More of a Friday musing.
The competition has been extended a few times, and well worth it as a few new entries have been added.
Thanks to some site/RE:tie distractions I hope more will yet come as I promote a bit more and get the tardy next newsletter out.
But I have noticed that the world and his/her dog is on holiday. As we will be soon.
So I am pondering yet another extension, this time to take in September, and the return to school and work. Plus the splash page is disconnected as we try and solve the clash error.
Can't see why not, and at least I am letting folk know of progress. A few bigger, better funded, and higher profile efforts I have gone in for/shared here have simply evaporated... or done the same.
Friday, August 07, 2009
RE:PAIR - Chips with everything
In the spirit of twitter's followfriday positivity, I am happy to share this.
Especially as it is in the realms of re:pair over replace.
That picture is my car windscreen.
It was worse.
But thanks to Autoglass, some sensible preventative support by my (I think all) car insurers, a FREE call out (£60 excess on a £400 newbie) it lives to tackle the elements another day.
Recommended.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
CATEGORY - ALT ENERGY
For now, just links as I happen across, or get told about them:
NOTE - New info/links as stumbled across subsequently indicated by NEW
GENERAL
Indy - Letters - Real facts about the Severn Barrage - Actually a pithy breakdown, though subject to confirmation factually
Indy - Greener power to the people: the real energy alternative?
What still astounds, and depresses me is that even now, with all that we face and all that is in place and/or being proposed, from government to major media I still have no clear idea what the facts are to make objective choices.
From nuclear to wind to micro, I really have no idea what will work, what won't and, crucially, what the actual numbers are, from ROI to enviROI.
Sadly it all still seems shaped by agenda, lobby-pressure, targets and, often, the green-tinted view that if it is' eco' it must be good no matter what.
Guardian - - How power from the people could cut CO2 emissions - with government help
Guardian - Hutton tells power grid to clear barriers to wind
Guardian - A renewed effort on green energy
Times - Why going green will still cost the earth - My favourite headline! Not, however, reading the rest.
Times - Homes that produce their own energy
Without the Hot Air - Summary of an academic study linked in a blog I frequent. Pro or con, as always, read, and treat with one eyebrow cocked.
Times - How China’s thirst for oil can save the planet - some more alt eng at the end
Telegraph - Latest microgeneration technology for houses - some excellent links to the various options mentioned below
Times - Expert fears over green energy targets
A worthy share from a forum I frequent:
10 Steps in 10 Years to 100 Percent Renewable Power
original article here
BBC - Britain 'faces power cuts threat' - As stated, it is reporting a report from an interst group. Does anyone do 'objective' any more?
Guardian - Shell dumps wind, solar and hydro power in favour of biofuels - Rather significant, IMHO
Indy - Green energy targets will not be met without government aid - That's what money from whom, again? Nothing to do with some players more keen on dosh than targets (neither looking like serving my kids' futures in terms I fancy, mind) pulling out as the business models don't add up, I hope.
INFORMATION
coopfire.coop -
green.energyhelpline.com -
greenenergy360.org
grunweb.org.uk -
localpower.org - NEW
Microgeneration Certification Scheme -
nhbcfoundation.org -
nef.org.uk -
renewable energy foundation -
Algae
algalbiomass.org -
algaeatwork.com -
algaefuelmaking.com -
nationalalgaeassociation.com -
Newsnight - All of a sudden... algae is everywhere
Gaurdian - UK announces world's largest algal biofuel project
Newsnight - I share a moment
What is it about entities that end in 'Trust' that seem to inspire anything but in those who are exposed to their vision?Sadly, we share a similar view of quangos, and especially those appointed by, funded via and hence beholden to those who created them.Vast empires of persons, pay, perks and pensions, whose first aim is to secure budgets and then blow them on comms exercises mainly aimed at self-justification and/or securing more funding than actually applying much to any..DOING, as such. I anticipate a major round of announcements in this regard soon, as part of looking like something might happen to make my kids' future better, but not really getting round to anything tangible. Doubtless ably shared in PR support by a quick trip to a snowy place in a helicopter by all the usual suspects and their crews from you know who to tell 'us' what awaits if 'we' don't sort ourselves out. Trust me.
Yours in hoping we share the right rocket when the world really catches cold... (see Hitchhikers Guide)
Indy - Oil giant Exxon sees the future – and it is green algae - Doesn't make it right of course, but in matters green, when you are trying to track the future, it is often worth following the money. And it is interesting where multi-billion oil companies are going into, and avoiding/getting out of. Oddly, there is often a slight disconnect with political directions. I wonder why?
Biochar
Guardian - Woodchips with everything. It's the Atkins plan of the low-carbon world - I have seen this referred to a lot. Time to get up to speed. So view this as but one view I quote. The comments will help.
Gaurdian - James Lovelock on Biochar: let the Earth remove CO2 for us - As night follows day...
Biofuel
FT.com - via blog - hey, it's good news, at least in one area... I hope!
Indy - Can biofuel help prevent global warming, or will it only make matters worse?
Bear in mind it's 'a' discussion from 'a' paper. In fact I'm thinking this deserves it's own category as it really isn't alt. energy and is definitely a hot topic.
Guardian - Burning biofuels may be worse than coal and oil, say experts - Glad I didn't (well, couldn't afford) the SAAB Biodiesel! I'd be keyed everywhere. Goes well with the one below, though:)
Guardian - UK biofuels really do help the planet - Letter from the NFU. That's of the UK. hence I am unsure if the headline is accurate.
Indy - Shell starts algae biodiesel research site in Hawaii
Times - Shell joins search for green fuel with plan to make diesel from algae
Oooooooo....kay.
It 'may' be green....er.
But what still comes out the pipe when it's combusted?
ASA - SAAB - Interesting insight into the issues. Note the number of complainants. I will be interested if the latest Prius TVC gets though unscathed. Some fairly hefty claims in there, including one that seems to say it actively scrubs CO2 from the air. Bearing in mind 5-25% of a cars' carbon impact is at manufacture, which seems to be ignored in this ad, I look forward to the supporting evidence.
Telegraph - Airline industry could be flying on biofuels in five years - Another when one kinda needs to divorce the local smartness of the technology from the bigger picture of its' consequences. In amongst an already 'could'-heavy piece, I stumble here: '..depending on the availability of sufficient crops to produce it.' Might one add '..at the expense of food supplies?'. Not sure "The feedstocks are very expensive but as we build the market, more people will grow energy crops." really addresses that dilemma.
Guardian - US car manufacturers plough a lonely furrow on biofuels - Haven't seen much on this topic lately. Perhaps this suggests why?
Biogas
Junkk - Heard of making a pig's ear of things?
Ecologist - NEW - Biogas: is your council about to waste your waste? - Why, in the name of all that is backstreet brown enveloped, are our councils cutting daft deals that are tied down for 25 years!!!?
Biomass
Times - Wind puts sun in the shade for investors - Actually it's about a few things, but I simply noted this at the end: '..the company should benefit from a move by certain utilities towards the burning of biomass, such as wood, as they strive to reduce carbon emissions.
UK company Drax, for example, recently announced plans to build a facility in a power plant in the north of England, reportedly capable of handling around 1.5m tons of biomass per year. Webber said it was likely that it would import wood from North America for fuel.'
CHP - Combined Heat & Power (involves combos of various others, especially the two above)
EPA - Catalog of CHP Technologies - US-based, but v. useful! Why do I get the feeling that, for all the froth and bother from the EU, an awful lot of US-based stuff is just getting on with it... and getting streets ahead.
Energy from Waste
Telegraph - Why are we not using waste as fuel to generate heat and power? -
Telegraph - Waste produces waste - I should have known (well, remembered) this, but was stuck by this in the author's letter: '...burning does not decrease the mass of waste; it actually increases it. The illusion of disposal is maintained because a large proportion is “aerosolled” into the air as highly reactive and toxic gases and dust. The remaining ash goes to landfill'
This reply in rebuttal to his letter/claim is also worth noting. Complex, eh?
Feed in Tariff
Newsnight - Actually in the post threads. I join to ponder whether being FiT for purpose might lead to a good enviROI.
Fusion
Telegraph - Nuclear fusion energy project could lead to limitless clean electricity
GeoEngineering
Guardian - Geo-engineers, too, have a vital role in saving the planet
The Register - 'Sunshade' global-cooling plan would ruin solar power
BBC - Setback for climate technical fix - See comment from Dave
GRID - NEW Sub-category - without the means of distribution being sorted, all else is academic
Indy - NEW - The undersea secret that's bringing more power to the people - the claim is that it is boring. I find it anything but.
Heat Pumps
Indy - The latest craze in hi-tech heating sounds great – but the figures simply don't add up - Another possible enviROI poor option? Or......
ADDENDUM - Note feedback in comments section!
Hydro
Times - Britain's rivers called on to provide renewable energy
Laser Fusion
Indy - Lasers point way to clean energy
Liquified Natural Gas
ASA - Insights via, of all things, a ruling on an Exxon ad. Guardian
Microgeneration
Marketing Week - BG to launch range of home energy generation products - It is to be hoped that the ROI and enviROIs of these will be properly spelled out and understood before rushing in.
Indy - Donnachadh McCarthy: The Home Ecologist - An odd situation, at best
BERR - Quality mark gives consumers confidence in going green - If they say so. Actually, I have been asking for such a thing for ages. Hope this will prove valuable.
Ocean Thermal
New Scientist - Plumbing the oceans could bring limitless clean energy - Interesting, with that 'could', but I still caution that there is no such thing as a free lunch
Tidal
gizmag - World's first commercial scale tidal energy generator nears completion -
Wave Energy Today - if you need to know about the subject 'in depth' (sorry)
Junkk.com - Issues raised surrounding the Severn Barrage
Junkk
Various
BBC - Cash cuts see green grants halved - an action says a lot more than most green spin.
Smart Planet - Top five UK renewable electricity technologies - via a tip kindly provided by Ian of Wave Energy News
Telegraph - UK lags behind on eco energy
Times - Going green: how much does it cost and is it worthwhile? - Not very extensive, but a little more to the gristmill
Wave
Junkk
Wind
BBC - Wind turbines
BBC - Wind turbine expansion plans due - has a sidebar video on arguments pro-con
Times - Giant offshore wind farms to supply half of UK power - 'to infinity... and beyond!'
BERR - Link to windspeed calculations, and other info
Times - Country out-performs towns in household wind turbine trials - Courtesy of Dave from Solarventi. Actually I am sure I had something on this recently. Now, where the heck would it be posted? Wind category, probably.
Junkk - Bogey Men
BBC - RSPB calls for more UK wind farms - Well, at least shredded seagulls are off the menu. I always thought this was a silly objection.
Daily Mail - Brussels demands thousands more wind turbines across the UK - targets vs. enviROI. Can't quite get my head around the EU setting rules for countries with different systems and climate.
ASA - You want to see how complex this can be? Check out this!
NOTE - New info/links as stumbled across subsequently indicated by NEW
GENERAL
Indy - Letters - Real facts about the Severn Barrage - Actually a pithy breakdown, though subject to confirmation factually
Indy - Greener power to the people: the real energy alternative?
What still astounds, and depresses me is that even now, with all that we face and all that is in place and/or being proposed, from government to major media I still have no clear idea what the facts are to make objective choices.
From nuclear to wind to micro, I really have no idea what will work, what won't and, crucially, what the actual numbers are, from ROI to enviROI.
Sadly it all still seems shaped by agenda, lobby-pressure, targets and, often, the green-tinted view that if it is' eco' it must be good no matter what.
Guardian - - How power from the people could cut CO2 emissions - with government help
Guardian - Hutton tells power grid to clear barriers to wind
Guardian - A renewed effort on green energy
Times - Why going green will still cost the earth - My favourite headline! Not, however, reading the rest.
Times - Homes that produce their own energy
Without the Hot Air - Summary of an academic study linked in a blog I frequent. Pro or con, as always, read, and treat with one eyebrow cocked.
Times - How China’s thirst for oil can save the planet - some more alt eng at the end
Telegraph - Latest microgeneration technology for houses - some excellent links to the various options mentioned below
Times - Expert fears over green energy targets
A worthy share from a forum I frequent:
10 Steps in 10 Years to 100 Percent Renewable Power
original article here
BBC - Britain 'faces power cuts threat' - As stated, it is reporting a report from an interst group. Does anyone do 'objective' any more?
Guardian - Shell dumps wind, solar and hydro power in favour of biofuels - Rather significant, IMHO
Indy - Green energy targets will not be met without government aid - That's what money from whom, again? Nothing to do with some players more keen on dosh than targets (neither looking like serving my kids' futures in terms I fancy, mind) pulling out as the business models don't add up, I hope.
INFORMATION
coopfire.coop -
green.energyhelpline.com -
greenenergy360.org
grunweb.org.uk -
localpower.org - NEW
Microgeneration Certification Scheme -
nhbcfoundation.org -
nef.org.uk -
renewable energy foundation -
Algae
algalbiomass.org -
algaeatwork.com -
algaefuelmaking.com -
nationalalgaeassociation.com -
Newsnight - All of a sudden... algae is everywhere
Gaurdian - UK announces world's largest algal biofuel project
Newsnight - I share a moment
What is it about entities that end in 'Trust' that seem to inspire anything but in those who are exposed to their vision?Sadly, we share a similar view of quangos, and especially those appointed by, funded via and hence beholden to those who created them.Vast empires of persons, pay, perks and pensions, whose first aim is to secure budgets and then blow them on comms exercises mainly aimed at self-justification and/or securing more funding than actually applying much to any..DOING, as such. I anticipate a major round of announcements in this regard soon, as part of looking like something might happen to make my kids' future better, but not really getting round to anything tangible. Doubtless ably shared in PR support by a quick trip to a snowy place in a helicopter by all the usual suspects and their crews from you know who to tell 'us' what awaits if 'we' don't sort ourselves out. Trust me.
Yours in hoping we share the right rocket when the world really catches cold... (see Hitchhikers Guide)
Indy - Oil giant Exxon sees the future – and it is green algae - Doesn't make it right of course, but in matters green, when you are trying to track the future, it is often worth following the money. And it is interesting where multi-billion oil companies are going into, and avoiding/getting out of. Oddly, there is often a slight disconnect with political directions. I wonder why?
Biochar
Guardian - Woodchips with everything. It's the Atkins plan of the low-carbon world - I have seen this referred to a lot. Time to get up to speed. So view this as but one view I quote. The comments will help.
Gaurdian - James Lovelock on Biochar: let the Earth remove CO2 for us - As night follows day...
Biofuel
FT.com - via blog - hey, it's good news, at least in one area... I hope!
Indy - Can biofuel help prevent global warming, or will it only make matters worse?
Bear in mind it's 'a' discussion from 'a' paper. In fact I'm thinking this deserves it's own category as it really isn't alt. energy and is definitely a hot topic.
Guardian - Burning biofuels may be worse than coal and oil, say experts - Glad I didn't (well, couldn't afford) the SAAB Biodiesel! I'd be keyed everywhere. Goes well with the one below, though:)
Guardian - UK biofuels really do help the planet - Letter from the NFU. That's of the UK. hence I am unsure if the headline is accurate.
Indy - Shell starts algae biodiesel research site in Hawaii
Times - Shell joins search for green fuel with plan to make diesel from algae
Oooooooo....kay.
It 'may' be green....er.
But what still comes out the pipe when it's combusted?
ASA - SAAB - Interesting insight into the issues. Note the number of complainants. I will be interested if the latest Prius TVC gets though unscathed. Some fairly hefty claims in there, including one that seems to say it actively scrubs CO2 from the air. Bearing in mind 5-25% of a cars' carbon impact is at manufacture, which seems to be ignored in this ad, I look forward to the supporting evidence.
Telegraph - Airline industry could be flying on biofuels in five years - Another when one kinda needs to divorce the local smartness of the technology from the bigger picture of its' consequences. In amongst an already 'could'-heavy piece, I stumble here: '..depending on the availability of sufficient crops to produce it.' Might one add '..at the expense of food supplies?'. Not sure "The feedstocks are very expensive but as we build the market, more people will grow energy crops." really addresses that dilemma.
Guardian - US car manufacturers plough a lonely furrow on biofuels - Haven't seen much on this topic lately. Perhaps this suggests why?
Biogas
Junkk - Heard of making a pig's ear of things?
Ecologist - NEW - Biogas: is your council about to waste your waste? - Why, in the name of all that is backstreet brown enveloped, are our councils cutting daft deals that are tied down for 25 years!!!?
Biomass
Times - Wind puts sun in the shade for investors - Actually it's about a few things, but I simply noted this at the end: '..the company should benefit from a move by certain utilities towards the burning of biomass, such as wood, as they strive to reduce carbon emissions.
UK company Drax, for example, recently announced plans to build a facility in a power plant in the north of England, reportedly capable of handling around 1.5m tons of biomass per year. Webber said it was likely that it would import wood from North America for fuel.'
CHP - Combined Heat & Power (involves combos of various others, especially the two above)
EPA - Catalog of CHP Technologies - US-based, but v. useful! Why do I get the feeling that, for all the froth and bother from the EU, an awful lot of US-based stuff is just getting on with it... and getting streets ahead.
Energy from Waste
Telegraph - Why are we not using waste as fuel to generate heat and power? -
Telegraph - Waste produces waste - I should have known (well, remembered) this, but was stuck by this in the author's letter: '...burning does not decrease the mass of waste; it actually increases it. The illusion of disposal is maintained because a large proportion is “aerosolled” into the air as highly reactive and toxic gases and dust. The remaining ash goes to landfill'
This reply in rebuttal to his letter/claim is also worth noting. Complex, eh?
Feed in Tariff
Newsnight - Actually in the post threads. I join to ponder whether being FiT for purpose might lead to a good enviROI.
Fusion
Telegraph - Nuclear fusion energy project could lead to limitless clean electricity
GeoEngineering
Guardian - Geo-engineers, too, have a vital role in saving the planet
The Register - 'Sunshade' global-cooling plan would ruin solar power
BBC - Setback for climate technical fix - See comment from Dave
GRID - NEW Sub-category - without the means of distribution being sorted, all else is academic
Indy - NEW - The undersea secret that's bringing more power to the people - the claim is that it is boring. I find it anything but.
Heat Pumps
Indy - The latest craze in hi-tech heating sounds great – but the figures simply don't add up - Another possible enviROI poor option? Or......
ADDENDUM - Note feedback in comments section!
Hydro
Times - Britain's rivers called on to provide renewable energy
Laser Fusion
Indy - Lasers point way to clean energy
Liquified Natural Gas
ASA - Insights via, of all things, a ruling on an Exxon ad. Guardian
Microgeneration
Marketing Week - BG to launch range of home energy generation products - It is to be hoped that the ROI and enviROIs of these will be properly spelled out and understood before rushing in.
Indy - Donnachadh McCarthy: The Home Ecologist - An odd situation, at best
BERR - Quality mark gives consumers confidence in going green - If they say so. Actually, I have been asking for such a thing for ages. Hope this will prove valuable.
Ocean Thermal
New Scientist - Plumbing the oceans could bring limitless clean energy - Interesting, with that 'could', but I still caution that there is no such thing as a free lunch
Tidal
gizmag - World's first commercial scale tidal energy generator nears completion -
Wave Energy Today - if you need to know about the subject 'in depth' (sorry)
Junkk.com - Issues raised surrounding the Severn Barrage
Junkk
Various
BBC - Cash cuts see green grants halved - an action says a lot more than most green spin.
Smart Planet - Top five UK renewable electricity technologies - via a tip kindly provided by Ian of Wave Energy News
Telegraph - UK lags behind on eco energy
Times - Going green: how much does it cost and is it worthwhile? - Not very extensive, but a little more to the gristmill
Wave
Junkk
Wind
BBC - Wind turbines
BBC - Wind turbine expansion plans due - has a sidebar video on arguments pro-con
Times - Giant offshore wind farms to supply half of UK power - 'to infinity... and beyond!'
BERR - Link to windspeed calculations, and other info
Times - Country out-performs towns in household wind turbine trials - Courtesy of Dave from Solarventi. Actually I am sure I had something on this recently. Now, where the heck would it be posted? Wind category, probably.
Junkk - Bogey Men
BBC - RSPB calls for more UK wind farms - Well, at least shredded seagulls are off the menu. I always thought this was a silly objection.
Daily Mail - Brussels demands thousands more wind turbines across the UK - targets vs. enviROI. Can't quite get my head around the EU setting rules for countries with different systems and climate.
ASA - You want to see how complex this can be? Check out this!
POOH CORNER - Golden shower
Just, don't tell Seinfeld.
It’s official. Peeing in the shower is a good thing.
Of course, come a certain age try stopping.
I think I may need to add a Prof's Poser here... can we add yellow waters to our grey waters? I think they end up in the same waste water system.
It’s official. Peeing in the shower is a good thing.
Of course, come a certain age try stopping.
I think I may need to add a Prof's Poser here... can we add yellow waters to our grey waters? I think they end up in the same waste water system.
BAN - Rise of the quangos
A wee while ago my door knocked and a young lady stood there with a leaflet.
'Did I know about the energy savings grants?,' she asked. I had to say I knew of some, but not this one.
And hence I was seduced into a process, culminating in a visit from a surveyor, which resulted in... zippy. Because the house was old, and complex...and.. and, I did not qualify.
Despite this, I was still fairly onside, as it seemed a commitment of funds in areas I can endorse, namely proactive doing.
But now, thanks to a twitter link, I am looking at this (read the comments for a reality check the Brain-strains behind this one will never have):
Ban sales of poorly insulated homes, says Energy Saving Trust
And hence I am thinking not so much of a bonfire of the quangos, as promised, but a Hydra of them. Limitless numbers of offices, people, boards, pay, pensions, perks, comms budgets consuming bazillions all just stopping things. What a lovely metaphor for the age.
And hence I propose the next, and ultimate of them all: BAN - Ban All Now!
'Did I know about the energy savings grants?,' she asked. I had to say I knew of some, but not this one.
And hence I was seduced into a process, culminating in a visit from a surveyor, which resulted in... zippy. Because the house was old, and complex...and.. and, I did not qualify.
Despite this, I was still fairly onside, as it seemed a commitment of funds in areas I can endorse, namely proactive doing.
But now, thanks to a twitter link, I am looking at this (read the comments for a reality check the Brain-strains behind this one will never have):
Ban sales of poorly insulated homes, says Energy Saving Trust
And hence I am thinking not so much of a bonfire of the quangos, as promised, but a Hydra of them. Limitless numbers of offices, people, boards, pay, pensions, perks, comms budgets consuming bazillions all just stopping things. What a lovely metaphor for the age.
And hence I propose the next, and ultimate of them all: BAN - Ban All Now!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
CATEGORY - RESEARCH
There comes a time when you knowing it is great is not enough.
And your Mum agreeing ain't always the best way forward either.
ARTICLES
via RE:tie -
And your Mum agreeing ain't always the best way forward either.
ARTICLES
via RE:tie -
CHARITY
Charity is good. Charities are... mostly. But some are more than others.
Stay informed.
charitynavigator.org
fakecharities.org -
intelligentgiving.com
ARTICLES
Telegraph - Charities want a bail-out: they shouldn't get a penny - brutal, but does raise issues about what constitutes a 'charity'. A lot do seem almost like quangos, being little more than funded mouthpieces for government policy. And, like 'not for profits', I do often look at the calibre of the senior 'management' and wonder at the remuneration.
greenusesforwaste - NEW - Interview With a Charity Shop Worker - when you do engage, it's worth knowing, from the horse's mouth, what works best.
CHARITIES
There are good ones. I'll need to start listing those I rate... or get told of.
Stay informed.
charitynavigator.org
fakecharities.org -
intelligentgiving.com
ARTICLES
Telegraph - Charities want a bail-out: they shouldn't get a penny - brutal, but does raise issues about what constitutes a 'charity'. A lot do seem almost like quangos, being little more than funded mouthpieces for government policy. And, like 'not for profits', I do often look at the calibre of the senior 'management' and wonder at the remuneration.
greenusesforwaste - NEW - Interview With a Charity Shop Worker - when you do engage, it's worth knowing, from the horse's mouth, what works best.
CHARITIES
There are good ones. I'll need to start listing those I rate... or get told of.
CATEGORY - Composting
It is important to note that this cannot be divorced from other options, such as Food Waste Disposal which, as you'll gather can be a rather heated debate.
However, as one currently on his 3rd council composter (big rural garden), wherever I lay my scraps, that's my loam.
Articles
Guardian - Bin it! - A view. This, however, is not the best motivational kick off, IMHO: 'Do you still chuck out your kitchen scraps? Shame on you.'
Guardian - Emptying organic rubbish can damage health, say doctors - I share because it is relevant and a new part of the topic debate, but it is littered with a load of 'coulds' and 'some says', and had no real conclusions or counter explanations, so read in that context. It all comes across a tad 'scare story' to me.
Guardian - Compost organic waste - No mention of the piece above, oddly. Must be another department.
Beverage Daily - Green packaging still facing barriers to growth - Interesting to note the realities of some eco-alternatives being touted
Indy - Man died after inhaling spores of garden fungus - OK, I have noted and rather cranked an eyebrow at this before. Now it seems worth taking a bit more seriously.
Guardian - Man dies after inhaling fungal spores from garden compost
My Zero Waste - Is cornstarch plastic packaging (PLA) compostable or recyclable? - A worthwhile investigative journey by a fellow blogger. I have added a few comments of my own, resisting the temptation to opine that M&S's mighty PR/CSR team seems less than savvy and good mainly for trotting out soundbites.
I still concern myself with what these things end up as. Dredging up my old science, ‘matter cannot be created or destroyed’, so you have to end up with something. The question is what… and where.
In a worst case (IMHO) you end up with a plastic soup, that may not choke a turtle but still doesn’t sound great in the water table. And I have to ponder what gasses are given off during the process too; I doubt they are always benign, GHG-wise.
I’ll have to revisit my little investigation a few years back at the time of the plastic bag bans.
Frankly reuse is optimal, but I would say that, and concede it is not always practical (though I am pondering how bulk schemes may work for certain products, and indeed one is being trialled by ASDA).
Which brings us back to effective recycling. Trouble is, that means sensible coordination and cooperation between manufacturers, retailers, LGAs and… the public. Not working out so well so far.
If we are to have these breakdown-style products ‘in the mix’ they do need to be separated and delivered to appropriate processing facilities… just as one should any other recyclate. However, the plethora of options countrywide, from pack types to disposal systems, coupled with all the competing label systems, does not seem designed to encourage an already less than motivated public to act in complement.
I am having a rather unique ‘problem’ with my waste plastics, which I retain to find uses for, in that some I have stored are indeed breaking down, which makes them useless to me. Hence I am having to train up on the various labelling options to split them out. Frankly, embossed black on black doesn’t help this much, especially as at my age my eyesight is no longer what it used to be.
Also worth noting this one in complement to my own : Biodegradable plastic bags carry more ecological harm than good
plasticsnews - European Bioplastics distances itself from oxo-degradables
planetgreen - 75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't - Well if this doesn't deserve a slot here, I don't know what does. Just... verify first!
Information
The European Bioplastics position paper on oxo-biogradable plastics
Greenusesforwaste - NEW - Can Used Cooking Oil be Put into Garden Compost?
Suppliers
However, as one currently on his 3rd council composter (big rural garden), wherever I lay my scraps, that's my loam.
Articles
Guardian - Bin it! - A view. This, however, is not the best motivational kick off, IMHO: 'Do you still chuck out your kitchen scraps? Shame on you.'
Guardian - Emptying organic rubbish can damage health, say doctors - I share because it is relevant and a new part of the topic debate, but it is littered with a load of 'coulds' and 'some says', and had no real conclusions or counter explanations, so read in that context. It all comes across a tad 'scare story' to me.
Guardian - Compost organic waste - No mention of the piece above, oddly. Must be another department.
Beverage Daily - Green packaging still facing barriers to growth - Interesting to note the realities of some eco-alternatives being touted
Indy - Man died after inhaling spores of garden fungus - OK, I have noted and rather cranked an eyebrow at this before. Now it seems worth taking a bit more seriously.
Guardian - Man dies after inhaling fungal spores from garden compost
My Zero Waste - Is cornstarch plastic packaging (PLA) compostable or recyclable? - A worthwhile investigative journey by a fellow blogger. I have added a few comments of my own, resisting the temptation to opine that M&S's mighty PR/CSR team seems less than savvy and good mainly for trotting out soundbites.
I still concern myself with what these things end up as. Dredging up my old science, ‘matter cannot be created or destroyed’, so you have to end up with something. The question is what… and where.
In a worst case (IMHO) you end up with a plastic soup, that may not choke a turtle but still doesn’t sound great in the water table. And I have to ponder what gasses are given off during the process too; I doubt they are always benign, GHG-wise.
I’ll have to revisit my little investigation a few years back at the time of the plastic bag bans.
Frankly reuse is optimal, but I would say that, and concede it is not always practical (though I am pondering how bulk schemes may work for certain products, and indeed one is being trialled by ASDA).
Which brings us back to effective recycling. Trouble is, that means sensible coordination and cooperation between manufacturers, retailers, LGAs and… the public. Not working out so well so far.
If we are to have these breakdown-style products ‘in the mix’ they do need to be separated and delivered to appropriate processing facilities… just as one should any other recyclate. However, the plethora of options countrywide, from pack types to disposal systems, coupled with all the competing label systems, does not seem designed to encourage an already less than motivated public to act in complement.
I am having a rather unique ‘problem’ with my waste plastics, which I retain to find uses for, in that some I have stored are indeed breaking down, which makes them useless to me. Hence I am having to train up on the various labelling options to split them out. Frankly, embossed black on black doesn’t help this much, especially as at my age my eyesight is no longer what it used to be.
Also worth noting this one in complement to my own : Biodegradable plastic bags carry more ecological harm than good
plasticsnews - European Bioplastics distances itself from oxo-degradables
planetgreen - 75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't - Well if this doesn't deserve a slot here, I don't know what does. Just... verify first!
Information
The European Bioplastics position paper on oxo-biogradable plastics
Greenusesforwaste - NEW - Can Used Cooking Oil be Put into Garden Compost?
Suppliers
It's alive, I tell you... ALIVE!
Just opened the post and... ta-da!... fresh from the Junkk studio the latest RE:tie prototype from those lovely folk at JIIC. No, it's not quite a work of art ready to grace your love's finger, but they do lots of other nifty stuff too!
I have a good feeling about this one. Thanks to British Library Inventor in Residence & mentor Mark Sheahan of Squeezeopen it addresses some moulding issues at manufacture, and I think there is definite potential for getting support from the greater accessibility support market.
Seeing it 'in the flesh' and using it with my big paws, I now realise it could be even smaller and still work, hence saving plastic. And the slot could be narrower for a tighter sideways fit on the tie as it pulls through, but then again we could use some 'give' and more hole means less plastic.
Certainly some shavings for savings yet. But now it is time to look at a short run in the actual material. Anyone know of a moulder who does not demand first born but might accept pints of blood?
CATEGORY - Green Q&A sites/sources
Another day, another ever-evolving list 9as found, or told about), kicking off with:
GENERAL (with specific categories often)
Junkk.com - Answers - actually a bit optimistically definitive that heading. But we'll give it a heck of a stab, mind. And if we're stumped, we might know a green-whizz who knows. Failing which, we have the whole Junkketeer community. And then... Google?
Grist - Ask Umbra
The Guardian - Ask Leo & Lucy -
The Times - Environment/Green and confused - Send you [sorry, I just had to leave that in] eco-dilemmas to greenandconfused@thetimes.co.uk
SPECIFICS
Waste
Greenusesforwaste - does what they say on the URL
GENERAL (with specific categories often)
Junkk.com - Answers - actually a bit optimistically definitive that heading. But we'll give it a heck of a stab, mind. And if we're stumped, we might know a green-whizz who knows. Failing which, we have the whole Junkketeer community. And then... Google?
Grist - Ask Umbra
The Guardian - Ask Leo & Lucy -
The Times - Environment/Green and confused - Send you [sorry, I just had to leave that in] eco-dilemmas to greenandconfused@thetimes.co.uk
SPECIFICS
Waste
Greenusesforwaste - does what they say on the URL
'Could' news
Green failures 'may hit taxpayer'
Now, there's a thing.
I am always intrigued, in matters fiscal, who constitutes the benefactor and beneficiary when it comes to 'government' largesse vs. taxpayer funding/penalty.
Nothing like a target to obscure real, tangible, and probably actually worthy aims.
Anticipate a flurry of half-baked box-ticking initiatives to extricate bonus-addicts from holes soon.
Addendum - Asian giants put the West’s targets for solar energy in the shade - 'East is East and West is West, stick it where the sun don't shine, 'cos we have the best'. Next... NZ challenges Saudi on Hydro, Chicago challenges my back yard on wind. I think this is how international 'negotiations' go, right. I feel a bit sorry for Lapland if they are in the 'West' (it's a biggish expanse), at least for half the year.
Now, there's a thing.
I am always intrigued, in matters fiscal, who constitutes the benefactor and beneficiary when it comes to 'government' largesse vs. taxpayer funding/penalty.
Nothing like a target to obscure real, tangible, and probably actually worthy aims.
Anticipate a flurry of half-baked box-ticking initiatives to extricate bonus-addicts from holes soon.
Addendum - Asian giants put the West’s targets for solar energy in the shade - 'East is East and West is West, stick it where the sun don't shine, 'cos we have the best'. Next... NZ challenges Saudi on Hydro, Chicago challenges my back yard on wind. I think this is how international 'negotiations' go, right. I feel a bit sorry for Lapland if they are in the 'West' (it's a biggish expanse), at least for half the year.
PING, and, with luck, no pong
Taking e-life into hands here. 3rd (and last) test of social posting networking service http://ping.fm. Now my blog, having tried character limited outlets such as twitter and LinkedIn. Let's also see what it does with a long URL:
http://ping.fm/03qUd
If this all works, I am impressed!
Currently, twitter has worked; LinkedIN MIA, though I may be looking in the wrong places.
There is also a danger of overlaps, so sorry for any duplicates until I suss out the default settings.
ADDENDUM
Looks promising, and a definite time saver.
I do not that, of course, you do not get a Title added ( I have now done so, manually), or any Labels (ditto). Easy to follow up.
I think I'll let it simmer awhile on the few tests (Blog, twitter & LinkedIn) to see what happens over the net 24hrs by way of duplicates as the automated aggregators do their thing.
Newsnight - Send your questions for the Twitter CEO -
How on earth do I manage all the deluge of tweets I get now I am, often as a courtesy, following those who follow me in addition to he just plain worthwhile? I see Yoko Ono manages. Do she have a horde of 'people', cloning tech, a time machine... or is just a very polite, awesomely multitasking lady who needs no sleep?
At the very least how can you go through and zap all the 'Good morning's, just brushed my teeth..' to retain in archive just he nifty ones with useful info/links?
Those latter I am finding very useful.
http://ping.fm/03qUd
If this all works, I am impressed!
Currently, twitter has worked; LinkedIN MIA, though I may be looking in the wrong places.
There is also a danger of overlaps, so sorry for any duplicates until I suss out the default settings.
ADDENDUM
Looks promising, and a definite time saver.
I do not that, of course, you do not get a Title added ( I have now done so, manually), or any Labels (ditto). Easy to follow up.
I think I'll let it simmer awhile on the few tests (Blog, twitter & LinkedIn) to see what happens over the net 24hrs by way of duplicates as the automated aggregators do their thing.
Newsnight - Send your questions for the Twitter CEO -
How on earth do I manage all the deluge of tweets I get now I am, often as a courtesy, following those who follow me in addition to he just plain worthwhile? I see Yoko Ono manages. Do she have a horde of 'people', cloning tech, a time machine... or is just a very polite, awesomely multitasking lady who needs no sleep?
At the very least how can you go through and zap all the 'Good morning's, just brushed my teeth..' to retain in archive just he nifty ones with useful info/links?
Those latter I am finding very useful.
CATEGORY - ENERGY
I have a feeling I have duplicated, but will doubtless one day amalgamate if so.
ARTICLES
Telegraph - NEW - Cities at night from space - A picture paints 1,000 words. Here's 21,000. Hard to see how these lights will be removed, or dimmed. The only chance is to make them more efficient and powered in a less polluting manner. Oh, and maybe try and avoid installing more. Fat chance. Pretty, mind.
WOOD
Indy - The Home Ecologist
INFORMATION
Carbon Trust publishes views on Green Tariffs
ARTICLES
Telegraph - NEW - Cities at night from space - A picture paints 1,000 words. Here's 21,000. Hard to see how these lights will be removed, or dimmed. The only chance is to make them more efficient and powered in a less polluting manner. Oh, and maybe try and avoid installing more. Fat chance. Pretty, mind.
WOOD
Indy - The Home Ecologist
INFORMATION
Carbon Trust publishes views on Green Tariffs
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
I don't normally applaud long downloading sites, but...
As sent by my Singapore Aunty:
HEMA is a Dutch department store, similar to IKEA.
Take a look at HEMA's product page. You can't order anything and it's in Dutch, but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. Don’t click on any of the items in the picture, just wait, be patient and see what happens.
This company has a sense of humour and a great computer programmer.
Indeed, and thanks to this viral I watched all the way through.
I really must concoct something for Junkk.com in a similar vein.
HEMA is a Dutch department store, similar to IKEA.
Take a look at HEMA's product page. You can't order anything and it's in Dutch, but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. Don’t click on any of the items in the picture, just wait, be patient and see what happens.
This company has a sense of humour and a great computer programmer.
Indeed, and thanks to this viral I watched all the way through.
I really must concoct something for Junkk.com in a similar vein.
EVENT - CM - Eco Innovate 09
EVENT
WHEN: October 21st 2009
WHAT: Eco Innovate 09, Towerlands Park, Essex
WHAT... MORE?: From blurb - Business-to-business event promoting the use of innovative, environmental solutions. Will showcase products and services that can help businesses become more resource efficient, sustainable and ultimately more profitable.
HOW MUCH: Delegate Ticket
£55 (earlybird until August 28th)
URL: http://www.ecoinnovate.co.uk/index.php
COMMENTS: Possibly a bit for, pricey and B2B for us, but then again....
WHEN: October 21st 2009
WHAT: Eco Innovate 09, Towerlands Park, Essex
WHAT... MORE?: From blurb - Business-to-business event promoting the use of innovative, environmental solutions. Will showcase products and services that can help businesses become more resource efficient, sustainable and ultimately more profitable.
HOW MUCH: Delegate Ticket
£55 (earlybird until August 28th)
URL: http://www.ecoinnovate.co.uk/index.php
COMMENTS: Possibly a bit for, pricey and B2B for us, but then again....
IRONY ALERT - The latest cycling innovation - power assist!
The purr of electronic gears sounds great - if you can get past the price
I am presuming (tried and failed to check via the site, which has to be one of the most indulgent, useless, time-consuming examples I have seen in a while) that these little servos use 'leccy, which is kind of quaint, above the weight, all things considered.
However, as one who can rarely access the highest a lowest gears thanks to poor spanner-technique, and has spent more than his fair time trying to get chain oil off his hands in one's posh frock at a Central London kerbside for much the same reason, I am intrigued as to whether the changing mechanism is different, and better, and if so why a human-powered/instigated version might not be created.
Money and image issues noted.
I am presuming (tried and failed to check via the site, which has to be one of the most indulgent, useless, time-consuming examples I have seen in a while) that these little servos use 'leccy, which is kind of quaint, above the weight, all things considered.
However, as one who can rarely access the highest a lowest gears thanks to poor spanner-technique, and has spent more than his fair time trying to get chain oil off his hands in one's posh frock at a Central London kerbside for much the same reason, I am intrigued as to whether the changing mechanism is different, and better, and if so why a human-powered/instigated version might not be created.
Money and image issues noted.
Recognising the role of the cock-up
A few summers ago, my family attended the Big Green Gathering.
We had a hoot. And yes, despite it heaving down. Again. In 'summer'.
So I was sad to read of its demise.
However, the back story rumbles.
Is the Big Green Gathering another victim of the crackdown on dissent?
A Monbiot piece is rarely worth commenting in (on is different:) as things get polarised very quickly (I see a 'you're a racist' got in pretty quickly), but there are some facts in there.
And by my assessment, I am erring on cock-up rather than anything else.
Which is a pity, as it was no harm at all, pretty fun, and possibly a fair bit of good.
Which is more than I can say for stirring up notions of establishment crackdowns when parties you like fall foul of legislative impositions, especially those often brought in my your mates to support parties you do.
All I will say is that when I read: 'Is it paranoia, or are they really out to get us? Most of the time it's paranoia. Every week I'm approached by people whispering about vapour trails from planes being used to control our minds, free energy devices suppressed by oil companies or missile attacks on the twin towers' at the very least it explains a fair bit. One just has to hop the author is cluey enough to at least chat with others before coming to conclusions based on whispers in his ear form the comfort zone.
We had a hoot. And yes, despite it heaving down. Again. In 'summer'.
So I was sad to read of its demise.
However, the back story rumbles.
Is the Big Green Gathering another victim of the crackdown on dissent?
A Monbiot piece is rarely worth commenting in (on is different:) as things get polarised very quickly (I see a 'you're a racist' got in pretty quickly), but there are some facts in there.
And by my assessment, I am erring on cock-up rather than anything else.
Which is a pity, as it was no harm at all, pretty fun, and possibly a fair bit of good.
Which is more than I can say for stirring up notions of establishment crackdowns when parties you like fall foul of legislative impositions, especially those often brought in my your mates to support parties you do.
All I will say is that when I read: 'Is it paranoia, or are they really out to get us? Most of the time it's paranoia. Every week I'm approached by people whispering about vapour trails from planes being used to control our minds, free energy devices suppressed by oil companies or missile attacks on the twin towers' at the very least it explains a fair bit. One just has to hop the author is cluey enough to at least chat with others before coming to conclusions based on whispers in his ear form the comfort zone.
CASH FOR CLUNKERS. The cars, not the concept?
An interesting follow up on 'scrappage'
Cash for clunkers, signs of life
Especially in the comments. I empathised with this one.
Cash for clunkers, signs of life
Especially in the comments. I empathised with this one.
POOOiNTS to ponder
Polluted Olympics
I share this merely as a prompt to ponder various issues, from 'The Two E's - Economy vs. Environment' to enviROI, especially with things that may be billed as 'green', and even more so at a point in time that may not reflect the totality of impacts.
SIR – Your report (July 31) on the air quality around the Stratford Olympic site paints a stark picture of athletes breathing polluted air, but the residents are already doing so, and there is a solution – now.
The Rail Freight Group has calculated that 800,000 truck movements could be saved in the area if rail freight were used for deliveries of steel, precast concrete and prefabricated building elements, all of which were transported by rail for the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5. Rail could also be used for the removal of contaminated waste.
The rail facilities on the Olympic site are hardly used. The Olympic Delivery Authority could require contractors to use rail, but relies instead on the media swallowing their green hype rather than confronting the facts that, unless they take urgent action, this will be the most polluted Olympics in history.
Lord Berkeley
Chairman, Rail Freight Group
London WC1
Tricky one. There can be little doubt that in terms of emissions, the mere creation of and consequences of this event cannot in any way be viewed as making the world 'greener'.
I share this merely as a prompt to ponder various issues, from 'The Two E's - Economy vs. Environment' to enviROI, especially with things that may be billed as 'green', and even more so at a point in time that may not reflect the totality of impacts.
SIR – Your report (July 31) on the air quality around the Stratford Olympic site paints a stark picture of athletes breathing polluted air, but the residents are already doing so, and there is a solution – now.
The Rail Freight Group has calculated that 800,000 truck movements could be saved in the area if rail freight were used for deliveries of steel, precast concrete and prefabricated building elements, all of which were transported by rail for the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5. Rail could also be used for the removal of contaminated waste.
The rail facilities on the Olympic site are hardly used. The Olympic Delivery Authority could require contractors to use rail, but relies instead on the media swallowing their green hype rather than confronting the facts that, unless they take urgent action, this will be the most polluted Olympics in history.
Lord Berkeley
Chairman, Rail Freight Group
London WC1
Tricky one. There can be little doubt that in terms of emissions, the mere creation of and consequences of this event cannot in any way be viewed as making the world 'greener'.
CATEGORY - Funding
Already a lot on blog in this area. Time to pull it together.
Articles
Guardian - Activists slam changes to green grants - Isn't a BERR an irritating thing that sticks to you to spread everywhere? The enviROI of the investment into the department vs. the benefit out would seem... less than optimal.
ps: sub-editors: I don't really feel that I am an activist, nor to I 'slam'. I am a concerned consumer and informed advocate of sensible enviro-practices. Stop waving silly, stirring sentences about!
BBC - Anger over climate change loans - Bit O/T, but I had nowhere else to stick it. Makes you wonder about the value of some paper things get printed on these days.
Grants
The 2008 CIP Eco-Innovation Call has been published - your chance to apply for funding for your eco-innovative pilot and market replication projects this year.
government-grants.co.uk - NEW - plus twitter
Resources
innocentive - have an invention? They may have the money. RE:tie ho!
raisecapital.com - but still, caution all round! Lock down your IP.
Resource Efficiency
Articles
Guardian - Activists slam changes to green grants - Isn't a BERR an irritating thing that sticks to you to spread everywhere? The enviROI of the investment into the department vs. the benefit out would seem... less than optimal.
ps: sub-editors: I don't really feel that I am an activist, nor to I 'slam'. I am a concerned consumer and informed advocate of sensible enviro-practices. Stop waving silly, stirring sentences about!
BBC - Anger over climate change loans - Bit O/T, but I had nowhere else to stick it. Makes you wonder about the value of some paper things get printed on these days.
Grants
The 2008 CIP Eco-Innovation Call has been published - your chance to apply for funding for your eco-innovative pilot and market replication projects this year.
government-grants.co.uk - NEW - plus twitter
Resources
innocentive - have an invention? They may have the money. RE:tie ho!
raisecapital.com - but still, caution all round! Lock down your IP.
Resource Efficiency
Monday, August 03, 2009
CATEGORY - ACRONYMS EXPLAINED
Bit of catching up on the archive required one day.
Addendum: Also decided to add new words/terms as they come up.
AWARENAFF - I have got to the point that if too many more people get on this bandwagon, travlling here and there to show us the damage we're doing... travelling here and there... the end of the world my be more nigh than even they are trying to scare up. See also 'MESSAGE+MESSENGER'.
CoRMLESS - Could, Researchers May, Latest Enviromental Studies Show (or Scientists Say) - pretty much any headline in the MSM regarding climate issues that uses all sorts of one-off science, often by dubiously-qualified 'scientists', or researchers, to whack out a totally alarmist headline, but with the convenient get-out of it actually only being 'may', 'could', etc...
E&EO - Edited (for space and/or often rampant, redundant client-laden unnecessary verbiage) & Eyebrow-cranked (if I think some claims may be a tad over-egged:) Often.
DDAIDDAIS - Don't Do As I Do, Do As I Say - Basically hypocrisy by the establishment, usually political, media, celebrity or, worst of all, green finger-waggers, where there often seems to be a disconnect between what the public is told how to behave and how those doing the telling seem to manage, usually with the only... poor... excuse, of raising 'awareness'. See AWARENAFF.
enviROI - It stands for 'environmental ROI (Return On Investment)', and can be deemed positive or negative.
Essentially is a measure of some environmental product, service or initiative that is applied to try and get to the actual positive result claimed and/or tangibly, provably delivered/deliverable in terms of our kids' futures upon this planet.
It's not always simple, as no one here needs reminding, but with a bit of knowledge, a few pertinent questions and a well cranked eye-brow it is surprising how many PR guys can end up failing to convince. And already I am finding I am in danger of running into conflicting subsets, for instance such as between the immediate and superficially obvious 'good' of a plastic bag ban vs. the possible down sides that are now emerging, at least into the public domain. The spat between the Soil Association and Fairtrade over airmiles is another example. 'Ecology' now in some cases at odds with 'environment', sadly. And both with economy almost inevitably and always, even more so.
Simply put (and I do not intend to get into any debates about global warming, climate change and or the human race's part in it, or not) it tends to be based on what the ground to ground (dig it up, make it, ship it, sell it, use it, maintain it, dispose of it) consequence is in terms of emissions (carbon or otherwise) 'it' will impose. Will it add (bad), mitigate (better than nothing... usually) reduce or prevent any more (good, I hope, almost invariably). Much smarter folk paid a lot more are doing much more complex things with food miles/carbon footprints and all sorts at this very moment I know, but often I don't quite understand or trust them as they can often be rather selective in the parameters, and the provenance of the authors/supporters can also raise an eyebrow too.
It is related, but different to ROI, as it is perfectly possibly to have a good enviROI yet deliver no financial reward. So long as the costs and benefits are understood, and accepted, someone can choose to lose money but do better by the future.
That said, there is of course a lower limit, where one has to wonder if the money is being spent on something seemingly with a good enviROI when it could in fact be invested in something 'better'. This is less serious in the case of the individual, but can apply when deciding between systems, say solar vs. wind or ground heat. However, when one gets to national initiatives such as windfarms, the balance does need to be more carefully weighed. Hence while I am a huge supporter of the principle of renewables, and accept that they will impose extra costs (though not always.. a win-win!), I can remain to be convinced on the enviROI of some. Just because it is green...er, may not mean it's the most sensible choice, even to holding fire a wee while longer.
I seek not to impose this on anyone. I simply am guided by it and share as something to ponder in discussions and debates. As here.
examplist - A more favoured term for 'activist'
FATWa... 'First Against The Wall.. when the revolution comes!'
GOATs - Government Of All Talents - A self-describing description that one feels may be coming to haunt the nanny state that came up with it.
Inspirist - A more favoured term for 'activist'
IYANWUYAU - 'If You Are Not With Us...' - And sadly, I can mostly apply it to those who should be courting such as me, not driving us away by being incestuous, arrogant, know-all numpties.
hectorvists - Especially on social media. Folk who, once they have your email or @name, etc, seem to think a barrage of bans, days, etc will swing you to their way of thinking. Without enough doing in complement... it won't.
MESSAGE + MESSENGER - Simply put, I am off the view that often good messages can be neutered or indeed bigger issues badly compromised by various messengers (usually self-appointed, but there is a large and dishonourable roll call of pols in there) saying, or worse doing something that pretty much shows them to be false prophets. The danger of one small negative tainting many positives cannot be underestimated. I expect green campaigners to be consistent, honest and sincere. And, preferably, lead by example. See 'DDIDDAIS'. That said, I am not perfect, but then I do not claim to be. But I hope I can inspire by waht I do, and only critique when I feel others are leading the cause of sensible environmental practice astray.
Nagvocacy Groups - NEW - Those who are pushing a cause but erring too much on the nag, fine, guilt, scare aspects at the expense of more motivating methods.
NiWiYCGI - 'Niwikki' - 'Nice Work if You Can Get It'
ORFTARFU (one rule for them; another rule for us)
Polishing a Terminally Unpopular/Unpleasant Rationale, Reprobate or Device - Trying to paint a lost cause in glowing terms, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Ptoo! - Pull the other one!
RE:GOOD packaging... Reuse Executions: Great Opportunities Offered Designers
SOSO - Same Old, Same Old
TMTOTH (prn: 'Tumtoth") - Too Much Time On Their Hands
TOCOTA - Two Opposing Corners of the Apocalypse
VRP - Voltaire Revolution Power - The power that can be generated by hooking up M. Voltaire (he of 'I may not agree..' fame, probably) in his grave to a generator to harness the revolutions he turns when so-called libertarians get a tad irony-free in word and/or deed when it comes to others not agreeing with them.
WPD - WooPeeDoo - mainly for press releases or GO3 written diarrhea that tries to create a lot more out of something than it deserves.
Addendum: Also decided to add new words/terms as they come up.
AWARENAFF - I have got to the point that if too many more people get on this bandwagon, travlling here and there to show us the damage we're doing... travelling here and there... the end of the world my be more nigh than even they are trying to scare up. See also 'MESSAGE+MESSENGER'.
CoRMLESS - Could, Researchers May, Latest Enviromental Studies Show (or Scientists Say) - pretty much any headline in the MSM regarding climate issues that uses all sorts of one-off science, often by dubiously-qualified 'scientists', or researchers, to whack out a totally alarmist headline, but with the convenient get-out of it actually only being 'may', 'could', etc...
E&EO - Edited (for space and/or often rampant, redundant client-laden unnecessary verbiage) & Eyebrow-cranked (if I think some claims may be a tad over-egged:) Often.
DDAIDDAIS - Don't Do As I Do, Do As I Say - Basically hypocrisy by the establishment, usually political, media, celebrity or, worst of all, green finger-waggers, where there often seems to be a disconnect between what the public is told how to behave and how those doing the telling seem to manage, usually with the only... poor... excuse, of raising 'awareness'. See AWARENAFF.
enviROI - It stands for 'environmental ROI (Return On Investment)', and can be deemed positive or negative.
Essentially is a measure of some environmental product, service or initiative that is applied to try and get to the actual positive result claimed and/or tangibly, provably delivered/deliverable in terms of our kids' futures upon this planet.
It's not always simple, as no one here needs reminding, but with a bit of knowledge, a few pertinent questions and a well cranked eye-brow it is surprising how many PR guys can end up failing to convince. And already I am finding I am in danger of running into conflicting subsets, for instance such as between the immediate and superficially obvious 'good' of a plastic bag ban vs. the possible down sides that are now emerging, at least into the public domain. The spat between the Soil Association and Fairtrade over airmiles is another example. 'Ecology' now in some cases at odds with 'environment', sadly. And both with economy almost inevitably and always, even more so.
Simply put (and I do not intend to get into any debates about global warming, climate change and or the human race's part in it, or not) it tends to be based on what the ground to ground (dig it up, make it, ship it, sell it, use it, maintain it, dispose of it) consequence is in terms of emissions (carbon or otherwise) 'it' will impose. Will it add (bad), mitigate (better than nothing... usually) reduce or prevent any more (good, I hope, almost invariably). Much smarter folk paid a lot more are doing much more complex things with food miles/carbon footprints and all sorts at this very moment I know, but often I don't quite understand or trust them as they can often be rather selective in the parameters, and the provenance of the authors/supporters can also raise an eyebrow too.
It is related, but different to ROI, as it is perfectly possibly to have a good enviROI yet deliver no financial reward. So long as the costs and benefits are understood, and accepted, someone can choose to lose money but do better by the future.
That said, there is of course a lower limit, where one has to wonder if the money is being spent on something seemingly with a good enviROI when it could in fact be invested in something 'better'. This is less serious in the case of the individual, but can apply when deciding between systems, say solar vs. wind or ground heat. However, when one gets to national initiatives such as windfarms, the balance does need to be more carefully weighed. Hence while I am a huge supporter of the principle of renewables, and accept that they will impose extra costs (though not always.. a win-win!), I can remain to be convinced on the enviROI of some. Just because it is green...er, may not mean it's the most sensible choice, even to holding fire a wee while longer.
I seek not to impose this on anyone. I simply am guided by it and share as something to ponder in discussions and debates. As here.
examplist - A more favoured term for 'activist'
FATWa... 'First Against The Wall.. when the revolution comes!'
GOATs - Government Of All Talents - A self-describing description that one feels may be coming to haunt the nanny state that came up with it.
Inspirist - A more favoured term for 'activist'
IYANWUYAU - 'If You Are Not With Us...' - And sadly, I can mostly apply it to those who should be courting such as me, not driving us away by being incestuous, arrogant, know-all numpties.
hectorvists - Especially on social media. Folk who, once they have your email or @name, etc, seem to think a barrage of bans, days, etc will swing you to their way of thinking. Without enough doing in complement... it won't.
MESSAGE + MESSENGER - Simply put, I am off the view that often good messages can be neutered or indeed bigger issues badly compromised by various messengers (usually self-appointed, but there is a large and dishonourable roll call of pols in there) saying, or worse doing something that pretty much shows them to be false prophets. The danger of one small negative tainting many positives cannot be underestimated. I expect green campaigners to be consistent, honest and sincere. And, preferably, lead by example. See 'DDIDDAIS'. That said, I am not perfect, but then I do not claim to be. But I hope I can inspire by waht I do, and only critique when I feel others are leading the cause of sensible environmental practice astray.
Nagvocacy Groups - NEW - Those who are pushing a cause but erring too much on the nag, fine, guilt, scare aspects at the expense of more motivating methods.
NiWiYCGI - 'Niwikki' - 'Nice Work if You Can Get It'
ORFTARFU (one rule for them; another rule for us)
Polishing a Terminally Unpopular/Unpleasant Rationale, Reprobate or Device - Trying to paint a lost cause in glowing terms, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Ptoo! - Pull the other one!
RE:GOOD packaging... Reuse Executions: Great Opportunities Offered Designers
SOSO - Same Old, Same Old
TMTOTH (prn: 'Tumtoth") - Too Much Time On Their Hands
TOCOTA - Two Opposing Corners of the Apocalypse
VRP - Voltaire Revolution Power - The power that can be generated by hooking up M. Voltaire (he of 'I may not agree..' fame, probably) in his grave to a generator to harness the revolutions he turns when so-called libertarians get a tad irony-free in word and/or deed when it comes to others not agreeing with them.
WPD - WooPeeDoo - mainly for press releases or GO3 written diarrhea that tries to create a lot more out of something than it deserves.
Save planet.. and pocket. Pass it on.
Eco gadgets for the home
Caution: some are silly money, literally.
For instance, whilst stylish, at £99.95 for an energy monitor, right away in this household, it is easy to ignore. And it may be we get forced to install one by the 'leccy companies anyway soon.
As a user I'll endorse Bye Bye Standbye.*
There's also buying something new to 'save', though sometimes the ROI and enviROI numbers can work out.
* A tad dubious about the ad next to it, mind...
IRONY ALERT - Ways to save planet; with FREE plastic bag
Better yet, you get points if you stick it in your hemp jobbie at the checkout.I was tempted, but £1.99 just to find out what was within the wrapper was a step too far.
RE:tie - another evolution
Well, things progress on RE:tie.Working with JIIC at BCU, we now have the CAD rendering of its latest incarnation.
This solves some moulding issues, but at the same time enabled us mentor Mark Sheahan's input to incorporate what we hope will be a design aid for those who might have trouble gripping and tearing off tamper evident closures.
Oh, and it looks like it also uses just the same amount, and possible even less plastic to do the same job.
The prototype is en route as I type.
packaging news - Prototypes: Giving design an extra dimension - good piece to note!
I don't like Monday... so far
The new site feature evolution is still a roller-coaster.
One the the real scores with a glitch is knowing what is causing it it, so you can then solve it.
And we seem to have figured that the new site doesn't like the old splash page: the one that you see with a video of me and the latest blogs, ideas etc. So we have disconnected this for now and it defaults to the home page instead.
Yay! At least it works.
However...
In trying to add some new pictures and URLs using our spiffy new Ideas upload features, I got a brand new, and not exactly welcome error message.
Guess how my day is shaping up. And not, as intended, on the newsletter.
One step forward.... :(((((((((
One the the real scores with a glitch is knowing what is causing it it, so you can then solve it.
And we seem to have figured that the new site doesn't like the old splash page: the one that you see with a video of me and the latest blogs, ideas etc. So we have disconnected this for now and it defaults to the home page instead.
Yay! At least it works.
However...
In trying to add some new pictures and URLs using our spiffy new Ideas upload features, I got a brand new, and not exactly welcome error message.
Guess how my day is shaping up. And not, as intended, on the newsletter.
One step forward.... :(((((((((
WRAP rage!
No, not my favourite quango.
A term I have heard before, but thanks to My Zero Waste have not before seen it articulated as well.
Other than nodding along, I also see opportunity for the RE:tie, as we are working on evolving the design to make it not only reusable, but easier for those who may have trouble 'unzipping' tamper-evidents, through such as arthritis.
A term I have heard before, but thanks to My Zero Waste have not before seen it articulated as well.
Other than nodding along, I also see opportunity for the RE:tie, as we are working on evolving the design to make it not only reusable, but easier for those who may have trouble 'unzipping' tamper-evidents, through such as arthritis.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
CATEGORY - INSULATION
One of the better 'win-wins'. I am lofted up. Shame our walls are solid.
ARTICLES
Guardian - Tread lightly: Install cavity wall insulation
Guardian - Tread lightly: Draught-proof the home
Times - Insulation will pay for itself over years
Times - No windfall tax: it’s energy-saving instead
Indy - Energy efficient households 'can save £270 a year'
Guardian - Yes, do lag your loft - Some great suggestions in the posts, including a few I floated a wee while ago.
Indy - How much energy-saving help can you expect to get?
Indy - Not flash, just Gordon. And that's the problem
Guardian - Mind the gaps – time to insulate and save on heating -
INFORMATION
bricksandbread.com - NEW - Local focus but globally relevant info
Draught Proofing Advisory Association
freeinsulation.co.uk -
nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk
government-grants.co.uk
secondaryglazing.com -
SUPPLIERS
doubleglazingquotes.org -
I wonder how all the various grants/ratings account for those who may want to insulate, but cannot?
ARTICLES
Guardian - Tread lightly: Install cavity wall insulation
Guardian - Tread lightly: Draught-proof the home
Times - Insulation will pay for itself over years
Times - No windfall tax: it’s energy-saving instead
Indy - Energy efficient households 'can save £270 a year'
Guardian - Yes, do lag your loft - Some great suggestions in the posts, including a few I floated a wee while ago.
Indy - How much energy-saving help can you expect to get?
Indy - Not flash, just Gordon. And that's the problem
Guardian - Mind the gaps – time to insulate and save on heating -
INFORMATION
bricksandbread.com - NEW - Local focus but globally relevant info
Draught Proofing Advisory Association
freeinsulation.co.uk -
nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk
government-grants.co.uk
secondaryglazing.com -
SUPPLIERS
doubleglazingquotes.org -
I wonder how all the various grants/ratings account for those who may want to insulate, but cannot?
At least the British 'summer' has a defence
What's the environmental impact of a sky lantern? - Hefty, I'd say
"There is also the danger that if they come down alight they could start a fire..
Obvious now, but never having seen one I hadn't realised they actually had naked flames.
That would really make them little better than 'ethically-sourced', unguided airborne incendiary devices, like those Japanese balloon bombs targetting the US via the jetstream during WW2.
So I do wonder if the biodegradability aspects are the main issue, and frankly why they are allowed. Mind you, every Nov. 5 the UK does seem to put its pyromaniac's hat and mask on.
Love the 'but they are ethically-sourced' counter.
"There is also the danger that if they come down alight they could start a fire..
Obvious now, but never having seen one I hadn't realised they actually had naked flames.
That would really make them little better than 'ethically-sourced', unguided airborne incendiary devices, like those Japanese balloon bombs targetting the US via the jetstream during WW2.
So I do wonder if the biodegradability aspects are the main issue, and frankly why they are allowed. Mind you, every Nov. 5 the UK does seem to put its pyromaniac's hat and mask on.
Love the 'but they are ethically-sourced' counter.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
CATEGORY - ORGANIC
Has to start somewhere..
ARTICLES
INFORMATION
Indy - The great organic myths rebutted - Still 'a view' mind
Indy - The great organic myths: Why organic foods are an indulgence the world can't afford - and another. At leasy we have baalnced argument! No clue still, mind.
BBC - Organic 'has no health benefits' - Frankly it surprised me. So the decisions are now on matters of taste (personal ROI) and environment (enviROI)? Sadly, the costs usually mitigate against this option in our household. Of course, we are talking 'research' and the inevitable to-ing and fro'ing that follows. So take with a pinch of (organic) salt.
Telegraph - Organic food has no added nutritional benefit, says Food Standards Agency
Just watched a 'discussion' on BBC news, with a classic twofer trading research and what was and was not included in the study. I suspect the only winners will be the media and not the cause of informed choice. Lumme, proving my point, it has now descended into a row about poison levels and how it gets defined.
Indy - NEW - Letters - More reasoned counters
Guardian - NEW - Organic food: the natural choice - Ditto - We try to buy local more than organic, but often cost is a counter-factor. I rather fear that, in our modern world, the word 'natural' has little practical meaning. 'We' as a race have surely over-run any 'natural' systems of checks and balances buy now.
ARTICLES
INFORMATION
Indy - The great organic myths rebutted - Still 'a view' mind
Indy - The great organic myths: Why organic foods are an indulgence the world can't afford - and another. At leasy we have baalnced argument! No clue still, mind.
BBC - Organic 'has no health benefits' - Frankly it surprised me. So the decisions are now on matters of taste (personal ROI) and environment (enviROI)? Sadly, the costs usually mitigate against this option in our household. Of course, we are talking 'research' and the inevitable to-ing and fro'ing that follows. So take with a pinch of (organic) salt.
Telegraph - Organic food has no added nutritional benefit, says Food Standards Agency
Just watched a 'discussion' on BBC news, with a classic twofer trading research and what was and was not included in the study. I suspect the only winners will be the media and not the cause of informed choice. Lumme, proving my point, it has now descended into a row about poison levels and how it gets defined.
Indy - NEW - Letters - More reasoned counters
Guardian - NEW - Organic food: the natural choice - Ditto - We try to buy local more than organic, but often cost is a counter-factor. I rather fear that, in our modern world, the word 'natural' has little practical meaning. 'We' as a race have surely over-run any 'natural' systems of checks and balances buy now.
Friday, July 31, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY - Weasels 'R Them
In my new guise as an 'entrepreneur' (not quite right: that's a guy with an idea that has made money), I keep slamming into new and ever more painful business realities.
One is that the words 'fixed price' don't actually need to mean what you are told is how what you are expected to pay works out.
Especially with some lawyers (though I have met a few goods ones, if not enough to balance out the blood-sucking, firstborn-taking, ethical black holes that are most).
Which is why I turn to Dilbert. Not for restitution, for even he knows this is not possible, but simply for empathy.
Ch 7. Negotiating Like a Weasel
When you are planning to buy anything expensive, you probably call around to compare prices. Companies have wised up to that strategy and counter it with the weasel tactic known as the accidental misquote...
He goes on:
Why are there no accidental misquotes in the too high direction?
Green tech I can get behind
Thermal images make a home's heat loss easy to plug
Like it.
As opposed to blowing bazillions on 'campaigns' or 'officers' to raise 'awareness' on intangibles.
Use the dosh on stuff like this and promoting it sensibly.
I can't think of a home-owner who couldn't see the merits, the benefits and engage.
You might even find few boxes actually get ticked and targets get met that may mean something.
Like it.
As opposed to blowing bazillions on 'campaigns' or 'officers' to raise 'awareness' on intangibles.
Use the dosh on stuff like this and promoting it sensibly.
I can't think of a home-owner who couldn't see the merits, the benefits and engage.
You might even find few boxes actually get ticked and targets get met that may mean something.
Facts are sacred. Use them with care.
I have highlighted a few polls, etc, today.
And not in a good way.
But here's some stuff that looks well worth treating wiv' respect.
Interesting uses of the Data Store
And not in a good way.
But here's some stuff that looks well worth treating wiv' respect.
Interesting uses of the Data Store
Data, Gosh-darned data, and 'it's how you ask' data
I share it, but would have no clue how to answer the question, if asked:
Which countries believe in climate change?
To be fair, drilling down the questions are more specific. Then we get to methodology.
Which countries believe in climate change?
To be fair, drilling down the questions are more specific. Then we get to methodology.
QUOTE OF THE DAY - Smart for whom?
Smart meters in every home will cost each household more than £300
"We don't see how the Government can justify asking consumers to pay for something that will save energy companies hundreds of millions a year, while the average household will make only minimal savings."
I don't think this mob 'do' justifying to the public.
And I can think of a few things I could direct that dosh to that might help the planet more.
"We don't see how the Government can justify asking consumers to pay for something that will save energy companies hundreds of millions a year, while the average household will make only minimal savings."
I don't think this mob 'do' justifying to the public.
And I can think of a few things I could direct that dosh to that might help the planet more.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
China sin dumb?
What can China do about climate change?
I must say I am wondering when China does get to qualify as a first world country, with all the joys we have to offer, and share in.
Maybe we could send back our GOATs (Guv of all talents) in a couple of containers to help work the same magic on their economy that has been conjured here?
Meanwhile...
Guardian - NEW - India gets serious on climate change
I must say I am wondering when China does get to qualify as a first world country, with all the joys we have to offer, and share in.
Maybe we could send back our GOATs (Guv of all talents) in a couple of containers to help work the same magic on their economy that has been conjured here?
Meanwhile...
Guardian - NEW - India gets serious on climate change
This struck a chord
I just like the idea of making things.
How To Make A Rain Barrel (DIY Video)
Especially when they go on to save others.
Some useful links, too.
How To Make A Rain Barrel (DIY Video)
Especially when they go on to save others.
Some useful links, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)