Strike a light! Brussels Bulb Ban Bourgeois Backlash

The traditional incandescent light bulb is on the way out - and some people aren't happy. (It's probably not just the middle classes, but never pass up a good headline.)

From September 1st in the EU it will be illegal to manufacture these bulbs, or for shops to buy in new stock. Shelves have already emptied in various countries and whenever reported, lots of people have been up in arms, trotting out all the tired old, ignorant stories about how different variants of energy-saving bulbs are all rubbish.

For example, they must have been a bit torn at the Daily Mail, what with this being an excellent opportunity for an 'EU stamping all over our choice' piece, yet having to balance that up with the 'we don't want to look like evil planet-hating bastards' angle, resulting in this fairly restrained entry. Check the storm of comments though, they are fab.

Really though, whilst the change hasn't really been publicised much in the UK, this ban is undoubtedly a good move. Energy will be saved and people will save money. All good.

It inspired me to write a little verse...

Arc! Light a candle!
We are gathered here today to fi-lament the passing,
Of an old fixture watts lux run out.
Brilliant in their day, truly incandescent, they would have volted forth, stuck a tungsten out at their usurpers,
Possibly even ballasted or lamped them.
But they grew dimmer, passed into the shade - and now argon.
Switched off.
We commit them to the halide ground.
And now we turn the spotlight on to to those who have LED the way to be energy-saving,
To stop the climate getting edison-screwed.
Reflect in peace.
Lumen.

Blame Canada (and España)

Right now, the United Nations is considering a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling. While the White House is supporting deep-sea protection, Spain and Canada are trying to block the deal.

According to the World Conservation Union, Spain is responsible for 40 percent of the high seas bottom trawl catch. Meanwhile, Canada has no high seas bottom trawl fleet and their Minister has admitted bottom trawling is destructive - but is opposing a moratorium anyway.

On the Ocean Defenders side is the USA, Australia, Germany, Brazil, India, South Africa, Palau and a host of other countries. The UN will make a final decision by November 23rd.

Amusing accompanying animated linkage: Oh my God, they killed Squiddy!

Or just go here and send e-mails and stuff.

Greenpeace Find Sex Toys Unsatisfying

It's official - Greenpeace - in fact rather appropriately the Netherlands office in Amsterdam - are warning that sex toys could be dangerous for your health.

So, do they want to spoil everyone's fun? No, but after EU legislation finally banned some harmful chemicals from children's toys last year, now the grown-up equivalent are in for a pounding.

Many of the chemicals used in everyday products we take for granted have, over time, been shown to be dangerous to our health. PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride - is such a product because in many applications phthalates are added. Phthalates are a plasticiser and their use is the reason why you can get flexible items like PVC clothing and cabling.

Phthalates have long been a worry though because they can leach out - a real concern when they are in toys kids can chew on - or with adult toys that are, umm, designed to be used internally.

The full report for Greenpeace is available here on the Greenpeace Netherlands website.

Short News cracked me up because they titled their take on the story 'Greenpeace Comes Down Hard on Dangerous Dildos'. That's just inspired.

Apparently the items on test supplied by the Netherlands office included a Spectra Gel Anal Plug and a Crystal Jelly Double Dong - plus items from the French office including a Clitofing and an Anneau d'Erection (anneau means ring, you work it out!). I guess this means, presumably, that even though the Dutch are sexually liberated even they felt a bit embarrassed about going into a shop and buying the whole list.

Want to do more for a toxics-free future? You can lend your support here.

NATO Big Brother House/What does your car say about you?

No FFFFPFF this week, sorry - I was busy yesterday having fun in Bournemouth and getting thoroughly tipsy.

I've noticed Greenpeace are doing more and more viral ads and interactive things to engage people with their campaigns. Amusing, with clicky potential too, good stuff!

This is fun:

NATO Big Brother House
Evict 'Missile Guy' - he's rude, aggressive and he never washes up.

And this is absolutely hilarious (contains a few rude words):

What does your car say about you?
You drive a big off-road car in the city. You've got 300 percent more power. You're putting 300 percent more pollution into our overheating world. So how cool are you?