Category: Environment

The demise of the High Street is a British thing (not Brexit though!). The pursuit of cheap food, the rise of Ultra Processed Food and the urban sprawl of rabbit hutch housing has led us away from community based shops. Business rates are too high and the artisan bakers and butchers, et.c have disappeared. Now we are seeing the big chains also disappearing with Wilco following Debnams and Arcadia, M&S and John Lewis have also closed some of their ‘flagship stores’. Replacements are charity stores, vaping shops, tattoo parlours anf betting shops. Thus there is little incentive for the bespoke craft shop or cafe. Parking costs rise as councils desperately try to balance the books. Town centres where attempts to make pedestrian throughfares are now wind swept alien areas populated by groups of youths (which can be intimidating when they are the majority!) and beggars with cannabis and vape smoke wafting through the dystopian landscape.

Dame Sharon White, boss of John Lewis, has called for a Royal Commission to investigate the problem but is it too late? Probably 50 or 60 years too late! The pursuit of money and its partner bargains, has seen the homogenisation of high streets (or had until the familiar names disappeared). Chain stores ruled the roost – they could afford the refit for their anodyne stores and afford the rents as they pay their staff up to store manager level very low wages. How many towns in England could name more than an isolated example of a locally owned shop or cafe? And where they exist they are often in hidden back roads away from the town centre. I am not well travelled but from my limited experience Totnes, Devon; Wells, Somerset; come to mind. Does the Lewes,East Sussex of my 20’s still have a greengrocers, a shop called “Full of beans” and other independant traders.

Some will wonder why I have not commented on the Moroccan Earthquake, Libyan floods and other tragic climate related events. Well they happen! The earthquake in Morocco was not particularly predictable – the African/European plate boundary is not very active! There was a tsunami that hit Lisbon in 14?? . The Libyan event is probably related to climate change in the Mediterranean region – it is between 2 continents and therefore could be seen to have an inter-zonal climate which is more susceptible to the changes wrought by our mighty petro=chemical corporations withnthe support of RW governments.

Earthquakes happen most often in the northern hemisphere in winter so perhaps North America should watch out this winter? Global warming will affect average temperatures, the amout of snow/ice, Arctic and Antarctic ice sheet will change. The ice on Antarctica and Greenland will affect sea level. Many societies in Asia and S.America rely on glaciers for water supply. Climate change will impact on millions more people. In the UK we have a brilliant geographical position being at the meeting of Atlantic/Continental, North/South to give us an equable climate. This may change over the next few years (not decades or centuries which I was brought up to believe).

I am renowned for not recognising celebrities, etc., actually I was also rubbish at remembering kids names when a teacher! But today several papers had a picture of the same lady on their front pages. So I had a read and found out it was someone called Kate – further investigation (dogged reporter that I am!) and I found out she is Princess of Wales – what this actually means I am not sure? Why was she on the front page of national newspapers (Well the Mail and Express and I think the Times), well obviously warranting front page coverage – the poor love had hurt her finger on a trampoline – something to do with her children, and Oh My God she had to have a plaster! Well what have the bastards done now is my immediate response to such stories in the RWM!

Pensions triple lock under threat is another headline that attracts their readers. I fully understand the need for this pension to keep pace with inflation, for many people it is their only income, But it also seems unfair on young people? But then when the government syphons off billions to its friends! I also believe we have amongst the lowest pension schemes in Europe? A conundrum – but it make a change to blame the oldies instead of youth!

Rail fares to rise by 8% – this is line with inflation but with our corrupt government – shutting ticket offices and other money saving schemes will therefore just add to the profits of the companies runnibg the shit show.

Talking of which – DEFRA -Not only facing possible legal action over allowing the shit to be pumped into our rivers and seas – it has now been revealed that that the UK government is refusing to phase out hazardous chemicals (which the EU are!), DEFRA issued a statement which basically went – “We are very strict but talk absolute bullshit – if you can make a profit you can fuck the environment”.

Does anyone know a cure for Menhirs Disease – it pisses me off!

Councils across the country are warily looking over their shoulders to see if they are liable for equal pay claims. The Conservative MP’s who quickly tweeted that it was a labour run council problem have been shown up for the clowns they are Woking Conservative council being the latest to file a 114 notice. Even ASDA are facing a claim. Many schools and buildings are also facing claims for RAAC, fuel bill are higher than many will have budgeted for way back. Will we have any public services in the future? Swiming pools and libraries and youth clubs will be things of nostalga and a gentler age before Tory greed and austerity diminished the quality of life. And yet still the morons support the Nasty Party?

I am not happy with Starmer and his version of capitalism but would prefer Blairism (without the war rimes bit) over another 5 years of this ” Age of Incompetence”.

Sadly we are not alone with an incompetent government. Despite nature/climate (Earths bailiffs) knocking on the door with fire and floods, wind and fury, no one seems to be taking it seriously! Is there a trans-world policy of reactivism rather than being proactive? How bad does it have to get before countries have to make the drastic decisions that Covid forced upon us – lockdowns (for the plebs only of course).

Water companies are breaking the law with impunity. The Minister for the Environment claims it is not her concern as it is down to the Environment Agency whose budget she has cut. Recent attempts to cut restrictions on river pollution are being questioned in the Lords.

Labour is showing no commitment to environmental standards. Lis Nandy says labour would not repeal the Nutrient Neutrality bill which will land the taxpayer £280m. Starmer has criticised Khan over ULEZ rollout. If Labour do not make a stand on the environment they will lose out to the LibDems for disaffected Conservative voters and many Labour voters. Bye election results have not mirrored opinion polls in favouring Labour. With perhaps the most incompetent and appalling governments for decades Labour should be 50 points ahead – but people are still confused at what, if anything, they stand for, other than gaining power. They are no longer socialist – and I could not swear hand on heart that I could guarantee thqt they would be a marked improvement on the present disgraceful shower. Party conference season is coming up – this maybe the last chance for Labour to make a mark with public at large.

What we have been told so far is no return to the EU or Customs Union; no tax on high earners; no repeal of anti-demonstration laws; no repeal of environmentally harmful policies; no repeal of the HoL; To be honest – what is the point? Shit is still shit – even if it smells less!

Gove announces plans to reduce requirements for new housing not to pollute rivers. The Express claims this is a benefit of Brexit – a benefit for fuck sake! The government has allocated £140m of taxpayers money to offset this pollution. So firms like Barrett’s can maintain their profits (£50000 per new house average) and payouts to executives and shareholders. There have been no new houses in Lake District or Solent area for 4 years due to restrictions. I personally say great, houses should be built to be water efficient as well as energy efficient. Another Brexit benefit – apparently we are importing eggs from Mexico ! Whatever happened to the concept of food miles.

It is hard not to be pessimistic in the light of scientific consensus. Ocean temperatures are at a record level, CO2 in the atmosphere has exceeded levels considered to be safe. Crazy weather events around the world are becoming more common. Yet the political and industrial leaders continue to advocate the burning of fossil fuels – how bad does it have to get before action is taken. If the Gulf Stream falters the UK will be setting records for low temperatures in winter and highs in summer. El NINO is on its way in the Pacific and is likely to result in more extreme weather events.

Meanwhile in the UK the Conservative Party is undoing green policies daily, they have committed to a campaign against Labour whereby they claim that Labour is waging war on motorists. For too long the car reigned supreme in our cities. Housing areas became rat runs for motorists and polluted our children. During Covid traffic calming schemes were introduced in many areas. The gxvernmentwants to undo these improvements to the standard of living and support and encourage the vandals who destroy bollards. As already stated in previous posts – charging by the m/km is entirely sensible. The ULEZ scheme is just a sticking plaster – fundamental change in our use of cars and transport generally is needed.

The disruption to air travel caused by the IT fault showed us how ridiculous the travel industry has become. Fuel is not taxed and air travel has become a right rather than a privilege to be used with circumspection.

The Mail on Saturday accused the Labour Party of having a secret policy to tax car transport by the mile or even km! They really are treating the motoring public as morons! By taxing petrol/deisel the motoring public are already beingg taxed per m/km. A fact that motor companies use to advertise the more efficient cars.

The government is already losing income on E.V.s which avoid road tax (£7billion)and fuel tax (£26.7 billion). So a £33 billion shortfall income and the roads need repair and improvement – so a better way than charging per m/km? This would be fair and acceptable to all – except the Daily Mail which is trying its hardest to agitate its motorist readers against Labour and especially Khan.

Places such as rural areas like Cornwall may need some amendments to a pay by the m/km scheme. Could it be like income tax? The more you travel, the more you pay? With registered companies allowed to offset the cost against tax?

Every town should have airport style buses from Park and Ride sites at a cost of £1 plus the parking. City centres could be totally car free and be regenerated into great places to gather, have a coffee/meal do a bit of shopping and exist in a quiet’ish and pollution free environment. Smaller towns have parking near enough to walk. Even taxi’s should only be allowed around the perimeter. Whether this is a decent plan, I have no idea, but something needs to change in our use of city centres and the car.