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 »
If you enjoyed this post, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or email updates so you don't miss my next.
Or why not check out my novel? See itsreviews here.
Thanks for visiting!
Dec
18
2008
Panic. Lives ruined. Wreckage everywhere. And no insurance to cover the cost… The US automobile industry is a car crash of global proportions. But who, or what, is going to be the ultimate loser?
I’ve read two interesting articles recently:
- One said the US government is going to give General Motors, Chrysler, and possibly Ford $14 billion in a rescue deal to save the ailing US car industry.
- The other story said General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford have all stated they don’t want to build eco-friendly cars because there’s no US market for them.
Now, it’s common knowledge that the car makers are begging for billions. But how about them not wanting to build and sell eco-friendly cars in the US? Have they really said that? 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
|
Desert Oasis
|
| 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. |
|
9
|
Saving the Everglades
|
| 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. |
|
8
|
Poorest Nation Builds Biggest Wind Farm
|
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
|
Wind Farms, Wind Farms, Everywhere…
|
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. |
|
19
|
Solar Thermal - Bigger is Better
|
| 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. |
|
18
|
Norway: A Rainforest’s Best Friend
|
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 »
Jun
05
2008
Why does caring for the environment have to be so painful?
My last post talked about filthy, disease-spreading rats.
But I know another filthy, disease-spreading species.
A species far more dangerous than the humble rat because it knows it’s doing wrong, but just doesn’t care.
Last Saturday, Ania and I took a train to the historic city of York. Under a glorious blue sky, we ambled through Museum Gardens where squirrels scampered amongst picnickers, then by the gothic, 800-year-old Minster. Sipping freshly-made lemonade, we meandered around The Shambles, awed by the 16th century buildings nestling in the maze of narrow, cobbled streets.
Later, we strolled along the city’s fortified wall. Its lush green ramparts were speckled white and gold with daisies and buttercups. We took a break halfway around to admire the view. Dangling our legs over the side of the wall, we tucked into a picnic while basking in the serenity of a sleepy suburb shaded by towering oaks and vibrant with birdsong…
Ahhhh, heaven!
Or was it? What’s wrong with this picture?
Continue Reading »
May
01
2008
Christmas? Everyday!
[Costingtons department store boardroom; execs sitting around a table.]
CEO: Okay, people, we need to cook up a new holiday for the summer. Something with gifts, cards, assorted gougeables.
Exec #1: How about something religious? We had great penetration last spring with Christmas Two.
Exec #2: Oh, I know. Spendover, like Passover - less talk, more presents.
[Everyone starts talking at once]
CEO: No, no, no! No, it’s gotta be warm and fuzzy. Something like, um, “Love Day”, but not so lame.
[Days later. The Simpsons’ living-room. Marge enters.]
Marge: Happy Love Day, everyone!
Lisa: Come on, Mom, the stores just invented this holiday to make money.
Homer: Lisa, don’t you ruin another Love Day!
Earth Day - just another Love Day? Continue Reading »
