My Dainty Little Carbon Footprint

Lighting Up Our Lives

2011-10-11T10:57:00.000+01:00

The debate about energy usage took an unexpected turn with the recession. Up to a few years ago, a lot of soul searching went on about fossil fuels, how humans were squandering resources and how things might turn pear shaped once the oil ran out.

"Peak oil" is now such a well worn phrase that nobody seems to think about what it means any more and turning off lights around the house, always a sensible practice, has become a habit that most people practice.

In ways, this recession may do more good for the preservation of comfortable living that is being assessed by pundits who cry "doom" daily on national media.

If we don't keep burning up our resources needlessly, put on an extra jacket or jumper when the weather turns chilly and think twice about going on unnecessary journeys, things might just turn out alright...

Flowers Everywhere

2011-03-26T11:04:00.000+00:00

Photos of flowers continue to attract most attention on Flickr.
Comments on streetscapes or on architectural details are scant in comparison to the praise given to flower and insect photography.
Somehow nature always seems to lift spirits...

The Colours of Autumn

2010-11-15T17:03:00.000+00:00

These vivid colours are caused by a survival mechanism within the trees leaves...

Sciencemadesimple at Concordia University have a very clear explanation of the chemistry involved.

Just search for "leaves autumn sugar colour".

Transport Systems

2010-11-10T17:51:00.003+00:00

Orchards for a Quiet Life

2010-10-23T14:56:00.000+01:00

All the trees in gardens muffle traffic sounds as well as giving good food to eat.

Word Salad

2010-07-29T20:14:00.000+01:00

 Having a bad code day...

Shall work it out tomorrow.

Tomorrow is another day...

Bridges

2010-07-25T13:26:00.000+01:00

Noticeable in bridges today is the clear, clinical design.
A singular lack of greenery is a defining feature...

This may be about to change...

Wishy Washy

2010-06-09T10:54:00.001+01:00

My washing machine has packed up.

Having considered getting a strong wash-board, as used in my childhood, I went one better. Just posted to the Internet, asking for
help

Although I live in a climate where water falls freely in every season, conservation of this valuable resource is a priority.
Also, a speedy wash would be nice...

Home Turf

2010-05-12T10:52:00.002+01:00

I have taken to walking round Dublin, snapping streetscapes as I go. It was a habit formed in distant cities, but many of us forget to document what is right under our noses.

The Damer building on Saint Stephen's Green has been given a facelift and has some beautiful details that make fine photos.

How Sustainable is Design?

2010-05-11T15:31:00.000+01:00

I would bet my bottom dollar that many people have very little idea about what "sustainability" means.

This weasel word has joined "green", "carbon", "footprint" and "energy" as mantras to be wheeled out in every worthy blog.

I feel marginally "green" but travelling while using fossil fuels shows a sense of abandon that is not easily controlled or changed.

Must think further on this...

More than a year...

2010-04-27T12:23:00.003+01:00

...has passed since I last posted here.

My carbon footprint has involved a visit to Australia.
Since we saved on not heating the house during a very cold Winter, things more or less balanced out, in my mind at last. Casuistry is always a salve to the conscience.

I have to admit to taking a robust view of the current efforts by some experts to reduce us all to gibbering wretches, racked with guilt every time a toaster is plugged in or clothes get electrically tumbled. I cannot make any sense whatsoever of the moral issues surrounding air travel. The ones who preach the loudest about melting icecaps are the ones who travel most often to Polar regions, only to howl back at us from some frozen and windy space that would probably survive longer without their presence. The "no ash" week that grounded the European airlines for a week has caused much soul searching and more importantly, a pragmatic sense of proportion.

Whatever the ethics of the matter, I visited the Grampians and took some very pleasing photos of dry pathways in the mountains. Really, we have to put our foot down somewhere and guilt trips do nothing to improve the march of humanity across the Globe.

Mallard

2009-03-31T10:31:00.001+01:00

Mallard
Originally uploaded by rosewoodoil

Cradle Mountain in Dramatic Mood

2009-03-20T21:08:00.001+00:00

Cradle Mountain in Dramatic Mood
Originally uploaded by rosewoodoil

My Carbon Footprint is a Disgrace

2009-03-20T13:56:00.002+00:00

A month getting round the World for sport,
using air, sea and road transport systems has left
me with a carbon footprint that is that of a giant
mammoth.

Cutbacks are called for...

Monitor Lizard in BW

2009-03-18T08:46:00.001+00:00

Monitor Lizard in BW
Originally uploaded by rosewoodoil

Wordle Cluster

2008-12-05T20:12:00.003+00:00

The creative commons licence for this
Wordle Cluster
may be found linked in the Title Bar.

The font is called
"Loved by the King".

Credit where Credit is Due

Digitalis in Flower

2008-11-27T12:33:00.001+00:00

Digitalis in Flower
Originally uploaded by rosewoodoil

Colour in a Changing World

2008-11-19T15:19:00.001+00:00

Dinner Time in the Underwater World

2008-11-18T22:33:00.000+00:00

Deep Sea Disguise - Amazing videos are here

The Lilies of the Field.

2008-11-18T19:28:00.001+00:00

All the plants we grow in our gardens are descendants
of wild species gathered over centuries by botanists
and enthusiasts.

When buying bulbs, it's worth asking where they come from.

Some are still taken, without much care for the future survival of
the species,
from the wild.

I Have to Admit It...

2008-11-08T20:05:00.002+00:00

... if you want to live a civilized life,
you have to burn energy.

I have bought a book called "Carbon Detox".

It should make me feel like a better person.

It does not...

I spend a lot of energy on Flickr,
especially uploading photos to groups
like this one

Beautiful Capture
Seen in Pink N Powerful

PINK N POWERFUL

A harmless and non-toxic hobby...

So You Want To Be Goody Twoshoes? Check Your Photographic Carbon Footprint...

2008-11-05T09:21:00.001+00:00

Every time a camera flash goes off energy is released.

Where does it go?

Worth thinking about?

2008-09-22T14:20:00.000+01:00

2008-09-19T18:24:00.000+01:00

2008-09-09T13:50:00.001+01:00