#motorists

“Back in July, Just Stop Oil (JSO) experienced something unusual – they found they were the ones being protested. An alternative group called Just Stop Pissing People Off attempted to block Just Stop Oil from engaging in disruptive protests and interrupted their events, saying that the climate crisis is real but that JSO is distracting and alienating people. The counter-protests tell us a great deal about Britain’s contradictory attitude to the climate crisis.

“Broadly, Brits understand that the climate crisis climate change is a major problem. 65% of us are worried about the climate crisis (versus just 28% who aren’t) while the same proportion supports the government’s aim of reducing Britain’s net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 ... Eight in 10 back more tree planting, subsidies for energy-efficient homes and higher taxes for high-carbon companies. 62% would support a requirement for all energy production to come from renewable sources. But this enthusiasm has its limits.

“When asked if they would back policies that would impose limits on what they personally can do, Brits quickly turn against them. For instance, two-thirds oppose the idea of a limit on how much meat they can buy, and a majority oppose banning petrol and diesel cars ... Even though 62% of voters back the idea of requiring all energy to be renewable, just 39% want to ban new North Sea oil fields, and a mere 32% want to prohibit the sale of gas boilers ...

“The British public is not as supportive of action on the climate crisis as many environmentalists would hope. We favour general, uncontentious ideas – net zero, tree-planting, tax rises on high-carbon companies – but when asked for our opinion on a climate policy that would directly affect us personally, we baulk. This is partly due to worries about the cost of living, but it’s also about avoiding personal inconvenience.

“Memoria polaroid” – un blog alla radio S25E06 

Bentrovate e bentrovati a una nuova puntata del podcast di “Memoria polaroid – un blog alla radio”, la trasmissione in onda ogni settimana da Bologna, sulle frequenze di NEU Radio. Tutta una volata dalla Svizzera al Canada, dall’Indonesia alla Svezia, facendo tappa anche a casa nostra, e con il prezioso supporto di Benty e della sua rubrica “Troppa Braga”, ecco a voi la consueta oretta piena di novità indiepop e indie rock, senza dimenticare gli irrinunciabili brindisi, insieme a Enzo Baruffaldi. 🎧 Dove ascoltare: https://linktr.ee/polaroidblogpodcast  🎸 La playlist della serata:

Bandit Voyage – Les gens amoureux Kiwi jr – Hard Drive, Ontario The Mary Onettes – The Big Shake [in collegamento telefonico con Andrea “Benty” Bentivoglio per “Troppa Braga”] Boyish – Big Glazyhaze – Romeo The Interpretation Cultures – That Kind of Pop Song Motorists – Cristobal Would-Be-Goods – The Gallopers Orchid Mantis – Comedown Phase

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT FRANCES OF ROME The Patron of Automobile Drivers and Christian Wives Feast Day: March 9

Frances was born in Rome in 1384 to a wealthy and aristocratic couple, Paolo Bussa and Iacobella dei Roffredeschi, in the up-and-coming district of Parione and christened in the nearby Church of St. Agnes on the famed Piazza Navona.

At the age of 12, despite her desire to become a nun, and in obedience to her parents, she married Lorenzo Ponziani, commander of the papal troops of Rome and member of an extremely wealthy family. In their four decades of married life, there was never a misunderstanding between them.

She led a life of prayer and sacrifice, visiting the sick and assisting the poor. In due time, she gave birth to a boy Battista, another boy Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl Agnes, whom she educated in the Christian faith.

Frances endured many trials with patience and faith, including the kidnapping of the little Giovanni and the early deaths of Giovanni Evangelista and Agnes. By kindness and patience, she won the affection of her daughter-in-law Mobilia, who had formerly treated her with contempt.

On August 15, 1425, the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Frances founded the Oblate Congregation of Tor de Specchi (Oblates of St. Frances of Rome), dedicated to worshiping God and to serving the poor.

After Lorenzo's death, she received the religious habit and lived in the community as the lowest of the sisters.

The Traffic Light Tree

Yes it’s time for some more Art! In the middle of the roundabout outside Billingsgate Market stands an eight-metre-tall “tree” constructed out of 75 traffic lights. Originally installed in 1998 at the junction of Heron Quay Bank, Westferry Road and Marsh Wall, the Traffic Light Tree replaced a real tree that had been slowly killed by the traffic pollution in the Canary Wharf area.

The tree was moved to its current location in 2013 following redevelopment work at its original site. The lights still flash in a random sequence, ready to confuse unwary motorists approaching the roundabout. According to the artist, Pierre Vivant, “the changing pattern of the lights reflects the never ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities”.