Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Dear MP - HMG has NOT done everything that it could to fight the pandemic

I have finally lost patience: 



Dear Ms Richardson,

I listened with incredulity and rising anger last night to the Prime Minister claiming that the Government had done its very best in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. That the country has, by a long chalk, the worst per capita performance in the World clearly puts the lie to that.

Some things the Government has got right - the furlough scheme, and early and rapid innoculation being two such. However, the catalogue of errors is shameful: uncontrolled borders; botched community testing; delayed implementation of lockdowns; woeful lack of PPE; procrastination over face mask wearing; eat out to help out; the Cummings effect - the list goes on.

Please would you take every opportunity to persuade the leaders of your party to stop lying to the country and induling in self justification; and to admit that mistakes have been made and to learn by them?

Yours in hope,

Wednesday, 20 January 2021

PepsiCo Targeting 100% Recycled Plastic

 This push by PepsiCo is movement in the right direction but it's disappointing to see the rather meagre nod towards reuse and refill. I have fond memories of taking empties down to the off-licence to receive 6d per 2 pint cider bottle. Those were the days!

Battery Storage Projects Now Reaching A Significant Size

 With the announcement that InterGen's Essex battery storage project has received planning consent we are now seeing projects of a size to make significant contributions to the management and stability of the UK's electricity grid. I am not generally a fan of special case relaxation of planning law but the country must push ahead with the green investment agenda and in this case providing for rapid implementation is a sensible route to take.

Tuesday, 19 January 2021

Light at the end of the Battery Tunnel

 One of the major hurdles to rapid roll-out of electric cars is range anxiety (although I think ranges are now sufficient for me to consider an electric car next time around - assuming I live that long). However, a recent report in the Guardian indicates that rapid charge batteries may well be very close to commercialisation. If this comes to fruition it could be a game-changer. What is also fascinating is that it just might be the development that finally gives Li-ion batteried cars the edge over hydrogen-based technologies. Whether that will also be true for heavier vehicles (buses and bulk transporters, for instance) is moot. Watch this space!