typical Newsnight twofer sandwich, with unpalatable, rock hard, entrenched extremes pitched either side of a soft,squishy bland centre.
All I got was a series of dogmatic vitriol that informed me little as I trusted no one's 'facts', or that they might be called to account on them, and hence all that was spewed around were just so many rabble-rousing words. As with so many issues, the choice of messenger can too often colour the message, as 'colourful' seems to be the dominating characteristic being sought by the 'expert' guest booker.
Par for the course.
Is it not possible to get a few more, or at least more rounded (even if it means possibly less 'entertaining") folk on to debate such important topics - such that one feels a slim hope that the issues are being discussed rationally and hard questions are being posed with cool heads, all moderated by someone who actually might attempt to get to to some decent answers and insights?
Thought not. Ho hum. Ding. Round #287.
What a spectacular show... and follow up... if all you are gunning for is to win is a ratings war with the WWF.
A typical Newsnight twofer sandwich, with unpalatable, rock hard, entrenched extremes pitched either side of a soft,squishy bland centre.
All I got was a series of dogmatic vitriol that informed me little as I trusted no one's 'facts', or that they might be called to account on them, and hence all that was spewed around were just so many rabble-rousing words. As with so many issues, the choice of messenger can too often colour the message, as 'colourful' seems to be the dominating characteristic being sought by the 'expert' guest booker.
Par for the course.
Is it not possible to get a few more, or at least more rounded (even if it means possibly less 'entertaining") folk on to debate such important topics - such that one feels a slim hope that the issues are being discussed rationally and hard questions are being posed with cool heads, all moderated by someone who actually might attempt to get to to some decent answers and insights?
Thought not. Ho hum. Ding. Round #287.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Interesting comments on Peak Oil
I stumbled across this pretty much by chance. From GoldSeek - The Casey Files.
It's the transcript of an interview between Doug Casey (of Casey Research) and Matt Simmons, one of the world leading authorities on investing in energy businesses, and founder and chair of the world's largest energy investment banking company.
Simmons reckons that Peak Oil was reached in May 2005, and that overall production can at best stay at current levels, rather than increase at all.
On sour, heavy oil (such as from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada - "With the heavy oil out of Canada, you have to expend energy to make it ooze out of the ground, and once it’s oozed out of the ground, you still have totally unusable oil."
On Liquefied Natural Gas - "the problem with LNG is that if we try to develop a spot market out of LNG, the odds of it ending in bankruptcy are about 90%."
On natural gas as a means of generating electricity - "using natural gas for electricity turned out to be an unbelievably stupid decision. Using electricity for heat was equally stupid. Natural gas should be refined to one use and one use only, and that’s creating instantaneous and high-efficiency heat."
On corn based ethanol - "Corn-based ethanol was just a terrible, tragic mistake..........Even worse, it’s a very low-quality source of energy. Low BTU, highly corrosive, you can’t mix it with anything, it was just a terrible idea."
And he introduces the concept of liquid ammonia as a fuel, something novel to me.
Informative, concise, factually packed and thought provoking; thoroughly recommended and well worth the read.
__________________
Oh, and potentially quite useful if you have (unlike Peter and myself) a substantial wallet-full to invest.
It's the transcript of an interview between Doug Casey (of Casey Research) and Matt Simmons, one of the world leading authorities on investing in energy businesses, and founder and chair of the world's largest energy investment banking company.
Simmons reckons that Peak Oil was reached in May 2005, and that overall production can at best stay at current levels, rather than increase at all.
On sour, heavy oil (such as from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada - "With the heavy oil out of Canada, you have to expend energy to make it ooze out of the ground, and once it’s oozed out of the ground, you still have totally unusable oil."
On Liquefied Natural Gas - "the problem with LNG is that if we try to develop a spot market out of LNG, the odds of it ending in bankruptcy are about 90%."
On natural gas as a means of generating electricity - "using natural gas for electricity turned out to be an unbelievably stupid decision. Using electricity for heat was equally stupid. Natural gas should be refined to one use and one use only, and that’s creating instantaneous and high-efficiency heat."
On corn based ethanol - "Corn-based ethanol was just a terrible, tragic mistake..........Even worse, it’s a very low-quality source of energy. Low BTU, highly corrosive, you can’t mix it with anything, it was just a terrible idea."
And he introduces the concept of liquid ammonia as a fuel, something novel to me.
Informative, concise, factually packed and thought provoking; thoroughly recommended and well worth the read.
__________________
Oh, and potentially quite useful if you have (unlike Peter and myself) a substantial wallet-full to invest.
Study hard and get a white collar job
That's what my father told me when I was about 10 years old. Coming from a poor family he had himself fought his way up into the academic world from beginnings as a joiner; and he insisted that he did not want his kids getting blue collar jobs.
Well, it now seems there is a third option (OK, Fourth if you include dog collars as worn by many members of the various religious fraternities). We have reached the age of the green collar worker. Full story from Yahoo News.
However, it's a real shame that most of the 'green collar' jobs here in the UK seem to be as members of various quangos, generally doing little more than bean counting, that have little or no direct envROI impact. (As already pointed out by Peter back in August).
Well, it now seems there is a third option (OK, Fourth if you include dog collars as worn by many members of the various religious fraternities). We have reached the age of the green collar worker. Full story from Yahoo News.
However, it's a real shame that most of the 'green collar' jobs here in the UK seem to be as members of various quangos, generally doing little more than bean counting, that have little or no direct envROI impact. (As already pointed out by Peter back in August).
And little fleas have littler fleas...
Is it time to replace a five year old PC?
It can be frustrating, and while one can understand and appreciate (but not in a good way) the commercial imperatives, in this more eco-age you really have to question why it all gets driven to upgrade and dispose on such a short window.
For example, my little Mac Mini has hummed away happily for the last few years.
The other day I was told of a useful new software called Bento from FileMaker that would be a nifty assist to what I do.
Unfortunately, it only works with Leopard. So at the very least I have to make that upgrade from my current Tiger system.
Thing is, Leopard pretty much pushes the hardware I have to the edge of its capabilities so to move on I have to get a whole new box.
It can be frustrating, and while one can understand and appreciate (but not in a good way) the commercial imperatives, in this more eco-age you really have to question why it all gets driven to upgrade and dispose on such a short window.
For example, my little Mac Mini has hummed away happily for the last few years.
The other day I was told of a useful new software called Bento from FileMaker that would be a nifty assist to what I do.
Unfortunately, it only works with Leopard. So at the very least I have to make that upgrade from my current Tiger system.
Thing is, Leopard pretty much pushes the hardware I have to the edge of its capabilities so to move on I have to get a whole new box.
So much to do, so little time
I just had a small epiphany on media consumption behaviour, at least on a personal basis.
At a time when it seems reading print is going down (see here , though I might ask where the Guardian's readership is and going before getting too excited about The Sun), online and/or a/v seems the way, but then I happened across the Guardian's Environment Weekly.
And you know what? Much as there was much worthy stuff in there, I could not be bothered to click.
Odd, as I'm sure the time commitment would be the same or less. For some reason I like it in print.
At a time when it seems reading print is going down (see here , though I might ask where the Guardian's readership is and going before getting too excited about The Sun), online and/or a/v seems the way, but then I happened across the Guardian's Environment Weekly.
And you know what? Much as there was much worthy stuff in there, I could not be bothered to click.
Odd, as I'm sure the time commitment would be the same or less. For some reason I like it in print.
Job's worth?
Last night I watched a show on the jobs and salaries in the UK: What Britain Earns (the only link I could find. Amazingly, or typically, the BBC site search didn't show any results, yet Google managed this... on their site)
An engaging, if not very thorough romp by Dad/son team Jon and Dan Snow.
I think I was surprised just how many folk (like our family) were struggling along on not very much). Equally, the number in the super-bracket seemed pretty low, though the amounts were obscene.
Speaking of which, I was simply appalled that in a very healthy upper mid-level was some lady who makes a very tidy living keeping rich plonker's cupboards in order. Tellingly, one of these clients is an MP, which must suggest something is awry.
It was also brought home to me by a couple of other coincidental things. First up I was trying to score a bit of additional income online with a job as a rep for a US music agency. In a charming rejection (getting any feedback at all being a near zero chance in the UK) they also advised that in Portland a salary of £10k was perfectly good to enjoy a life in a flat with car and enough for 'fun'. Meanwhile I just caught a programme on emigration to to Australasia where the salaries are near half here, yet the quality of life (houses, etc) pretty much the other direction.
Plus I just can't get out of my head how things seem to be misrepresented, or skewed, especially by the media, here.
On BBC Breakfast the bouffant and blonde were chatting about ageism with the usual vastly representative cross-section of the UK population, namely a reporter and a paper columnist, and all around the sofa seemed to think popping £5k away for a quick nip and tuck and Botox was the norm.
What planet are these folk on?
An engaging, if not very thorough romp by Dad/son team Jon and Dan Snow.
I think I was surprised just how many folk (like our family) were struggling along on not very much). Equally, the number in the super-bracket seemed pretty low, though the amounts were obscene.
Speaking of which, I was simply appalled that in a very healthy upper mid-level was some lady who makes a very tidy living keeping rich plonker's cupboards in order. Tellingly, one of these clients is an MP, which must suggest something is awry.
It was also brought home to me by a couple of other coincidental things. First up I was trying to score a bit of additional income online with a job as a rep for a US music agency. In a charming rejection (getting any feedback at all being a near zero chance in the UK) they also advised that in Portland a salary of £10k was perfectly good to enjoy a life in a flat with car and enough for 'fun'. Meanwhile I just caught a programme on emigration to to Australasia where the salaries are near half here, yet the quality of life (houses, etc) pretty much the other direction.
Plus I just can't get out of my head how things seem to be misrepresented, or skewed, especially by the media, here.
On BBC Breakfast the bouffant and blonde were chatting about ageism with the usual vastly representative cross-section of the UK population, namely a reporter and a paper columnist, and all around the sofa seemed to think popping £5k away for a quick nip and tuck and Botox was the norm.
What planet are these folk on?
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Good for some ....... but real bad for others
That's just about the simplest way to sum up the vagaries of our little planet's current weather.
If you are into skiing, then Europe currently has the best snow that its had for some 11 years. Indeed, it wasn't that long back that some were predicting the demise of the majority of the European ski resorts within the next 20 years or so, so December's heavy falls have been the cause of much rejoicing.
But, if you are an ice carver, all roads lead to Harbin, China, at this time of year, where the annual festival of ice is in full swing. The problem is, the ice is errrr ....... melting as fast as they can carve it and the locals have naturally put it down to global warming.
Just goes to show that nothing, climatically speaking, can ever be judged in a uniform manner.
If you are into skiing, then Europe currently has the best snow that its had for some 11 years. Indeed, it wasn't that long back that some were predicting the demise of the majority of the European ski resorts within the next 20 years or so, so December's heavy falls have been the cause of much rejoicing.
But, if you are an ice carver, all roads lead to Harbin, China, at this time of year, where the annual festival of ice is in full swing. The problem is, the ice is errrr ....... melting as fast as they can carve it and the locals have naturally put it down to global warming.
Just goes to show that nothing, climatically speaking, can ever be judged in a uniform manner.
A lot of things being said at once...
...Here: Clarkson stung after bank prank: Jeremy Clarkson found himself unexpectedly donating to charity
Where do I start?
a) Thanks heavens for folk with wit and a sense of humour
b) That they did it for charity
c) JC can be a plonker but at does at least own up and has the front to say when he's wrong
d) ID theft is real
e) All officialdom (from guv'ment to bans) are lying, cheating, derriere-covering numpties who will spin, hype and hide behind anything to avoid solving a problem first rather than dealing with it.
f) I can't believe he didn't limit his exposure with a dummy account and/or he and the bank stood guard post-publication in case.
g) The excuse given is PATHETIC!!!!!
ADDENDUM:
BEAM ME UP SCOTTIE...CELEBS NEED TO GET THEMSELVES OUT OF HERE!
I missed it too. I found out from the fall out, and have to say that his mea culpa or 'caveat didn't emptor enough' impressed. Probably did more for awareness than a £10M COI campaign.
Now there's a thought. Blow public dosh , or get a better result for free? Hmmn.
Having pondered a while I can't help but thing that those who did see it, and especially the man himself and his bank, seemed very chilled about a few minor advance precautions, such as limiting exposure with a new, not very full account, and a few flags... just in case.
Where do I start?
a) Thanks heavens for folk with wit and a sense of humour
b) That they did it for charity
c) JC can be a plonker but at does at least own up and has the front to say when he's wrong
d) ID theft is real
e) All officialdom (from guv'ment to bans) are lying, cheating, derriere-covering numpties who will spin, hype and hide behind anything to avoid solving a problem first rather than dealing with it.
f) I can't believe he didn't limit his exposure with a dummy account and/or he and the bank stood guard post-publication in case.
g) The excuse given is PATHETIC!!!!!
ADDENDUM:
BEAM ME UP SCOTTIE...CELEBS NEED TO GET THEMSELVES OUT OF HERE!
I missed it too. I found out from the fall out, and have to say that his mea culpa or 'caveat didn't emptor enough' impressed. Probably did more for awareness than a £10M COI campaign.
Now there's a thought. Blow public dosh , or get a better result for free? Hmmn.
Having pondered a while I can't help but thing that those who did see it, and especially the man himself and his bank, seemed very chilled about a few minor advance precautions, such as limiting exposure with a new, not very full account, and a few flags... just in case.
I am Legend?
I refer, of course to the movie, where Will Smith is a sole survivor searching for fellow souls. So this struck a chord: US man saves all his rubbish -- for a year
For what it's worth, I have done roughly (no 'nasties' like scraping kept they go in the compost. And quite a lot of paper and bottles (not all) and cans (not all) in the kerbside collection bins) the same... now for four years. Lucky to have a bigg(ish) country home with a basement and attic and outbuildings. And a tolerant wife. But you'd be amazed how, when you have like-for like stacks, how well things slot into each other to save space. I have a Pot Noodle column that reaches two stories high!
Like Mr. Derfel, this was partly to see what exactly a family does throw out, but mostly to look at reuses for my site.
What is surprising is when one item sparks no notions, a collection of 50 can start the ideas a-buzzing.
For what it's worth, I have done roughly (no 'nasties' like scraping kept they go in the compost. And quite a lot of paper and bottles (not all) and cans (not all) in the kerbside collection bins) the same... now for four years. Lucky to have a bigg(ish) country home with a basement and attic and outbuildings. And a tolerant wife. But you'd be amazed how, when you have like-for like stacks, how well things slot into each other to save space. I have a Pot Noodle column that reaches two stories high!
Like Mr. Derfel, this was partly to see what exactly a family does throw out, but mostly to look at reuses for my site.
What is surprising is when one item sparks no notions, a collection of 50 can start the ideas a-buzzing.
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