As Fi Bows to Peer Pressure

Scoop: United Future announces candidates

You might see a name you recognise ;o)

Ok, it’s time I got serious for once and talk to you all about the importance of understanding climate change and global warming. Last night I watched ‘World Debate’ on BBC and having been at a ‘discussion’ last week on the same topic, my mind is filled with important things to say.

Firstly, global warming is happening! Scientists can prove it, and theorists try very hard to disprove it. The sea levels around the Pacific Island of Tuvalu are rising and causing serious problems. This is a direct effect of global warming.

Secondly, global warming is caused mostly by emissions. Particularly Carbon Dioxide emissions from cars, as well as other noxious gases from factories. Your aerosol cans help cause it, as do older fridges, and a whole host of other appliances. Burning fuel causes the most emissions, as in cars, but also in the simple act of burning logs during winter months in Christchurch (sorry but your air is incredibly polluted by NZ standards).

Thirdly, if the earth’s average temperature continues to increase by even a small amount, half of Wellington is likely to disappear under the water again. That includes all of Petone, Lower Hutt, and Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay and Airport. Where I live will become an island. Devestation on a much grander scale will occur and billions of people will die. Do I make myself clear?

Fourthly, global warming must be considered while providing assistance to developing countries. If we simply try to cure AIDS and Malaria, while ignoring climate change, we are addressing only the short-term problem, rather than looking long-term. Sustainable development that helps to provide new renewable energy resources while addressing poverty and other concerns will provide longer-term assistance!

Fifthly, and most importantly: YOU CAN DO SOMETHING to help prevent an insane climate change for the earth. Lobby your government to continue reducing their emissions. If you are an Aussie or an American, lobby your government to sign the Kyoto Protocol, it isn’t as stupid and useless as they seem to think. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT! Encourage your regional councils to provide public transport which does less damage to the environment, like trolley buses. BUY ENVIRONMENTALLY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES and ENCOURAGE RENEWABLE ENERGY (like wind farm, solar energy, etc).

Finally, TELL everyone you know that this is a serious issue and that without everyone giving a hand, we could face the incredibly dangerous side of nature, with very little protection. Email me for more info or look up Global Warming / Climate Change on google to find out more. This is vitally important my friends! It needs to be taken seriously!

I had a mad man at work the other night . . . ok so he wasn’t mad, just a confuselled tourist who thought he could buy an icecream with a $5 Australian note. I informed him that because this was a DIFFERENT COUNTRY, we didn’t accept the Aussie dollars so he asked if we took US$. Of course we do!!! LOL!!!!!! He explained he had no NZ$ caus he didn’t think he needed them.

I am now completely and utterly convinced that some parts of the world (no names here) do not prepare their tourists for anything. How do you miss the fact that NZ has an entirely different currency. I can understand not knowing this when living elsewhere but to not even contemplate that we might prefer to be distanced from our Aussie neighbours and US (how could we be related to US$ . . . if we were trading apples it would make sense but for one little icecream) when you travel here seems a bit stupid. I give up, some tourists provide all the entertainment!

my favourite muppets were always fozzie, ralph, animal and kermit. i enjoyed the crazy pigs (from pigs in space) and sam the eagle (it was sam the eagle wasn’t it?) but it was fozzie’s crazy jokes, ralph’s beautiful piano, animal’s total and utter insanity, and kermit’s acceptance that despite the fact that he had the craziest bunch of friends ever, life was still going to be all good that made it seem so great to me.

and that really sums it all up don’t you think?

his eye is on the sparrow and i know he watches over me

Fog has descended on Wellington, and as I write this I can hear the ships sounding their fog horns in the entrance to Welly harbour just down from my house. It is such an unusual and almost haunting noise!

Tonight I had the incredible job of working checking tickets and acting as a security person at the Global Challenge Yacht Race dinner and prizegiving. I met hundreds of great English people who kept me entertained all night. I was the only one working and my original job had disappeared so I enjoyed just meeting people and looking after things. Very very fun!!! If I was into yachting, and I probably would be if I didn’t have screwed up joints, I would love to be involved in Global Challenge one day. Meh . . . it was fun meeting all of them for one night!

I have been working very hard for Orientation 2005, I’m taking United Future to four universities (Auckland, Vic, Canterbury, Otago) over two weeks for Clubs Days and to try and start up a group at each uni. It’s all turning out really well and I’m definitely excited about it. PLUS honours starts in a couple of weeks and in a way it’s going to be nice to be back at uni. I’m looking forward to the year!!!

I went back to Waimarama, twas not the best weather ever but nice to be back relaxing for two days.

And now I’m enjoying watching Sister Act 2 . . . first musical movie I ever saw and one of my favourites :o) Yay for another brilliantly fabulous day!!!!!!!!