The REAL State of the World

The REAL State of the World

Professor Lovelock, at the grand age of 90, delivered a stark statement of fact on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning which exposes the "elephant in the room" about climate change.

The salient facts are these; We didn't deliberately cause the problems of global warming but have inadvertently pulled the trigger and like a flea riding on the back of a runaway giant mammoth we are unable to do very much about it and anything we do is small potatoes or inaffective. His ultimate message is enjoy life while you can - he estimates 7 in 8 people dying from the cumalative effects of global climate change through physical disaster or starvation. That writes the third world off and leaves (I suspect) with the wealthier nations/individuals spending for survival.

I have to agree with most of what he says including the bit about science becoming a career and consequently twisting the data to appease the paymasters and the "business" to which carbon offsetting has become (what a complete farce that is!) The other sad but true piece of news is that renewable energy doesn't really work, something I've suspected for some time. It's just not scalable for our current needs and the political willpower for a massive effort just doesn't exist. The reality of it all is that people feel better for trying to do something, for contributing to an effort to make things better but that effort is (as an outcome) worthless.

That is not to say I think we should abandon "being green", indeed it is a standard which should have been set many years ago. We should keep our environment clean and put back where ever we have taken from, this is just civilised behaviour. I do feel that as a species we should have considered this all a long time ago, that is the problem with human nature, no matter how you might try to "pretty" it up with moral values it is really quite ugly.

As the professor says it's really time to enjoy life whilst you can.

SiG

Smoking in Cars

There is a current health debate rolling around which looks at further reducing the places where smokers are able to indulge in their habit. Now you may guess that from my description I am anti-smoking, this is true I am but when it comes to the argument about smoking in cars I cannot see how anyone can argue in favour of continuing to allow it.

Over the past few years we have been lectured on the dangers of using mobile phones, shaving, eating sandwiches, putting on make-up etc. All whilst in charge of a vehicle. Now I agree with most of these you cannot adequately control a car if you are attempting to plaster whale grease all over your lips, (God knows I've tried!). So how then can the argument run about smoking whilst driving? Clearly trying to light up a fag whilst thundering down the dual carriageway is bloody dangerous. Never mind the dropped matches into the lap or the squinting to make sure the end is properly lit, the smokers hands are occupied elsewhere. What's the difference between that and using a mobile phone?

I do not hold any sway on the argument for the protection of children. If a parent smokes whilst with the child then it's going to happen anywhere, home, bus stop, park, dinner table (ugh!). The car, although a closed environment most of the year, is the least of that child's worries.

So come on Government! Ban smoking in all vehicles and the slogan should be.. Dunk Cig Every Trip

SiG