Smoking could be banned in beer gardens and on beaches Smoking could be banned in beer gardens, beaches and even within some homes, under plans being considered by ministers. The independent review, ordered by the Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, called for radical action to reduce smoking rates, and make the habit “obsolete” within two decades. It also called for e-cigarettes to be made available on prescription, the abolition of “duty free” tobacco, and for the age people can buy cigarettes to be raised by a year, every year, until no one can buy them. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...pc=U531&cvid=0d1691a467ba45b2a4322993560496e6
A gunman has opened fire in a manufacturing plant in the US state of Maryland, killing multiple people, police say. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/worl...pc=U531&cvid=5919a3a0b4ac495f818a6a792f41e58d
New research points to bad math behind corporate renewable energy claims Even though more companies than ever are proclaiming that they’re powered by renewable energy, those claims are usually exaggerated, new research shows. That disconnect between a company’s claims and reality could jeopardize global efforts to stop climate change. The environmental benefits RECs are supposed to offer come from bringing more clean energy online, which ostensibly crowds out fossil fuels and avoids greenhouse gas emissions. But, as renewable energy projects have become more common, prices of RECs have tanked. At the moment, certificates are arguably not a strong enough revenue source to incentivize energy companies to bring new renewable energy projects online. That’s a big problem because it’s the additional renewable energy production that can balance out corporate emissions. If they’re not bringing more renewable energy online, companies aren’t really offsetting the negative impact their electricity use has on the environment. But, on paper, companies still use RECs to write off emissions from electricity use — even if those RECs didn’t really reduce pollution. (For a deep dive into this messy, complex system, check out this story.) https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/tech...pc=U531&cvid=5919a3a0b4ac495f818a6a792f41e58d
Well fancy that. It looks like it's another to add to the list of things the 'experts' on here got wrong when some of us were criticised for suggesting it. Diversity drives repel minority groups because they ‘don’t want to be hired on identity grounds’ For the research, underrepresented groups were asked to read diversity statements from fictional companies and answer questions about how much belonging they anticipated feeling at the firm, and how much they would want to work there. The team found that even companies that used “fairness-case” justifications for diversity - claiming it was the right thing to do, rather than helping their bottom line - still put off underrepresented groups, although only about half as much as “business-case” justifications did. The responses showed that job seekers were more likely to choose firms that were quietly committed to diversity, but did not make it a priority for the business, adopting it simply as an intrinsic value, without explanation or justification. “We have more research to do here, but the possibility that no justification is the best justification for diversity is incredibly interesting,” said Dr Aneeta Rattan, a professor at London Business School. The study also showed that diversity schemes could also alienate traditionally over-represented groups, such as white people. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/oth...pc=U531&cvid=5919a3a0b4ac495f818a6a792f41e58d
Blimey, the situation in the Ukraine is even affecting the sun and the wind. Electric car drivers feel the pinch as Green-run Brighton raises charging fees Green Party-controlled Brighton and Hove City Council said the increasing cost of wholesale electricity has forced up prices across its charge point network as household budgets continue to be squeezed by the rising cost of living. It comes as energy bills and food prices have hit multi-year highs with soaring fuel prices driven by the war in Ukraine and moves to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian oil. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news...pc=U531&cvid=5919a3a0b4ac495f818a6a792f41e58d
Here's a 'what happens next' question, and an example of why many current measures are not solving much sustainably, but shifting one problem for another. The governments have announced a ban on the production of internal combustion engined vehicles by 2030, so for the past several years, despite advances making many cars probably cleaner than their electric counterparts over all, manufacturers shelved their research into emission reduction, so by 2030, cars will be running dirtier than they would otherwise need to, and the old ICE car the EV driver part exchanged, is still on the road in addition to the EV. At the same time, they're pushing for clean air zones. One of the selling points being that they're self-financed by the fines. Think about it, and it doesn't take long to realise that even the worse run schemes will hit a point where their 'success' means that they become a financial burden, as if they work, they should run out of vehicles to fine. They'll either need big funding, or scrapping. If they're scrapped, the now far dirtier than they need to be vehicles will be free to roam again, with the predictable impact for possibly decades or more. I guess those implementing them think that 'something' will happen in the interim, and they'll be retired by then anyway, or they're praying that the second hand EV market will boom to make the very expensive vehicles affordable to the mass market.
The clean air zone ****e is a total scam used as a local tax on drivers by councils. No charge for driving on motorways because they are open spaces (and not council controlled) so the emissions from cars will harm nobody (except the whole point is to stop harmful gasses hitting the atmosphere which happens regardless of where the emissions occur). Just another excuse/lie to get extra money in from the public.
There are two aspects. The global climate stuff, and the local toxic stuff that does actually kill far more people right now, so the areas with more people exposed do need to be protected more. I'm just not convinced the clean air zones do that, and areas around the perimeter of the zones tend to see a worsening of their air. It's also socially divisive, as only those that can afford an appropriate car can travel to certain areas, and generally pay more in VED for the privilege.
Sadiq is doing a stand up job of wrecking our once great capital . https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...muters-London-Mayor-warns-Tube-bus-fares.html Sadiq Khan's 'war against commuters': Now London Mayor warns Tube and bus fares could rise by ANOTHER 10 per cent - as he is blasted for plans to expand ULEZ and slap motorists with pay-per-mile charges
