Save the planet you lazy bastards

I have been reading something elsewhere (on a totally different subject to that which has me tapping keys this evening) which has made me realise how apathetic the human race can be. The motto of some of the contributors should be "Apathy rules, maybe". Sadly, they could not even get off their lazy arses to write a slogan, methinks.
Now I was never particularly attentive in R.E. classes. but I think apathy was not one of the deadly sins. But it should be. Lazy people I can forgive (lets face it, if we were not all a bit lazy, TV would not exist). Stupid people ditto (its probably in the breeding anyway-parents related but not only my marriage etc.) But the apathists (is that a real word? I would ask them but they don´t give a toss) they should be made to suffer for their sins.
So. to my point. We have recently been trying to make sense of the damage that we, as a family, are doing to the planet, and to see what we can do to reduce it. The kids have been involved in the fun parts, and it seems to be sinking in. If you lived through the greed and avarice of the 1980´s, as I did, then recycling and being responsible is probably bit alien. I thought I would give you some examples of what you, YES YOU, can do.

• Recycle. Yes, its obvious, but do it, don´t talk about it. For those of you who live in rural areas, and have to take their stinky rubbish to the bins all the time (not good when important client/new beau/anyone with a sense of smell is the next person in your car), consider this. The bin run for us was a daily chore. Now that we recycle the majority of our waste, the bin run is twice a week, with a recycling run at the weekend. Much more convenient, particularly when you live on planet chaos in the mornings and can´t be arsed to sort the bin out, whilst fighting with 35 kg of Serra de Estrela/Boxer cross who wants to eat contents of said black bag. In summary, recycling can make your life easier. I guarantee you will be shocked at how much plastic you use.
• Grow something yourself. No hippies I don´t mean grow your own grass or mushrooms, but something that is a part of your normal diet. Tomatoes are sooooo easy to grow, peppers also, piri-piri just goes for ever etc. By growing your own, not only do you control how it is grown and treated, but you are saving kilometres of transport miles needed to bring the produce to your door.
• Use what you have. I can not tell you how many houses I see that have abundances of fruit and veg that just rot on the floor. Either give it away, do something with it (we have an abundance of lemons, and make simple lemonade which is fantastic), or (worst case) compost it. And that brings me on to:
• Compost. I have to admit Î never really understood compost until recently. If you are a compost virgin, as I was, then listen up. Get a compost bin. Fill it with pretty much all organic waste. Don´t put citrus fruit in, or meat leftovers. Let it rot down, and you then have all the nutrients you need for next years crops. It is (a) simple and (b) saves you buying compost and (c) means you have less rubbish. Why are you not all doing this now?
• Energy. Ok, I´m not a tree hugger (but I have kissed the odd bush) and I do have a long standing love affair with technology. However, when there is a solution which provides the same function, but at a reduced energy cost, that rocks. Some examples are:
  

1. Low energy light bulbs-yes the light is cold, but use a red or yellow lamp shade and you will never see the difference. LED bulbs as replacements for 35 and 50W halogens are a great idea (2w as opposed to 35w means that in an office each lamp will pay for itself within a year, kerching). WARNING-from personal experience, you will need to increase the amount of lamps you have in any given space to get the same light level, but it is still worth it.
2. Solar. Whichever way you look at it, we are stupid to ignore the possibilities of solar power. So, when your boiler breaks, consider solar panels. As from this year, the grant for solar power is independent of other benefits, and is in the region of 750 euros. Kerching.
3. Lights (again). Turn them off. Where possible and practical, install PIR´s to reduce wastage (office toilets are a classic example, as are stairwells)

• Water. Now please pay attention. This is a finite resource, and we should treat it that way. Use the rainwater. If you can not direct it to your cisterna, then at least use water butts to catch as much as you can. Lets face it rain is free water. Kerching.

Ok, thats enough for now, but if you have any ideas, feel free to add them. And for further inspiration, please read "sufficient" by Tom Petherick.

Dangerous roads? Oh yes.

Now I know that some people live in a bubble, and are able to travel around the Algarve and never notice how dangerous the roads (and the drivers are). Fortunately, the government accepts that we have a problem with road safety, hence the following statement:

Isilda Gomes, the civil governor of Faro, said: “Road accidents are a serious problem and all in the society need to be involved in finding an effective response.” The seriousness of the situation was reiterated by the civil governor who describes road accidents as the “number one problem that needs to be solved in the Algarve” and although many improvements have been made, more needs to be done.

So, as summer approaches and the roads get busier please be careful out there, and a little bit of consideration for others on the road never goes amiss. It is reassuring to see that there is an ongoing proposal to reduce road deaths and accidents, now all we need is some strong publicity to reinforce this.

Pay attention

Not for the first time, my light hearted commentary on life in the Algarve has got up someone's nose. Sadly, the comments left here had to be deleted, as they were judged to be simply offensive, and did not add anything to the blog. It´s great that people take the time to read what's written, but it´s a shame when they don´t see the whole picture.
Remember in exams when one of the first things you were told is to read the entire question before considering your reply? Well, the same applies when reading a newspaper, magazine, blog or any other article.
So, just to set the record straight, and to reiterate points already made:

1. The driving tips I have posted are a genuine observation of terrible driving that I witness on a daily basis. Nowhere do I say that this is a criticism of the driving of Portuguese people, but it is a criticism of those who are here in the Algarve, regardless of nationality. This is more about an underlying attitude which affects all of us here, and it is dangerous. Until there is a campaign with the type of shocking images that are seen in the USA and the UK I do not think people will understand how bad the situation us.
2. I only write about what I find. I don´t make it up (not enough time or imagination). So, that's what I see and experience, and it´s my take on it. That's the luxury of a blog, you can express your views, opinions and relate your experiences.

Finally, I welcome all posts here, if they add something to the blog. Posting of puerile, irrelevant or simply boring comments will be edited.