I have just one thing to say: "Bottled water"

You want to start reducing carbon emissions? Ban the production and distribution of bottled water.

These guys should consider the amount energy required to manufacture a plastic bottle then truck it across half of Europe rather than just walk across the kitchen and take a glass from the tap. I may drive a 4X4 but I get my water from the tap in a glass that does not need to be collected by truck from my recycling bin, transported back across half of Europe before more energy is used to turn it back into a bottle of water so the cycle of pollution can begin again.

Bottled water, a natural resource taxing the world's ecosystem

Bottled water consumption, which has more than doubled globally in the last six years, is a natural resource that is heavily taxing the world's ecosystem, according to a new US study. "Even in areas where tap water is safe to drink, demand for bottled water is increasing, producing unnecessary garbage and consuming vast quantities of energy," according to Emily Arnold, author of the study published by the Earth Policy Institute, a Washington-based environmental group.

Arnold said although in the industrial world bottled water is often no healthier than tap water, it can end up costing 10,000 times more. "At as much as 2.50 dollars per liter (10 dollars per gallon), bottled water costs more than gasoline," the study says.

It added that the United States was the largest consumer of bottled water, with Americans drinking 26 billion liters in 2004, or about one eight-ounce (25 cl) glass per person every day.

Mexico was the second largest consumer at 18 billion liters followed by China and Brazil at 12 billion liters each. In terms of consumption per person, Italians came first at nearly 184 liters, or more than two glasses a day, followed by Mexico and the United Arab Emirates with 169 and 164 liters per person respectively. Belgium and France follow close behind and Spain ranks sixth.

The study said that demand for bottled water soared in developing countries between 1999 and 2004 with consumption tripling in India and more than doubling in China during that period. That has translated into massive costs in packaging the water, usually in plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is derived from crude oil, and then transporting it by boat, train or on land. "Making bottles to meet Americans' demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 US cars for a year," according to the study. "Worldwide, some 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year."

Once the water is consumed, disposing the plastic bottles poses an environmental risk. The study, citing the Container Recycling Institute, said that 86 percent of plastic water bottles in the United States end up as garbage and those buried can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. In addition, some 40 percent of the PET bottles deposited for recycling in the United States in 2004 ended up being shipped to China.

The study warned that the rapid growth in the industry has also ironically led to water shortages in some areas, including India where bottling of Dasani water and other drinks by the Coca-Cola company has caused shortages in more than 50 villages.

It said that while consumers tend to link bottled water with healthy living, tap water can be just as healthy and is subject to more stringent regulations than bottled water in many regions, including Europe and the United States. "In fact, roughly 40 percent of bottled water begins as tap water," the study says. "Often the only difference is added minerals that have no marked health benefits.


Sometimes the focus is a little off the mark  2006 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony/Cherry, Privacy, Sunroof, PTI, Premium Sound, SatNav, Cold Climate, Tow kit, CarStyle coded grill and vents, Tasmods, Stormers, JE Exhaust, Autobiography badge

Unfortunately this government in the UK is trying to make us feel so guilty that we are happy to pay additional tax. Whilst China, India and the USA continue to polute the world we will go without and pay for everyone else.
Who knows what we will find in 50 years time....that it was all for nothing.

I wonder.

I wish I had a camera with me today as I pulled into Clacket lane Services there was a Mitsubishi 4x4 with a large sign on the side 'Environmental Agency'
Setting an example

Should be "Anti-Environmental Agency," shouldn't it? So, it's ok for Government to buy 4x4s then? Hypocrites!

Well, I have seen them in RR, RRS, LR3 and one of the latest Toyota Land Cruiser LC3 3-litre diesel automatics..... WHY???

1. they are not allowed to speed - why the big engines?
2. they dont do recovery - why the big engines?
3. they only carry cones, 1st aid, fire - WHY THE BIG ENGINES??

AND WHY 4x4's... ah yes the tiny bit of snow.... get a life!

So the goverment slam us for 4x4 tax on the basis on CO2 emmisions, yet thier own vehicles drive up and down the motorways and main roads all day every day!!!

This goverment has to change!! They say be green and do the opposite.... "cut down on aircraft use, in the meantime will tax you.... and by the way you can have your 3rd runway at Heathrow"

thats my rant over for today GONE** RRS 3.0SC Silver fully loaded - 2020 110 loving it
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** Chinook CH47 - 2 x T55 engines 3,750 hp each!! 183mph, 2xM134 Miniguns, 1xM60

Spot on wokkaman!

Isn't it about time there was a group to speak up for the 4x4s? Always maligned and persecuted without the right of reply! Why dont the manufacturers get togther and appoint a professional spokesperson? This must be hurting their sales and reputation. Guilty without a defence..., hardly democratic, is it?

Why lower ourselves to their level? OK, so strictly speaking a large proportion of this forum's membership do spend most of their time in the gutter, but we do have standards you know!  

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

Like it here? Then Donate to RRSPORT!!

I think that I know a way to get the public on our side!


















Naked women driving up and down the motorway. 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

Like they do in Finland or Norway or wherever it is...  

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

Like it here? Then Donate to RRSPORT!!

Now THAT gets my vote! Should be manadatory in the UK!!!!

I wasn't going to click on this thread through fear of getting irate & wound up ......................








































Had no effect anyway !
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and as for Ken Livingstone



Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

I hope MDP that you don't want Ken to pull his trousers down for some reason!  2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

He needs....................  
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "