What's my contribution to saving the environment

Michael Specht is asking us what we're each doing to save the environment.  Not much!
But actually, I thought about it and looked at his list, and I'm doing quite well thank you.
1. Thinking about having just one car.  Mine has been off the road for several months.
2. We are recycling into our new second wheelie bin.
3. I've been using public transport and cycling for the majority of my journeys over the last 3 years.

I'd say the No1 issue here in Australia is water and water conservation.  But making the home consumer feel guilty when 90% of water is consumed by agriculture and industry, seem ludicrous.  If we as consumers reduced by 10% our consumption of water, we'd be conserving 1% of the total consumption.  Come on, let's go for the areas that consume most water.  If we have to import more food then so be it.  We have uranium and coal!!

I'm not convinced that we as humans are causing global warming.  Doesn't the natural earth produce the vast majority of global warming factors?  I haven't seen the film so I don't know.
We're certainly polluting the planet and using up all the resources, and the oil has nearly run out.  See Peak Oil!  And our waste disposal and chemical pollution of the environment is disgusting.

I think we have to be more creative in how we best conserve.
Public transport isn't just for "poor people" as I keep telling car drivers who seem somewhat afraid of public transport (and afraid of "poor people" who might do mad things on public transport).  In fact, "poor people" can't afford public transport, it's quite expensive, so you'll be ok!
More to the point, is that you have to be a seasoned public transport user to understand how to pay and which tram/train to get, and where it stops.

None public transport users are scared of the system.  How do you pay?  Can you get change?  Do you have to validate your ticket, and how do you do that (very difficult on a tram where the validation machine is upside down!)? Where does this tram go to, and how do I know when I'm at the right stop?
Do you think they could put a network map at every tram stop, so that we can study the form and start to understand the public transport network here in Melbourne.  A bit like the London Underground map.  Do you think we could have a solar powered clock at every tram stop?

So I am becoming green.  Oh and still whinging like a Pom.

Comments

[Michael Specht]

Tony, you really should go see the film. While humans are not the only cause of global warming as the earth goes through cycles. We are definitely sending the warming process into overdrive and above any levels seen before. One of the biggest issues is CO2 production and has been for the last 30 years. Al Gore has a great presentation style on the whole issue.

A network map at all zone 1 stops would be a start, it would stop me getting on the wrong tram down St Kilda Rd only to end up going up High St etc!

[Andy Vaughan]

Well I reckon all that hot air you're spouting Tony must be responsible for a pretty big hole in the ozone layer on its own! No, just kidding mate.

How the hell are you? I'm with Naomi in Japan at the moment and we were just checking out some obscure web sites. Needless to say, you don't get much more obscure than right here! Excellent photo gallery by the way. Seeing those snaps of you during your "stud" era puts me in mind of your hey day in the S.Manc Club Scene. You really should start a section on chat-up tips or the psychology of "trapping."

Do you still keep in touch with Andy Will? I have a horrible feeling that the last time I saw him may have been his 40th or shortly after! I see Rick Smith for the odd nostalgic night out and he still reminisces about Corfu circa 1980.....happy days.

Hi Tony from Tokyo! Who knows, we may one day get to Australia. (Naomi)