If I ruled the world

[Andy Hamilton]

Whenever I swtich on the radio and hear the news I can't help but get wound up with whatever politician is speaking. I ponder if I could do any better. I think that I would be rather radical and I wonder rather impracticle too.

If I ruled the world....

I would ground all aeroplanes, except for the flying doctors and other necessary air travel. I would outlaw all petrol driven cars and make every car run on bio fuels, having to convert to hydrogen within 2 years.

I would update all public transport, rebuilding old train lines and perhaps even introducing a modern day equivelent of Brunel's Atmospheric railway

Everyone would be issued with a carbon footprint card and this card would have to be show when you travel or buy anything, everyone would be limited to a certain amount.

I would develop a program to rid us of japanese knotweed.

I would make the 3 day week, but everyone would have to work a garden/allotment for the other 2.

All new housing would have to be sustainable. Each country would strive for higher GNH or gross national happiness.

Yep and the world would be a much better place. Or would I become power mad a kind of green dictator.....

[shiney]

Crikey you would be a green dictator, but for the best I would say!

I guess as your sidekick ~(I don't want to rule the world. Too much stress Andy!) I would have enviro police to fine people on the spot who burn rubbish in their back gardens, throw down litter, (that really makes me mad) and let their dogs poo everywhere.

I am sure there's loads more ideas....

101 things to make the world a greener place maybe?

[Stonehead]

gross national happiness

Isn't that the UK on Friday or Saturday night?

Stonehead

[albert onglebod]

I like the carbon footprint card.

[ina]

gross national happiness

Isn't that the UK on Friday or Saturday night?

Stonehead

Yeah, but now there's always the morning after...

And the carbon footprint card - much as I like the idea, wouldn't that be an ID card in disguise? Now I don't have any problems with an ID card, having grown up with one; but we've had that discussion before, and lots of people have problems with it.

[Andy Hamilton]

fair point Ina, I was thinking it would be more like a ration book. It was not my idea actually, it it the idea of a sociologist called shakespeare. I just liked the idea.

I would like to do away with the working week so there were was less need of a Friday/Saturday night blow out. if it was a 3 day week then Iguess it would be friday,saturday,sunday, monday night. Would I turn the country in to an island of alcoholics.

[Martin]

the present government is only intent on "feeding the machine"........ a tiny bit of "engaging brain" would not come amiss!
With the advent of fast broadband, I really can't see the point in many people travelling to work, if all they do is sit there at a computer all day - they could just as well be at home - or if they miss the social aspects, what's wrong with each community having a local work/it centre that they could walk/bike to? 8)
Totally agreed about pleasure flying- the earth can't afford it - we already have the technology, what's to stop the building of fast cargo/passenger sailing clippers? - then if you really must trail all the way to Miami for some blasted Disney theme park, you take a longer holiday, and spend a pleasurable week travelling there, and a similar time returning! 8)
I for one would be extremely glad to see the back of "out of season" fruit and veg that's flown in - I remember the sheer, utter joy at the taste of the first of the season's new potatoes, or strawberries that you hadn't eaten since the last season!

[Andy Hamilton]

Mind you it was nice to see Nev when he flew over, so I am calling that necessary air travel for now

What really annoys me is business flights when we now have 3g and video confrencing. Is it necessary???

It woud lbe good to see high speed boats taking us around. I also like what you said about taking a longer holiday Martin. That ties in nicely with my less work idea.

Aside from the facts that this is simply a discussion point, I really do think that something needs to be done. For starters America could do with a huge redesign. From what I gather from talking to many americans you have to have a car! Some of the new estates around Britain seem to be modeling themselves on the same idea this is ludicrous to me. Perhaps we could come up with a greener, sustainable housing project?

[Stonehead]

It woud lbe good to see high speed boats taking us around.

Using loads of fuel? No thanks. Bring back sail. The fastest ships used to do Sydney to London Docks between 85 and 100 days, including rounding the Horn. Modern container ships do Sydney to Tillbury via Panama in 42 days, so a well designed modern clipper going via Panama shouldn't take too much longer via Panama.

For starters America could do with a huge redesign.

Okay, huge earthquake hits the US west coast, monster hurricane hits the Atlantic seaboard (watch out New York), and Mount Rainier does a Krakatoa. There's a good start for your redesign...

Stonehead

[Martin]

with my way of doing things, Nev would come over by fast sailing clipper next time! 8)
I think the time has come for the people to take charge of their own destinies, and tell government in no uncertain terms to get off its over-subsidised backside and help by offering meaningful, cheap to implement solutions that DON'T entail years of useless committees, and associations all trying to chisel a living out of what is now a necessity.

What I'm talking about is a peaceful, grass-roots movement who "do it now"
Rather than the usual "model" of grants, bureaucrats and overpriced business - let's start local groups - "build your own turbine" clubs - bunches of enthusiasts getting together to share their knowledge, and building Pigott designed turbines out of scrap - local informal "co-ops" where they can get together, and hammer the price down on alternative energy products.........
It's good for the earth, it would be wonderful for the people involved - we could actually have FUN doing it.............I'm all for saying to government "You're obviously going to do buggerall yourselves, so WE are going to do it ourselves - help us, or get out of the bloody way, the people are coming!"
8)

[Stonehead]

I'm all for saying to government "You're obviously going to do buggerall yourselves, so WE are going to do it ourselves - help us, or get out of the bloody way, the people are coming!"
8)

Only one problem - too few of us in some parts of the country. There are a lot of people who don't want to get off their bums and actually do/make anything tangible, real and worthwhile.

Stonehead

[Martin]

too true, unfortunately! - we climbed from the primeval slime millions of years ago, and spent millions of years evolving to this high pinnacle of civilisation, and what have we got to show for it? - A great british public who cares about Big Brother, soaps, football, turkey bloody twizzlers and clutter all else! - I reckon the juggernaut of industrialised "civilisation" should have Jayde Goodie as its figurehead, as it chugs it's inexorable way towards the ever-closer ecological abyss

[Stonehead]

I reckon the juggernaut of industrialised "civilisation" should have Jayde Goodie as its figurehead, as it chugs it's inexorable way towards the ever-closer ecological abyss

Sorry, never heard of her... sounds like the name of a pedigree pig!

Stonehead

[Andy Hamilton]

Although you are right that most people cannot be arsed to get off their bums I think it is not as straight forward as that.

If there was a local group or indeed a load of local groups around the country then I would join and help out. I am sure many would. I think it is more down to not knowing what is out there. I mean how do you get together and get a turbine for your street/estate/block of flats? How do you start a co-op? How do you set up community gardens.

[Martin]

remarkably accurate actually! - I'd go for more bovine myself!
The Goodie is the epitome of everything that makes me want to weep about society today......she is a total nonentity who found "fame" through the appalling tv "Big Brother" programme - she has an intellect somewhere about the level of pond plankton, and doubtless has never learnt to use a knife and fork, or how to tie her shoes.... her speech is so slovenly it is positively wince-making, and yet she is a "celebrity"...........
On further reflection, "bovine" was unkind - most cows are far better looking!