Lizzie Zoom wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 12:25:



Yes Lizzie I think that's a very practical way many people can help if they think help is needed.

Like you I have the double glazing, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, thermostat set at 18 degrees (except in the worst of the recent weather, heating operating 2hrs in the morning and 2hrs in the evening.

I take showers rather than baths, I've set aside some ground for home grown produce, I rarely buy processed foods, I try to mend rather than replace.

I drive only when necessary and then it's invariably the Prius (not for any overt green reason - it gets 55mpg which is slightly better than that of the Desmond )

I haven't taken a holiday since 1992 and I switch off most things at bedtime.

I try to be as responsible as I can - and I don't mind being so - but what would annoy me is if some NGO, committee or other group decided on the back of their own assertions, based on the current AGW wisdom, that I would have to make even more sacrifices in my lifestyle and tried to reinforce the point by energy rationing by way of pricing or denial of full service then I would by very annoyed indeed.

I forgot to add that I only flush every time for solids - I wait for four or five evacuations from the front-bottom before flushing for 'liquids'.

Kevin Wood wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 13:02:


ok.. sometimes, I use a simple technique to distinguish the truth when two different ideas/acceptance oppose.. I simply look in the fact behind the scenes ..

how do scientists live and how do they get their living money..

from university salaries, govt funds, industry funds and some special projects which again have the same source.. 

probably most of you know how Galileo was threatened..


now lets think of the facts..

assume global warming is true.. in that case, govts, industries have to spend enormous amounts for precautions and stopping the predicted consequences..  its clear that those power groups will try to delay or stop those findings.. or try to cancel..

on the other hand some groups may earn if the have investments in related fields..but how many ? and what power they have on science groups.. ?

similiar things happened in the past and will happen again.. no doubt..

Desperate Den wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 17:22:



I completely agree ZL, and this would indeed go against the principals of "Freedom" in a Liberal society, although I adhere to the John Locke qualifying belief that your freedom should harm no one else.

I fear though our "Freedom" to choose is very much under attack, with choices on how houses and cars are built, along with a constant stream of 'instruction' on how to live our lives.  Terrorism has already taken away so much of our individual freedom, and I believe the environmental argument will take this a lot further.

However I believe that industry, which has produced much of the damaging effects on our environment, should be tightly controlled, and in that way our personal freedom can be maintained at acceptable levels.  The trouble is eventually the climatic change, for whatever reasons caused (!!), could become critical and may mean the full intervention of the state to implement whatever is required for man's survival.  Who knows how far off this could be, but I suspect it is something our grandchildren may have to face head on!  Until then changes will continue to take place that we hardly notice as individuals, like changes in building design, where our power comes from, and what happens with out rubbish.  Other changes will be noticed, like the current trend in energy efficient car design being promoted heavily and alternative energy generating devices being introduced with a big fanfare!

Varche wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 18:19:



Oh yes V, I make a very nice house guest - I can be very 'accommodating' if you know what I mean.

Desperate Den wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 17:22:


I would imagine, then, that diarrhea would be more of moral, than a physical, dilemma. 

Nickbat wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 19:40:

very good


the Aussie phrase: "if its yellow its mellow, if its brown flush it down" would alleviate any confusion NB

Nickbat wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 19:40:


Quite correct Nick - the onset and discharge of the hybrid stool always conspires to cause me great moral difficulty.

Albs wrote on 25. Jan 2011 at 19:56:



It is indeed a case in point A - I would look out for energy rationing/use shaping by way of smart meter being one of the next big things to be enforced by way of legislation.