Sometimes I feel like a voice crying in the wilderness!
All the arguments about nuclear power, wind power, barages, etc. when we have available millions of acres of roof tops that could be used to provide most of the electric power and water heating needed for domestic purposes virtually for free.
Much of the time there would be a surplus of electricity that could be sold back to the national grid.
The initial outlay per household is quite high at the moment but would be considerably cheaper if such roofing was required by law to be provided in all new housing. Eventually manufacturing would be cheaper and more efficient.
Like any other new idea there would be doubters at the start, but people always catch up with new technology in the end. (Look at how many silver surfers there are amongst the age group who most moaned about the internet.)
If you are seriously interested in saving the planet and your pocket at the same time check out the following:-
Understanding Solar Power Click Here!
Visit www.go-green.uk.com for more Green Issues.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wind farms and photovoltaic cells
Wind farms are very controversial. They are large. Some consider them as eyesores - which they are if they are built on a commercially viable scale. But something has to be done to produce electricity in an environmentally acceptable way.
The answer is with photovoltaic cells. These are units which can be fitted on the roof - possibly even replacing tiles in new houses - which generate electricity silently and with no moving parts during the hours of daylight. This electricity is stored in special batteries. Surplus electricity can be sold back to the electricity companies.
There are many people who are keen to take advantage of this option. The Government supports it. The fly in the ointment is the planners!
When will the planners catch up with the fact that we must start creating our own electricity? It isn't an option any more. It's a necessity.
Photovoltaic cells could be placed on the millions of acres of rooftops. What isn't used by the occupier could automatically be sold back to the network.
The advantages of the photovoltaic method of producing electricity are massive.
Firstly there is the reduction in the need for large power stations. Once the technology is established and developed to its full potential it would solve the problem of the climate endangering coal-fired power stations in developing countries. And increased production of the cells would reduce the cost.
Secondly it would provide a nice little extra income and also keep you safe from power outages in bad weather.
Photovoltaic cells work when exposed to light. Even in winter we have daytime!
Storage of electricity produced this way is improving all the time. The more take-up there is of this technology the better it will get. It will also get less expensive.
If you would seriously like to consider using photovoltaic cells you should read this book.
The answer is with photovoltaic cells. These are units which can be fitted on the roof - possibly even replacing tiles in new houses - which generate electricity silently and with no moving parts during the hours of daylight. This electricity is stored in special batteries. Surplus electricity can be sold back to the electricity companies.
There are many people who are keen to take advantage of this option. The Government supports it. The fly in the ointment is the planners!
When will the planners catch up with the fact that we must start creating our own electricity? It isn't an option any more. It's a necessity.
Photovoltaic cells could be placed on the millions of acres of rooftops. What isn't used by the occupier could automatically be sold back to the network.
The advantages of the photovoltaic method of producing electricity are massive.
Firstly there is the reduction in the need for large power stations. Once the technology is established and developed to its full potential it would solve the problem of the climate endangering coal-fired power stations in developing countries. And increased production of the cells would reduce the cost.
Secondly it would provide a nice little extra income and also keep you safe from power outages in bad weather.
Photovoltaic cells work when exposed to light. Even in winter we have daytime!
Storage of electricity produced this way is improving all the time. The more take-up there is of this technology the better it will get. It will also get less expensive.
If you would seriously like to consider using photovoltaic cells you should read this book.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Watching Wildlife - Where has the snow gone?
In 1963 we moved up to Cumberland - which has now been demoted to boring 'Cumbria'.
We had already had the most impressive winter snowfall - we rarely saw snow in my home town of Liverpool so it was quite a novelty. Every winter Cumberland was a glistening, picture-book, snowy wonderland.
That lasted for several years. Roads were often closed for days at a time. Schools were regularly closed because most of the pupils lived in the country and couldn't get in.
By early October the fells would be capped with snow. As a freelance press photographer I was in my element.
I now live in the south of England where panic sets in at what we northeners consider only a mild snowfall so I've got used to no winter wonderlands. My friends in the north say that there hasn't been such regular blizzards and whiteouts as there used to be.
Apparently even Scotland has not fared so well either.
Even when there are falls of snow they don't last so long and the thaw soon sets in.
Global warming seems to be the answer. But why didn't we see what was happening sooner than we did?
Incidentally, in the absence of snow, how about learning to ski in pictures? To see what I mean Click Here!
We had already had the most impressive winter snowfall - we rarely saw snow in my home town of Liverpool so it was quite a novelty. Every winter Cumberland was a glistening, picture-book, snowy wonderland.
That lasted for several years. Roads were often closed for days at a time. Schools were regularly closed because most of the pupils lived in the country and couldn't get in.
By early October the fells would be capped with snow. As a freelance press photographer I was in my element.
I now live in the south of England where panic sets in at what we northeners consider only a mild snowfall so I've got used to no winter wonderlands. My friends in the north say that there hasn't been such regular blizzards and whiteouts as there used to be.
Apparently even Scotland has not fared so well either.
Even when there are falls of snow they don't last so long and the thaw soon sets in.
Global warming seems to be the answer. But why didn't we see what was happening sooner than we did?
Incidentally, in the absence of snow, how about learning to ski in pictures? To see what I mean Click Here!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Saving The Planet
Saving The Planet
If we really want to save our planet we have to be serious about it.
No more aggressive behaviour either individually or by nationsor political groups. At present humanity is behaving like teenagers scrapping together on a railway track with an express train minutes away from crushing them.
We have no time for wars. all our financial and intellectual assets should be put to use ensuring that in as little as ten years time the planet should be habitable for the human race. Already millions are dying every year from starvation, diseases, wars and massacres, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and droughts. In spite of these facts the developed nations are wasting money on armaments.
The only thing we individuals can do is ensure that we do our little bit of cutting down on our use of fuels, rely on sustainable sources for our food and as many other products as we can.
Recycling can be fun finding ways to reuse things instead of throwing them away.
Try growing your own soft fruits and vegetables. Even if you haven't got a garden you can grow a surprising number of things in containers (re-used ice cream tubs, biscuit tins with holes punched in the bottom for drainage, etc.).
If you've got children offer them a prize for the one who comes up with the best ideas for recycling or thinking up good ideas for reducing your carbon footprint.
Here's to the future!
If we really want to save our planet we have to be serious about it.
No more aggressive behaviour either individually or by nationsor political groups. At present humanity is behaving like teenagers scrapping together on a railway track with an express train minutes away from crushing them.
We have no time for wars. all our financial and intellectual assets should be put to use ensuring that in as little as ten years time the planet should be habitable for the human race. Already millions are dying every year from starvation, diseases, wars and massacres, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and droughts. In spite of these facts the developed nations are wasting money on armaments.
The only thing we individuals can do is ensure that we do our little bit of cutting down on our use of fuels, rely on sustainable sources for our food and as many other products as we can.
Recycling can be fun finding ways to reuse things instead of throwing them away.
Try growing your own soft fruits and vegetables. Even if you haven't got a garden you can grow a surprising number of things in containers (re-used ice cream tubs, biscuit tins with holes punched in the bottom for drainage, etc.).
If you've got children offer them a prize for the one who comes up with the best ideas for recycling or thinking up good ideas for reducing your carbon footprint.
Here's to the future!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Climate change seems to be the buzz word now.
Windmills are not a popular source of electricity. For the amount of space they take up they are not all that effeicient.
Wave power supplied by barrages I'm not too sure about. The seas are extremely powerful elements. A lot can go wrong with storms, tsunamis, rising sea levels, freak waves and storms to
name just a few potential problems.
Coal, gas and oil fired power stations are very polluting even in their most efficient forms.
Atomic energy seems to me to be a solution of desperation and lack of foresight. We still haven't worked out a really successful way of dealing with the radioactive waste we have already. There is only a limited amount we can safely bury no matter what sort of protective casing we use.
All the time we are ignoring the one unlimited source of power that has been here since the solar system came into being. Every day enough power comes in the form of solar power to solve all our problems for ever.
Even with our present knowledge we could re-roof every building with photovoltaic cells providing power for homes and for a large part of the commercial needs of the world.
Back up power could be used if necessary using two-way meters, but it is more than likely that this would not be needed.
Contrary to what most people understand, you do not need bright sunlight to operate solar panels. all they need is light.
The electricity is collected in batteries. In the early days these were large and cumbersome but they are getting smaller and more efficient as new systems are developed.
If we are sincere in our desire to save the planet as a place where human life can continue we have to be willing to learn new things and get into new habits. If that involves installing roof systems and learning how to use batteries and a new metering system - so be it.
Would it be possible for the power to flow directly to a collecting point?
If we put our minds and finances to working on this I see no reason why fossils fuels for any sort of power should be things of the past.
Windmills are not a popular source of electricity. For the amount of space they take up they are not all that effeicient.
Wave power supplied by barrages I'm not too sure about. The seas are extremely powerful elements. A lot can go wrong with storms, tsunamis, rising sea levels, freak waves and storms to
name just a few potential problems.
Coal, gas and oil fired power stations are very polluting even in their most efficient forms.
Atomic energy seems to me to be a solution of desperation and lack of foresight. We still haven't worked out a really successful way of dealing with the radioactive waste we have already. There is only a limited amount we can safely bury no matter what sort of protective casing we use.
All the time we are ignoring the one unlimited source of power that has been here since the solar system came into being. Every day enough power comes in the form of solar power to solve all our problems for ever.
Even with our present knowledge we could re-roof every building with photovoltaic cells providing power for homes and for a large part of the commercial needs of the world.
Back up power could be used if necessary using two-way meters, but it is more than likely that this would not be needed.
Contrary to what most people understand, you do not need bright sunlight to operate solar panels. all they need is light.
The electricity is collected in batteries. In the early days these were large and cumbersome but they are getting smaller and more efficient as new systems are developed.
If we are sincere in our desire to save the planet as a place where human life can continue we have to be willing to learn new things and get into new habits. If that involves installing roof systems and learning how to use batteries and a new metering system - so be it.
Would it be possible for the power to flow directly to a collecting point?
If we put our minds and finances to working on this I see no reason why fossils fuels for any sort of power should be things of the past.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Have you ever considered what is involved in living to a ripe old age?
To enjoy long healthy lives we must avoid stress.
But we must watch for skin cancer. Or breast cancer. Or cervical/testicular cancer, menopausal traumas or prostate problems? Headaches, chest pains or pins and needles might not be hangover, indigestion or lying in an awkward position. They could be strokes, heart attacks or hardened arteries.
Then there is diet. No red meat or dairy products. Beware of BSE, CJD, or allergic reactions to nuts and additives. Organic or not organic? Does genetically modified matter? Are the producers exploiting poverty stricken Third-worlders? Beware pesticides, herbicides, air pollution and superbugs.
No comfort eating. Most of the western world is now obese – except for people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia and are so underweight that there lives are at risk. Possibly caused by being bombarded with health warnings trying to persuade us that munching a carrot is far more fun than a packet of crisps or a bar of chocolate. The rest of the world is starving. Now that really is something to be stressed about.
Watching TV is depressing. Go for a nice healthy walk – in the evening to avoid cancer-causing UV, after the rain has dispersed asthma-inducing pollen, and avoid traffic pollution. Don’t get mugged or worse. Wear something bright so motorists won’t accidentally run over you. Jogging is good for you. (Viewing your puce, sweating, overweight partner might make you dispute that.)
Try squash or aerobics. Only allow for time spent in A & E when you sprain your ankle, break a limb, or have a heart attack!
Cycling to work will do wonders for your heart although the exhaust fumes from cars queuing in traffic jams will turn your lungs to leather. Don’t worry in case your bike is stolen or vandalised. Worry is bad for you. If the worst happens you can use your credit card to get enough cash to settle the national debt to pay for the train fare back home. (That is if the train goes anywhere near your neck of the woods, stops at the nearest station and doesn’t just go whistling through.) It will be probably be delayed by the wrong sort of snow, leaves on the track or cracks in the rails, or not be running at all due to Unforeseen Circumstances.
The weather is worrying. Global warming, droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes – wettest, driest, hottest, coldest, most unseasonable - and that’s just in this country. Acres of parched farmland or endless expanses of flood water are daily news. Earthquakes are common. We have more typhoons here than anywhere else. Most are insignificant. But they could get bigger, couldn’t they?
You could go on holiday; civil war, revolution, thugs, hi-jackers, muggers, earthquakes permitting. Although holidays have high stress ratings.
I’ll try some St. John’s Wort - after I’ve checked the medication I’m on won’t make that dangerous. I might listen to the radio or watch TV news about terrorists, war, foot and mouth, swine fever, legionnaires disease, asteroids on a collision course with earth, ---.
And they tell me to avoid stress because it’s a killer.
To enjoy long healthy lives we must avoid stress.
But we must watch for skin cancer. Or breast cancer. Or cervical/testicular cancer, menopausal traumas or prostate problems? Headaches, chest pains or pins and needles might not be hangover, indigestion or lying in an awkward position. They could be strokes, heart attacks or hardened arteries.
Then there is diet. No red meat or dairy products. Beware of BSE, CJD, or allergic reactions to nuts and additives. Organic or not organic? Does genetically modified matter? Are the producers exploiting poverty stricken Third-worlders? Beware pesticides, herbicides, air pollution and superbugs.
No comfort eating. Most of the western world is now obese – except for people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia and are so underweight that there lives are at risk. Possibly caused by being bombarded with health warnings trying to persuade us that munching a carrot is far more fun than a packet of crisps or a bar of chocolate. The rest of the world is starving. Now that really is something to be stressed about.
Watching TV is depressing. Go for a nice healthy walk – in the evening to avoid cancer-causing UV, after the rain has dispersed asthma-inducing pollen, and avoid traffic pollution. Don’t get mugged or worse. Wear something bright so motorists won’t accidentally run over you. Jogging is good for you. (Viewing your puce, sweating, overweight partner might make you dispute that.)
Try squash or aerobics. Only allow for time spent in A & E when you sprain your ankle, break a limb, or have a heart attack!
Cycling to work will do wonders for your heart although the exhaust fumes from cars queuing in traffic jams will turn your lungs to leather. Don’t worry in case your bike is stolen or vandalised. Worry is bad for you. If the worst happens you can use your credit card to get enough cash to settle the national debt to pay for the train fare back home. (That is if the train goes anywhere near your neck of the woods, stops at the nearest station and doesn’t just go whistling through.) It will be probably be delayed by the wrong sort of snow, leaves on the track or cracks in the rails, or not be running at all due to Unforeseen Circumstances.
The weather is worrying. Global warming, droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes – wettest, driest, hottest, coldest, most unseasonable - and that’s just in this country. Acres of parched farmland or endless expanses of flood water are daily news. Earthquakes are common. We have more typhoons here than anywhere else. Most are insignificant. But they could get bigger, couldn’t they?
You could go on holiday; civil war, revolution, thugs, hi-jackers, muggers, earthquakes permitting. Although holidays have high stress ratings.
I’ll try some St. John’s Wort - after I’ve checked the medication I’m on won’t make that dangerous. I might listen to the radio or watch TV news about terrorists, war, foot and mouth, swine fever, legionnaires disease, asteroids on a collision course with earth, ---.
And they tell me to avoid stress because it’s a killer.
Friday, September 01, 2006
There's been a lot in the news lately about the Baby Boomers and their lives as the sixties people.
I was being a sixties person in the 1950s. So were a lot of my friends. We were being seventies people inthe 1960s and so on. We were about ten years ahead of the crowd.
I think that all these 'youngsters' should remember that we were the ones who lead the way.
Now I'm in my seventies and leading a busy and active life I'm waiting for the next generation to catch up with me.
I'll be interested to see if the pattern persists!
It used to make me cross in my twenties when the 'teens were under the impression that they had invented sex, drugs and rock and roll!
I was one of the first members of the Cavern Club. We migrated there from the Jazz Club which met, as far as I remember, in the Temple Bar. They didn't approve of the modern stuff (anything that wasn't trad jazz!)
Anybody else remember that time?
I was being a sixties person in the 1950s. So were a lot of my friends. We were being seventies people inthe 1960s and so on. We were about ten years ahead of the crowd.
I think that all these 'youngsters' should remember that we were the ones who lead the way.
Now I'm in my seventies and leading a busy and active life I'm waiting for the next generation to catch up with me.
I'll be interested to see if the pattern persists!
It used to make me cross in my twenties when the 'teens were under the impression that they had invented sex, drugs and rock and roll!
I was one of the first members of the Cavern Club. We migrated there from the Jazz Club which met, as far as I remember, in the Temple Bar. They didn't approve of the modern stuff (anything that wasn't trad jazz!)
Anybody else remember that time?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Here we go again. I'm going to really get into this I think.
I'm hoping to start a new blog about my business as a writer of 'Prospecting for Gold' which is on a page www.percydale.com which my son organises. He's the techie in all this.
As ancient 72 year old rather stroppy woman I rely on his expertise.
Actually, I say stroppy but I really think I'm a bundle of sweetness and light but others beg to differ!
I'm hoping to start a new blog about my business as a writer of 'Prospecting for Gold' which is on a page www.percydale.com which my son organises. He's the techie in all this.
As ancient 72 year old rather stroppy woman I rely on his expertise.
Actually, I say stroppy but I really think I'm a bundle of sweetness and light but others beg to differ!
Theodora's Thoughts
I am struggling with all this but press on regardless!
I suppose when you've got into the swing of things you can't see how you didn't figure it out earlier.
I am struggling with all this but press on regardless!
I suppose when you've got into the swing of things you can't see how you didn't figure it out earlier.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
As a new blogger I'll probably be 'tongue-tied'.
I've written all my working life with no bother at all. Now I've got severe writer's block. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll start producing something interesting. At the moment a story about a Shetland pony that used to belong to my sister is on www.percydale.com page under Horse tails, dog tags and animal antics.
I've been totally besotted with animals of allsorts, but horses and dogs are my particular passion.
The love of my life is a Fell/Arab X I've had for over 33 years - since she was 9 months old. We are both now crotchety, self-willed bossy pensioners - you don't cross either of us lightly or safely!
Well, that's a start at blogging.
Now I'll press a few buttons and see if this goes anywhere.
I've written all my working life with no bother at all. Now I've got severe writer's block. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll start producing something interesting. At the moment a story about a Shetland pony that used to belong to my sister is on www.percydale.com page under Horse tails, dog tags and animal antics.
I've been totally besotted with animals of allsorts, but horses and dogs are my particular passion.
The love of my life is a Fell/Arab X I've had for over 33 years - since she was 9 months old. We are both now crotchety, self-willed bossy pensioners - you don't cross either of us lightly or safely!
Well, that's a start at blogging.
Now I'll press a few buttons and see if this goes anywhere.
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