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I put the washing on and then looked at the weather forecast! I am a dumbass at times.
On an optimistic note Andy Burnham has published ideas for his future government – and there was not anything to dislike apart from those who hate paying tax and think the world is orientated around them! It was vague in parts but at least built up the hope that things will get better. He did it in Manchester – can he take on the vast vested interests of Westminster, Whitehall and the City of London.
The Greek goddess who personifies Mother Earth is pouring scorn on Trump; firstly the pond in Washington which he blamed on saboteurs (if the Crown Jewels were nicked I guess he would blame the school parties!) and now the awful earthquake in Venezuela.
And Europe ignore the warning signs of Gaia at your/our peril. The present heat wave is waning in the UK, but it will not be the last this year. Britain’s and indeed Europes infrastructure was built for a different climate. So the first act of Andy Burnham as PM should be to create a Department of climate emergency and borrow the billions to fund the necessary improvements to infrastructure and buildings, including private ones. Bonds could be issued to pay for it – we always find money for weapons, why not to fund public safety and resilience? Strict rules will need to be in place to prevent the cronyism of the covid debacle. He could even do something about that by at least banning certain individuals from Parliament. “A stitch in time saves nine” is a maxim that the public will understand. Newly nationalised water companies could be given leading roles. Whilst on the issue – all council nd government contracts need to be verified to prevent over-charging – I know of people wanting to invest in care homes due to the massive profit margins, and perhaps a cap on government council salaries; the same gos for education – how can a headteacher justify a salary in excess of £150000 – sma hours, same responsibilities as others earning half that. And I am not against capitalism per se, just the jungle that has been created. I have not ranted against Farage & Co yet – I wish they would just fuck off some tropical island and then Gaia could create a tsunami!
World Cup is troubling – the nights are sweaty enough, and sleep disturbed, without having to wake up and work out who played in the hours of European darkness. Hydration breaks in an air conditioned stadium for the benefit of advertisers and TV channels – it disrupts the flow of games and is not necessary if the games are played at sensible times – America – keep your hands off our football (ours forever! the publics game).
I am tired of stupid old people – and in particular hearing that in the summer 1976 everybody just got on with life and ignored the heat. An estimated 150 people died per day due to the heat. Swimming pools had not been closed due to Tory austerity, and the plethora of shiny glass covered schools and other buildings built to resemble greenhouses had yet to spread like a fungus across the country.. Toilets could not be flushed due to a water shortage, unless one took a bucket to the standpipe at the street corner and carry the ever increasing weight! back home and up the stairs to the bathroom. Yes you old fogey’s – you were 50 years younger, less stupid? fitter? less dogmatic? Presumably you did not have selective vision and view everything via those tinted glasses. Presumably you also forget the cholera scares and seeing people suffering from the impact of other diseases. Racism, homophobia and misogyny were the norm. Oh what a jolly time we had! Just see me coming and STFU! And yes the trains did stop running. At least cities like London with ULEZ are more bearable despite the heat (a recent study showed air pollution deaths down 40% since its introduction- yet another way Reform want to kill us by abandoning these schemes. In the 50 years temperatures across the south of England have risen 3C – for the dumbass 35C is 95F, body temp is 37C, so a little hotter and we cook- it is well known that white anglo-saxons love to cook on beaches – they even baste themselves in oil – makes a nice crusty skin! and enhances the chance of skin cancer. But never fear folks – you will no longer need to pay £1000’s for the pleasure of going to the Mediterranean – the heat will come to you!
If Labour could stop their internal squabbling for a moment and actually make some plans for for next years weather – possibly very cold in Jan/Feb and then a scorching summer. I realise it takes time to build a reservoir – but all buildings with x roof space should be compelled to have water storage tanks – at the very least they could spray car parks in drought conditions.
And of course we all get introverted in a crisis – me me me! But I llike to think my front lawn (and back – I am not doing it for show!) may provide a haven for wildlife in times of drought and heat; it also absorbs rainfall and replenishes the water table beneath, rather than cause run off to overwhelm seawge works which then pollute our water supply. It is not brain science, I am not that clever – just ordinary fucking common sense. TWO WILDFIRES hit GREENLAND in a week – Greenland is supposed to be covered with ice which in places is over 1km thick. Is America and Trump behind the fires? Nothing would surprise me less!
So most people in Iran beleive they have won the war with USA/Israel despite cost of living horrors, how many Americans think Trump won? Oh well they are more concerned about a pond in Washington! Israel found guilty of murdering Palestinian children – we know what Starmer thinks – will Burnham be different.
I guess we will forget the problems once the games begin. But problems so far include:
Ticket pricing is a mess with probably at least 75000 tickets unsold, true fans are being priced out; transport costs are ridiculously high (most teams have to travel hundreds of km.- free in Qatar), as is accomodation and stadium refreshments – no cheap pie and a cup of tea here!
Visa restrictions are preventing many fans from travelling at all. This is also affecting teams which are restricted about the numbers of team members approved, a team doctor was detained for several hours; Teams like Iran who have all their games in the USA are not allowed to stay in the country – they have to travel from Mexico for each game! Likelyhood of inclement weather – not just heat but thunderstorms may have an impact on several matches:
All this before we have teams outside the top 50 playing, Haiti, Curacao, South Africa, Qatar, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Ghana. It is not the fucking FA Cup with its traditions and upsets – it should be for the best teams in the world (nations that is, countries will never meet the excellence of club sides like Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSV, Bayern Munich and the variable teams that represent Italy and England. Mexico and Canada must be regretting being persuaded that a joint World Cup would be a good thing!
The I.O.C. must be getting worried about the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. What stunt will Trump pull after the ridiculous D-Day post? He is insane and still we have 2 1/2 years to endure, without god forbid, Vance taking over when Trump finally loses the plot and is medically certified!
Back home – chilly at 6am, and then wet but rain has stopped and sun will be out soon! Long’ish term weather forecast is basically a dull cloudy June with little rain. Maybe July will see a summer? I am not bothered, my tomato plants are now a meter high and have flowers.
Oh and world news – Israel continues to kill people, the papers find old right wing military persona to condemn the government for not shutting down benefits and spending on weapons – when basically the latest situation is a war between drones and anti-drone systems.
I am still angry at the violence directed towards police officers at a rent-a-riot perpetrated by Farage and Robinson. Only 2 arrests – the video footage I have seen identifies many people and police cams must show more. Why have Farage and Robinson not been arrested for inciting violence? The court had sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment, so it was purely violence against the police with racial overtones.
My rant continues with one against South West Water who have been fined £1.85million over a parasite outbreak in Devon. What is the point of fining them when the fine will be passed onto customers. Apologies are worthless when they continue to disregard public safety – water companies should be nationalised now.
El Niño is expected to return by September with 80% likelihood and a 90% by November. I have yet to hear of any government reacting to UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres warning that “the world must treat it like the urgent climate warning it is”. Politicians across the world have been warned – “unprecedented” and “unique” will not suffice as excuses for inaction. In fact in the UK local councillors who ignore the warnings should be dismissed and possibly prosecuted where their actions are deemed to be negligent (I am thinking of Lincolnshire CC where the flood committee has been disbanded in a false money saving measure).
Israel continues with its ethnic cleansing ing in Lebanon, and the slaughter of children and innocents. It will not end well for Israel, or unfortunately for pro-Palestian jews worldwide – the ignorant do not discriminate!
But a positive to end with – Google have applied to release 32million sterilised mosquitos in the USA. Less pesticides and chemicals would obviously be brilliant, but these things have been going on for years – I used to teach about them! and whilst 32m seems large I would guess it is a tiny proportion of the mosquitos in any region?
Scientists are forecasting a ‘very strong’ El Niño in 2027 based on measurements so far in the Central Pacific Ocean. So far away and whilst it may not have a major impact on the UK it seems likely that it will influene our weather. The Committee for Climate Change has advised the government to prepare for 3 eventualities; heat, flood and water shortages. We have already had water outages in the south east this year and it is not really hot yet and the “heat wave” was just a few days! Hospitals and care homes may find that air conditioning is not an option, but essential. Schools could conduct lessons outside, but with little shade they may need to invest heavily in sun block. How about funding schools to cover playgrounds at a height with a solar panel roof that would provide shade, heat in winter and air con in summer? Tax deductable for local businesses if they also provide work experience. Flooding is likely, and whilst some extreme storm events are inevitable and unavoidable, people in at risk areas, probably at least 5 million homes! should be advised on how to protect their properties and mitigate the damage. Weather forecasting is excellent on a regional basis but small differences occur between juxtapositioned villages! So crying wolf is to be avoided. Storm damage in coastal areas is also likely – warmer temperatures will cause sea level to rise. So the three P’s possible options are Prevention (not generally possible within the present time frame; Protection (possible individually but not possible if widespread) and Prepare?Mitigation (always the last option).
And meanwhile a report suggests that net zero is worth £100bn a year and employs over 300.000 people whose earnings are 11% higher on average than the countrywide average. So fuck of Farage and doomsayers! Reports also suggest that youth unemployment will hit high levels next year – why not offer firms a tax break to employ youngsters to instal solar panels, heat pumps and insulation – the maths is beyond me, but taking the young off benefits, and training them at the same time would seem to be a no brainer?
Meteorologists are predicting this to be ‘an El Niño” year. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, occurring every 2-7 years. It triggers global climate shifts, including increased global temperatures, drought in Southeast Asia and Australia, heavy rain in South America, and warmer, drier conditions in parts of North America, typically peaking around December.
So I am predicting a hot summer in the UK followed by a cold winter. So my tomatoes and chillies should flourish. And the solar panels being installed on houses should start paying back almost immediately. Why are right wing politicians so anti green technology? At present carbon burning provides 50% of electricity generation and 75% of total energy. So we are already providing ourselves with energy free from geopolitics. We can and will do better – and petrol is likely to remain at high levels £1.60 ltr yesterday. Iran has nothing to gain by a quick settlement and has shown that it can still control the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the wealth of the USA and the trillions poured into its military, it seems unable to create a safe passage for the 850 vessels trapped – it escorted 2 ships through the Strait yesterday. Airlines in the UK are being allowed to keepnlanding slots if they cancel flights -expect much whinging in the press about cancelled flights. Charter flights should be ok as they are usually full, but scheduled flights where there are multiple flights a day seem vulnerable. Will private jets be subject to rationing? Will cheap flight offers become rarer?
But enough negative news – we are in May and everything is blooming here – hawthorn (may blossom) is dying back, my wisteria is blooming and the honeysuckle is adding to the fragrancy. Rosemary is in bloom and attracting insects. Lemon balm is gorgeous and looking and smelling beautiful. And my youngest daughters glamping business in Cornwall is blooming, as it should it is quality! Tylda Tents. visit and enjoy.
I wonder what qualifications civil servants have? At the DfE they obviously did not study Geography! I suppose they studied esoteric subjects like Latin and Politics, or even History (although there is little evidence that they have learnt anything from the mistakes of history; or are they all in “Yes Minister” mode of arse licking? Back to the DfE which is supposed to overlook education provision – having removed and reduced the role of local authorities. What am I on about? OK – so the DfE has just realised that the number of children has been falling since 2018 – most GCSE students would have been aware of this along with nearly all A level ones, oh and infant school teachers, the health service and all local authorities! Indeed it has even been reported in the sensible press for a couple of years with reports of inner city schools closing. I just hope the Department for Pensions/etc. is aware of demographic change? I am sure the NHS is!
Yet again politicians fail to see te need to upgrade our education system into the 21st century. Pandering to public outcry and banning phones from school, whilst doing nothing to change the outdated syllabi of the 19th Century. Enquiry based learning was shunted to the waste basket with Thatcherism and the politics of the rich and powerful. I am old enough to be disappointed at the number of people on “Pointless who do not know their arse from their elbow” but also realise that we have most facts at our fingertips without having to trek to a public library (where they still exist), or immense private investment in encyclopedia’s – I still learn more with a printed copy than online!
Meanwhile – Cornwall County Council – run by LibDems and independants have approved the use of glyphosates on pavements and verges – yet another example of a lack of proper education or just plain ignorance? Drew Creek had a motion for a pause approved – he sholud resign – do not play politics with the environment and my grandchildrens future.
I live in an area where watching BBC News is subversive and generally I am the sole reader of the Guardian (which i may cancel my subscription to – it is too right wing!). But I have the problem of flag shaggers and knuckle draggers speaking about killing Putin and humiliating Meghan Markel, etc. So without telling them that I think they are ignorant twats – what should I say?
I am developing a list and would appreciate further suggestions! 1. How did you become such an expert on this matter? 2. You have fought in the Middle East? 3. I will bow to your knowledge on this matter – I just thought Trump was an egoistic, misogynistic, racist, stupid c*nt! 4. Hopefully education has improved since you went to school! 5. Wow- I did not realise the Mail/Sun/Express/Telegraph provided such an in depth analysis of geo-political situations.
As you can see I am not a diplomat!
Time to move out! The building is a fire and safety hazard and needs ma major renovation. We know it will take at least a couple of years to move out, so planning ahead is imperative. Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham has the potential as the UK’s largest stately home but its geographical location is not ideal. A complete rethink of how Parliament works is essential. Electronic voting would seem an obvious way to increase efficiency, and perhaps reduce groping in the lobbies! Much of what Parliament does is in committees that would need copious space. Then there is the lobbying that goes on; and the meetings with civil servants. All of which will need blue sky thinking and like Rome will not be built in a day. So bozos – get planing!
An estimed group of scientists have spoken out about climate change, suggesting that a tipping point is closer than previously thought. For those who studied A Level Geography I am a believer in Boserup rather than Malthus. Boserup stated that ‘necessity was the Mother of Invention’; whilst Malthus predicted that population growth would lead to war, disease and poverty. So is necessity the “Mother of Invention”? Only if we as a human race can see the necessity. Those accepting funding from the fossil fuel lobby, and Russia and the Arab nations like Reform and Trump will possibly lead us to a devastating future. I was shit at statistics in my A level maths – I failed; but would you cross a road if you had a 99% chance of survival from major injury or death? I would not even with 99.9999% odds. So why are people so pathetically selfish/delusioned? I am not religious at all, but sometimes wish that there was an after life so these arrogant bastards can get their comeuppance for eternity! Moi, vindictive? Non!
And having said I was crap at maths – I have just done a quick calculation. Nearly 70 million residents in the UK; approx 30 million households; at least 10 million could have solar panels; cost @ £5000 per house – £50billion. That is a lot but in terms of government spending not a lot! Hitching in the late 1960’s I got a lift from a guy who worked at a nuclear power station and he was convinced that electricity would become free! But with batteries we could all become free of huge energy bills – those with the solar panels could subsidise those in flats and where it is impractical. I dream on!