Category: Geography

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OBSCENE

Trump signs a £107 billion defence deal with Saudi Arabia. WTF! Oh and there was reportedly another $400 billion in other deals! Just think of the poverty that could be eradicated, the education programmes, the health centres. But no the men with small cock syndrome have to go for the biggest weapons. To my knowledge neither the USA or Saudi Arabia is under no threat of invasion or war. Oh, and he has cut the American aid programme – what a complete and utter bastard.

On a good news story Everton FC have turned their old stadium of Goodison Park over to the womans football team. Whilst the capacity will be drastically reduced from 39000 it is great that the women will have a Premiership quality ground of their own, rather than a soulless housing estate. Sunderland have got through to the playoff final by the skin of their teeth. Whilst it would be great for them to bank the money that the Premiership doles out, they are not a team that can compete in the big league. All 3 sides promoted last year have been relagated despite some premiership sides being crap.

Labour are being slated from left and right regarding migration. I have already stated that I find the whole issue more complicated every time I look at it. Taking in 900000 migrants in a year is way too high, but also the vacancies in the NHS and Care system are way to high. Without doubt there are many people making extortionate profits from the NHS and Care systems, and also emergency housing for migrants. Care work is generally at minimum wage and the costs of a resident in a care home are also way too high, and would be unaffordable for many. family units and ties are also virtually non-existent – so family care is not possible.

Moving Civil Servants jobs out of London is a great idea – London has a vibrancy and momentum of its own, and spreading skilled jobs around the country is a great idea.

Cyclists – a newspaper report states that Paris has overtaken Amsterdam and the best city for cyclists. The accompanying photo was revealing. No lycra clad 30’s – just young people on bikes with baskets. How different to the cycling situation in the UK.

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GLOBAL WARMING

When hearing about arguments regarding the above I have to ask the question “why are you ignoring the evidence?”

So the evidence is not just theoretical – there is the FACT that CO2 and methane are greenhouse gases. There is the FACT that the proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere has risen 25% in last 65 years. Sun spot activity can cause fluctuations but the trend is forever upwards. Just because there are variations from place to place and year to year cannot deny the warming trend.

So the FACTS are clear we have a warming world, and CO2 pollution is probably the cause – I say probably because it is possible, but unlikely, that Earth is in a warming phase (evidence points to the opposite.

So the IMPACTS. FACT. Sea level rising with greater coastal erosion. Long-term measurements of tide gauges and recent satellite data show that global sea level is rising, with the best estimate of the rate of global-average rise over the last decade being 3.6 mm per year (0.14 inches per year). Tuvalu is a maximum of 2m asl.

FACT. Glaciers which regulate the flow of water to some of the most fertile and densely populated parts of the world are melting and retreating at an alarming rate. This could cause food insecurity and an increase in environmental migration.

FACT. Insects across Europe are in decline along with the subsequent food chain. Insects (bees are the best known) re essential for the production of food. Decline maybe down to pesticides, but due to the fecundity of most insects areas where harmful chemicals have been banned they should be making a comeback.

FACT. Climate has warmed and species that can adapt are moving – northwards in the Hemisphere. Sharks have become more common in UK waters. Plants are flowering earlier whilst animals with a longer lifecycle take longer to change.

Peoples arrogance to other species is affecting the diversity of life on this planet. Arrogant fuckwits like Trump and Musk may believe that money and economics will outwit nature – they are wrong! When Earth flexes its muscles people suffer (Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are becoming stronger and more common.

As the Arctic warms up – and FACT – it is, methane from the permafrost will be released (methane hass 10x the impact of CO2 as a greenhouse effect). And the disappearance of ice will mean the surface is darker and the albedo effect diminished.

So bozos who deny this are probably well below the 100 IQ average – or just greedy fuckers who want the profits of carbon burning rather than safeguard their childrens futue.

FACT. Most people dislike and avoid change and therefore like the status quo. We fucking love our cars and are quite terrified of the proplems of EV’s. Maybe we need to consider less travel?

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EARTHQUAKE

After a quiet period earth seems to be waking up! There is always on going seismic activity but I believe this is the first major activity in a populated region? With an autocratic dictatorship I guess they are Trumps BFF? But due to the rest of the world thinking they are shits there is little news getting out. In Bangkok there was a high rise under construction that collapsed with many deaths – I suspect that there are many more in Myanmar itself. Pictures on the BBC show a major bridge collapsed. I hate heights and used to hate driving over the bridge in Plymouth and the Seven one – fucking nightmares are waiting for me!

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CANADA

I have never been – although I did get the migration papers back in the 1970’s – of course I did not have the bottle to follow through! But I retain a romantic memory of dreams of paddling through lakes and wide open spaces. Should Canada be threatened by Trumps absurd claims that it should become the USA’s 51st state. At least he got the number right this time – unlike with Alaska. The capital of Canada is situated further away from the US than its main cities for a reason. 1775 and 1812 were dates when the USA invaded Canada, unsuccessfully. Now Trump coverts the treasures below the Canadian soil. Every move he makes is stimulated by money – I fucking hate him!

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NET ZERO

Climatic events can occasionally be violent and sudden’ish. However the main global events will be gradually but even more devastating. Sea level is creeping up putting nations such as Tuvalu and the Maldives under threat of inundation. The melting of floating ice will not in itself cause a problem but allow glaciers to deliver ice to the sea more quickly. Melting glaciers is a much more dangerous and unpredictable. 2 billion people rely on glaciers indirectly for their water supply. E.Africa has lost 80% of its glaciers; Europe 40%; Andes 40%. Melting and retreating glaciers reduce the albedo effect and lead to greater warming. Permafrost is also melting, releasing methane and destabilising communications and buildings. Highly populated regions such as the valleys of the great rivers sourced in the Himalayas are in danger of fluctuating water supply which would devastate agriculture and thus human survival. These are facts not supposition – the World Meteorological Organisation published its annual State of the Worlds Climate last week.

But – hey, all this is irrelvant to those wanting to make political and financial gains like our right wing political parties and basically most of Americas! According to Ed Milliband the government is set on meeting its green commitments. This makes absolute sense. Until we large scale storage we will always rely on other energy sources during grey windless periods – but the rest of the time we have cheap green energy. A no brainer!

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WORLD

It gets boring talking about Trump all the time – he is an idiot. He says that Mexico and Canada would not have to pay tarrifs until April on lots of goods. Errr – thick shit – it is not those countries that pay the tarrifs but the importers i.e. American citizens! China has responded robustly to increased tarrifs. If Trump wants to promote American businesses, why not subsidise them (or reduce their taxes?). He has pledged to reduce taxes so that will not work! Will tax cuts (mainly for the rich) compensate for higher prices! Eggs seem to be a major issue !

America also seems to have a problem with Fentanyl – I am completely ignorant on this!

Most Britons and West Europeans (In order, UK, Germany,Spain, France, Italy) believe Trump is a threat to peace in Europe – this is only marginally less than Putin! Italy comes out as less anti-Trump, and less happy with spending on defence of Ukraine. Today Russia launched a large attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure – did Trump OK this? He is denying Ukraine intelligence reports so whether or not he knew he basically approved the attack.

Trump says that Ukraine started the war by wanting to join NATO, By the same argument Israel started the war with Hamas by its actions in Gaza and the West Bank? Can anyone explain the difference? Cries of anti-semitism will be ignored.

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DOMINATING

USA dominates the news in the UK. Firstly the hurricanes in Florida and Carolinas, then the Presidential election, then fires in LA followed by guff from the orange man child and minions and Muskrat, and now the plane crash in Washington. How military planes are allowed to fly with impunity in civil airspace is rather confusing to me – I am fairly sure it is not allowed in the UK. Air traffic control. just asks whether the military see civil planes! I suppose with the White House, Congress and Pentagon in close proximity ….. – but modern technology? The video I saw – the helicopter either did not see/ was aware of the plane – or it was deliberate?

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STORM DARRAGH

This one looks like it may be rather windy! And with snow in Scotland and heavy rain in Wales! I suspect that we will have a blowy winter! Every 1C warmer = 7% more moisture in the atmosphere. So with global warming it will be wetter than the past average as a normal? And all those houses built on flood plains? The pumps in Worle and the levels maybe working overtime.

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EXAMS

Labour Education Minister has said too much emphasis is put on exams. I totally agree. This is not to say that exams are irrelevant, but that other aspects are also very important. The exam system favours a certain proportion to the detriment of others. Society has undervalued other qualifications. the whole system is defiunct.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Much has been made of the lack of preparedness and warnings in the Valencia Region. But are we any better? Certainly the Met Office and Env. Agencies have plans and warnings but do they call wolf too often? And does anyone take any notice anyway? Parents evenings at school 10 years ago continued despite warnings and the evidence outside! During the Covid Crisis it was apparent that there was no locally based planning or organisation. The local council disappeared completely. New housing developments will/may excabated the situation. Locally I believe that a syatem for closing the road to Puxton should be an obvious duty for the council if weather warnings are issued. Churchill traffic lights are often flooded and new housing nearby may increase the problem. As an A road this situation needs attention urgently. Other problems seem to have been solved after floods about 10 years ago. However there are very local situations that can affect one or two houses – contingency plans need addressing.

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