Comments for GreenVeg http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg For vegetarians & vegans interested in environmental issues. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:24:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 Comment on The Deep Principles of Ecodesign by ann http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/05/09/the-deep-principles-of-ecodesign/#comment-5736 Fri, 25 May 2007 20:59:00 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/05/09/the-deep-principles-of-ecodesign/#comment-5736 I was impressed by 'its not easy going green' on tv as they work things out for themselves i.e. homemade water heater using solar with copper pipes, and 'hippos' in the w.c. cistern to cut back on water waste, also reusing rather than discarding and buying new. I was impressed by ‘its not easy going green’ on tv as they work things out for themselves i.e. homemade water heater using solar with copper pipes, and ‘hippos’ in the w.c. cistern to cut back on water waste, also reusing rather than discarding and buying new.

]]> Comment on Organic food is better for you, say scientists by ann http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/04/organic-food-is-better-for-you-say-scientists/#comment-2436 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:08:14 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/04/organic-food-is-better-for-you-say-scientists/#comment-2436 Unfortunately big business is well into undoing organic food, as in Walmart sourcing it from China. Who checks it's really organic? Who/what protects the workers and the land? Greed will undermine this and the integrity of organics unless this is stopped. Unfortunately big business is well into undoing organic food, as in Walmart sourcing it from China. Who checks it’s really organic? Who/what protects the workers and the land?

Greed will undermine this and the integrity of organics unless this is stopped.

]]> Comment on Biofuels will ‘ruin forests’ by Martin http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/01/biofuels-will-ruin-forests/#comment-2169 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 08:28:16 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/01/biofuels-will-ruin-forests/#comment-2169 Biofuels per-se are much better than fossil fuels in that they are in theory renewable and less polluting during manufacture and use. The problem is the scale of the operation needed if all vehicles were to run on bio-fuels and hence the amount of land needed. Using waste oil products (such as that from restaurants and chip-shops) is a great idea, but there would only be enough to run a few thousand vehicles in the UK. The other worrying issue (for vegetarians) is that ANY oil or fat can be used - some people are looking into the use of animal fats! There's a bit more information on the biofuel issue <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ecraftsmen.co.uk/blog/2006/07/28/ethanol-biodiesel-problem-or-solution/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Biofuels per-se are much better than fossil fuels in that they are in theory renewable and less polluting during manufacture and use.

The problem is the scale of the operation needed if all vehicles were to run on bio-fuels and hence the amount of land needed. Using waste oil products (such as that from restaurants and chip-shops) is a great idea, but there would only be enough to run a few thousand vehicles in the UK. The other worrying issue (for vegetarians) is that ANY oil or fat can be used - some people are looking into the use of animal fats!

There’s a bit more information on the biofuel issue here.

]]> Comment on Biofuels will ‘ruin forests’ by ann http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/01/biofuels-will-ruin-forests/#comment-2084 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:43:25 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/04/01/biofuels-will-ruin-forests/#comment-2084 What about diesel from used oil, like restaurants and chip shops etc? It is already being done and is helpful rather than exploitative. What about diesel from used oil, like restaurants and chip shops etc? It is already being done and is helpful rather than exploitative.

]]> Comment on Channel 4 & the climate debate by Martin http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/19/channel-4-the-climate-debate/#comment-1088 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 10:12:55 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/19/channel-4-the-climate-debate/#comment-1088 I received an email to GreenVeg a week ago from someone who saw and believes in the Channel 4 programme mentioned above. I don't think they read all of George Monbiot's reply (or don't want to believe in it)! . . This was their email: . . "Look, I saw the programme on Channel 4 and the evidence they produced was compelling. Global warming (and let us not forget cooling between 1940 and 1973) is driven by solar activity. That is not to say that using up the earth's fossil resources is a good thing. However, it is the CO2 greenhouse effect that is the false theory not the effect of solar activity. We live in proximity to a variable star. Of course this produces global warming and cooling and we have evidence going back hundreds of thousands of years that periods of hotness and coolness alternate. I notice that in your article you neglect to mention the medieval hot period (when grapes were grown in London) or the Tudor/Stuart period of coldness when the Thames used to freeze in winter. Cycles. Cycles. That's what it is all about and not man-made pollution, cause for concern health-wise as this may be. So have a little compassion for the poor African woman who must cook over a smokey fire in her hut because she has no electricity. Enough of the Green inquisition. Let's have some common sense for a change. " . . . This was my response, but so far, nothing has been heard back... . . Indeed, the evidence presented in the Channel 4 programme was compelling. However, if you have read George Monbiot's reply thoroughly, it seems that all the evidence used was false apart from one scientist, who has since stated that he was deceived by the programme maker and his interview was edited to present his views incorrectly. . But whether you accept this or not, it is also true that fossil fuels will not last forever and that burning them does have a negative impact on the environment, therefore it is prudent and common sense to take precautions to minimise environmental damage and destruction. Cycles do occur in nature, but I for one, do not want to hasten or accenuate the cycles. The vast majority of scientists do accept that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 'blankets' the earth, thereby trapping heat and hence surface temperatures will rise. . Showing the 'poor African woman' cooking over the open fire is a gimmicky and cheap shot aimed at people's heart strings. It's much like animal-rights activists showing little kittens with electrodes in their head, or pro-vivisection scientists showing a little boy with a dibilitating disease in a wheelchair. There are plenty of solutions that don't need electricity - the most applicable one to smoke-filled huts (which is a real and serious problem) is the 'rocket stove'. Rather than just thinking electricity will solve all the worlds problems, we should be looking at appropriate technology for the individual - this may, or may not involve electricity. The other issue is that continents such as Africa will be hardest hit by global warming (whatever the cause), so availability of fresh water for drinking, for crops etc maybe more pressing issues than having a light bulb. . Although I don't agree with your comments, I do thank for you for them. Debate is always good - to leave everything unchallenged is not good for real progress. I doubt that may comments will have swayed your view as people seem to be entrenched on one side or the other. I know you probably don't want to, but please do read the full reply that George Monbiot gave as it does include references. I don't agree with everything George has to say on his website, but I do side with his on this one. Having an open mind is important. I received an email to GreenVeg a week ago from someone who saw and believes in the Channel 4 programme mentioned above. I don’t think they read all of George Monbiot’s reply (or don’t want to believe in it)!
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This was their email:
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“Look, I saw the programme on Channel 4 and the evidence they produced was compelling. Global warming (and let us not forget cooling between 1940 and 1973) is driven by solar activity. That is not to say that using up the earth’s fossil resources is a good thing. However, it is the CO2 greenhouse effect that is the false theory not the effect of solar activity.
We live in proximity to a variable star. Of course this produces global warming and cooling and we have evidence going back hundreds of thousands of years that periods of hotness and coolness alternate. I notice that in your article you neglect to mention the medieval hot period (when grapes were grown in London) or the Tudor/Stuart period of coldness when the Thames used to freeze in winter. Cycles. Cycles. That’s what it is all about and not man-made pollution, cause for concern health-wise as this may be. So have a little compassion for the poor African woman who must cook over a smokey fire in her hut because she has no electricity. Enough of the Green inquisition. Let’s have some common sense for a change. ”
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This was my response, but so far, nothing has been heard back…
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Indeed, the evidence presented in the Channel 4 programme was compelling. However, if you have read George Monbiot’s reply thoroughly, it seems that all the evidence used was false apart from one scientist, who has since stated that he was deceived by the programme maker and his interview was edited to present his views incorrectly.
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But whether you accept this or not, it is also true that fossil fuels will not last forever and that burning them does have a negative impact on the environment, therefore it is prudent and common sense to take precautions to minimise environmental damage and destruction. Cycles do occur in nature, but I for one, do not want to hasten or accenuate the cycles. The vast majority of scientists do accept that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ‘blankets’ the earth, thereby trapping heat and hence surface temperatures will rise.
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Showing the ‘poor African woman’ cooking over the open fire is a gimmicky and cheap shot aimed at people’s heart strings. It’s much like animal-rights activists showing little kittens with electrodes in their head, or pro-vivisection scientists showing a little boy with a dibilitating disease in a wheelchair. There are plenty of solutions that don’t need electricity - the most applicable one to smoke-filled huts (which is a real and serious problem) is the ‘rocket stove’. Rather than just thinking electricity will solve all the worlds problems, we should be looking at appropriate technology for the individual - this may, or may not involve electricity. The other issue is that continents such as Africa will be hardest hit by global warming (whatever the cause), so availability of fresh water for drinking, for crops etc maybe more pressing issues than having a light bulb.
.
Although I don’t agree with your comments, I do thank for you for them. Debate is always good - to leave everything unchallenged is not good for real progress. I doubt that may comments will have swayed your view as people seem to be entrenched on one side or the other. I know you probably don’t want to, but please do read the full reply that George Monbiot gave as it does include references. I don’t agree with everything George has to say on his website, but I do side with his on this one. Having an open mind is important.

]]> Comment on Help your PC use less electricity by Amanda http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-662 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:46:59 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-662 No plans here to be a beta tester for Vista, nor encourage bloat-ware. But I'll be reverting to Linux soon. No plans here to be a beta tester for Vista, nor encourage bloat-ware. But I’ll be reverting to Linux soon.

]]> Comment on Help your PC use less electricity by Martin http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-660 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:04:05 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-660 Hi Ann, properly configured, Vista should not be any better or worse (from an energy perspective) than Windows XP (with Local Cooling for example). It really comes down to whether you would need the extra features that Vista offers. Currently, I am NOT running Vista and have no plans to do so for the next 6 months - my view is let others iron out the problems! In fairness, Vista does seem to be more 'secure' than XP, but it also needs more memory etc to run - which might not be a problem for you. I suppose what I'm saying is that it's down to you - unless anyone else can offer some advice??? Hi Ann, properly configured, Vista should not be any better or worse (from an energy perspective) than Windows XP (with Local Cooling for example). It really comes down to whether you would need the extra features that Vista offers. Currently, I am NOT running Vista and have no plans to do so for the next 6 months - my view is let others iron out the problems! In fairness, Vista does seem to be more ’secure’ than XP, but it also needs more memory etc to run - which might not be a problem for you. I suppose what I’m saying is that it’s down to you - unless anyone else can offer some advice???

]]> Comment on Help your PC use less electricity by ann http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-658 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:02:24 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-658 Martin, I have just upgraded to a new computer, old stock so cheaper, with xp not vista. I can download vista for free within the next 6 weeks if I want. If it saves energy I might do so, but am I better off with tried and tested xp and the local cooling site? Martin, I have just upgraded to a new computer, old stock so cheaper, with xp not vista. I can download vista for free within the next 6 weeks if I want. If it saves energy I might do so, but am I better off with tried and tested xp and the local cooling site?

]]> Comment on Help your PC use less electricity by Amanda http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-640 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:22:57 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/07/help-your-pc-use-less-electricity/#comment-640 I'm just installing it. I've always turned my computer off if I knew I would be away for more than 15 mins, to the chagrin of the local 'it breaks them' expert ... I’m just installing it. I’ve always turned my computer off if I knew I would be away for more than 15 mins, to the chagrin of the local ‘it breaks them’ expert …

]]> Comment on What’s half of ‘not enough’? by Martin http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/05/whats-half-of-not-enough/#comment-624 Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:59:27 +0000 http://www.bvv.org.uk/greenveg/2007/03/05/whats-half-of-not-enough/#comment-624 Political parties of all colours are 'dying' to be green, and in their efforts to address the voting public's concerns on environmental issues, they 'spin' stories that are little more than words. If parties are really, truly, concerned, why are not taxing the hell out of air-travel, setting higher standards of building insulation (and actually policing/enforcing those standards), standing up to the bullying of the car industry (and many other polluting industries) and so on and so on. The reasons why they are not doing enough are complex, although the answers are remarkably simple. Dare I suggest that they don't want to upset multi-nationals for fear of loosing investment etc in the UK. It will take a political party/leader with a great deal of courage to really face up to the challenges upon us - unfortunately for the world, I don't think we have such a person in the right position. If only George Monbiot would stand for parliament.... Political parties of all colours are ‘dying’ to be green, and in their efforts to address the voting public’s concerns on environmental issues, they ’spin’ stories that are little more than words.

If parties are really, truly, concerned, why are not taxing the hell out of air-travel, setting higher standards of building insulation (and actually policing/enforcing those standards), standing up to the bullying of the car industry (and many other polluting industries) and so on and so on.

The reasons why they are not doing enough are complex, although the answers are remarkably simple. Dare I suggest that they don’t want to upset multi-nationals for fear of loosing investment etc in the UK. It will take a political party/leader with a great deal of courage to really face up to the challenges upon us - unfortunately for the world, I don’t think we have such a person in the right position.

If only George Monbiot would stand for parliament….

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