Archive for the ‘Useful Information’ Category
The Environment Innit!
For those of us who live in the UK and who pay even a passing regard to the news, it’s hard to avoid the almost daily mention of something to do with the environment. Whether it’s how we’re going to generate power in future, how to save power now or how much it’s going to cost us to run a big ass car, we’re being bombarded with one message, it’s time to pull our fingers out.
No longer are we going to be allowed to sit back and do wtf we like, paying no regard to our actions and how they impact the environment and indeed those around us (the public smoking ban being a prime example). I think it’s evident that when many of us mere mortals are left to our own devices, apathy, laziness and irresponsibility take hold.
So now, after being wastrels for so long, our government is taking action. It is attempting to act in our best interests by proposing laws to tackle our irresponsibility, to prevent us from simply being the lazy little oiks who leave our TVs on standby, use disposable nappies rather than reusables and who would rather have a sporty/powerful car rather than an economical one.
The laziest and most irresponsible of us will moan at their £1800 yearly car tax and their on the spot fine for using a hosepipe to water the garden during a heatwave, but they’ll deserve everything they get. This country and it’s people need to change for the betterment of all! The impact of our choices on the world around us should be a major consideration in every decision we make.
Here’s some advice on things you can do right now to help the environment and save you money:
A word and it’s meaning
Gay
- Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.
- Showing or characterized by cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement; merry.
- Bright or lively, especially in color: a gay, sunny room.
- Given to social pleasures.
- Dissolute; licentious.
n.
- A person whose sexual orientation is to persons of the same sex.
- A man whose sexual orientation is to men: an alliance of gays and lesbians.
Where on Earth did the phrase, "It’s totally gay", suddenly pop up from and why does it insinuate that something is stupid?
I had a friend that used to use it all the time until he used it in front of a friend of his who happens to be gay. Suffice to say he was severly chastised for it. Now it seems everyone is using it, yet they don’t seem to realise it causes offence. If you’re someone who has or does use the phrase, would you also consider using the phrase "That’s totally black" or "That’s totally Pakistani" to mean the same thing? No you wouldn’t, because you’d likely get your head kicked in for being racist.
Think about what you say people, you never know when a large group of gay ninjas might be listening in on your conversations. Loose lips cost lives after all!
Kyoto – What can we do?
Many of us probably don’t give a damn about being environmentally friendly or just make token gestures to make ourselves feel better. Obviously looking after your environment takes more effort than not and maybe with the Kyoto agreement now in effect, people will become even more lazy and leave everything down to the government. Unfortunately that’s not good enough. It falls to individuals to make this work and there are plenty of minor things you can do to help. The following list will not only help the environment by cutting down on energy use and the generation of greenhouse gasses, but it will also save you money:
- To eliminate draughts and wasted heat use an easy-to-fix brush or PVC seal on your exterior doors.
- Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting boards by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.
- Make sure your windows are draught proofed. A low cost, short-term alternative to double-glazing would be to tape polythene across window frames.
- Heating: Too warm? Turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. And if you’re going away for winter, leave the thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing at minimum cost. Saving: around £30 per year.
- Hot water: Of course it should be hot, but it doesn’t need to be scalding. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing.
- Plug it: Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water running straight down the drain really is throwing money away. The same applies when brushing your teeth, only use as much water as is needed.
- Showers: Always try to have a shower instead of a bath. Showers use far less water!
- Curtains: close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
- Lights: Always turn them off when you leave a room and adjust your curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day.
- Televisions, videos, stereos, computers, and cordless phones: To cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave them on charge unnecessarily. But please check the user manual first.
- Fridges: Don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary, cold air escapes. Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge by allowing it to cool down first. Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply. If it tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal. And if you have your fridge next to a cooker or boiler, leave a good gap between them.
- Washing machines and tumble dryers: Always wash a full load and if you can’t use a half-load or economy programme. Always use the low temperature programme bearing in mind that modern washing powders will be just as effective at lower temperatures. Wring out or spin-drying really wet clothes before putting them into a tumble dryer will save you money, and they dry faster.
- Dishwashers: Try and use the low temperature programme, and ensure you wash a full load.
If you’re young and living at home with your parents, make this your crusade. If you act responsibly when it comes to the environment and pick them up when they don’t, not only will you be helping save the planet, but you’ll be showing your parents you’re a more responsible adult than they are!
