Fashionable trends helping ruin our planet.

[Keith_M]

If you heard there was something that has become fashionable in recent times but is helping to ruin the planet how would feel about it?

Would it deter you, or would you just shrug your shoulders and say you have the right to do what you want?


There's a current trend for something that had previously (and rightly) been discouraged, and mostly phased out, wood burning fires, that is now causing more particle pollution that the combined output of all vehicle exhausts in the UK.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/27/worst-london-air-pollution-in-six-years-as-home-fires-burn

Or how about all the progress made by changing to more efficient motors, and electric vehicles, being totally nullified by a the current 'trend' to larger vehicles, like SUVs?

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/suv-cars-hybrid-electric-impact


Does 'I'm just one person, so my contribution in minimal' really cut it?

[Hibs4185]

Our neighbours have installed a wood burner and it stinks! Every time we come home you can smell it

[Moulin Yarns]

I have wood burning stoves, I grow all the fuel myself, locking carbon from the atmosphere over a period of time, usually 5 to 7 years. The carbon is released on burning but the alternative would be coal.

The carbon emissions are over 6,000 kg less than natural gas per annum.

[Pretty Boy]

Almost everyone I know has an SUV and I don't get the appeal either in terms of aesthetics, functionality or impact on the planet.

I'll be keeping my current 14 plate ICE petrol hatchback as long as I can then replacing it with an electric car. Getting rid of a perfectly serviceable petrol car to replace it with an electric isn't particularly good for the planet as it stands so I'll be holding on as long as possible.

[The Tubs]

Almost everyone I know has an SUV and I don't get the appeal either in terms of aesthetics, functionality or impact on the planet.

I'll be keeping my current 14 plate ICE petrol hatchback as long as I can then replacing it with an electric car. Getting rid of a perfectly serviceable petrol car to replace it with an electric isn't particularly good for the planet as it stands so I'll be holding on as long as possible.

Do you only know *****?

[Pretty Boy]

Do you only know *****?

😅😅😅

Most of them have young families. I'm not sure if SUVs give some illusion of safety or something because of the high driving position.

I don't get it at all.

[danhibees1875]

😅😅😅

Most of them have young families. I'm not sure if SUVs give some illusion of safety or something because of the high driving position.

I don't get it at all.

It was a space thing for me personally. Or for my wife moreso. We went looking at prams one day and realised the one we wanted didn't fit into the boot of the corsa and instead of a sensible middleground ended up with something that definitely fits the pram.



Out of interest, The Tubs, does having a carbon offset insurance policy give me any less of the expletive asterisks or am I stuck being a level 5 *****?

[The Tubs]

It was a space thing for me personally. Or for my wife moreso. We went looking at prams one day and realised the one we wanted didn't fit into the boot of the corsa and instead of a sensible middleground ended up with something that definitely fits the pram.



Out of interest, The Tubs, does having a carbon offset insurance policy give me any less of the expletive asterisks or am I stuck being a level 5 *****?

I don't know what a carbon-offset insurance policy is, although I'm sure it's an honourable step in reducing the freeloading of car drivers. Another option would be using the space they leave for prams on LRT buses.

The other factor, however, is the limited space there is for cars in Edinburgh. It's become ridiculous now that you can't walk down pavements due to SUVs being parked on them. If everyone got one, you'd have to get a flying pram.

At the end of the day, it's up to you how you see yourself. When the judgement day comes, I'll probably be considered a total fanny as well.

[Hibrandenburg]

😅😅😅

Most of them have young families. I'm not sure if SUVs give some illusion of safety or something because of the high driving position.

I don't get it at all.

For auld ***** like me, they're much easier to get in and out of without busting a vertebra.

[danhibees1875]

I don't know what a carbon-offset insurance policy is, although I'm sure it's an honourable step in reducing the freeloading of car drivers. Another option would be using the space they leave for prams on LRT buses.

The other factor, however, is the limited space there is for cars in Edinburgh. It's become ridiculous now that you can't walk down pavements due to SUVs being parked on them. If everyone got one, you'd have to get a flying pram.

At the end of the day, it's up to you how you see yourself. When the judgement day comes, I'll probably be considered a total fanny as well.

"as well". Thanks for that. :greengrin

I don't typically use my car to get in/around Edinburgh - occasionally to drop off/ pick up from waverley but never parked in the city centre. I get the bus or, with reasonable weather such as we've enjoyed this week, walk in to the city. The bus serves a purpose, but it's not a universal option for journeys where I need or want the car.

Can't walk down pavements due to SUVs parked on them? :confused: I guess if that's just a great over exaggeration then fair enough, but can't say it's something I've noticed myself.

[The Tubs]

"as well". Thanks for that. :greengrin

I don't typically use my car to get in/around Edinburgh - occasionally to drop off/ pick up from waverley but never parked in the city centre. I get the bus or, with reasonable weather such as we've enjoyed this week, walk in to the city. The bus serves a purpose, but it's not a universal option for journeys where I need or want the car.

Can't walk down pavements due to SUVs parked on them? :confused: I guess if that's just a great over exaggeration then fair enough, but can't say it's something I've noticed myself.

You're welcome. :wink:. I wonder what Dante said would happen to fannies.

The last few times I've been in Edinburgh, you had to walk down Regent Street in Porty in single file if you wanted to use the pavement. I've noticed it in Duddingston village too and some other places that I can't remember.

[danhibees1875]

You're welcome. :wink:. I wonder what Dante said would happen to fannies.

The last few times I've been in Edinburgh, you had to walk down Regent Street in Porty in single file if you wanted to use the pavement. I've noticed it in Duddingston village too and some other places that I can't remember.

Looking back at your post I think I misinterpreted it. You're right, there will be/are some pavements that you can't walk down due to cars (if not necessarily SUVs) partially blocking what are already narrow pavements.

[Gatecrasher]

Plastic grass, you can't have a plastic straw but you can have a micro plastic production line instead of grass.

I will automatically think less of you if you have one. Even my brother who is thinking about getting one.

[Crunchie]

Looking back at your post I think I misinterpreted it. You're right, there will be/are some pavements that you can't walk down due to cars (if not necessarily SUVs) partially blocking what are already narrow pavements.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 bans pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs. I'd report any streets where you think it's a concern.

[Moulin Yarns]

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 bans pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs. I'd report any streets where you think it's a concern.

It also bans riding motorcycles on pavements, tell that to the 2 cops on scramble bikes at the entrance to Glasgow green tonight 🙄

[overdrive]

It also bans riding motorcycles on pavements, tell that to the 2 cops on scramble bikes at the entrance to Glasgow green tonight 🙄

Kind of on a related tangent here…

Last few games at ER, I’ve noticed loads of police vehicles idling. Actually more idling than not. Cops chilling in a van with the engine on. In a few cases, the officers all outside the vehicle with the engine still on.

Do the idling laws not apply to the police? Does Police Scotland not care about the environment?

[Crunchie]

Kind of on a related tangent here…

Last few games at ER, I’ve noticed loads of police vehicles idling. Actually more idling than not. Cops chilling in a van with the engine on. In a few cases, the officers all outside the vehicle with the engine still on.

Do the idling laws not apply to the police? Does Police Scotland not care about the environment?
Go up to them and point it out, they'll soon turn it off or move, especially if you get your phone out :greengrin