Scotland Closer to Zero Waste
Posted by: vibeckeg on: March 28, 2009
By Vibecke Gudmundsen
Scotland is getting closer to achieving the targets of increased levels of recycling and reduction of waste by 2010, as outlined in the National Waste Plan towards a zero waste Scotland.
The targets include stopping the growth of municipal waste and achieve 40% recycling and composting of the municipal waste by 2010. Anna Beswick, Assistant Campaign Manager at Waste Aware Scotland, said the government and Scotland are on schedule.
“We are doing very well. We had a target in 2008 to recycle 30% which we met in the fourth quarter last year, and the total rate for that year was 31,7%. This year the recycling rate was 36,3% by February, so we are already close to achieving the target on 40% by 2010”, she said.
Multi-sectional effort
The government’s additional key targets as outlined in the National Waste Plan are to achieve 50% recycling and composting of municipal waste by 2013; 60% by 2020 and 70% by 2025. Also, to reduce emission of greenhouse gasses no more than 25% of the waste should be treated by energy, and no more than 5% should be landfill by 2025. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) insists that this achievement demands a multi-sectional effort.
“Numerous stakeholders have a role to play in preventing waste including local authorities, product designers, retailers, manufacturers, community groups and consumers. The Scottish Government also has a duty in setting appropriate policies to ensure waste prevention is easy to undertake”, a spokesperson for SEPA said.
Reduction on waste going to landfills
The Scottish Government are at the moment reviewing the National Waste Plan, which will outline how Scotland will meet the 70% target by 2025. The plan will be complete in 18 months time, according to Waste Aware Scotland.
“The government is fully committed to increasing recycling in Scotland and working towards a zero waste”, Ms. Beswick said.
The proposal to move Scotland towards zero waste, meaning no waste at all, was set out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in January last year. Scotland produced nearly 3,5 million tonnes municipal waste in 2007, whereof 2,2 million tonnes were sent to landfill and 74 000 tonnes were incinerated.
Waste hierarchy
Waste Aware Scotland explains that recycling is a part of a waste management strategy which includes measures to prevent waste in the first place. The two other stages in a waste hierarchy include reducing and reusing.
“There is a wide variety of what people can do every day, like composting at home, donating or repairing furniture or bicycles for re-use, or preventing food waste by buying fruit and vegetables loose without packaging. Every Scottish household spends £410 every year on food that does not get eaten”, Ms. Beswick said.
“There are steps that people can do to reduce the amount of unwanted mail they receive, and things like using charity shops and donating is as important as recycling. “
“You must try to think outside of the box and recycle more unusual things like mobile phones, musical instruments or luggage, or use wind-up watches or solar power products.“
The National Waste Plan was launched in 2003 by the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as a keystone to implement the National Waste Strategy. The latter was published by SEPA in 1999 in response to environmental concerns.
Although the amount of waste going to landfill has more than halved its 16 million tonne figure since 1994, there is still a risk of increased greenhouse emissions. Sending waste to landfills means losing valuable resources, but it also contributes to a climate change seeing that landfill sites release methane gas. In addition, badly managed landfill can pollute surface and ground water and cause problems with odour, flies and vermin.
Kirk Weddings Down because of Ceremony Cost
Posted by: vibeckeg on: March 21, 2009
By Vibecke Gudmundsen
Fewer couples get married in the Kirk because of the cost of church weddings, a Church of Scotland minister has said.
The number of weddings conducted in the Church of Scotland has suffered a strong decline over the last years, falling 11,4% from 2001 to the end of 2007, according to the General Register of Scotland. However, the increase in number on civil marriages shows that people are still getting married, just not in the Kirk. 
“We cannot discount the fact of the sheer cost of a traditional church wedding as an explanation for the decline”, said Reverend Angus Morrison, convener of the Convener of the Church of Scotland Mission and Discipleship Council.
The cost of a traditional church wedding today can vary from £200 to £1000, but for most churches the cost is typically around £400. The price includes the use of the church, marriage service and certificate, a publication of banns of marriage, an organist and a church officer. However, if you want flowers and decoration, a choir and bells you have to pay up to an additional £300. The charge does not include a video license, which is required by the government if you are recording the ceremony, which is a further £100.
Civil weddings up
However, Reverend Morrison underlined that there are many other possible explanations for the downfall in weddings in the Kirk.
“There are factors such as couples waiting till they are older before marrying, cohabitation as a trend influenced by the increase in divorce as there seems to be evidence the children of divorced or separated parents are more likely to cohabit. And of course there is the increasing use of civil ceremonies for marriage”, he said.
“I wonder too if the increasingly common offer by hotels of all-in wedding packages encourages the use of civil ceremonies.”
51,8% of the Scottish population who got married the last year used civil ceremonies, which is up 13% from 2001. That year the number of both weddings in the Kirk and civil ceremonies was 38%, but the two has since then gone in separate directions.
Weddings within other denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church and so-called “other religions” seem to reflect the same situation, but only to a certain extent over the last five years. The figures went down a small period, but are now back to their starting point on 6,5% and 15,9%, respectively.
Not active Kirk members
Reverend Derek Browning, minister of Morningside Parish of the Church of Scotland, said there are signs that the reasons why people want to get married in the Church are changing.
“I have many more requests from couples who are simply looking for somewhere ‘nice’ to get married, than from people who are active members of the church”, he said.
Morningside Parish Church
His parish has an average of four weddings every year, but only one out of the four couples are actively involved and committed to the Church.
“A large percentage of the couples I marry have moved away from their family home but still have a strong family connection to the church.”
Because a parish system is still operated in Scotland couples cannot get married in whichever church they wish. The three factors that decide in which church you can wed are; the couple, one or both, are active members of the church; or the couple has a strong, live family connections with the church; or the couple live within the geographical area of the parish.
“If they don’t fall into any of the three categories I direct them to their parish minister. Everyone in Scotland will live in someone’s parish.”
However, Reverend Browning stands strong on that every couple shall be treated the same way, no matter agenda.
“All couples that I marry are encouraged to attend a course on what it means to be a Christian. Many come into church membership, though this is not required for marriage, and it is a good way for them to get to know me and the church”, he said.
To see figures on marriages in Scotland click here.
Napping Found to Raise Diabetes Risk
Posted by: vibeckeg on: March 9, 2009
By Vibecke Gudmundsen
Regular napping is dramatically raising the risk to develop diabetes, according to new research.
The study conducted by scientists at the University of Birmingham has found that people who sleep for short periods during the day are up to 26% more likely to evoke type-2 diabetes.
“There is an obvious link between sleeping for short periods and type-2 diabetes, even with other factors taken into account”, said Dr Shahrad Taheri, from the University of Birmingham.
Other contributing factors are the weight of the subjects and unhealthy life styles. These were confirmed by the study, in addition to poor night time sleep.
The research examined the sleeping habits of 16,480 older people in China. A large proportion of the group, 68%, took regular naps and the research found that napping just once a week increased the likelihood of developing the condition.
Dr Taheri said the study was satisfying. He said: “Our research provides us with an additional insight on the risk factors behind type-2 diabetes”.
“As the number of people with type-2 diabetes keeps increasing, it is crucial that we do everything we can to help prevent people from developing the condition.”
The results of the study is due to be presented at Diabetes UK’s annual professional conference in Glasgow on Wednesday March 11.
Church of Scotland Stunned by New IVF Rules
Posted by: vibeckeg on: March 5, 2009
By Vibecke Gudmundsen
The new UK regulations on in vitro fertilization (IVF) will erode the role of fathers, a senior Church of Scotland minister has warned.
The new rules shortly coming into force allow the women who conceive a child through in vitro fertilization or sperm donation to put any person as the second parent on the birth certificate. Reverend Ian Galloway, Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, says he finds it deeply disturbing that the new rules have no requirement that the person named
Reverend Ian Galloway
as the second parent have any biological relation to the child.
“The Church of Scotland is stunned at the potential further erosion of the role of fathers, and is concerned that the falsification of information about one’s identity is the denial of a very fundamental human right”, Reverend Galloway said.
“Legal fiction”
The updated regulations by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) remove the previous clause that encouraged fertility clinics to consider a child’s “need for a father”. From April 6 it will be possible for women to name anyone as the “second parent” or “father”, as long as they are not in close relation to the woman giving birth. This allows friends or partners to be listed on the birth certificate, but not sisters or uncles, as they are within the “prohibited degrees” set out by the HFEA.
Reverend Galloway said it creates a “legal fiction”.
“At a time when parental responsibilities are in the spotlight, what message does this send to fathers, who are in danger from being erased from history”, he said.
Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe also underlined the role of fathers. She said: “Every child has got a right to a father and this bill for the first time quite deliberately creates a situation where children are born without a father.”
“A father plays a unique role in a child’s life. The effect is quite simple. You’re going to deprive a child from the outset.”
Apart from the implications the child conceived through IVF may meet in the society, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of genetic history in relation to illnesses. Also, there is a potential risk when the child grows up that related people may marry each other, which implies consequences for their children.
The new regulations on in vitro fertilization only affect women. Homosexuals that want to have a child through surrogacy will have to wait until next year for both of the men to be listed as parents of the child.
To read more about in vitro fertilization click here.
Detained after strip club fight
Posted by: vibeckeg on: December 11, 2008
The Pubic Triangle
A man was detained after an argument outside a strip club in Edinburgh last night.
Two men were involved in the fight that happened outside the strip club Burke & Hare in the city centre. A third man trying to mediate ended up with minor injuries and bruises.
The brawl started when the detained man refused to leave the bar after instructions from the bouncer. The bartender said the man had been drinking excessively and was agitating people in the bar. He was supposedly making rude remarks to another man, and they ended up in a fight.
Witnesses say many people partly interfered with the fight, but backed off as soon as the authorities arrived. It is not clear who inflicted the injuries upon the mediating man.
Police say the detained man was released from custody earlier today, after being questioned.
Growing trend
The so-called “Pubic Triangle” in Edinburgh has three strip clubs situated close to each other, and the neighbours keep reporting the area as a venue for intoxicated people and quarrels. This incident is the third in relation to strip clubs in two months.
The strip clubs have been receiving a number of complaints from frustrated neighbours. The police now hope that the big commotion will help keep them on their toes to avoid trouble.
(23 December, 2008)
Sickness absence costs £20 billion
Posted by: vibeckeg on: December 11, 2008
Sickness absence across the UK cost companies £19.9 billion last year, according to a new report released today.
According to the Labour Force Survey the average employee had approximately one week of sickness absence in 2007, where of 12% is thought to be non-genuine.
The regions with most absence were North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, where as Southern England had the least sick days. There is also a wide difference between private and public sector, where the average absence levels at the former stood at 9 days compared with 5.8 days in the public sector.
New strategies
From July 2007 to June 2008 5.8 million scheduled working days were lost to sickness or injury, resulting in huge financial consequences.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working to reduce these costs along with the sickness absence. The non-departmental public body is responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare across the UK. In connection to this the HSE has recently launched a new strategy, in cooperation with the Department of Work and Pension. They are at this point focusing on the non-genuine part of the sickness absence, in an attempt to separate the dodgers from the ill.
“Our key goals are to create healthier and safer workplaces, and to build competence and strong leaderships. It is also very important to involve the workforce”, says a spokesman for the HSE.
Women more absent
According to the survey women are more likely to take sick days than men. The rates show 2.9% absence for women compared to 2.2% for men.
The report states that the main reasons to absence in the UK is cold, back pain and musculoskeletal conditions in addition to stress and mental health problems.
Also, younger employees are more likely to take sickness absence than older employees:
- The age groups 16-24 and 25-34 had 2.6% absence
- The age group 35-49 had 2.5% absence
- The age group 50-64 had 2.4% absence
Among men, the youngest group were most absent, where as those aged 25 to 34 had the highest rate of sickness absence among women.
(08 December, 2008)
Bush admits Iraq-blunder
Posted by: vibeckeg on: December 2, 2008
George W Bush and Barack Obama in the White House
George W Bush admits the invasion of Iraq was a mistake.
It was in a television interview with the ABC on Monday that the president, who is counting his last days in the White House, admitted the blunder. He said that his biggest regret from his entire eight year old presidency were the invasion of Iraq in 2003, based on false claims about Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction.
When questioned if he still would have ordered an invasion of Iraq knowing that there was no such weapons, Bush declined to speculate on it.
Bush also admitted that he was not prepared to be president of a country in war, but that the unexpected comes with being a president. On the basis of his regrets President Bush underlined that he is not the only to blame; members of the Congress and world leaders all took part in the allegations and decision making. In the last years the president has had to answer to a long line of accusations regarding his presidency, especially about the war in Iraq and the September 11 terrorist attacks. His actions has left him as one of the most unpopular presidents on record.
A third admission from Bush was in regard to that he feels a certain responsibility for the financial crisis, as it takes place within his presidency, but claimed that most of the crisis has roots in Wall Street decisions.
Bush has just under two months left in the White House as the President of the United States.
Obama: Bye Bye BlackBerry
Posted by: vibeckeg on: November 17, 2008
- In: Napier| Uncategorized
- 1 Comment
Now that he is President, Barack Obama may have to give up his beloved BlackBerry. According to the transparency laws the smartphone makes his every e-mail and document open for public viewing. There goes another habit of the newly elected President.
As many other busy and business men, President Obama has relied on his BlackBerry for many years. He has been observed using the device in all kinds of situations, ranging from meetings to his daughters football match. Former Presidents Bush and Clinton had to give up e-mail, and now it seems that the man with the slogan “Change” also may have to cave.
The transparency laws can make the documents sent or received on the smartphone be used as evidence in a court of law. Further on it is preventing Obama from communicating on the spot. Experts also support the statement, saying there is always a risk of digital communication being hacked into.
This is not the first habit Obama has had to quit in relation to the presidency, he also gave up smoking before running for office.
A final decision on whether Mr Obama will become the first e-mailing president has yet to be made.
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