Environment and the election - how do the parties rate?

I saw a survey come out from ACF rating the major political parties on their environment commitment and thought it would be a useful thing for everyone to look at. There is so much rhetoric over the environment that I believe its useful to see the opinion of a respected environmental NGO.

See: http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=1439

Two remarks:

1. Given that climate change and related environmental issues are the greatest challenge that our generation faces the current rating of the major parties is pathetic. Where is the vision, where is the will that is needed? It will be interesting to see how the ratings evolve over the campaign.

2. It is good to see that the Democrats are given the recognition they deserve as a pro-environment party (90/100). A lot of people don't realise that the Democrats have been and continue to be very strong on environmental issues.

Feel free to challenge me on any of the above points, always happy to argue.

My poor basil

Look what happened when TR left!*

* if more than 4 people understand this I will be amazed

With the right to cycle comes a responsibility

Swanston st, trams, people getting on trams, me getting on tram.

Idiot cyclist.

I was walking across from the pavement towards the door and there is a cyclist trying to wend his way through about 20 - 30 people so he could be on his way. He needed to put the brakes on so he didn't crash straight into me and gave me a glare. I yelled at him (in my very well adjusted and non-agressive fashion) that he needed to stop at a tram. His response over his shoulder 'I'm a cyclist!'

Reponses like that infuriate me. I yelled something back at him but he was already off . If we, as cyclists, expect respect on the roads at the same level as vehicles (which we are by law) then we need to obey the same rules. Of course many rules can be bent, everyone does it. But blatantly trying to sneak past a tram on the left, slightly after peak hour with a large amount of people trying to get off isn't one of them! I have no issue with people gently coasting past the tram so they can get ready for the green light, but wait until the doors are closed or people seem to have finished boarding.

Things like this just give cyclists a bad name and are plain wrong. Its just as dangerous as a car doing it, worse in some senses as you expect there to be some sort of acknowledgment between pedestrians and cyclists that they are both fairly exposed to moving vehicles.

End rant.

The 11th Hour - some thoughts

I was at a movie fundraiser tonight to see 'The 11th Hour' narrated by Leonardo Di Caprio.

I won't do a full review suffice to say EVERYONE MUST SEE THIS MOVIE.

Sure its not brilliant, it can be a bit preachy, there are lots of talking heads but despite this it outlines the problem of climate change and some solutions. Even if you know the problems watch it again to be reminded why we need to stand up and try and make a difference. If you don't know much about climate change then watch it to get an idea then go and do some research yourself.

The most powerful message is that it falls to us, the generations alive now, to make the changes necessary, to meet the problem. Again I challenge each and every one of you to spread the word and try and make a difference, in whichever way that you best can. There is no second chance (not for humanity anyway).