“There may be differing views on exactly when the tide will turn on our oil and carbon reserve, but many analysts predict that it is likely to happen before 2010.� From the perspective of climate change, this is not a moment too soon.� Although reserves will ensure reasonable availability for many decades, oil prices are likely to rise sharply, completely changing the dynamics of cost effectiveness in transport, food production, housing and alternative energy sources.

A new and irresistible driver will then, over the next few years, force change in the way we live, farm, and buy our food.� Whilst many of us have anticipated these changes, it has been the debate over environmental care, closer connection between citizens and the land, and animal welfare that has raised awareness of the need to change both our methods of production and the means by which we process and distribute our food.� In the future, however, what has been ‘nice to have’ will become imperative.

The Soil Association’s role, working with many others, is to anticipate and prepare for these changes for the benefit of our farmers and growers, food networks and society.� This conference is an opportunity to take a big picture look at what the surprisingly near future will bring and to discuss strategies that will allow us to move confidently forward into a world of post peak oil.”

Source - “Certification News – Soil Association Certification Ltd”

“Westminster City Council will ask for money from the publishers of free newspapers to deal with the cost of cleaning up discarded copies. It says distribution has overwhelmed waste collectors and wants publishers to help foot the bill.

News International, the londonpaper’s owner, said it was in negotiations.

The council says most copies are discarded in the West End and are not recycled, ending up incinerated or in landfills.

“We have the power in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act to ban the free distribution of literature in our area,” said a council spokesman.

“We want to collect more for recycling, but the investment required for the extra recycling bins and collections is substantial”

As the above story relates to just� one area in our nations capital,� I shudder at the thought of the total waste that is created in London!? Or even more worryingly the entire UK!

With� information� via the� internet (like on� this great website)� being so readily available, do we the general public need these so called ‘news‘papers? I for one have never read (flicked through)� a free newspaper and turned to my ever so patient wife and said, ‘Darling, thank god� I picked up this newspaper, I nearly forgot to go and buy a new car from Crazy Chris’s Car Supermarket!� I� almost forgot� all about it being stolen from outside the house and used in a ram raid on� that fruit� & veg stall at the end of the road. Few!’ Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for businesses promoting themselves� to generate more income but� what will the real cost be if they continue to do so via paper?

adam

italic source: bbc website

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