I have just watched a greenfinch eating from my bird feeder like a glutton. Will it fall off due to excess weight or suddenly fart and fly across the garden like a super finch? Just sayin’
ENERGY
Options –
Continue to buy on the open market and be subject to the fluctuations of the market.
Fracking – called for by Tory Climate Deniers must surely be dismissed as unsafe and impractical besides taking a long time to bring to fruition.
Nuclear – probably makes sense for a 20-30% role – but is horrifically expensive and the time to bring new stations on stream is probably decades.
Renewables – could be the quickest option – although those in the Chilterns will be choking on their smoked salmon if planning rules for land based wind farms goes ahead. Could they not be sited by pylons? Problem is storage although a combination of solar and wind should cover most weather eventualities.
Cutting demand is the quickest of all – insulation of all buildings where practical should be mandatory for all property owners (landlords note). Rolling out electric vehicles could be speeded up although imposing 50 or 60mph on all roads would be fast and practical. I am sure road haulage firms are looking at their distribution networks. Would use of freight trains be practical with computer booking.
CROWD-FARMING
I am singing the praises of this organisation. Fresh organic fruit and produce straight from the farmer. Crowd-farming. I have bought avocado, lemons, clementines, olive oil, fruit juice, onions – all have been wonderful.
CLIMATE CHANGE SYDNEY
Exceptionally high rainfall has led to concerns regarding the overspill from Sydney’s main reservoir. The worst case scenario would involve the evacuation of hundreds of thousands, NSW Deputy Prime Minister Paul Toole said. Australian Govt Bureau of Meteorology
More from Sydney Morning Herald as Sydney avoids the worst of the storm
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Why is there no clamour for more solar panels and wind farms in the present political climate? Greater insulation and energy efficiency across the board also seems essential for many reasons.
CLIMATE DIPLOMACY
Whilst rapid jerks in the Net Zero Scrutiny Group pursue a well funded campaign to undermine the UK Governments commitments to climate action – the climate emergency continues to build momentum. Troops can be with drawn by Putin, but the climate emergency cannot be reversed for maybe decades. It is not an optional extra to take action now. It may cost money, but there is plenty around – the NZSG would like to continue to receive their dividends from the energy companies. Blaming the new green technologies for cost of living rises is dishonest. Transporting energy materials like gas and oil contribute almost 50% to the greenhouse emissions of ocean transport.
CAR TAX
TSUNAMI
Tsunami hits Tonga after giant volcano eruption. New Zealand issues tsunami warning.
Few details at the moment but hopefully no casualties as warnings seem to have been effective.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/15/tonga-tsunami-warning-as-volcano-erupts-at-sea
PIE IN THE SKY
Just read https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/12/net-zero-climate-strategy-uk-government-sued.
CRISIS – OCEANS
Many people in the world have never seen the life blood of our planet. Out of sight, out of mind may apply to them, but the importance of our oceans is a rather neglected aspect of our global environment. CO2 content of the atmosphere and the greenhouse effect grab the headlines. But p17 of the Guardian reports the sixth consecutive year of hottest temperatures for oceans. Should be Front page of all papers as the Partygate thing will be forgotten by summer.