The case for and against wind power in the Lakes

Against:

Expensive source of energy. Although wind is free the pylons are not.
Eyesore. They are seen as an intrusion of large man made objects into a 'natural' environment which is widely used as a place to 'get away from it all'.
Noisy.
Dangerous to wildlife.

For:

Inexpensive in the long term when fossil fuels become scarcer and expensive.
A British source of energy thus avoiding imports.
Intrusive eyesore is a matter of perception. Roads, stone walls could be seen as intrusive yet we accept them readily.
Our mountains get plenty of wind.
Wind Energy is 'clean' and helps reduce global warming which scientist warn us will lead to the end of humans living on earth for the most part.
The sound is acceptable and far quieter than that of a gale. At a quater of a mile can't be heard.
Though dangerous to a very small percentage of birds, there are far more dangerous predators and the don't pose a threat of reducing numbers overall.
Building pylons could lead to a thriving British industry. The more made the cheaper they become and help our steel industry survive.

By producing lots of wind energy, can't we earn some cash fo Cumbria?

If we're in favour of wind power, what justification do we have in building wind farms in the Shetlands where it would be a dominating presence over those that live and visit there besides building local could provide local jobs.

Exercise your opinion by visiting the Cumbria Web Site now and voting -

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/       scroll down to the bottom.

Contact our local Cumbria County Councillors with our views

James Airey    -  james.airey@cumbria.gov.uk

Peter Hornby   -  peter.hornby@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Janet Willis      -  janet.willis@cumbriacc.gov.uk

This is the most important thing that humans can do

It would be good to think that we, the everyday person can make a difference.

Certainly it's worth a try.

We talk about security against terrorism but this is exactly what we are encouraging with our greed. We seem preoccupied with our own needs for oil resources and ignore the plight of others.

Britain along with the USA and other countries that can cope for the time being with global warming are ignoring the urgency for immediate action. Meanwhile smaller more vulnerable countries that are suffering deeply from the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly frustrated because our inaction. 

Will it be surprising if they too turn to the only way to vent their anger - terrorism?

The money we save by inaction will quickly be spent on protecting ourselves. 

I've just received this - it's worth signing.

Geoff

       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Our oceans are dying, our air changing, and our forests and grasslands turning to deserts. From fish and plants to wildlife to human beings, we are killing the planet that sustains us, and fast. There is one single greatest cause of this destruction of the natural world -- climate change, and in the next 3 days, we have a chance to stop it.

The UN treaty on climate change -- our best hope for action -- expires next year. But a greedy US-led coalition of oil-captured countries is trying to kill it forever. It's staggeringly difficult to believe: they are trading short term profits for the survival of our natural world.

The EU, Brazil and China are all on the fence -- they are not slaves to oil companies the way the US is, but they need to hear a massive call to action from people before they really lead financially and politically to save the UN treaty. The world is gathered at the climate summit for the next 3 days to make the big decision. Let's send our leaders a massive call to stand up to big oil and save the planet -- an Avaaz team at the summit will deliver our call directly:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_planet_is_dying/?vl

Things are becoming desperate. All over our planet extreme weather continues to smash records, leaving millions homeless and without food or shelter. We’re rapidly reaching our point of no return to stop runaway climate change -- we only have until 2015 to start making drastic reductions to our carbon pollution.

Yet despite this very real urgency, the world has failed to mobilise against the fossil fuel-captured democracy of the US. Not only content with wrecking the Copenhagen talks and the Kyoto protocol, they are now building a coalition of climate treaty killers to put the final nail in the coffin of international negotiations in Africa.

Our only hope to turn things around lies with Europe, Brazil and China -- they can make a deal happen, but they need to do it together, and that’s where we come in. Europe is tired, it’s fought long and hard on climate and needs a public boost. China has already agreed to binding commitments, is sensitive to its international reputation, and could lead further if we give it an encouraging push. And Brazil is hosting next year's earth summit -- making it eager to set the world up for climate success. Let’s build a giant global call to bring our champions together and build a green dream team. Sign the petition now and forward this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_planet_is_dying/?vl

The crazy focus on short term profits that motivates countries to stall and scuttle action on a climate crisis that literally threatens the survival of all of us cannot be tolerated. Fortunately, our movement has the power to intervene in this process and demand change. Let’s stand together and inspire others to stand with us for a safer, more humane world.

With hope and determination,

Luis, Emma, Ricken, Iain, Antonia, Morgan, Dalia, Pascal and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:
AFP: "Durban climate talks deadlocked as ministers haggle"
http://www.canada.com/news/Durban+climate+talks+deadlocked+ministers+haggle/5817633/story.html

Bloomberg "Global Warming Fight Threatened by Debt Crisis as Kyoto Fades":
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-05/global-warming-fight-threatened-by-debt-crisis-as-kyoto-fades.html

BBC "Durban: the early skirmishes":
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15944559

AFP "Climate talks bust-up feared despite dire warnings"
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ilQ2AAkCv-s-T9ADnXqjblPluR9A?docId=CNG.451abb628334395938a1d87bf5b33d68.1e1

CTV "Canada to pull out of Kyoto Protocol next month":
http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111127/durban-south-africa-slimate-conference-setup-111127/20111127/?hub=CalgaryHome

---------------------------------------

Worth investigating

Please keep an open mind to the possibility that global warming can actually lead to freezing winters as we had last year.


I'd be interested in your findings of what scientists are saying and what theories they propose.

Surprisingly I can see some logic in this belief , but am still trying to understand.

The reduction in the ice cover at the north pole and the resulting volume of cold water from the melted ice may be responsible.

This is really important

Yes.

There really isn't anything more important to us and yet all the time we're distracted by other issues.

By comparison they aren't important at all.

It seems to me that if this campaign is successful in Australia then other world countries, like our own, will start taking this matter realy seriously.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *

Australia is about to pass a law that would slash carbon emissions and get polluters to pay. This is the front line in the fight for our planet's future -- if we win, it could spur bold global action. But Rupert Murdoch and big polluters are fighting hard to kill the bill, spreading messages of fear across the country. We can help drown out Murdoch's mantra with messages of hope from across the world and help pass the law -- join in now:  


Right now, a major climate fight is blowing up in Australia -- the government is about to pass a law that would cut carbon emissions and get polluters to pay. But big businesses, backed by Rupert Murdoch, are trying to kill the bill.

This carbon pricing law is a win-win measure -- it will push dirty businesses towards clean production and generate more resources for working families. If it passes, it will spur other major emitters to follow suit and could be the next best hope for our climate. But Murdoch's megaphone of fear is massive -- he owns seventy percent of Australia's press. If together we can drown out his campaign to crush the bill with messages of hope from across the world, we could help it pass.

This battle is being fought on the Australian air waves now. Sign the urgent petition to back this bold initiative and share it with everyone -- when we reach 250,000 signatures, we’ll run inspiring radio ads that deliver our global messages, lay out the benefits of the law and rouse public support:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/australian_carbon_price/?vl

We are all under threat from climate change -- including the droughts and storms that cause forest fires, floods and failed harvests. Australia’s proposal would start to shift its economy to halt it. The measure would make polluting companies pay, encouraging them to become more efficient while funding technologies of the future and increasing support to the most needy. Yet Murdoch -- who has a long history of supporting climate denial -- has joined with mining companies to spread wild predictions of job losses and economic doom.

Countries like Denmark, Sweden and Costa Rica have already introduced carbon-pricing, spurring innovation and reducing pollution. If we now embolden Australia -- the worst rich country per person carbon polluter -- to follow their lead, it will generate momentum for other major emitters such as China and the US to follow suit, boosting our chances of a global climate deal next year.

Avaaz members across the world have been strong campaigners on climate change -- our actions together have often influenced governments and companies. Right now, Australia’s people and political leaders need our support to face down the profiteers and renew our hope in climate solutions. Let’s remind our Australian friends that they're not alone in this crucial climate fight:


http://www.avaaz.org/en/australian_carbon_price/?vl

Politicians and businesses often think short-term, when long-term action is needed. When our people-powered movement counters these tendencies and proposes a clear vision of the future we want, we bring out the best in our leaders. Let’s shore up Australia’s resolve, then approach other governments until we achieve the global climate deal the world needs.

With hope,

Alex, Stephanie, Ben, Alice, Emma, Ricken, Giulia, Carol, Rewan and the whole Avaaz team.


MORE INFORMATION

Australia plans to impose carbon tax on worst polluters (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14096750

Australia plans to put a 'carbon price' on industrial emissions (CNN)
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-10/world/australia.carbon.emissions_1_carbon-tax-carbon-emissions-tax-cuts?_s=PM:WORLD

Australia overtakes U.S. in per capita carbon emissions (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aN60ck4Sz4iE

David Cameron supports Australian carbon tax (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8673736/David-Cameron-supports-Australian-carbon-tax.html

Political will, public doubts on Australia climate policy (The Economist)
http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2011/07/australias-carbon-tax

Murdoch media attacks carbon tax proposals (Independent Australia)
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/carbon-tax-and-the-parallel-universe-of-limited-news/

Get ready for hot summers and really cold winters like the last ones.

The Flow of our Gulf Stream that has such a major effect on our climate is threatened.

Please read this article.

This would be the end of 'comfortable Britain'.

We are being warned that the melting of the artic ice cap releases 7,500 cubic kilometers of icy melt water that if winds change could flow south and disrupt the flow of the Gulf Stream.

Reliable scientists estimate that we will lose heat equivalent to the amount that can be generated by a million power stations

Read this article and understand it.

We'll cope better if we are prepared.

Buy that sledge - you'll be using it next year.

Due to Global warming, scientists predict that we're in for very cold weather in the winter for years to come.

Sounds contradictory - it's not - so be prepared for next year.

Here Steve Connor explains it all

It's all to do with the rapid melting of the ice in the Arctic which causes the sea water to be cooled because it no longer has ice to protect it.

This leads to changes in the wind direction bringing ice cold north wind down to the British Isles from the Arctic.

The graphs in the printed paper are very persuasive.

When will the public start to believe that this is the disaster we had better be aware of.

The economic crisis will be like a kitten's 'wap' that one barely notices as compared with the swipe coming from a Massive Polar Bear that sends us reeling several yards.

Enough to give you screaming nightmares.

And so it should.

Ulverstonians take note and prepare.

Time to toughen up.


This will be a crisis to end all crises .

Worse still; energy supplies are due to be very unreliable by 2015.

If ever communities need to work together - it's now.

Hopefully we will return to a time like the last war when we took care of each other and the stiff upper lip was evident.

The trouble now is that the enemy is not obvious and is not easily identified. We will see it develop from within.

In the war time , it was clear to everyone who the enemy was. We then worked together to fight back.

Now it is very unclear and what is beginning to happen may well get worse.

People in our midst will take advantage of others. Thieving could increase. The privileged could take care of themselves leaving others to cope as best they can.

The future could lead to us having real friendships where these are based on trust and working together - it could be a time of enjoyment as we help each other cope.

Wars are now conducted in words.

They are never-the-less very upsetting even though one expects the worse.

From the Independent

Japan derails climate talks by refusing to renew Kyoto treaty

This makes me even more determined not to focus on the outside world but rather something I have some control over - playing the piano - I guess that's why some of us have hobbies.

.

Climate campaign update

From "Friends of the Earth"

Dear Geoff

Today sees the start of the global climate talks in Cancun, Mexico.

If we want to avoid the mistakes of Copenhagen - and move towards preventing catastrophic climate change - we must send a clear message to the president of the talks not to repeat them. Please email her today .

The talks will be led by Mexican Foreign Minister, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano.

She must keep negotiations on track by stopping the dodgy back-room deals we saw in Denmark, and dropping the unfair restrictions set up to keep civil society groups quiet.

These groups are the eyes and ears of the world. And only by fully involving all countries in the negotiations can we hope to get closer to the strong and fair agreement we urgently need.

Please take action now

Thousands of people across Europe emailed the EU's top negotiators last week. Let's send Mexico an even bigger message.

Thanks for your support,

Can anyone explain to me why I should bother?

Is there realistically any hope?

It seems to me that the horse has bolted.

What remains is to make the best of a bad job.

Which is why I'm building friendships like mad.

Aren't we too preoccupied with things that really don't matter to be able to see the bigger picture?

Let's face it.

Humans won't survive, so let's make the most of the hard years ahead as we become extinct and sort out for ourselves what is really important in the years we do have.

For me the most important thing is to enjoy the present.

So welcome to another wonderful day.

.

How much proof of global warming do sceptics need?

Let's not take our eye off the ball.

As we rage on about the lack of tourism and the state of our roads . . . . .

How much proof do the deniers need?

This article and its subsequent discussion is worth joining in!

What will focus Ulverstonians minds on the issue?

Another flood in South Ulverston?

Avril Crutchley and her team of volunteers at Pakistan Flood relief have certainly shown great initiative in dealing with the consequences of our inaction in tackling the results of global warming.

But how many of us are still plugging away at a solution?

With all the emphasis on cutbacks, where has this important issue gone?

Those that can think and battle on several fronts at the same time - please step forward.

Is this a female trait I wonder?

The Monday Interview - Nigel Potter

Nigel discusses the effects of the melting of masses of ice and its effect on sea levels.



Nigel now talks with optimism about humans pulling together to deal with a crisis. The mix of cultural backgrounds in The States will be more positive than the mono culture of the Chinese. Men and society would benefit by them having more testosterone which together with exercise will help to counter the increasing anxiety in our society by encouraging more risk taking.



Thanks Nigel. It's good to listen to someone who spends time thinking about what is happening around us.

Communicating with our new MP

He is , of course, John Woodcock, Labour

First , here's a way of tracking what he is saying.
This site also leads of other useful sites that help us assert ourselves with local government.

Second, you can contact him direct
I shall be using email mostly - john@johnwoodcock.org - followed up by phone if needs be.

I must admit, I was not impressed with John when compared to Chris Loyens when I listened to him at a public meeting. However now is the time to develop a relationship with the guy that represents us and try to get him to represent our views.

I am starting with wanting him to support a stand being taken by Britain against the aggressive behaviour of Israel towards Palestine. This in my view is the second most serious problem we have in the world and leads to a lot of the terrorism we experience here in this country.

(The first is Global Warming - and we get distracted by the World Cup , our financial situation and the finer workings of "The Coalition".)

Not only must Britain take a firm stand but the wishywashy USA must show more than "concern".

With so much going on we need to keep a clear head and at all times keep our priorities firmly established even when we let our hair down and enjoy ourselves.

My letter to John Woodcock MP, sent Wednesday, 2nd June:

John Woodcock,

I met you when you came to Ulverston to be interviewed by the Business Alliance upstairs in the Kings Arms Pub before the election.

It must be very exciting now that you have been elected with a lot to learn though your experience as a researcher/policy advisor for John Hutton will have enabled you to gain a lot of experience.

I hope to be in regular touch with you regarding issues that concern me and hope that you will find this helpful.

Today I'm writing about the UK response to the present Israel conflict with the relief being sent to Palestine by sea.

The UK government should in my opinion support the Flotilla and condemn Israel in the strongest possible terms.

It should also turn its criticism towards the USA who appear to condone the Israel behaviour.

Being very supportive of Palestine is the way forward of avoiding terrorism in this country.

The money, which must be in the region of a billion pounds, spent on surveillance and police action would be far better spent on alleviating the suffering of people on the Gaza strip andstanding up for their civil rights.

Second to Global warming , I believe that the Israel/Palestine conflict is the most important problem that we as bystanders face.

We must urge those representing our country to take a firm stand against a country who are totally out of control in their aggressive attitude to Palestine.

Could you tell me what you are able to do on my behalf?

I hope that the Labour party have formulated a policy of what they will do when subsequent flotillas approach Gaza. I trust that this involves very strong diplomatic pressure of the highest order in order to give Palestinians some hope that the rest of us care.

Geoff Dellow

Also sent to Tim Farron MP - with modifications!

Follow up email, titled "Reply" sent Monday 7th June :

John,

Could I have a reply to my previous email please.

At the same time as writing to you, I also wrote to Tim Farron.

I have received an answer from him but not you.

I have consistently found that he replies to my emails.

As you know he has set a high standard for the area.

It would be good if you attempted to follow his example.

When you talked to us in Ulverston , you promised a surgery here. Can you tell me when you plan to have this.

Geoff Dellow

The Greens Last Night at the Kings Arms

Chris Loynes was most impressive to my way of thinking.

He is willing to grapple with issues that desperately need addressing by our society.

However, unsurprisingly, they were unacceptable to most of the few people at the meeting.

They concerned the need to carry major shifts in the values of our society and a move away from consumerism with its implications on future jobs and the values we support.

These are changes that do need to be addressed and the Greens are the people to raise awareness of these issues.

However I do not believe that running for election is the most pragmatic way of dealing with the issues.

Better to unite with the Liberals whose policies are the closest of the three main parties to the Greens and get them into power than to split the Environmentalist between Liberals and Greens.

Tactical voting is needed at this time.

Scientists call for research on climate link to geological hazards

Not only is the volcanic ash affecting transport at the moment.

It could be a regular event for the future!

From the Guardian:

"Experts say global warming could affect geological hazards such as earthquakes because of the way it can move large amounts of mass around on the Earth's surface. Melting glaciers and rising sea levels shift the distribution of huge amounts of water, which release and increase pressures through the ground.

These pressure changes could make ruptures and seismic shifts more likely. Research from Germany suggests that the Earth's crust can sometimes be so close to failure that tiny changes in surface pressure brought on my heavy rain can trigger quakes. Tropical storms, snowfall and shifting tides have all been linked to shifts in seismic activity."

Carbon emissions are dramatically reduced!

"Flight ban stops emission of estimated 2.8m tonnes of CO2"

Another good aspect of the grounding of planes!

If you deal with people under 20 please try to understand this

James Lovelock is a truly outstanding scientist.

As a result of his wide understanding of most of the scientific disciplines he is able to think in a way that is very rare.

The repeat of "Beautiful Minds" has just taken place on Channel Four. However it will still be on iPlayer for 11 days.

I fully believe what he predicts :

That the majority of humans will die in the foreseeable future. Could be 20 years, more likely 50 to 100 years. Thus most young people will experience this prediction.

Watch this one hour long program. Lovelock is a cheerful positive kind of guy - you'll enjoy getting to know him and appreciate why most scientists have been won over to his theories.



Most people can't face up to this and take a defensive view that this will never happen.

However if you want to help young people you will grapple with the information in this program which is on iPlayer for a week or so.

This will help them come to terms with a very disastrous future so that they can at least enjoy understanding what is happening to the planet Earth and act to make the most of a bleak future.

Avoiding this issue will only lead to even great grief when the reality of the situation suddenly dawns and world panic results.

Talking this through with those that will experience it will help them enormously.

We are already experiencing the mild effects of what is to come as the weather will become increasingly erratic as the world's control systems cease to be able to cope.

Watch out - it's going to be really cold.

Believe it or not this is most likely due to global warming.

I found this BBC page quite informative.

As well as this short 3 min video on the effect of our disappearing ice cap at the North pole.



This is effects the flow of the Gulf Stream and leads to the cold winter we are experiencing.

Also impressive is the news just announced that John Gummer is to step down from being an MP so as to concentrate on coordinating work with other European colleagues as a result of the failed Copenhagen Summit.

It's good to see that there are prominent people taking this issue very seriously - which is what is desperately needed if humans are to survive.

"I enjoyed that - it was quite a challenge"

Was the remark I heard at the top of Hoad - in amongst talk where conquering Everest had been mentioned.

Was




The paths had been very slippery in places with the rain on top of compressed icy snow.

It's the time when we overcome obstacles, particularly through our own abilities that give us a buzz.

Being reliant on sophisticated complex services is the downer.

We've unfortunately come to believe that humans can solve every problem.

It ain't so.

The Christmas travelling public became angry to find that the Eurostar trains couldn't cope with the snow and cars on the Basingstoke ring roads couldn't cope with gridlock caused by undrivable conditions.

Perhaps we need to start resetting our expectations of everything working smoothly at every turn.

The Floods here in Ulverston and Cumbria made us rethink whether we could rely on public services.

But we can expect this sort of thing to happen more and more in the future.

Global warming, I believe has upset the natural sequence of the weather and there will be an increasing number of situations where we will find ourselves to be helpless.

The result of the Copenhagen summit left me very depressed. There is no chance of the human race surviving at this rate of progress.

So what can we look forward to?

Lots and lots of opportunities of working together to becoming self reliant.

Whilst we can't rely on the weather, we can develop friendships that endure.

We can also become more self sufficient and less dependent on others.

Take keeping warm for instance.

Anyone with a fireplace that can support a coal fire or better still peat could preserve it even if it's not used now. With a stash of fuel - you can bury a few tons of coal- that won't deteriorate - so that you can be warm for a while even when the national grid brakes down. It's good to feel that one doesn't have to rely on other anonymous services.

Flooding - at the Coro this Wednesday 7 - 9pm

I'm sure that you will be all aware of this meeting.

I've asked my County Council Representative, James Airey to be there to express the concerns of those that are lucky to have avoided this trauma. He has replied to say that both he and Peter Hornby will be at the meeting.

"Peter and myself have already toured the affected area with the new area engineer, he will be joining the both of us again on Thursday to look at other issues in Ulverston."

James Airey has the makings of an impressive County Councillor. Can he provide the leadership this town needs?

Mark Wilson the District Councillor is also doing excellent work. Mark is another "doer" . Can the two of them put aside party politics, cut out the waffle and instead achieve a result?

Could these two be an example to the motley crew of the "We like sitting in glory" Councillors that we are "blest" with.

I don't believe that the people of South Ulverston have so far received an honest answer from officials, Glaxo and politicians. They face a complex problem. Money needs to be spent on a detailed analysis of how the problem arises together with alternatives on how to deal with it.

The County and District Council need to accept that they have a responsibility in spending millions of our money in the long term to come up with a fair solution.

There's a tendency for those who live on higher ground to ignore the problems of those lower down. Much of the problem in the future will come from the effects of Global warming which leads to more rain laden clouds coming our way. The wider population have a responsibility to deal with this problem even though it may prove to be expensive.

It was not of these people's making but ours.

10:10

What a great concept!

Can we get some local people, organisations, firms to adopt it?

10 percent cut in our present carbon footprint during 2010.

It's essential to man's existence on earth in the future that we do.

It is really more important than any other project we can conceive of .

After feeding ourselves and having a roof over our heads; nothing is more important.

Do you agree?

Are you now planning to cut back by/during 2010 ? Or is this an idea that we'll stick on the shelf for future consideration - when we have time?

What ideas have you come up with?

Prince Charles at the Dimbleby lecture

Wow.

An impressive lecture last night.

I was stunned by the depth of his insight and how he touched on such a wide range of topics and brought them all together.

Does he pose a significant alternative to the leadership of the country?

Looking forward to reading what the papers have to say.

I hope that they don't just pick on climate change - there was far more in the lecture than that. For me he dealt with a great variety of topics concerning our environment: In particular the loss of our communities.

What will the papers and television think of his views. Will politicians follow his leadership and listen?

What will the general public make of it?

I'll certainly be reading his speech again and hope that others also find his views important.

Well worth the 50 minutes time to watch this program on iPlayer.

The full text is available here.

Roads becoming more dangerous

Hearing the welcome comeback of Woolworths - on the internet.

Should we be cutting back on our on line shopping?

Drivers of delivery vans tell me that they are witnessing a big increase in accidents.

Can we go back to the days of rail haulage and better still - the use of the canal.

The UK is just the wrong place to be using our roads more and more.

What can we do to lessen their use?

I 've not been thinking about this and will be cutting back on on-line shopping where possible if it involves the use of delivery vans. However the use of the post is a different matter isn't it, as movement by roads is better organised using large trucks and hence fewer vehicles.

Similar lines of thinking lead to buying local produce and a different charging structure in supermarkets where goods are priced depending on how far they've traveled to the store.