Biofuels: Pies in the Sky
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What’s that in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s biofuel.
I’m never that sure about Sir Richard Branson. (Why is he a knight? Knights save maidens, atop steeds, in shiny metal suits, the backdrop a castle with billowing flags and things. Knights don’t run record labels. Ah, he signed the Sex Pistols. I take it all back.)
Hang on a moment. The Pistols fought the establishment. Their sarcasm on God Save the Queen is legendary. Knighthoods are provided by the queen. You see?
I’m not that keen on biofuels either. A mixed blessing isn’t good enough, when we have the winds, tides and sunlight to power our future.
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So from the Sex Pistols to biofuelled flight in one very seamless career move. The knight of the realm runs a company called Virgin, which in turn runs an oft-derided train service and also an airline. Oh yes, fingers in very many pies.
And today, the BBC announce that:
“The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel is to take off from London. Billed as a green fuel breakthrough, the Virgin Atlantic flight to Amsterdam will not have any passengers on board.”
The thinking’s all askew. Don’t line your pockets with biofuel. Don’t semi-alleviate guilt with flight traffic powered by something other than kerosene.
Behavioural change. Proper solutions. Not press coverage.
You see the moon and sun up there in the sky? They provide our cleaner future. Not aeroplanes.
A little bit more research Mr Scientist. A little bit more funding Mr Politician. We’ll get there.
The BBC banned the Sex Pistols despite being number one in the charts with that song I’ve just mentioned. You see, it was the queen’s jubilee. More people were taking notice of a punk record than royalty. The establishment all got a bit nervous.
Not as nervous as I am with biofuels.
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Max Lindberg always gives a knowledgable critique.
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