AFP - The World Bank’s private-sector investment arm said Friday that climate change remained on the agenda despite the turmoil currently afflicting global financial markets.
We are great believers in tourism around the world that benefits local communities and conservation - we call it responsible tourism. Some people argue that we should not call tourism that involves a flight responsible because of aviation’s contribution to global warming.
The same arguments are made against fair trade products from communities in developing countries, or organic food from overseas farmers - they should not be called fair or organic (terms that indicate they are ‘better’) if they need to be flown in.
Small businesses and organisations like responsibletravel.com, the Soil Association and the Fair Trade movement are accused of ‘green-washing’ by making an effort to improve the industries that they work in, because flying is involved.
I’ve decided to start a new business - its going to be called irresponsibletravel.com. I will pursue profits at all costs and trample on everything and everyone in my way. This way I can be sure that nobody will be in the slightest bit interested or critical about what I do - it is after all how 90% of the tourism industry operates and nobody cares in the slightest.
My ideas are not to work to find holidays in the UK or those than can be reached by train as we spend much of our time doing. I’m going to sell really, really cheap overseas holidays with flights. To do this as cheaply as possible I will exploit staff by paying them a pitiful wage (they can always beg for tips from tourists), they will have no contracts (so I can get rid of them fast if need be) and no insurance.
I’m going to fly in cheap frozen food from the capital instead of trying to work with local food producers and farmers. I’m building 4 new restaurants in the resort, and have told tourists not to eat in local restaurants because they will get food poisoning or be mugged - this means I can make more money from every tourist.
It’s cheaper to build the new restaurants from concrete (flown in of course) than locally available renewable materials - bugger the insane amount of carbon required to make concrete. I’ll evict the villagers who live down the beach a bit to make room and chop down a few more trees.
Treating the sewage before its pumped out to sea is too expensive so I’ll scrap that to save money. I’m going to move some lights down the beach so that I can attract people who want to party late at night, I’m not bothered about disturbing the turtles nesting.
Finally, I’m going to organise bar crawls with half price cocktails through the old village where the locals like to sit out quietly at night, and try to get tourists as drunk as possible so that they remember that they’ve had a good time.
The truth is that if we agree that there is no such thing as responsible tourism (unless you stay at home) then we consign ourselves to a future of businesses like irresponsibletravel.com and we give up on the idea of trying to improve the industry.
The reality is that there will always be people flying on holiday - hopefully less than now as the price of flying increases. This means that there will always be a need to improve this industry - and this is what responsible tourism is about. People who choose to fly can make a better or more responsible choice of things to see and do, and places to stay when they arrive.
Incidentally I chose to call our business responsibletravel.com rather than sustainabletravel.com for one very good reason - holidays with flights are not truly sustainable!! Our holidays just have good impacts and negative impacts. Some are better than others, and that’s the ones we want you to choose.
Finally I think there is a feeling that flying on holiday is worse than buying things that involve transport or carbon intensive production (cars, houses, computers, food, medicines etc..) because its a frivolous rather than an essential activity. I find that a quite offensive idea. If you ask local people in tourism destinations who earn their living from tourism, or conservationists who fund all their work through tourism incomes, they will tell that you that tourism is essential for both their lives, their communities and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage.
So, while I quietly build my fortune from irresponsibletravel.com spare a thought for those who tried to improve the tourism industry but were told to stay at home…
Reuters - Gadget makers showed off their green credentials at a technology show in London on Friday to try to tempt consumers worried about soaring fuel bills, climate change and the financial crisis.
Clever Austrian engineers connected a heat pump to an exercise bike; you drop a can into the copper coil and start pedalling. If you have had enough beer, you can drop a coffee into the other coil on the hot side. Nice way to end a hard exercise session!
PEGE…
Global business leaders meeting Wednesday in Warsaw endorsed the United Nations’ drive to clinch a new global framework to curb climate change at its December 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen.
http://www.kamaz.net
Kamaz Sport Truck Dakar Rally:
KAMAZ-MASTER team was established 15 years ago to represent KAMAZ Inc. But very soon it became all Russia national off-road rally-raid team, which has been representing Russia and Tatarstan at various international competitions and was among the winners in many of them. Currently, among the team members there are six World Cup winners and eight world class rally-raid masters. KAMAZ-MASTER has now been universally recognized as one of the best teams of the world among sports trucks.
Semion Yakoubov has been the coach and manager of KAMAZ-MASTER since the day of the team establishing.
At «Telefonica-Dakar 2004» rally-raid, which was really triumphant for KAMAZ-MASTER, the Russian team was represented by three active crews. Here are the winners of this most difficult yet the most prestigious rally-raid marathon:
The crew of Vladimir Tchaguine occupied the top of the pedestal:
Tchaguine Vladimir pilot, born in 1970
Yakoubov Semion navigator, team manager, born in 1947
Savostine Serguei - mechanic, born in 1961
The crew of Firdaus Kabirov ranked as the second best:
Kabirov Firdaus pilot, born in 1961
Belyaev Aydar navigator, born in 1965
Kamalov Dzhamil mechanic, born in 19701970
The crew of Ilgizar Mardeev was the 4th:
Mardeev Ilgizar pilot, born 1958
Girya Serguei navigator, born 1960
Kupriyanov Eduard mechanic, born 1975
Even assistant trucks crew including: drivers Nickolai Strakhov, Nail Baghavetdinov, Serguei Nikitin; mechanics: Mikhail Myasoedov, Rafael Ilyasov, Andrey Zapolskih, Vladimir Golub came to finish much ahead of some active participants on world famous vehicles. They managed to leave behind of them 38 such crews.
Sport truck
KAMAZ-4911 is a special vehicle of 4×4-wheel arrangement. It is designed as a haulage truck for cargo delivery to difficult to access areas. This truck can be efficiently operated in a wide range of special purpose transportation works. KAMAZ-4911 can be used anywhere, and in any environment. It can operate in any climate under temperatures within -30˚C to +50˚C.
KAMAZ-MASTER
team has been participating in rallies on «KAMAZ-4911» trucks since 2003. This is a very reliable and strong vehicle with high performance characteristics suitable even for extremely bad off-roads.
KAMAZ-4911
has been specially upgraded for participation at «Telefonica-Dakar 2004» supermarathon.
Author: schirello
Keywords: army russia truck dakar kamaz russian trucks idex russiantrucks rally military
Added: October 31, 2008
The US Constitution, Climate Change, Homeless Veterans, our failing Economy, the Iraq War, Nuclear Proliferation and Iran were on the agenda at this years Progressive festival in Kernville, California. Freedom Festival 08 was held in Frandy Park on October 25, 2008. This is part five of five parts that make up a 30 minute compilation of the days speakers and musicians. Musicians for the day: Alexa, Cameron Melville, Lizzie West and Baba Buffalo, RJ Eskow, Out of the Blue. Speakers for the day: former UNSCOM Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter, Veterans Village founder Nadia McCaffrey, American World Service Corps (AWSC) proponent Dwayne Hunn and Marc Sussman and Richard Greene from Air America. The Kern Valley Progressive Alliance for Change organized the festival, it is their third annual.
Author: KernvilleKate
Keywords: Iran WMD Nuclear Proliferation grassroots outreach Activist Music documentary Scott Ritter
Added: October 31, 2008
Dow Corning Corporation, a global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, today launched a three-day education program in Shanghai with China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace (CWICP): “Dow Corning Science Day—Fascinating Silicone in Life”.
Five major international energy companies have joined forces with the UK’s Carbon Trust in a US $50 million initiative to reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind by 10% or more.
AAER Inc. announced that it has signed a Reservation Agreement for 61 of its 1.65-megawatt (MW) wind turbines with Mont Louis Wind L.P. for the company’s 100-MW wind farm project in Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis, Québec. The 61 A-1650 turbines are scheduled for delivery during the third quarter of 2010.
Germany’s largest thin-film pitched roof system has begun operations. The system was constructed by Riedel Recycling at a facility where the company is using the former coal mixing hall in Moers for the storage and preparation of building materials.
Enfinity Management has completed and opened four ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Spain. The projects are the first ground-mounted systems the company has installed and have a total installed capacity of 6.5 megawatts (MW).
WEOM, a subsidiary of Nuon, and 63 farmers have partnered in the wind turbine consortium De Zuidlob, have entered into a cooperation agreement that aims to develop a wind farm of at least 108 megawatts (MW).
Engineering company M+W Zander has signed a contract to be the contractor for the new solar photovoltaics manufacturing complex in Singapore being developed by Norway’s Renewable Energy Corporation (REC). The contract, valued at more than EUR 100 million [US $127.37], includes planning and construction for the cells and modules production areas of the solar complex.
Greenpeace study argues world’s energy needs can be met without nuclear or fossil fuels.
Net Impact has published its third annual edition of Business as UNusual, examining 64 MBA programs that integrate social and environmental issues.
Days after releasing environmental performance data in its latest Sustainability Report, Coca-Cola unveiled new targets for reducing water use and greenhouse gas emissions as part of an extended partnership with WWF.
Of the 1,000 people in the U.S. questioned for “Consumers, Brands and Climate Change 2008,” 65 percent couldn’t identify mainstream companies taking a significant stance against climate change. The 35 percent who could chose GE, Toyota, Honda, BP and GM.
AFP - Antarctica, which seemed to have largely escaped the global warming affecting the rest of the planet, is melting too, according to a study.
AFP - Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday called for a North America-wide plan to curb CO2 emissions linked to warming, while jumbling his new cabinet’s economic and environmental duties.
AFP - Britain’s de-facto academy of sciences said Thursday it is launching a major study into geo-engineering, the term covering a variety of weird and wonderful ideas for the fight against climate change.
There’s been much worry over the credit crisis limiting investment in renewable energy and more efficient vehicle development. There’s also a fair amount of concern over the 2X+ carbon debit of Tar Sands oil extraction and processing. So much darkness. So little to smile about.
With oil prices falling and with widening awareness of a climate crisis, gilding could soon be peeling off the tar sands facade.
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said his organization had always known that tar sands were a risk to the climate “but now it’s becoming clear that they’re a risk to the bottom line as well”. ..The NGOs also point to…
Time.com - It may seem like common sense to wait until there is proof of the damage of global warming before taking action. But by then it will be too late - so scientists must do a better job of explaining the dangers now
Along with his dopey sidekick Dr. Anthracite, Coalfinger plans to cover the world in coal-fired power stations and destroy the climate in Operation Browncloud. Can Green stop them with the help of his glamorous assistant Katrina Hurkane? Is a top secret hideout involved? Are there plenty of double entendres?
With a soundtrack by composer David Arnold (Quantum of Solace, Casino Royal), the animated Bond spoof features David Mitchell (C4s Peep Show) as secret agent Gaverson Green fighting to stop the evil plans of Coalfinger, voiced by Brian Blessed.
Author: GreenpeaceUK
Keywords: Coalfinger Bond 007 Brian Blessed David Mitchell Arnold Goldfinger Quantum of Solace coal climate change
Added: October 30, 2008
http://www.overseasproperty24.co.uk/en/abroad_properties/atlantik_mittelmeer_sued_europa/136.html?allagents_id=13610&ref_no_p2=A0000002664%2F13610%5Balpha%5D&category=1+bedroom
1 bedroom (Apartment) for sale in Sunny Beach,
BURGAS, Bulgaria
Living Area 48.65 square meters
Price for square meter:
1 456.28 EUR
Price
70 848.00 EUR
Status: Sold
Description:
This front line complex is located near Elenite just on the beach in the beautiful calm southern bay with the romantic name Robinson and in the same time in the foot of Balkan Mountains – an exceptional combination of sea and mountain climate. A swimming pool with water attraction for adults with Jacuzzi, a swimming pool for children, an artificial river floating through the complex with open bars around and a water bar in it, four children playgrounds with a slide, a fitness, a sauna, a beauty center, a medical center, a supermarket, a Pizza restaurant, an Irish pub, a garden restaurant, tennis court-football field, a private beach on the territory of the complex, a guarded parking lot. Ready to move into fully furnished.
A reservation fee of 2000 Euro is due within one week from the date of the reservation.
We sign a preliminary contract (in presence or by fax/ post);
The payment schedule is very advantageous for the investors:
30% of the price less the 2000 Euro reservation fee is due within three weeks from the date of the reservation; You start using the apartment!!!
70% of the price is deferred up to 3 years from the readiness of the building. THERE IS NO INTEREST OVER THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE!
Possibility for deferment for up to 5 years with 5% interest over the outstanding balance for the 4th and 5th year. Transfer of ownership takes place after full payment of the purchase price. The legal services for transferring the deeds are taken by the developer – clients pay no fee for that.
You pay additionally only the half of the notary and other state costs for transferring the deeds. THE APARTMENTS ARE READY FOR LIVING - THE FURNISHING IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.
Additional options
Phone
Electricity
Water
Internet
Cable TV
Thousands of properties at http://www.overseasproperty24.co.uk
overseas property ads
Author: op24upload009
Keywords: Apartment Flat Homes Hotel Housing Plot property real-estate Villa
Added: October 30, 2008
AP - Global warming was the topic, but one eighth-grader from Harlem posed a question that his teacher could answer with firsthand knowledge:
Novato-based SolarCraft announced today it has completed the design and installation of a 39.2 kW solar electric system for Trione Vineyards & Winery in Geyserville, CA. The winery’s new tasting room and production facility are now powered by the sun.
Spanish wind technology firm Acciona has announced plans to install two wind farms in the United States. The two projects, which are located in Illinois and Oklahoma will have a combined installed capacity of 223.5 megawatts (MW).
Renewable energy group Econergy International, a U.S. based company listed in the UK, has been acquired by GDF Suez International for roughly £39 million [US $64.2 million].
