Category: Changinging climate

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DIPLOMATIC GAMES

Trump has tried to shore up his assertions that the Fairford 5 were ‘we knew everything about them adn would not hhave released them on bail’ by withdrawing a squadron of bombers from Fairford in panic, refuelling planes had to be scrambled to support them, stating that they had info on a threat from Iran. Bullshit – MAGA are losing support in US polls before the mid-terms and the war with Iran is unpopular, especially given rising inflation. He sowed the seeds of American patriotism and is now reaping the costs, Americans are not happy with thedeaths of their servicemen in a futile and illegal war, nor are they happy with the cost of fuel.

Meanwhile the Government seems set on a path of diplomatic war with Israel – the fascist government of that country has said it will close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem (a UN designated Palestian area; and in return our government has said it will expel one Israeli diplomat for every on e force to leave the Consulate. Israel seems to be losing a diplomatic battle in Europe. The Irish football team again refused to shake hands with the Israel team, and wore black arm bands in recognition of those who have died in Gaza. America will always be supportive, and in Europe Germany still reflects on its appalling genocide of the jews during WW2.

Elsewhere, Spains left wing government have called a snap general election over housing costs. France has riots (does anyone else riot like the French? over student claims of underfunding of education, albeit in a time of worrying French Government debt. In Brazil the right wing looks like it may defeat the present government.

Badenoch meanwhile has said she would develop a Britannia Sheild to protect the UK – for £10billion I guess she was just proposing to safeguard London. £10 billion is a lot, but did she think the Ukraine would not have raised this money to protect Kiev? Or was she thinking of an actual Iron Dome stretching for Dover to Carlisle, and have the added benefit of drowning asylum seekers.

And a maybe positive ending – there maybe no Atlantic hurricanes this year due to El Niño, what this means for the UK is unpredictable.

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WEATHER PREDICTION

Looking at the Met. Office predictions it looks like a typical autumn here – bits of rain and sun, bit cloudy but warm – I seem to remember that Nov 5th was cold, wearing gloves to hold sparklers, and being warmed by the fire with a guy on top. Guy Fawkes, along with bob a job week seems to have disappeared from our cultural activities. I am digressing, but so what, other things that are disappearing ‘giving the bumps’ on ones birthday, a pinch and a punch for the first of the month? Friday the 13th – any more? Other superstitions include not walking under a ladder, not stepping on the edges of paving stones, magpies, not putting shoes on tables, and not cutting nails on a Sunday. I am sure I have missed some, but guess we all have little quirks – I always put right shoe and sock on first, and do not like adjacent light switches to be uncoordinated!

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GREEN PARTY

I know that we should all commend statements that decry Israels genocide in Gaza and its murderous intentions elsewhere, but really who cares what the party members think? They have no power or even influence, people on the streets according to those out canvasing. However where the Green Party does have a huge influence is on environmental and climate change issues. Apart from the knuckle dragging flag shaggers most people, especially the young have a deep down fear of what we are doing to the planet. So forget international diplomacy and issues that you cannot influence and concentrate on the 2 issues, that if Burnham gets to introduce some form of PR, the Greens could take alead on. This does not mean ignoring all other issues – everything comes down to economics; Social issuess such as racism and misogyny are also core beliefs for members of the GP.

Burnham has also played a master card regarding the EU. Public opinion is behind rejoining – small boat crossings only started after Brexit The economic cost of leaving was, is and will be horrific, the fishing industry is decimated, farming and manufacturing in decline, immigration has fallen back under Labour from nearly a million per annum. And I think I may be a bit racist when I say that the decline of EU immigration was to the detriment of an integrated society. Europeans have a similar history and sociological make up rather than the influx of people from the far east – there I said it! A large influx of people from Europe would not have the same impact of people from elsewhere. This comment is definitely not about colour but integration into a multi-cultural society. It is also apparent that ex-pats in places like Spain have not fully integrated. I wonder if there should be a nationality test after a residence of say 10 years based on a shared history and common culture. I think I have already said too much!

Warnings of an AI economic bubble/crash are growing stronger.- tec giants have invested billions, but are suggesting putting the breaks on future developments. The thing is, can AI be monetised in a meaningful way? There are obvious benefits to using AI, but at the cost of unemployment? Books and films can be made using AI and I am told they are very good, but will they have the same nuance and moments as those captured from isolated experiences. Would AI have created the iconic Pink Floyd or would we all be listening to perfect trash music?

Badenoch goes for the grey vote by pledging to the triple lock. I am sure that I read that pensions had gone up by 23% more than the average wage – the pension issue was dire, but now it is the young who suffer.

Oh, and El Niño is not expected to fully hit for a couple of months – look out for horror weather related news stories in the media – or here!

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DUH!

Its a no brainer , rejoin the EU or at least get much closer with regulations and laws. Only bogotted no brains would argue against it (latest survey says that means 28.5% of the population are thicker than shit!). Whether the EU would want us back is debatable, but a new Dublin Agreement would stop the bollocks from Farage!

The Greens should forget about Gaza – they are powerless and the public basically do not give a shit – let the Government do the hard graft on this. They should concentrate on the main threat to living standards and life as we know it, climate change.

Yesterdays post as my computer was being uncooperative –

What is Trump doing now?  Basically his illegal war has caused the cost of diesel to spiral and therefore inflation will follow.  So Trump is now panicking about the mid-term elections looming on his horizon, and the polls are not looking good for him.  It seems increasingly likely that he will not control Congress after the elections.  If there is a swing to the Democrats, it is quite possible that he will lose his present ability to act like a dictator, and possibly face criminal charges against himself and his family (he has been protected by sycophantic MAGA supporters in Congress).

Did you know that a Greenland Shark can live for 400 years.

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ENVIRONMENT

This government has made a positive start to ensuring that the UK has an environment fit for the future with a pledge to plant at least 500000 trees. Trees can reduce temperatures in cities by up to 4C in summer, they also have a warming input in winter, a mature tree can intercept 15000 litres of rainfall whilst the roots enhance infiltation and thus reduce flooding. At least 150 different species of insects can live on oak trees thus being brilliant for wildlife. My road would have been wooded at one time, but now has only a half dozen trees, plus my two mulberry trees! I am sure back gardens have a few more but if every front lawn, that are unused biological deserts, had a tree of any variety, the road would be a feast of wildlife. So put away your lawn mower – which contributes to climate change and plant a tree (blossom, fruit or other). And hey farmers, supplement your income by allowing people to sponsor a tree in the more unproductive parts of your fields, do not wait for a govrnment grant but be proactive and get locals involved.

Wetter and windy is the prediction of the cheif meteorologist at the Met Office, 6 million homes are at risk from flooding and it is estimated that 2 million are unaware of it. Recent developments of houses and infrastructure may mean that areas that have not flooded before are now at risk. Antarctic sea ice has shrunk – the 4 lowest extent on record are the last 4 years. Sea ice does not in itself affect sea level, but it does have an impact on glaciers entering the sea, so if you live near the coast – be aware that coastal flooding may have little to do with rainfall, October and Merch are the real danger months although spring tides in any month can be a hazard. Glaciers melting in Switzerland are also causing concern regarding water supply, and another mountainous state is also suffering from landslips and potentially disasterous floods due to climate change -Nepal.

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RAF FAIRFORD

So, despite Trump’s assertion that he had had the possible assailants ‘under view’ for a long time, it still took a local resident with a seeming 6th sense, in the early hours of the morning to be suspicious. She tried calling the base – who did not reply – and then dialled 999, the police arrived in 15 minutes (which would seem to be rather tardy in the circumstances?). It appears that no prior intelligence was involved and the police must be commended for a brilliant job. So Trump is talking out of his arse again!

Back home Burnham seems determined to grasp the elusive problem of care homes. This will definitely require a tax of some sort, but is a problem that has been hanging around for way too long. Philip for the Tories bangs on about a ‘death and dementia tax’ – he is determined that he gets his inheritance! and offers no alternative, which is no surprise – years of tory rule and talking about the problem resulted in ‘diddly squat’.

the long range weather forecast for the next month is for high pressure and lower than normal rainfall. I hope it is not a lull before the storm situation. A high court judgement has been passed allowing a housing development in an area identified by the Environment agency as being in a category of highest risk. I hope Persimmon Homes will cover the insurance claims for the new residents of Yatton. Basically, what is the point of the Environment Agency if their objections can be so easily overridden.

And well done the Republic of Ireland mens football team for making a point about the genocidal regime of Israel before winning 3-1. Football has a lot of politics going on at present – a multi-billion enterprise cannot hide behind glib phrases like ‘keep politics out of sport’. Russian athletes are currently banned from the Olympics but that is likely to change with pressure from the next hosts President – yes it is Trump! i agree that sport should occur as an honourable activity between opposing players/sides, but life is becoming ever more complicated. From expensive, advantage giving footwear and body suits in athletics, to financial chicanery in football, the situation is barely better than in the last century where Soviet ruled/influenced countries athletes dominated some athletic results with records that still stand. Sport will do well to maaintain its integrity over the next few years.

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FOOTBALL FOR THE UNENTHUSED

All the talk is about what happens next, well it has taken a very long time already but League rules state that any appeal, and there will be one, should be done in 14 weeks. Why does it matter to non-football lovers, well two players at ManC paid over £35 million in tax between them, so the squad between them pay at least £100m in income tax, without the taxes paid bybthe club itself. So football lovers of other teams should not be too hasty in wishing the teams demise; livelyhoods of many in Manchester are dependant on the team.

Jonathan Watts, writing in the Guardian today, casts doubts on predictions for the UK. Personally I am not so sure and think that the super El Niño will have an impact, just where is in doubt.

OMG – I just read that it is only 20 months since Trump was elected – how can anyone fuck up so much in so little time and still spend time whacking a golf ball around and writing nonsense on his media outlet. He is getting weirder, he threatened to demolish the Kennedy Centre if not allowed to add his name, threatened Iran with annilataion at the UN (an establishment founded to create peace!). Bring on the mid-terms, especially as his attempts to thwart postal voting (but not by himself) have been stopped by federal courts.

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FLOODING

I expect the papers and TV to show weeping people indignant that their houses have been flooded, it will happen, and is reasonably predictable. So unless a dam bursts or there is an exceptionally heavy thunderstorm, people should not be surprised. How many will have taken mitigation measures – moving valuables up a level, laying in flood supplies like water and dried fruit; ensuring safety of pets. Afew simple measures will not prevent a flood but could mitigate the damage, at least mentally. Past photos have shown that new housing can be particularly vulnerable, build by people and planners with no understanding of georaphy and hydrology. Nice BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy9zvw47v90o. which shows how warm and dry this summer has been for your post code.

Whether particular areas suffer from extreme rainfall and flooding will depend on the tradectuary of the jet stream, at present it is bringing rain, byt not floods, to the north of England and west Scotland, but all could change. How many water companies and farmers are taking measures to prepare for a possible bout of very hot, dry weather next spring/summer. A government subsidy for water butts would seem sensible, together with farmers encouraged to contour plant. possibly with regular breaks around the slopes for water loving plants? Listen to the land!

Lisening to the land may mean a move from animal husbandry to a more vegetarian diet containing more legumes, which would also be healthier. Personally I love cheese but am willing to embrace new a changed diet. Although I think venison should become more acceptable as the population of deer in the UK is at record levels. Living sustainably should be the mantra, not veaganism or vegetarianism, just sensible balance.

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CRUELTY

So the tories want to stop benefit recipients spending the money on fags, alcohol and betting.  This may seem virtuous, but for those addicted it will be cruelty and cause more crime and domestic violence.   Oh the rich really do have a control freak syndrome.  Basically we need a certain level of unemployment and it is well known that the Thatcherite policies pursued by various tory governments meant that our manufacturing base was destroyed and hard working people put onto benefits.  Their children and grandchildren now have the choice of unskilled work at minimum wage levels in call centres or shopping warehouses, often on zero hours contracts.  At least Labour are trying to reverse this slide into hopelessness with new GCSE’s, already being criticised as providing a second class education for the poor – by tory rich parents, are they worried that a technical qualification may become more prized than a pseudo-academic one?

The outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres’s parting shot was to emphasise the need for action on climate change.  However world leaders seemed more concerned with petty squabbles and point scoring than address the extreme weather affecting our planet.  On which, Ed Milliband has released a full unreacted report by the Joint Intelligence Committee of the uk which had been suppressed under Keir Starmer (why?).  Milliband pointed out that climate change provided a challenge not just for climate and environmental ministers but foreign policy makers and  national security.  He was presenting to EU foreign ministers and other countries.  Maybe we will take a world lead in environmental matters.

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TRUMP – again

So the United Nations is his choice of venue to state the quandary he has ‘whether to do a treaty with Iran or annihilate it”. Irony has never been in his lexicon! He also failed to see the irony of asking Zelensky to stop bombing Russian oil facilities as it was putting up the cost of petrol/diesel, when it is his illegal war with Iran which is hiking up the cost of oil products. All the while boasting that the USA and Venezuela control 60% of the worlds oil i am puzzled! He further went on to boast about the deprivation he was causing in Cuba. He also had a belated ‘go’ at the agreement the UK has made over the Chacos Islands – which of course the trash papers at home made a big deal about, rather than threats to annihilate civilisations. Has Andy Burnham been clever as hell with his deal with Saudi Arabia? He has agreed to provide a plane/ maybe 2 to refuel Saudi jets that never venture far enough to be refuelled! Burnham seemed to come out of the meeting with the man-baby unscathed and unbowed, and did not offer him a state visit either. he also refused to rule out rejoining the EU. With Britain being beholden to the USA for the last century, the relationship between the two has slipped from special, to frosty at times, it therefore makes absolute sense for us to rejoin Europe.

EV’s are a better buy with high mileage – a study of 47.4m MOT’s showed that over 90000 miles EV’s were 25% less likely to fail, although tyre wear was greater (come on buffs, find a way to take tyre and brake pad wear/dust out of the environment Car manufacturers should whole heartedly embrace the technology and start to really compete with Chinese firms, no more pleading for time, its running out, to stop climate change.