Ok, here's the first, 100% no idea... yet.
Nice little cap, mind.
Jar
Cap
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
CATEGORY - The TOL Bar
Introducing another acronym.
And another of my notions.
The TOL Bar.
That stands for 'Thinking Out Loud'
Kinda of a David Brent-esque 'no such thing as a bad idea combo'd with 'sod it, it's my blog so I'll run whatever I like up the flagpole and see who salutes'.
At the very least, as I seem to live on this PC during my waking moments, it will act as an aide memoire lest the fleeting thought be lost.
And another of my notions.
The TOL Bar.
That stands for 'Thinking Out Loud'
Kinda of a David Brent-esque 'no such thing as a bad idea combo'd with 'sod it, it's my blog so I'll run whatever I like up the flagpole and see who salutes'.
At the very least, as I seem to live on this PC during my waking moments, it will act as an aide memoire lest the fleeting thought be lost.
Survival of The Selfish
The latest Newsnight discussion has maintained my frustration with certain messengers and their messages.
But also inspired a philosophical notion or two evolving Darwin. As you do.
'I am in the persuasion business' (Miliband. E)
Now, how is that going so far? Looking at the Indy, Gruaniad and even here... not so great, really, I'd hazard. And why?
'...won't realise the scale of the danger until it is too late'
...is already suffering slightly as I am still trying to purge the image of Miliband's D. and E. in an office in some Nordic capital, with a papier mache model of downtown Gothenburg they made in tech class last week, pushing around wooden models of crocodiles (plastic ones from China via Toys 'R Us obviously a big no-no) as various Eurocrats run around squealing 'the horror, the horror!' and, hopefully, forgetting to mention ze 3rd runway, which is... er... 'different'.
And then onward and, er, still airborne, we have Mr. Kennedy of yet another committee I doubt comes cheap, getting us off the notion of 3 long hauls a year. Not so sure many of us this side of the screen have much of a problem with that already (esp. on Ms. Armstrong's quoted stats), but O.....K. Nice to have a quangocrat's package to be well placed to empathise with the public.
But, but... lest we bash a luxury, let's head over to what by any measure might be deemed a necessity. Phew... we can have green energy (that will meet all the targets, apparently), but 'we' will have to pay. Ignoring what lies behind that little gem to a few sections of society paying tax but not funded by them so much as some, I would have been keen to pursue further the enviROI of that statement. Can we be assured that, if enough wonga gets thrown around, the planet will also benefit too? I am a little unclear, as we head to 70M and counting, TV owning (and licence fee paying -yay!) viewers, where the energy from this and other stuff might be coming from, greenly.
Like biofuelled 747s, might there not be... consequences elsewhere?
And while it was interesting that the Eddy and Fanny love in did get to some 'you're rights!' from one side at least, I remain less than clear, and hence convinced on how just saying something makes it, Picard-like, 'so'. That darn persuasion thing again.
I think the time is right for another poll to show how 'we' are all on board... that is, the pledge bit at least, if not not stopping boarding the planes, as such, unless it is for highly necessary stuff that really should not be brought up, like earning livings, etc (sadly, while Ms. A has produced a noble piece of thought provocation I am sure, and all credit for that, the in-person advocacy was not perhaps as convincing as it might have been in complement. I rather fear Mr. Nixon looked like the soul of televisual conviction and audience empathy in companion, especially when confronted by a questioner not perhaps as 'on message' as others).
But at least she manged to provoke a truly statespersonlike response from one of our 'leaders' with the gibe on his likely tenure. Haven't seen or heard its like since since 3G, when I managed to drop Harbottle right in it for one of my dark deeds... 'But, but...Sir... it's not faaaaaair...'. Easy to see why the opposition benches quake when such power of wit, speed and oratory is unleashed. And makes me proud to think how the UK is going to be represented in he forthcoming negotiations*. I can imagine the likes of the Chinese reps, whose model of governance I remain unsure if Ms. Armstrong was or was not advocating... in this instance at least... really going for the bared throat approach, concession wise.
And as for the sound-biter bit exchanges. 'Impossiblists' vs. defeatists trumped by the shining knight of... 'we're doomed in months, but.. er... optimism' (sorry, the attempted claim of realism is a shipping industry -sized 'that's another issue' long since sailed).
Oh dear. As we're on a water-borne metaphorical streak, this I have just witnessed is what is going to effect a sea change to the careering tanker that is short termism-informed local politics globally and recession-driven public fears, and hence opinion????
* The last exchange was so telling. Because from what I heard it seems the getting of a deal IS THE TARGET, to pols and media alike. Without, it appears, no great concerns as to what that deal might be actually doing, planet wise. Again.
I wish I could have watched iPlayer longer, but the further irony of (ex, twice) Ethical Man at Heathrow Airport in light of the above was satire too far.
I am off now to ponder the notion of the Survival of the Selfish, and how Darwinian theory can be related to the human. We are already a long way from the motivations and actions of a Serengeti Lion pride, and in many cases can be proudly so, but not perhaps so far we should forget that a faltering competitor is still accorded about as much slack as tonight's dinner.
So I'll keep on doing all I can to improve efficiencies and reducing unnecessary wastes, but for the sake of future generations I might also be paying heed to survival strategies as well, just in case man proves either nothing to do with future impositions nature might visit upon us, or our mitigating efforts are not up to the task if we are. Especially bearing in mind the deeds vs. words of those who already see themselves in other, 'better' arks to the majority, by virtue of being somehow 'unique' in mysterious, though a tad 'more equal' ways.
Call it Plan 'A' open brackets(contingency)close brackets. I like to keep my options open, especially when the hens currently sitting all above our one basket seem pretty headless, mobile and putting on a lot of excess weight daily.
Via a post - 87 days to Copenhagen - With 87 days to go until the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the UK, Danish, French, Finnish and Swedish Foreign Ministers have agreed a joint letter to newspaper editors. - Again with the nifty picture, guys! I honestly tried to reads the letter, but if these guys are in the persuasion/motivation business... sheesh.
But also inspired a philosophical notion or two evolving Darwin. As you do.
'I am in the persuasion business' (Miliband. E)
Now, how is that going so far? Looking at the Indy, Gruaniad and even here... not so great, really, I'd hazard. And why?
'...won't realise the scale of the danger until it is too late'
...is already suffering slightly as I am still trying to purge the image of Miliband's D. and E. in an office in some Nordic capital, with a papier mache model of downtown Gothenburg they made in tech class last week, pushing around wooden models of crocodiles (plastic ones from China via Toys 'R Us obviously a big no-no) as various Eurocrats run around squealing 'the horror, the horror!' and, hopefully, forgetting to mention ze 3rd runway, which is... er... 'different'.
And then onward and, er, still airborne, we have Mr. Kennedy of yet another committee I doubt comes cheap, getting us off the notion of 3 long hauls a year. Not so sure many of us this side of the screen have much of a problem with that already (esp. on Ms. Armstrong's quoted stats), but O.....K. Nice to have a quangocrat's package to be well placed to empathise with the public.
But, but... lest we bash a luxury, let's head over to what by any measure might be deemed a necessity. Phew... we can have green energy (that will meet all the targets, apparently), but 'we' will have to pay. Ignoring what lies behind that little gem to a few sections of society paying tax but not funded by them so much as some, I would have been keen to pursue further the enviROI of that statement. Can we be assured that, if enough wonga gets thrown around, the planet will also benefit too? I am a little unclear, as we head to 70M and counting, TV owning (and licence fee paying -yay!) viewers, where the energy from this and other stuff might be coming from, greenly.
Like biofuelled 747s, might there not be... consequences elsewhere?
And while it was interesting that the Eddy and Fanny love in did get to some 'you're rights!' from one side at least, I remain less than clear, and hence convinced on how just saying something makes it, Picard-like, 'so'. That darn persuasion thing again.
I think the time is right for another poll to show how 'we' are all on board... that is, the pledge bit at least, if not not stopping boarding the planes, as such, unless it is for highly necessary stuff that really should not be brought up, like earning livings, etc (sadly, while Ms. A has produced a noble piece of thought provocation I am sure, and all credit for that, the in-person advocacy was not perhaps as convincing as it might have been in complement. I rather fear Mr. Nixon looked like the soul of televisual conviction and audience empathy in companion, especially when confronted by a questioner not perhaps as 'on message' as others).
But at least she manged to provoke a truly statespersonlike response from one of our 'leaders' with the gibe on his likely tenure. Haven't seen or heard its like since since 3G, when I managed to drop Harbottle right in it for one of my dark deeds... 'But, but...Sir... it's not faaaaaair...'. Easy to see why the opposition benches quake when such power of wit, speed and oratory is unleashed. And makes me proud to think how the UK is going to be represented in he forthcoming negotiations*. I can imagine the likes of the Chinese reps, whose model of governance I remain unsure if Ms. Armstrong was or was not advocating... in this instance at least... really going for the bared throat approach, concession wise.
And as for the sound-biter bit exchanges. 'Impossiblists' vs. defeatists trumped by the shining knight of... 'we're doomed in months, but.. er... optimism' (sorry, the attempted claim of realism is a shipping industry -sized 'that's another issue' long since sailed).
Oh dear. As we're on a water-borne metaphorical streak, this I have just witnessed is what is going to effect a sea change to the careering tanker that is short termism-informed local politics globally and recession-driven public fears, and hence opinion????
* The last exchange was so telling. Because from what I heard it seems the getting of a deal IS THE TARGET, to pols and media alike. Without, it appears, no great concerns as to what that deal might be actually doing, planet wise. Again.
I wish I could have watched iPlayer longer, but the further irony of (ex, twice) Ethical Man at Heathrow Airport in light of the above was satire too far.
I am off now to ponder the notion of the Survival of the Selfish, and how Darwinian theory can be related to the human. We are already a long way from the motivations and actions of a Serengeti Lion pride, and in many cases can be proudly so, but not perhaps so far we should forget that a faltering competitor is still accorded about as much slack as tonight's dinner.
So I'll keep on doing all I can to improve efficiencies and reducing unnecessary wastes, but for the sake of future generations I might also be paying heed to survival strategies as well, just in case man proves either nothing to do with future impositions nature might visit upon us, or our mitigating efforts are not up to the task if we are. Especially bearing in mind the deeds vs. words of those who already see themselves in other, 'better' arks to the majority, by virtue of being somehow 'unique' in mysterious, though a tad 'more equal' ways.
Call it Plan 'A' open brackets(contingency)close brackets. I like to keep my options open, especially when the hens currently sitting all above our one basket seem pretty headless, mobile and putting on a lot of excess weight daily.
Via a post - 87 days to Copenhagen - With 87 days to go until the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the UK, Danish, French, Finnish and Swedish Foreign Ministers have agreed a joint letter to newspaper editors. - Again with the nifty picture, guys! I honestly tried to reads the letter, but if these guys are in the persuasion/motivation business... sheesh.
Blogger, feel thyslef
A worthy piece for all eco-types (mea gulper) who hit the internet to preach:
Conflict Materials in Electronics
Personally, I feel matters of crime are more at the door of government legislation and policing.
But it is also a worthy reminder that enjoying the fruits of technology always incurs a price. Whilst different, though related, on material issues I am monitoring the 'cost' of battery technology when it comes to rarer minerals, especially to feed multi-hundred kilo car units.
I have not run a proper enviROI investigation into the uses and abuses of PCs and the internet, emissions-wise, partly because I am sure others have/are/will, and are more qualified to do so.
But there is a part that doesn't want to go there. What if, by hitting the net each minute, I really am doing more harm than good? That's a few decades and a career down the drain.
Fortunately I have not, am and will not be too preachy, and accept some 'progress' and its consequences. Plus we do have the right to strive, over and above survive.
Plus I also factor in human nature, which many do not. Like the arguments on travel, it is plain silly to think the human will be content to stay in one place. Hence the aim has to be to mitigate that desire rather than stifle it.
Equally we love to communicate. If I am arrogant enough to presume that folk want to read what I write, I tend to believe that squirting it around by electrons beats printing and distribution still.
Conflict Materials in Electronics
Personally, I feel matters of crime are more at the door of government legislation and policing.
But it is also a worthy reminder that enjoying the fruits of technology always incurs a price. Whilst different, though related, on material issues I am monitoring the 'cost' of battery technology when it comes to rarer minerals, especially to feed multi-hundred kilo car units.
I have not run a proper enviROI investigation into the uses and abuses of PCs and the internet, emissions-wise, partly because I am sure others have/are/will, and are more qualified to do so.
But there is a part that doesn't want to go there. What if, by hitting the net each minute, I really am doing more harm than good? That's a few decades and a career down the drain.
Fortunately I have not, am and will not be too preachy, and accept some 'progress' and its consequences. Plus we do have the right to strive, over and above survive.
Plus I also factor in human nature, which many do not. Like the arguments on travel, it is plain silly to think the human will be content to stay in one place. Hence the aim has to be to mitigate that desire rather than stifle it.
Equally we love to communicate. If I am arrogant enough to presume that folk want to read what I write, I tend to believe that squirting it around by electrons beats printing and distribution still.
Sticks and stones may break my bones...
... but dicking about with definitions may just as surely do me in :
'Climate Change' Predates 'Global Warming' By Decades - Semantic Shift Wasn't Until 1980s
Just get the snappy 'Anthropomorphic' (man-made to... and, possibly, by you and I) in there and we can waste more decades arguing about it.
Speaking of waste, I'll just beaver on trying to reduce any and all that are unnecessary, whilst accepting reductions if they are practical and doable.
'Climate Change' Predates 'Global Warming' By Decades - Semantic Shift Wasn't Until 1980s
Just get the snappy 'Anthropomorphic' (man-made to... and, possibly, by you and I) in there and we can waste more decades arguing about it.
Speaking of waste, I'll just beaver on trying to reduce any and all that are unnecessary, whilst accepting reductions if they are practical and doable.
From the 'Don't Go There' files
'Contraception cheapest way to combat climate change'
As I wrote that headline,... literally as well as figuratively.
Why do I suspect that many, currently active in the cc arena, will be studiously ignoring this option (which need not be Hitlerian or even Chinese in approach despite the rhetoric being stirred up) whilst generating a lot of heat and noise in more 'acceptable' areas?
And, ironically, for once find themselves supported from those at the other end of the spectrum. Strange bedfellows. Let's hope that the usual result of such a shared experience does not continue to haunt certain parts of the planet in 9 month cycles.
At least if Milibands D. & E. share a bath, there can only be a positive outcome. Though circling the globe in their Caravans of Carbon to extol such measures seems... quaint in comparison given the above.
And if if the likes of these inspiring leaders do decide to embrace this route, the thought of they and their extensive GOAT teams' hamfisted attempts to put this case in a way to engage support from the target audiences is too horrible to contemplate.
Next time the bros from the Westminster 'hood visit the Indian subcontinent, if they have solar DAB digital radios with 'em to give away... look out!
Treehugger - Contraception Five Times Less Expensive Than Low-Carbon Technology in Combatting Climate Change
It does all rather add up (or the reverse, really) to the human equivalent of my already noted 'not so much making oceans of artificial trees vs. not chopping down existing, real ones'.
Or, as 'The Sun Sez' - NEW - Carbon mating -Thatthey also have an entity called 'The Green House' was... novel. As this is an audience I believe needs addressing I have taken note, and added to the list, if rather dreading their take on the issues.
As I wrote that headline,... literally as well as figuratively.
Why do I suspect that many, currently active in the cc arena, will be studiously ignoring this option (which need not be Hitlerian or even Chinese in approach despite the rhetoric being stirred up) whilst generating a lot of heat and noise in more 'acceptable' areas?
And, ironically, for once find themselves supported from those at the other end of the spectrum. Strange bedfellows. Let's hope that the usual result of such a shared experience does not continue to haunt certain parts of the planet in 9 month cycles.
At least if Milibands D. & E. share a bath, there can only be a positive outcome. Though circling the globe in their Caravans of Carbon to extol such measures seems... quaint in comparison given the above.
And if if the likes of these inspiring leaders do decide to embrace this route, the thought of they and their extensive GOAT teams' hamfisted attempts to put this case in a way to engage support from the target audiences is too horrible to contemplate.
Next time the bros from the Westminster 'hood visit the Indian subcontinent, if they have solar DAB digital radios with 'em to give away... look out!
Treehugger - Contraception Five Times Less Expensive Than Low-Carbon Technology in Combatting Climate Change
It does all rather add up (or the reverse, really) to the human equivalent of my already noted 'not so much making oceans of artificial trees vs. not chopping down existing, real ones'.
Or, as 'The Sun Sez' - NEW - Carbon mating -Thatthey also have an entity called 'The Green House' was... novel. As this is an audience I believe needs addressing I have taken note, and added to the list, if rather dreading their take on the issues.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
More is still more
Still not settling well.
Just too many folk either not getting it of trying to make out of it.
With even more thinking fixes will be free and easy.
Hence I cannot resist sticking my oar in still.
BBC - Yukio Hatoyama's golden carrot
"The answer to climate change is nuclear power + electric cars."
At best not so much an answer as a very minor possible help in postponement.
I'd say fewer folk around wanting (or allowed... eek) to go elsewhere all the time might be closer to it, but with the politico-media Caravans of Carbon making their green elite - either deluded or venal - ways 1st class from one world venue to the next, if occasionally offset, only to pronounce but not practice, that doesn't seem likely.
We need much more fundamental appreciations of causes and effects... cures and consequences.
What we are getting at the moment from the greeleets is none of the above.
Just too many folk either not getting it of trying to make out of it.
With even more thinking fixes will be free and easy.
Hence I cannot resist sticking my oar in still.
BBC - Yukio Hatoyama's golden carrot
"The answer to climate change is nuclear power + electric cars."
At best not so much an answer as a very minor possible help in postponement.
I'd say fewer folk around wanting (or allowed... eek) to go elsewhere all the time might be closer to it, but with the politico-media Caravans of Carbon making their green elite - either deluded or venal - ways 1st class from one world venue to the next, if occasionally offset, only to pronounce but not practice, that doesn't seem likely.
We need much more fundamental appreciations of causes and effects... cures and consequences.
What we are getting at the moment from the greeleets is none of the above.
GOOD PACK, BAD PACK - Pot luck
I have at last had to act to stop that darn buzzer.
Can't complain.
It is one that I myself have instituted.
It is there to remind to me to a) add at least one pack (+data) and/or an idea EVERY DAY to Junkk.com in future, and then blog it too (which will end up being twittered and a few other social net things too, by means I have long since forgotten and really need to find out about again).
This is because I have realised that the world and their goat (the boys want one having seen a pet of same in a French bar) have blogs and whatnot that share notions, ideas, etc, but very few create original stuff for these fine folk to point at or comment upon.
Now, that doesn't mean I won't be pointing all sorts of nifty stuff as well, but I do intend to stop weighing in so much on things that really just get my blood pressure up and really don't help (though shifting from some ill-qualified, often less than straight talkers to some well-qualified (by dint of self-evidently DOING), sincere DOERS and, their often terrific ideas or leads to better things.
Sorry this first is more of an 'why not' idea in waiting than anything special. But just patting comanies on the pack with +ve PR can make a difference.
Just Babel'd the product title and got: 'Saver d' Formerly'. I'm guessing that might mean it is a range intended for reuse. If so... kudos Yoplait.
Are you on the Map?
I need a dose of positivity after being waay too incensed by the antics of our political classes.
It is a nice little visual aid started (I'm pretty sure) by the lovely Karen of The Rubbish Diet.
http://platial.com/
Pretty sure that's not her with the beard, and I have, as yet, in my capacity as an ITiot, NO CLUE how to get it myself/Junkk.com on there (it's a bit 'lean' on guidance for those over 50: who need a helping hand signing up for stuff), but I like the whole 'picture paints...' notion, and getting a handle on the location of fellow greenies might well lead to more beneficial hook ups in person over and above online.
It is a nice little visual aid started (I'm pretty sure) by the lovely Karen of The Rubbish Diet.
http://platial.com/
Pretty sure that's not her with the beard, and I have, as yet, in my capacity as an ITiot, NO CLUE how to get it myself/Junkk.com on there (it's a bit 'lean' on guidance for those over 50: who need a helping hand signing up for stuff), but I like the whole 'picture paints...' notion, and getting a handle on the location of fellow greenies might well lead to more beneficial hook ups in person over and above online.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
I do mean to get back to the real, doing world soon, but...
David Miliband sets out to shock on global warming tour
When I saw the picture, I thought he was going to come up on delegates and go 'Boo!'
But no.
David Miliband will address EU, French, Swedish and Danish foreign ministries, to date unaware of the spectre of a 4C warmer world, with alligators basking off the coast of Sweden, a vast desert surrounding the Mediterranean and a largely uninhabitable mainland Europe.
That should have them reeling in the isles.
Maybe they will, as they are foreign ministries and this is from the climate side of things, and not all have brothers who know such things.
If not... He then travels to New York.
Bless.
I am sure they will all give Miliband. D a Gold Star for his latest effort. What is itabout the man that everything comes across as an 11+ project?
Addendum 1:
Meanwhile, at another token effort near you, our pols show just how much they have grasped not just the issues, but the public mood:
Brown turns down heat and Mandelson gets on his bike to support 10:10
When the readership of the Guardian is pretty much unanimous in their distain, you have to wonder whether they could tie their shoelaces without falling over.
Read the pledges, and what folk think of them.
Addendum 2:
Just heard the Director General of the Government's climate change task force (a title like that's got to be £150kpa minimum) taken apart by Eammon Homes (not an interviewer of great surgical skill you'd have thought) over some pretty daft claims. And it certainly didn't help his case when he tried to mollify those he seems to have told 'must' cut 90% of their emissions to keep their air industry going, by then saying he and his brood were off several times a year and might knock a couple of their international flights out in future to chip in.
I can see how that might have gone down with both the staycation brigade and those who could only afford a wet weekender in Tenby.
And talk about shifty. You could almost see him trying to scoot off stage left to get to the warm embrace of a BBC studio asap.
Addendum 3:
Live Q&A: David Miliband on the Copenhagen summit
Yes, that is the picture I would have chosen, too. A leader to follow to the ends of the earth, indeed.
Addendum 4:
BBC Newsnight - A stark message from the Milibands on climate change - 'a double act with a certain air of the hastily convened about it' - This from the BBC. They really are throwing the A team at this.
How the heck are we going to inspire coherent action from the majority of the population, when those few 'leaders' we have who do seem to have some inkling that this might be worth addressing (one hopes with the right reasons in mind) are either numpties, crooked, rampant hypocrites or (worst in my book) plainly incapable of a) understanding science (they all seem to have got z's in Politics at Oxford and seem to take verbatim whatever lobbysist - pro or anti climate-cause - who walks in their door as gospel) or b) identifying with the hopes, fears, aspirations and willingness to help of the vast majority of real folk just a tad fed up with being patronised, fined or cheated by a totally out of touch elite.
Times - NEW - Climate change talks ‘in danger’, warns David Miliband - And I quote: Mr Miliband refused to say how much the British Government was willing to contribute to the $100 billion (£61 billion) that Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, said in June should be paid each year by developed countries to poorer nations to help them to cope with climate change.
When I saw the picture, I thought he was going to come up on delegates and go 'Boo!'
But no.
David Miliband will address EU, French, Swedish and Danish foreign ministries, to date unaware of the spectre of a 4C warmer world, with alligators basking off the coast of Sweden, a vast desert surrounding the Mediterranean and a largely uninhabitable mainland Europe.
That should have them reeling in the isles.
Maybe they will, as they are foreign ministries and this is from the climate side of things, and not all have brothers who know such things.
If not... He then travels to New York.
Bless.
I am sure they will all give Miliband. D a Gold Star for his latest effort. What is itabout the man that everything comes across as an 11+ project?
Addendum 1:
Meanwhile, at another token effort near you, our pols show just how much they have grasped not just the issues, but the public mood:
Brown turns down heat and Mandelson gets on his bike to support 10:10
When the readership of the Guardian is pretty much unanimous in their distain, you have to wonder whether they could tie their shoelaces without falling over.
Read the pledges, and what folk think of them.
Addendum 2:
Just heard the Director General of the Government's climate change task force (a title like that's got to be £150kpa minimum) taken apart by Eammon Homes (not an interviewer of great surgical skill you'd have thought) over some pretty daft claims. And it certainly didn't help his case when he tried to mollify those he seems to have told 'must' cut 90% of their emissions to keep their air industry going, by then saying he and his brood were off several times a year and might knock a couple of their international flights out in future to chip in.
I can see how that might have gone down with both the staycation brigade and those who could only afford a wet weekender in Tenby.
And talk about shifty. You could almost see him trying to scoot off stage left to get to the warm embrace of a BBC studio asap.
Addendum 3:
Live Q&A: David Miliband on the Copenhagen summit
Yes, that is the picture I would have chosen, too. A leader to follow to the ends of the earth, indeed.
Addendum 4:
BBC Newsnight - A stark message from the Milibands on climate change - 'a double act with a certain air of the hastily convened about it' - This from the BBC. They really are throwing the A team at this.
How the heck are we going to inspire coherent action from the majority of the population, when those few 'leaders' we have who do seem to have some inkling that this might be worth addressing (one hopes with the right reasons in mind) are either numpties, crooked, rampant hypocrites or (worst in my book) plainly incapable of a) understanding science (they all seem to have got z's in Politics at Oxford and seem to take verbatim whatever lobbysist - pro or anti climate-cause - who walks in their door as gospel) or b) identifying with the hopes, fears, aspirations and willingness to help of the vast majority of real folk just a tad fed up with being patronised, fined or cheated by a totally out of touch elite.
Times - NEW - Climate change talks ‘in danger’, warns David Miliband - And I quote: Mr Miliband refused to say how much the British Government was willing to contribute to the $100 billion (£61 billion) that Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, said in June should be paid each year by developed countries to poorer nations to help them to cope with climate change.
Washing machine blues
A while ago our dishwasher packed in.
And in getting it going again, I managed to spin out a blog post. I have of course now lost it, but as a consequence of chatting with an engineer at the sharp end, I learned a few things, one of which was cold water washes may save on the water heating, but may not be that great on enviROI due to pipes getting bunged up through hot water not scouring them .
Well, it has happened again, and I am faced with a a similar dilemma on the price, if not principle of insurance.
Tricky. Stuart, the engineer, says it is a good model with loads of life in it, so I am tempted to keep on. But it is really a bet with the actuaries. 3 more years and I could buy a brand new one on the annual fee. Not a Miele, of course, but still...
Anyhoo, a few tips to pass on. All as a result of that rather nasty collection in the picture.
First up, change is very bad. Do try and ensure you do not leave any in. Thanks to the boys we did end up with enough for a pint, but it could have been at major cost. If the coin does not slide to the trap and gets wedged... major.
The other tip is as a result of the main blockage culprit, namely cord ties.
It is well worth putting any garment with flappy bits in a net bag first. Saves the bits being ripped off and the resulting strands starting a healthy bung.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
IN THE NEWS - From zero to hero?
What a nice way to wake up on one's wedding anniversary*
Fellow green Blogger Mrs. Green and her MyZeroWaste site have run a feature on reuse, and kindly bigged up Junkk in the process: National zero waste week - reuse something.
Let the mutual complementing commence!
* Especially when the missus has forgotten. Out to the garden to pick some posies to pop on the breakfast-in-bed tray for soon (etched glass sake bottle makes a lovely vase - drink the sake first), and I am in major brownie points for a while:) And before any accusations of an excess of thrift, we have three annually (it's an East West thing), plus I'm guessing we're headed for Yaks & Yetis for Nepalese fare tonight. Doubtless with the kids in tow. Something about 17 years seems to temper the romance somewhat.
Fellow green Blogger Mrs. Green and her MyZeroWaste site have run a feature on reuse, and kindly bigged up Junkk in the process: National zero waste week - reuse something.
Let the mutual complementing commence!
* Especially when the missus has forgotten. Out to the garden to pick some posies to pop on the breakfast-in-bed tray for soon (etched glass sake bottle makes a lovely vase - drink the sake first), and I am in major brownie points for a while:) And before any accusations of an excess of thrift, we have three annually (it's an East West thing), plus I'm guessing we're headed for Yaks & Yetis for Nepalese fare tonight. Doubtless with the kids in tow. Something about 17 years seems to temper the romance somewhat.
Friday, September 04, 2009
CampCon 5
There will be a few posts as a consequence of our Eurocamping trip.
Let's start with a lighthearted one.
It was inspired by two weeks of near perfect (if often too hot) weather in France and Italy, which made for easy pitching and striking.
With the staycation caution of arriving back at Plymouth to grey drizzle which persisted all the way home, from whence I looked out over the field opposite with drenched, hooded figures trying to set up or leave a campsite.
In homage to the US nuke threat system, I hence propose the following:
CampCon 1 - arrive in the dry, set up in the dry, stay in the dry, strike and leave in the dry.
CampCon 2 - arrive in the dry, set up in the dry, stay in all sorts, strike and leave in the dry. (Though in a way, sleeping under canvas in rain is fun... IF it then dries before you leave).
CampCon 3 - arrive in all sorts, set up in the dry, stay in all sorts, strike and leave in the dry.
CampCon 4 - arrive in all sorts, set up in all sorts, stay in all sorts, strike and leave in the dry.
CampCon 5 - arrive in all sorts, set up in the wet, stay in all sorts, strike and leave in the wet.
There are other factors - such as wind, red ant nests and previous tenant-bestowed dog poos - that could run this to many more. But suffice to say that getting you gear up and back in the dry is about the closest to nirvana as one can hope.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Words and deeds
India's middle class must cut its hot air emissions
30-plus degree heat, 74 per cent humidity
Inside, their air-conditioners run 24/7
India's middle class must cut its hot air emissions
Just juggled those 3 sentences around a bit, whilst reflecting on how lucky we are here to have the ability to use almost no energy on adjusting our surrounding room temperatures for more than half the year.
And then considering how, if means and money are available, being told one must not use them will go down.
So the notion of our Ministers flying hither and thither in the attempt seems, at best, quaint.
In writing the above and posting it on the blog, I was of course pondering my own experiences in Singapore (32 degrees, 99% humidity, 24/7), and the odds of me not using a/c whenever possible (actually, we did only use fans in our home). And on our recent camping trip round Southern Europe (40 degrees, if low humidity) I was the first to concede that, without it, we'd have died in the car (plus reducing the mpg by having the windows open, he hopes, guilt-stricken).
But I have been moved to coin another descriptive phrase; that of the the Monotonous Meddlers. These guys seem not only to have an addiction to sticking their oars in everywhere and all the time, but also do it with little appreciation for actual realities, consequences or, most tellingingly, the rampant hypocrisies of their often selective and too often arrogantly stated positions.
And if they are p*ssing me off, when I agree with the basic premise they are promoting if not the manner, then lord knows how their pronouncements go down with their targets and/or those not quite so enamoured with the rightness of their causes as they are.
30-plus degree heat, 74 per cent humidity
Inside, their air-conditioners run 24/7
India's middle class must cut its hot air emissions
Just juggled those 3 sentences around a bit, whilst reflecting on how lucky we are here to have the ability to use almost no energy on adjusting our surrounding room temperatures for more than half the year.
And then considering how, if means and money are available, being told one must not use them will go down.
So the notion of our Ministers flying hither and thither in the attempt seems, at best, quaint.
In writing the above and posting it on the blog, I was of course pondering my own experiences in Singapore (32 degrees, 99% humidity, 24/7), and the odds of me not using a/c whenever possible (actually, we did only use fans in our home). And on our recent camping trip round Southern Europe (40 degrees, if low humidity) I was the first to concede that, without it, we'd have died in the car (plus reducing the mpg by having the windows open, he hopes, guilt-stricken).
But I have been moved to coin another descriptive phrase; that of the the Monotonous Meddlers. These guys seem not only to have an addiction to sticking their oars in everywhere and all the time, but also do it with little appreciation for actual realities, consequences or, most tellingingly, the rampant hypocrisies of their often selective and too often arrogantly stated positions.
And if they are p*ssing me off, when I agree with the basic premise they are promoting if not the manner, then lord knows how their pronouncements go down with their targets and/or those not quite so enamoured with the rightness of their causes as they are.
Wanted: One Napoleonic general.
Is successful innovation just dumb luck?
I am not sure who to credit this with, but I'll accord it to my old business partner who used it in my hearing first: 'Too many are content to be the first to be second. It's safer. The real excitement, and potential rewards, come from those who are determined only to be the first'.
Throw enough money, or people, at something, and it just might stick.
The real skill, and fun... and profit... is to come up with a great idea on a shoestring, and then get it to market on not much more.
I'm still working on the latter.
So I guess I'll accept whatever might help next. Even luck:)
But I'd also settle for a few less gatekeepers whose main function is to secure their positions by taking no risks, but also ensuring no one else around them might succeed where they dare not tread.
'No one got fired...' phoey. Think of what may have been if that attitude was stuck in a big blue hole.
I am not sure who to credit this with, but I'll accord it to my old business partner who used it in my hearing first: 'Too many are content to be the first to be second. It's safer. The real excitement, and potential rewards, come from those who are determined only to be the first'.
Throw enough money, or people, at something, and it just might stick.
The real skill, and fun... and profit... is to come up with a great idea on a shoestring, and then get it to market on not much more.
I'm still working on the latter.
So I guess I'll accept whatever might help next. Even luck:)
But I'd also settle for a few less gatekeepers whose main function is to secure their positions by taking no risks, but also ensuring no one else around them might succeed where they dare not tread.
'No one got fired...' phoey. Think of what may have been if that attitude was stuck in a big blue hole.
Well, it's nice to know we were, are and will be in good hands
Prescott: cutting emissions by 80% will not be enough
Sadly, it would seem that some do not feel this messenger to be the best for such a message.
For my part, I seem to recall a person who engineered a trip, with full entourage, mainly to get a suntan, when in a position of real power and responsibility.
Which rather shapes my views on him, his government, and the media who still accord them any shred of credibility.
Sadly, it would seem that some do not feel this messenger to be the best for such a message.
For my part, I seem to recall a person who engineered a trip, with full entourage, mainly to get a suntan, when in a position of real power and responsibility.
Which rather shapes my views on him, his government, and the media who still accord them any shred of credibility.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Going to the polls
You know how much I love 'em:)
Britain admits it is not green enough, reveals poll
Oddly, I do not recall being asked.
Especially such gems as this: 20%, even claim they would not mind a nuclear plant being built in sight of their house.
A rather clear sign this was conducted amongst those who have a fairly good notion that such a thing would never happen in their neck 'o the woods.
Beyond the presumption, there is more than a danger of some out there over-parodying themselves.
Britain is not green enough. But those who see themselves as the ones to do it with soem truly bonkers ideas are coming across as total numpties. And now, of all times, we need messengers who can convey the messages beyond the comfort zone of a very small readership.
Britain admits it is not green enough, reveals poll
Oddly, I do not recall being asked.
Especially such gems as this: 20%, even claim they would not mind a nuclear plant being built in sight of their house.
A rather clear sign this was conducted amongst those who have a fairly good notion that such a thing would never happen in their neck 'o the woods.
Beyond the presumption, there is more than a danger of some out there over-parodying themselves.
Britain is not green enough. But those who see themselves as the ones to do it with soem truly bonkers ideas are coming across as total numpties. And now, of all times, we need messengers who can convey the messages beyond the comfort zone of a very small readership.
CATEGORY - ALT ENERGY/GEO-ENGINEERING
A comment to a posting has inspired me to create this new category.
I will give pride of place to Dave of Solarventi, who had this to say:
Re: The BBC bit on the apparent failure of the iron filings experiment in the southern ocean (Under Geo-Engineering).
So the iron filings successfully caused a phytoplankton bloom. But, the phytoplankton were rapidly eaten up by voracious copepods, which were themselves then eaten by larger amphipods.
Now, please will someone correct me if I'm wrong here. I know that the CO2 sequestered by the phytoplankton was supposed to go to the bottom of the ocean as they died, but as all the CO2 that they took on board has been reused (digested!) higher up the food chain, and will either be sequestered to the ocean floor sediments as dead exoskeletons (the amphipods and copepods) or as their faeces, surely this is going to tie up the carbon in the ocean sediments just as well?
Hasn't the carbon sequestered by the phytoplankton actually gone into the food chain to be locked up elsewhere? Or am I missing something blindingly obvious here?
...about this:
ARTICLES
BBC - Setback for climate technical fix - I think Dave has a point! I still caution on these macro-manipulations, but a bunch of dead stuff heading ocean floorwards, taking carbon with it, seems a lot better than many ideas I've seen and heard.
Guardian - Obama climate adviser open to geo-engineering to tackle global warming
Guardian - The climate engineers - Can't say finding out is such a bad thing. But the comments so far are less than stellar. Hence I bailed.
BBC - Climate fixes 'pose drought risk' - Erk. Die of climate change, or lack of water? Mess with Mother with caution...
BBC - NEW - Plan B for Planet Earth - With a very scary graph. I had to look up Afforestation just to be sure. Or... don't cut down in swathes those that currently exist and do a pretty good job. Just a thought.
I will give pride of place to Dave of Solarventi, who had this to say:
Re: The BBC bit on the apparent failure of the iron filings experiment in the southern ocean (Under Geo-Engineering).
So the iron filings successfully caused a phytoplankton bloom. But, the phytoplankton were rapidly eaten up by voracious copepods, which were themselves then eaten by larger amphipods.
Now, please will someone correct me if I'm wrong here. I know that the CO2 sequestered by the phytoplankton was supposed to go to the bottom of the ocean as they died, but as all the CO2 that they took on board has been reused (digested!) higher up the food chain, and will either be sequestered to the ocean floor sediments as dead exoskeletons (the amphipods and copepods) or as their faeces, surely this is going to tie up the carbon in the ocean sediments just as well?
Hasn't the carbon sequestered by the phytoplankton actually gone into the food chain to be locked up elsewhere? Or am I missing something blindingly obvious here?
...about this:
ARTICLES
BBC - Setback for climate technical fix - I think Dave has a point! I still caution on these macro-manipulations, but a bunch of dead stuff heading ocean floorwards, taking carbon with it, seems a lot better than many ideas I've seen and heard.
Guardian - Obama climate adviser open to geo-engineering to tackle global warming
Guardian - The climate engineers - Can't say finding out is such a bad thing. But the comments so far are less than stellar. Hence I bailed.
BBC - Climate fixes 'pose drought risk' - Erk. Die of climate change, or lack of water? Mess with Mother with caution...
BBC - NEW - Plan B for Planet Earth - With a very scary graph. I had to look up Afforestation just to be sure. Or... don't cut down in swathes those that currently exist and do a pretty good job. Just a thought.
CATEGORY - WATER
I think until now I'd stuck this under Utilities. It's bigger than washing your car of a Sunday. So here's a dedicated category.
To kick off:
ARTICLES
Nature - Water special
Indy - Forget carbon: you should be checking your water footprint
Indy - The big turn off: Could you drink, bathe and clean using just 20 litres a day? - usual stuff, but with some interesting stats
Guardian - What's in your tap water? - When it comes to a fairly fundamental aspect of what keeps me & mine ticking, I don't really feel a healthy interest (or, if you prefer, 'worrying') constitutes an unreasonable notion, and certainly a worthy, if not more necessary action , rather than diversion versus the latest chatterati cause-mongering. But it is true that I do find myself 'worrying' a lot, and more often than not it is down to the media. So rack up another rating point. Now, where the heck do I find out what is in my Ross-on-Wye Springs via the blue tap? That's the trouble with just turning something on and leaving it open. There can be a lot wasted as a consequence.
Gaurdian - Forecast: dry, becoming drier -
Nature - Hydrology: India running on empty - Groundwater in northwestern India is being depleted at an unsustainable rate, which could lead to severe water shortages and reduced agricultural productivity. The reduction in groundwater cannot be attributed to natural climate variability, but is probably caused by excessive consumption from irrigation and other human uses. Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India -
I have accepted that 'we' are not helping nature (as in Mother, and trying to do what I can to help/mitigate), and nature is certainly not helping the climate. However, I think this highlights why we need to look across all aspects 'man's' endeavours before hanging all our hopes on 'solving' climate change with certain high-profile, low enviROI quick fixes. Especially to the exclusion (though climate does play a major role) of other pretty hefty aspects, water being high on the list.
BBC - India's unsustainable lesson -
WATER METERING
I think this deserves it's own slot, too. I do have a few references already, coinciding with our meter installation, but this will serve for other archiving.
Telegraph - NEW - Hang on Boris: who would be penalised by compulsory water meters? - Not the best of starts, mind.
INFORMATION
waterfootprint.org
DirectGov - Saving water in the garden
SUPPLIERS
freewateruk.co.uk -
To kick off:
ARTICLES
Nature - Water special
Indy - Forget carbon: you should be checking your water footprint
Indy - The big turn off: Could you drink, bathe and clean using just 20 litres a day? - usual stuff, but with some interesting stats
Guardian - What's in your tap water? - When it comes to a fairly fundamental aspect of what keeps me & mine ticking, I don't really feel a healthy interest (or, if you prefer, 'worrying') constitutes an unreasonable notion, and certainly a worthy, if not more necessary action , rather than diversion versus the latest chatterati cause-mongering. But it is true that I do find myself 'worrying' a lot, and more often than not it is down to the media. So rack up another rating point. Now, where the heck do I find out what is in my Ross-on-Wye Springs via the blue tap? That's the trouble with just turning something on and leaving it open. There can be a lot wasted as a consequence.
Gaurdian - Forecast: dry, becoming drier -
Nature - Hydrology: India running on empty - Groundwater in northwestern India is being depleted at an unsustainable rate, which could lead to severe water shortages and reduced agricultural productivity. The reduction in groundwater cannot be attributed to natural climate variability, but is probably caused by excessive consumption from irrigation and other human uses. Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India -
I have accepted that 'we' are not helping nature (as in Mother, and trying to do what I can to help/mitigate), and nature is certainly not helping the climate. However, I think this highlights why we need to look across all aspects 'man's' endeavours before hanging all our hopes on 'solving' climate change with certain high-profile, low enviROI quick fixes. Especially to the exclusion (though climate does play a major role) of other pretty hefty aspects, water being high on the list.
BBC - India's unsustainable lesson -
WATER METERING
I think this deserves it's own slot, too. I do have a few references already, coinciding with our meter installation, but this will serve for other archiving.
Telegraph - NEW - Hang on Boris: who would be penalised by compulsory water meters? - Not the best of starts, mind.
INFORMATION
waterfootprint.org
DirectGov - Saving water in the garden
SUPPLIERS
freewateruk.co.uk -
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