Archive for March, 2007
Carbon Foot Size
From a tree hugger
I do lots of work helping industry sort out issues with their environmental performance. The latest thing that companies want to consider is their carbon footprint. Sadly, as with so many new toys or gadgets, the companies just want it and do not care whether it is of any use to them or whether they know how to do it. For one thing there is carbon footprinting and most folk are somehow measuring this in carbon dioxides (something the Stern report got confused about). Then there are carbon equivalents (CFC’s and methane) which everyone is ignoring which in many cases contribute more to environmental destruction than the energy consumed. Then there is a complete lack of standised scoping of footprints and the result that carbon footprints are not comparable. The govt puts out plans on how to do this (which for once are actually very good) but industry can’t be bothered as it is too complex and therefore they just guess.Please Mr Common Senses, can you slap some sense into folk to explain to them that they would be better doing nothing than what they are doing just now. They are all jumping on bandwagons for the sake of marketing. There is an environmental issue out there and if they continue to treat it as marketing play thing it is not going to get solved.
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Carbon Foot Size”
Provide common sense...
Dead Nose Day
From a partially asphyxiated charity supporter
I recently purchased two Red Noses from a reputable, if pricey, supermarket. Upon my return home I extracted the snout-like appendage from its packaging. After consuming the bonus chocolate I inserted my schnozzle into the gaping hole and prepared to relax in the knowledge that I had done my bit – this feeling of smugness was not to last however. The prosthetic nose has a malodorous chemical smell and is quite unwearable.
What am I do? I wish to show my support of Comic Relief but also wish to continue breathing. Please advise.
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Dead Nose Day”
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Consultant K Says:
March 15th, 2007 at 6:44 pmquit whinging and get on with it. There are people suffering far more than you are and the current design is meant to highlight this.
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March 16th, 2007 at 1:06 amLeave it standing for several hours. It’ll soon loose its smell. I don’t think K is correct though, Red Noses were not designed to inconvenience us (although I have just found them an encumbrance to reading a computer screen) - they are just a bit of fun.
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March 26th, 2007 at 3:41 pmRed noses - think of the carbon and water footprint of making, transporting and then disposing of a load of foam blobs that are used once. Please, next time, can we have something a wee bit more sensible ?
Provide common sense...
Serving suggestion?
From Bucks Fizz’ Cheryl Baker:
Recently I purchased some Cherry Bakewells and on the outside was a picture of one out of its foil container. In the corner it said Serving suggestion. Now I have just bought some fresh Orange Juice and on the outside was a glass of the stuff. In the corner it said Serving suggestion.Do we really need to be told that serving it in a glass or out of its tray is merely a suggestion?
3 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Serving suggestion?”
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March 16th, 2007 at 1:02 amI believe it is a legal requirement, not to have a serving suggestion, but if you have an illustration to label it as such. Some people don’t have common sense you see, and they will mis-interpret the picture and expect milk to automatically fall onto their bowl of Cornflakes from the packet. This will inevitably end up with even less common sense being applied and legal proceedings ensuing.
It’s best to keep the less well informed informed otherwise they deem themselves to be mushrooms.
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March 16th, 2007 at 9:43 amIn the same way that kids often only learn through pain, is it no bad thing for the general public to be educated through use of their head. I am not saying we should be scalding children but I know from experience that repeatedly telling a child, it will hurt when things go wrong only works for a limited time whereas allowing the kid to hurt themselves means they do not repeat the process.
Also I have no issue with cornflakes suggesting the milk is not present but for OJ and cherry cakes! Neither show anything other than the cherry cake or the OJ (admittedly in a glass). I think Con C is leaving the point.
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March 16th, 2007 at 6:53 pmbut its a bit hard to believe that 80’s throwback cheryl baker would be writing in don’t you think?
Provide common sense...
Growing Concerns
A query from Europe:
Could not help notice this situation that appears to lack common sense - they appear to have very recently planted small trees right underneath low electricity cables. Perhaps you could add your insightful comments on this one.
One pearl of wisdom on “Growing Concerns”
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March 13th, 2007 at 10:20 amShocking (or it will be)
March 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Blame the media for whipping up a frenzy of ignorance. Clearly, the folk know that they have to do something but are panicing and doing, often, the wrong thing. There are loads of examples where rushing to do something ‘green’ is as bad, if not worse, than continuing as usual.
And in addition to carbon footprints, there is also the water footprint to consider. Oh the joy of watching folk trade off between the two.
May 21st, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Anonymous, please provide some examples of “where rushing to do something “green” is as bad, if not worse, than continuing as usual”?
May 21st, 2007 at 7:57 pm
How many examples can I offer.
Buying carbon credits from Shell because they are retiring CO2 into the ground. Erm, no they are not, they would be putting the CO2 back into the ground anyway as it increases oil returns.
Fitting photovoltaic panels to the roof of a house in Scotland. They use more energy in production and transport that they will produce in the first 5 years and they will never financially pay for themselves
want me to go on?