Committee on Climate Change advises UK to cut emissions 60% by 2030

The UK is set to cut the emissions by 60% in 2030 as the first one in the world. The first one to make this decision legally binded. 

The Committee on Climate Change advised the Uk in this decision, but it would take a lot for the UK to accomplish such a difficult task. It has consequenses for the energy sector, farming and motering. The energy market must make their energy completely zero carbon and homes need to be overhauled to stop them leaking heat. The petrol driven cars need to be replaced with 11 million electric hybrid cars. The UK has set this emission cut to accomplish an 80% in 2050.

Reaction:

I find the emission cut advise from the CCC a good thing. The UK can be an example for the world. If the UK can do it why can't the other countries. It takes a lot of effort to accomplish such a high percentage, but if you make it legally binded you have to do everything to achieve this goal. I think there is no alternative at the moment than cut back on emessions and let the world still be a place to live normal.

adress:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/dec/07/committee-on-climate-change-targets-uk

UK schools slip down world rankings

Despite the effort of the UK it is dropping on the  ranking list of world education in maths, reading and science.

Each year 470,000 15 year olds from 65 countries make a numeracy, literacy and science test. These results reveal that the UK is overtaken by Poland in maths and Norway in maths and reading. The Progranme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) has interest in these results because they show how different country's education systems compare. This could be a warning for politicians and policy-makers of the UK because they dropped several places since 2006. The UK is not getting worse, but other countries are getting better, while the UK is spending 54,000 pound each year per student. Only seven other countries spend more on their students.

reaction:
The school system in the UK is totally different than we have here in the Netherlands. I don't know much me spend on our students each year, but looking at the ranking we are not doing that bad. The Netherlands is ranked 9th in the world and the UK 25th. They have one of the best universities in the world, but i think they look to much at their showpiece and less to the 'normal' universities or colleges. If you read about the school system of the UK everything is pointed at how well everyone did on their tests and a-levels. I think that is to much pressure between the age of 10-18.


adress: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/dec/07/uk-schools-slip-world-rankings

Tiger Woods begins to show a little more of what made him so great

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell defeated Tiger Woods in the play-off at the Chevron World Challenge.

Graeme McDowell played a stunning back nine on the last day of the Chevron World Challenge. He came back from four shots down on Tiger Woods. For McDowell it was a dream come true. He holed the first play-off hole with a 25 feet putt which maked him the winner of this tournament. It was dream like for him, because Woods is normally the one who finishes heroic.Tiger Woods, the former nr 1 in the world, was pleased with his game:  "It was a great week even though I didn't win," he said. "I am proud of today even though I lost." He was clearly disapointed that he did not win, but after a year of struggling and poor golf he showed a little bit more of what made him so great.



Reaction:
I was glad that a Irishman defeated Tiger Woods, because other wise I could not use this article. I think it is a shame that the media made such a great deal about the private life of Tiger Woods. I do not aprove what he has done, but we should only judge him on his game and not on his private life. His game play is now at a level that other players can come near or even defeat him. It is more exciting to watch when the winner is not set until the end of the tournament. Great play for Graeme McDowell.


Adress: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/dec/06/tiger-woods-graeme-mcdowell-chevron?intcmp=239

Ireland told: Take EU bailout or trigger crisis

European Union has warned Ireland, and they have 24 hours to make a decision about the bailout.

 The increasingly isolated Irish goverment became under high pressure tonight to seek an EU or Internatiol Monetary Fund bailout within 24 hours. They fear a contagion from their weak banking sector, which might spread the weaker eurozone countries.

Brian Cowen 's coalition came under a lot of pressure from Spain, Portugal, and the European central Bank, because they do not want a second crisis within six months and they asked him to eliminate this threat by putting up a firewall between Ireland and its 15 Euro partners.

reaction:
I think that Ireland should not think about their independence and let the monetary fund help them. It is not only for Ireland, but all European countries suffer from this financial crisis one way or another. I understand that the Irish are free and independent for just 80 years and they want to hold on to that. A bailout would mean that the EU get more control over the Irish goverment and their decision, because their financial crisis has to be solved.

adress:http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/nov/15/ireland-portugal-spain-european-debt-crisis

Phil Woolas ejected from parliament over election slurs

Former minister of immigration has been ejected from the parliament after the ruling of two high court judges. Phil Woolas’ judgment is likely to have consequences for future campaigns.

The two high court judges ruled that Phil lied about his Lib Dem opponent during the general election. Elwyn Watkins claims that Woolas misled the voters in Oldham east by saying that Watkins “wooed” the Islamic extremists and his intention to live in a constituency. The evidence for his conviction was found in emails from Woolas’ team. Woolas is also ordered to pay all costs. This was the moment for the Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman to suspend Woolas from the party. Former politicians think this ruling may affect future elections on what people say and can’t say.

reaction: I think this problem is finally coming to an end. I think they should do the same in the United States, where they make each other black in the media. This happens with all the senator and presidential elections. I think you should not pay attentions to other parties and make up your own campaign, which will reach the public if you have a good program. lieing about other parties or politians is just going to make you even less reliable.

adres:http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/05/phil-woolas-ejected-parliament-election