Outrun a roadblock - nah a problem...?

Gulf Stream halted for 10 days in 2004

The Guardian

Scientists have uncovered more evidence for a dramatic weakening in the
vast ocean current that gives Britain its relatively balmy climate by
dragging warm water northwards from the tropics. The slowdown, which
climate modellers have predicted will follow global warming, has been
confirmed by the most detailed study yet of ocean flow in the Atlantic.

Most alarmingly, the data reveal that a part of the current, which is
usually 60 times more powerful than the Amazon river, came to a
temporary halt during November 2004.

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Reuters UK: Soft landing for Ireland?

Dario Perkins, an economist at ABN Amro argues that Ireland and Spain, where house prices have also exploded, will not see their domestic property markets crash even if the ECB raises interest rates further than expected.

In a note after his Dublin trip he said the European Central Bank was expected to raise euro zone rates to perhaps 3.75 percent by mid-2007 from 3.25 now, but that even 4 percent was bearable for Irish and Spanish mortgage holders.

"I think this bearishness is overdone," he wrote. "It would be astounding if these economies saw anything more than a minor short-term wobble."

Bust unlikely to follow global housing boom

Is renewable energy a fad, or do the sums add up?

The Guardian

The most suitable (and cheapest) technology for many homes is probably
the solar water heater that will set you back around £2,000. Add in
photovoltaic cells, ground source heat pumps, and solid fuel boilers,
and you have a number of ways of making your home less reliant on the
National Grid.

To get an expert opinion on the costs involved and savings possible, we contacted Claire Bonham-Carter, director of sustainable development at London consultancy Faber Maunsell, who advises many of the UK's biggest house-building firms on how to use these technologies. She says home-owners should try not to review projects in pure financial payback
terms but should focus on the wider benefits.

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It's a mad, mad, mad autumn

The longest period of hot weather since records began in 1659 has Britain's wildlife totally confused. Click here for some examples

... PLUS ...

Scotland's snowfall is predicted to drop by up to 90 per cent, the future's a no-snow zone

Asleep in America

The project “Asleep in America” is a documentary that explores the topic of Peak Oil. Peak Oil happens when global demand for fossil fuels surpasses supply. Experts agree that Global Peak production will surely happen. They disagree only on when it will happen. Oil industry analysts predict the Global Peak could occur around 2020. Critics disagree and provide evidence suggesting the Peak will occur as early as 2010. Either way, the Peak is inevitable.



http://www.peakoil.net/Documentary.html

Irish Economy 2006 and Future of the Celtic Tiger: Putting a brass knocker on a barn door!

Davy Stockbrokers says in a July 2006 report that it is highly likely that that the pace of growth of the Irish economy will slow in the later years of this decade. After 2007, consumer spending growth will be impacted by the withdrawal of the SSIA stimulus and the long-anticipated peak in the housing market may finally have occurred. Davy says that it is difficult to see what sectors could replace this loss of momentum.

Excellent article by Michael Hennigan, Editor and Founder of Finfacts

The Truth About Food Expiration Dates

The dates, for one, mean quite different things. For instance, "sell by" is more a guide for the store to know how long it can display a product for sale. The "best before" or "best if used by" date refers to a quality or flavor of the food. "Use by" works more like an expiration date, similar to that on medicines, and taking them after the date is not recommended.

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