Category Archives: Uncategorized

Aussie town planning to go off grid

The small town of Tyalgum is planning to go off grid.  Tyalgum is planning to get 100% of its energy from renewable sources and then unplug from the grid.  There are number of reasons why the towns’ (villages’?) inhabitants want … Continue reading

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In praise of pulses

Having grown up in Madagascar, I have plenty of time for pulses. You could buy a dozen varieties on the local markets, all lined up in baskets and sold by the tin-full. There was a wide range of colours and … Continue reading

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Netherlands -what is the mark of a civilised nation? Part 2

What is the mark of a civilised nation? And is cycling a factor? I was asking myself these questions as we did a holiday tour of the Netherlands. The positives are; the Netherlands is obviously a very cohesive society. I … Continue reading

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One thing we have learnt this week- Helium its a gas!

This site doesn’t just cover depletion of oil but also occasionally other materials such as helium.  There are several things I expect you did not know about helium since neither did I.  First its the second most abundant element in … Continue reading

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What has the EU ever done the environment?

What has the EU ever done the environment? I have been asking myself this over the last agonising few days.  Will we miss the EU in environmental terms?   The answer is yes but it has at least left a … Continue reading

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One thing we have learnt this week – plastic waste a solution

Plastic is one of the wonders and at the same time biggest problems of our age. Its quite ubiquitous, I am writing this on a plastic keyboard on a laptop made of plastic (in large part). One of greatest problems … Continue reading

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BP data

Its that time of year when the BP data in their statistical energy review comes out.  This blog covers some the main things that stood out for me in the 2016 BP data. 1) oil reserves show a fall, this … Continue reading

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Robots part II

Up until now robots and automation has been peripheral to most of our lives -insufficient technological progress in AI and globalisation have saved us from it.  However this does look about to change.  Just last Saturday the Guardian magazine did … Continue reading

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Are robots going to take over?

Are robots a real threat?  There has been a lot of talk about automation recently.  Last week Mcdonalds were threatening to replace their serving staff in the US who have been agitating for living wage of $15/hour with robots since … Continue reading

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One thing we have learnt this week -Electric cars are selling like hot cakes in Japan

Electric cars are selling like hot cakes in Japan.  It the third largest market in the world.  The reasons for this are unclear but it has more charging points than petrol stations according to a recent survey by Nissan.  When … Continue reading

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