Category: Weather and climate

Posted on

SEA TEMPERATURES

Forget the “Heat bomb” in Mediterranean Europe, it is the unprecedented sea temperatures that are of the greatest concern together with the lowest amount of Antarctic sea ice ever recorded. Whilst I am super critical of this government for just about everything, Starmer’s Labour Party is looking to be no better when it comes to climate change. Starmer talks about economic growth at every opportunity. Even with greater emphasis on green investment ‘Growth’ equals more CO2 and other pollutants in the atmosphere. Surely a Labour Party should be talking about greater social equity? There is enough wealth in society for everyone to be more than comfortable. Public sector pay should be pegged to a multiple of the basic wage in the sector – the arguement that Council leaders are responsible for a multi million 3 business does not hold up when most of the expenditure has been sub-contracted. How many in the health service earn more than the PM? University leaders are on ridiculous money. Of they are that good let them move to the private sector and increase efficiency there! Increase in applicants in the private sector should also reduce top wages?

Could Labour also reduce the tax allowance on share dealing? A ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on transactions in the city would also help public sectors.

Elon Musk entering the electricty generation market and Dale Vince starting an airline – both could disrupt the status quo for the sectors involved to the benfit of the environment

Posted on

WEATHER

Southern Europe reaches temperatures of 48C, over 100 million Ameriacns are faced with temperature warnings next week with temperatures in the 40C’s. India and China are also. facing record temperatures.

Whilst the UK is experiencing a run of depressions bringing rain to most parts, I would love to know what the government plans are for a heat wave? With COVID everything was reactive rather than proactive! Will we have to wait for bodies to be piled up outside hospitals before action is taken. What plans are there for street sprays, opening up museums and libraries with air con. Or will the government give inflated grants to friends who purport to set up electric fan companies? What plans are there to limit petrol/deisel engines? What plans to support fire and ambulance services?

Posted on

WEATHER 2023

I have no actual records but! it does seem that we have had more Easterly winds this year? It has not been bitingly cold here, just colder than it should be due to the wind? Today is another example – dry and bright sunshine, but a little chilly in the wind.

Posted on

BRAVERMAN

Not a major mistake but reflective of te attitude of some in Government to the rule of law, she was just mimicing the ex-PM Jihnson in thinking she was above the law. However this should be just the excuse Sunak needs to get rid of her from the Cabinet.

Meanwhile Chris Heaton-Harris Secretary of State for NI has called for the return of Storming. Sein Fein recorded 30.9% of the first prefence vote, DUP 23.3%, Alliance 13.3%, UUP 10.9%, SDLP 8.7%. The key here is that the DUP have less than a quarter of the vote but are able to paralyse the NI Assembly. Could the UUP and Alliance parties form an alliance to oust the DUP from its dominant place at Stormont?

Pages: 1 2
Posted on

ELECTION RESULTS

Just gone 8am and 62 council results in, out of 230. First impression is that it is a bad result for the Tories. Labour are probably privately disappointed whilst the LibDems and Greens will be happy – although they always seem to do better in local elections. The Green Party is building an influence but until they are winning councils they stand little hope of a breakthrough in a GE.

3pm and nearly half results are declared. Labour up 222, Tories down 374, LD up 91 and Greens up 87. Very good results for last 2 – very bad for Tories and only good, not very good for Labour.

North Somerset results will be out later. North Somerset results = hung council with I think C-13, Lab-10, Ind 11, LibD 9, Green 7. My to councillors are now Green. Turnout was 32.5% which I assume is low?

I suppise the statistic of the share of the votes will be interesting as there is little evidence of tactical voting at this level.

Lessons to be learnt. Conservatives – things have to change to win back the middle ground. Their policies are too right wing for many – maybe they need to stop fearing the Reform Party (UKIP). Labour needs to get its policies out and aired widely to win voters, and stop fearing the tory right. LibDems are making headway but like Labour are basically an unknown quality so far. The Greens policies – I have no idea if they have them or not! They also need to capitalise on the huge environmental problems facing us all. Turnout is thjought to be lowish but not markedly down to be able to say that the voter ID had a major impact.

The RWPress will be able to bury the results in the Coronation farce.

Councils have had their budgets cut so have little room for manoeuvre even if a new party takes over. And do people actually care – only the Green Party put leaflets through the door (2) and the rest nothing. So what were people voting for? Democracy is only effective with participation by the majority.

Posted on

ALARMS

Despite 10 years of planning and a 7 figure cost this Government could not get the warning out to all. Those did get it found that the arrival varied by at least 12 minutes – a long time in an emergency. Assuming that those with 4 or 5 G coverage will get the warning, a more important question is what plans are in place for those who for whatever reason do not have a mobile phone? It appears none!

Pages: 1 2
Posted on

WEATHER 18 APRIL

A chill wind from the north east before veering to the west on Friday night. But nights are set to be chilly througout the next week so I will leave the heater in the greenhouse on! tomato seeds are growing – I will have to think about potting them up in the next couple of weeks – whilst the chilli plants will need doing this week. Amaranthus seeds are doing well! I will harden them off in a couple of weeks and then put some by the pavement?

Posted on

APRIL – Weather

8th April and bright and sunny but still cold in the mornings. Hanging baskets going up tomorrow – plants have been potted and hardened on patio table so should be ok. I am leaving the heater on in the greenhouse until hight temperatures are above 10C – seeds have germinated (well some!) so I hope to be able to plant them up into their pots in 5 or 6 weeks. Chillies looking good, but not sure about the basil plants I bought – they are on kitchen window sill so getting sunlight and water. Green wheelie bin filled again – one more time should put me on top of things for a while! Although I will need to cut back various plants around the greenhouse and raspberries.

Weather forecast is to get wet and windy again for a bit and then maybe high pressure again with warm days.

Posted on

WEATHER AND …

Our weather recently has been a bit odd. Nothing dramatic but February was very dry, and now March has been wet. Temperatures have been OK with only a couple of frosts last month. Plants in greenhouse – flower seeds are growing but no sign of the tomatoes yet. A dozen mints arrived today, along with 9 chilli plants and 16 plug plants for hanging baskets – I might get proper liners this year. Question – do I keep rosemary plants and sage plants in pots or plant out?

Cooking today for important people – wraps with marinated lamb, salad in greek dressing, greek lentil salad, cold roast potatoes cooked with rosemary, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, brown, red, black rice, spicy chick peas, ……….;;; followed by Cheddar Strawberries and a variety of nuts and dried fruit. Breakfast tomorrow – home made baguettes, bacon, sausage, egg.

Posted on

WEATHER – MARCH

Its cold!. Oissibility of snow tonight and temperatures close to zero. Last March we had temperatures over 20C. What impact this will have on the environment I am not sure – I guess it is not abnormal and we should wait to see what happens next – a warm end of the month and April would enable things to catch up.