Feb
12
2009
If so, how do you choose what to fight for?
I went shopping to the supermarket Asda today. I had a list so I wouldn’t forget anything:
- 1 H&K 9mm submachine gun - to deal with a noisy neighbour
- 10 grams of cocaine - to relieve the stress caused by said noisy neighbour
- 2 Thai hookers - well, a man has his needs
- And a bottle of water - thirsty work all that killing, flying, and whoring!
Would you believe it, the only thing they had was bottled water!
It seems the government, in its omniscience, has decided that good people shouldn’t be allowed automatic weapons, recreational drugs, or prostitutes!
Well, excuse me, but what about my FREEDOMS!? Continue Reading »
Jan
22
2009
Those readers hoping for philosophical insight into the ways of the world, or a reasoned argument for humanitarian action, will have to wait… Sorry.
For my first, albeit belated, post of 2009, I’m going up-beat.
Most of us are engulfed by gloomy weather, gloomy finances, and gloomy jobs, so here’s a gallery that will banish those worries by bestowing one of life’s greatest gifts…
(In case you haven’t guessed, just check what you’re doing while you’re looking at these photos - yep, smiling of course!)
Now just let me say, these are all beautiful animals but they aren’t necessarily the best animal photos you’ll ever see - for that try National Geographic or something - but, as far as I’m aware, these are all public domain.
So what, I hear you say.
So copy and paste one into an email to brighten up someone’s day! (Better yet, include the link to this post so they can enjoy all of them.) Continue Reading »
Oct
23
2008
Well, it seems good news isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!
Why?
There’s so much doom and gloom everywhere at the moment, I figured I’d spread a little joy last week by delivering a batch of environmental success stories from around the globe.
Strangely, according to my blog stats, that post was one of the least popular posts I’ve ever produced! (As is immediately obvious to anyone by how few comments it received.)
I know many people love to revel in other people’s misery, not to mention it’s misery that the media force-feeds us all on a daily basis, but this was a really unexpected outcome.
Let’s see how this week’s bumper crop of good news stories fares as it finishes off the top 20 countdown.
However, I should warn you, there’ll be at least one story that makes your mouth gape in disbelief and another that will initially have you wondering why it’s listed.
Let all be revealed…
10
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Desert Oasis
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| The Sahara Forest Project proposes combining Concentrated Solar Power and Seawater Greenhouses to produce renewable energy, water and food in one of the hottest places on earth. The project will create fresh water for crops and power cities both in Africa and Europe. As an added bonus, it will combat desertification. |
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9
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Saving the Everglades
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| In one of the biggest environmental acquisitions in U.S. history, Florida will buy 187,000 acres of land for $1.75 billion. This land will be allowed to revert to marshes and waterways, returning the incredible Everglades ecosystem to its former glory. |
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8
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Poorest Nation Builds Biggest Wind Farm
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Okay, so it may not be the poorest economically, but you wouldn’t think that when you see it in the news. Ethiopia is only ever featured by the mainstream media when there are swathes of pot-bellied people lying in the dirt, dying of starvation. Well, now it’s building the biggest wind farm in Africa which will supply a full 15% of the its energy needs.
Isn’t that a kick in the pants to rich Western nations - when poor countries can embrace green technology to such an extent, why are we taking our pretty time? |
Continue Reading »
Oct
16
2008
There’s so much doom and gloom everywhere, I figured I’d spread a little joy by delivering good news of environmental triumphs from around the globe.
Why are these environmental projects important?
Simple.
The Political Economy Research Institute reported recently that a $100 billion investment in green initiatives could create two million jobs, lowering U.S. unemployment from 5.7 to 4.4%.
California’s Air Resources Board report states: “Taking strong measures to reduce greenhouse gasses… would result in 100,000 new jobs [in California and] boost the state economy by $27 billion.”
To build on this research, Google has proposed the Clean Energy 2030 plan. The problem is it will cost a mind-blowing $4.3 trillion dollars. (And we all thought $700 billion was a huge number!) There’s obviously no way we’ll ever afford it.
No?
By investing in more efficient systems, this plan will SAVE $5.4 trillion. You don’t need to be a mathematics genius to see 5.4 is bigger than 4.3! Is there any way we can’t NOT afford it?!
See, by pursuing greener lifestyles, not only do we get to keep a stunningly beautiful world to enjoy, but in doing so, it saves us money. So what exactly are we waiting for?
20
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Wind Farms, Wind Farms, Everywhere…
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New Jersey plans to install 96 wind turbines 16 miles offshore to produce enough electricity to power 125,000 homes.
Likewise, Delaware will create an offshore farm of 150 turbines to power 100,000 homes.
By creating wind farms miles out at see, planners hope to overcome that age-old objection to them - they’re just so damned ugly! If no one can see them, that old ‘not in my backyard’ argument simply evaporates. |
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19
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Solar Thermal - Bigger is Better
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| Australia is set to create the world’s largest solar thermal plant capable of generating 100,000 homes by using the sun’s radiation to power steam turbines. Australia is aiming at producing a whopping 40% of it’s energy in this way by 2020. |
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18
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Norway: A Rainforest’s Best Friend
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Okay, strictly speaking this news came just a few days before Big Ben’s bells announced the arrival of 2008, but, hey, is good news ever too late or too early?
Those wily Norwegians believe reducing deforestation in developing countries can quickly and inexpensively reduce climate change. To prove it, Norway is putting its money where its mouth is: it’s pledged $500 million per year to save the world’s rainforests. |
Continue Reading »
Jul
03
2008
What creature is greatest killer to ever live? Which is responsible for the most deaths and haunts the most nightmares? What monster should we most fear?
Spiders give us the creeps.
Rats repulse us.
But when it comes to your worst nightmare, there’s no competition - something lurking in the shadows. Especially if it might eat you alive.
Thanks to ‘Jaws’, one creature above all others haunts that nightmare: the Great White Shark. And what a monster it is -
- 2000lb (900kg)
- 20 feet long (6m)
- 70 razor-sharp teeth
The ultimate mindless, monstrous killing machine. And it’s waiting in the watery shadows just for you!
Not that it’s the only man-eater - Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks have killed more Americans in the last 30 years than even the mighty Great White.
So to risk being eaten by these monsters… well, you’d have to be absolutely crazy!
One name: Continue Reading »
May
29
2008
There are pros and cons with everything so surely extinction has an upside!
Most of us hope for happiness, success, companionship, health… We welcome improvement to our lot and avoid anything that threatens our dreams. Of course, it’s great to get what we want when we want it, but shouldn’t we question the cost more often than we do?
Whether it’s made from precious metals, has designer labels, or is as mundane as the gossip-filled magazine, most of what we ‘can’t live without’ is just utter crap without which our lives would be equally fulfilled.
And to make all this crap we destroy the world.
Whether it’s deforesting the Amazon in Brazil to graze cows for burgers or flooding ancient valleys in China for hydroelectric power, we don’t just exploit the world but beat the living crap out of it till it gives us what we want. (Note, that’s what we ‘want’, not what we ‘need’!)
Let’s face it, if the earth was a child it would’ve been taken into care decades ago.
Continue Reading »
Apr
24
2008
Is there anything more wonderful than inter-species love?
Man/woman love is so overrated (as is obvious from the 50% divorce rate).
Isn’t it time Man embraced the animal in himself and in everything around him to develop an affinity with nature?
But before anyone scampers to their local park to pork a poodle, ask yourself one question - are you truly ready for everything inter-species love entails?
If so, read on.If not, skip upsetting yourself, dash to the comments section, and register your outrage.
But whatever you do… don’t continue reading.
Really. Don’t.
DON’T! Continue Reading »
