The North Atlantic Hurricane Season has officially started (1st June to 30 November). Predicted to be above average. For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
FOREIGN AID – RANT
The government panders to the small minded and ignorant – again.
The cut is 0.2% of our national budget (GDP). It is not a matter of spending it on poverty in the UK, the government has already choses not to do this. Money spent on aid benefits us in many ways, economically and politically via trade deals. The moral argument is obviously wasted on the selfish bit of the British Public (which unfortunately is rather large). As proof of this statement I would refer to the litter dropped on our beaches, parks and roadsides. The government should not be pandering to this numbskull element of society, but trying to educate them. Bigots should not be a core element for any political party in a democratic society.
G7 makes historic agreement
G7 agree new tax laws on major TNC’s in this BBC story. Can they stick to it? It will probably need G20 approval before adoption. I think I am correct in stating that Ireland will lose out in a major way? UK has already watered down the % from 21% to 15%. And the Sunday Express headlines that this is all UK governments doing (Biden might disagree!).
TIPPING POINTS – CLIMATE CHANGE
Research this for yourself as it is not pleasant reading!
CLIMATE CHANGE
Forget Covid. That was a blimp. This is the mega problem – not inevitably a disaster, but probably. G7 will meet amongst the seagulls inn Cornwall this summer. I do not particularly care about the economic bollocks they agree. Whether they actually agree something substantial and verifiable could. be momentous. But then I woke up!
I just hope the seagulls take out some drones and shit on the smug bastards!
LAWNS
Why do you have a lawn? If you can answer positively and say you use it for whatever, that is fine. How many people mow a small lawn using electricity or petrol, for no other purpose than to stop the grass growing? I am not advocating concrete or even plastic grass – but what is the point?
COVID
BREXIT IMPACTS SO FAR
It is difficult to separate Brexit and Covid impacts, especially as both are virus’ which keep mutating!
But lets have a go. Northern Ireland is slowly descending back into troubled waters with the government stuck in its dogma. Industries like fishing have been hit hard – I guess that as most fishermen seem to have voted for Brexit, that they cannot read? Imports from Europe have slowed, prices have risen. We might notice this more in the summer when fresh fruit and veg from the Mediterranean is due. A shortage of labour is reported across hospitality and agricultural sectors – whilst Patel is busy trying to send Europeans home, the industries are trying to recruit. I am not sure the dire shortages in the building industry are down to Brexit or Covid, probably a bit of both. New trade deal with Australia has not been welcomed by farmers or environmentalists.
Basically the Cabinet was selected to be Pro-Brexit with people of undoubted ability cast aside (by Cummings? Certainly by Johnson). The trouble seems to be that they did not, have not, got a plan (or a clue) on how to deal with the problems (entirely foreseeable) that have and will ensue.
They are still basking in the view that this is a government which gets things done – KILLING OLD PEOPLE IN CARE HOMES, BREXIT, ENRICHING THEIR BUDDIES, SELLING OFF PARTS OF THE NHS, VACCINES, and maybe they dissolution of the United Kingdom, and more likely the selling of patient data from the NHS. This last one has not been touted yet – but wait and see!
COVOD – PLEASE TELL ME!
I am not particularly bright, but not stupid either! letting Johnson and co died on whether to release all restrictions on 21st June is akin to asking a monkey to type out “A mid-summers night dream”. there are 2 basic questions I believe I would like answers to, and then I will make my own decision.
Firstly there seems to be a rise in infections in some areas (although thankfully not here at the moment), does this matter? Is it young fit and healthy people not really being affected? And therefore not a medical problem or issue.
And secondly by the 21st June we will hopefully have about 80% vaccination. Is this enough to prevent another wave?
If the answer to these questions is yes I would guess we can go ahead with no restrictions. However if there is any doubt at all, the reduction of restrictions must be nuanced. there is no place for politics here. Any chance of another wave of serious infections must put welfare before economics. And I am sure lots of people suffer from metal problems due to the lockdown, but these should be dealt with properly, not just ascribed to lockdown and used as an argument to do away with all restrictions..
Why can’t we have an honest government which sets out the risks clearly and concisely. I suspect modelling would be able to put potential figures on different activities. If you want to criticise me that is cool – but I would suggest that all outside activities are fine. Family gatherings should be governed by intelligence (anyone feeling ill?) and limited hugging, etc..
Indoor gatherings are much more complex. Restaurants might have to reduce capacity to ensure more space, pubs might need a limit on numbers or opening? Weddings with mix of ages and alcohol are possibly the most difficult to judge. But the government needs to be firm and set out the problems. Would a wedding with make inside and social distancing, or vaccine passports work? Everything should be done to ensure a new normality returns, but not at any cost.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Interesting votes at major oil company annual meetings. But Gazprom and Aramco are outside the ‘democracy’ of shareholder votes. So governments should adjust their tax take according to the zero carbon credentials. It can be that easy!
But of course we have a government that is long on rhetoric and short on policy and action. They will continue to import goods from abroad and not add these products carbon footprint to our total.