Far from trying to take the fun out of the rocket racing, I’m merely pointing out that of all the ways and different directions motor sport can be taken, using jet-powered aircraft is by far the most environmentally damaging.

Speaking of biodiesel, I saw something a couple of years ago about an experimental fixed propeller aircraft using biodiesel.

Once they they solve the problems associated with biodiesel (principally the false economy conundrum, which I think will come from the refinement end), maybe they’ll figure out a way of putting the stuff into F1 cars and jet aircraft.

Thanks again, great comment!

The point is though, that if you start taking away everything that is fun, because our poxy amount of carbon emissions could further harm a planet being damaged in many more ways by government and major industries who throw away the earth’s resources seemingly thinking they are theirs to squander, the human race is doomed.

As is innovation.

In this country (UK), I am surrounded by people with fantastic, innovative, ingenious ideas to reduce, reuse and recycle. The practicalities of it are such that it becomes impossible to do anything as a consumer except squander our minimal resources. For example:

• Getting through the bureaucratic paper mountain to start an horticultural salvage yard when surrounded by farms full of potentially great garden items that the farmers can’t afford to tip;
• Explaining to the ‘bouncers’ at the tip that this monitor / printer / TV / fridge works brilliantly if someone could give it a home and that it MUSTN’T go into landfill;
• Putting solar panels on your roof (well, we’ll more than likely say you don’t need planning permission at all, but could you just fill out this 18 page planning application anyway with full architect’s drawings);
• You want a what in your house / garden? No, no, no, you can’t have a methane digester / reed bed / turbine in the stream;
• Trying to get the new energy efficiency grant to BRING THE 4 free energy efficient light bulbs with them when they visit rather than post them;

The list goes on.

Meanwhile, I continue my campaign to name and shame public sector and charities that leave their lights on at evenings and weekends, as should all of you. It isn’t about security — haven’t you seen Forrest Gump?

If those lights had been ON in the building opposite, he’d never have spotted the Watergate guys. Phone your council and demand an explanation, and an audit of the number of units electricity they use per employee to compare to a cash-strapped home office user.

In the meantime, let us poor souls have some fun!