MOTF Enterprises - THE ENVIRONMENT MOTF THOUGHTS: If we expect nature to respect us, we must first respect nature - Pete Perry 1967 <PREVIOUS PAGE* * * * * * * * * * * * * NEXT PAGE> BAN ALL PESTICIDES AND SAVE THE BEES!By Pete & Nikki We have recently sent a letter to The Minister for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, and we urge you to do the same.Here is our letter... I have been a professional gardener for over 50 years, and in the early Sixties, came to realise the damage that chemicals were doing to our wildlife, and humans! From then on, I became an environmentalist, and refused to use any chemicals in the garden. Very often, my employers didn't like it, especially when I expressed my views in the horticultural press. Now we are reaping the cost of using chemicals, with the disappearance of bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Please ban these lethal chemicals, for the sake of our wildlife and future generations. I know what I am talking about, and have written several books and articles on the environment and the harmful effects of chemicals on wildlife Pete Perry United Kingdom * * * * * * * FOR FOX SAKE!By Pete & Nikki Once again, the fox has become the target of human hatred, after a baby was allegedly attacked by an urban fox. Let's get this straight - foxes do NOT attack humans, - but one may have been attracted by a dirty nappy, having got used to smelling them in dustbin bags.We humans are all too ready to point the finger at other species, when in fact, it is US who have encroached on their Habitat to build houses. So what do you expect? If they didn't raid our towns and cities and eat the rubbish we leave out, they would disappear forever! The only 'crime' of the fox is self-preservation, - and all this panic and hysteria about them 'invading our gardens and towns' only adds fuel to the Toffs' argument that we should bring back fox hunting!IS THIS WHAT WE WANT?Look at Florida Keys, in the USA: Humans built on territory that has been the domain of crocodiles for thousands of years, - and then home owners cause a fuss when they find one in their swimming pool!Unfortunately, us Brits are just as bad: We take over the natural habitat of wild creatures, call it our property, and then punish the animals for trying to survive!It seems to us that, whenever other creatures on this planet dare to interfere with the very selfish and self-centred lifestyle of us Human beings, - we have to kill them!WE DESPAIR!!!!LEAVE THE FOXES ALONE, - AND HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR WILDLIFE AND IT'S RIGHT TO SURVIVE!Love & PeacePete & Nikki xxx * * * * * * * SUSTAINABLE SUPERTREES IN THE GARDENBy Pete & Nikki This summer Singapore opened Gardens by the Bay, a government strategy to raise the country’s quality of life by enhancing greenery and flora in the city. The Supertree Grove (below right) is one of several attractions in the park, including the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Grove is made up of 18 Supertrees, 25 to 50-metres tall vertical gardens that have large canopies that provide shade in the day and come alive with a display of light and sound at night. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are two greenhouses that feature a variety of exotic plants. Cooled Conservatories The Gardens’ attractions were designed to incorporate sustainable functions through various energy and water cycles. The two cooled greenhouses are built with technologies that provide energy-efficient solutions in cooling. This includes the use of structural glass material that allows optimal light in but cuts out a substantial amount of heat. Then, by cooling only occupied zones in the conservatories and dehumidifying the air beforehand energy is also saved. In addition, the chillers that cool the air are powered by a steam turbine fed by agricultural waste. This collection of technologies achieves up to 30% savings in energy consumption, compared to conventional cooling methods. Supertrees The 18 Supertrees at the Gardens are covered with a total of 2,500 planting panels. These are made up of 162,900 plants, with more than 200 species and varieties. The plants are chosen for their suitability for vertical planting, being lightweight, soil-less and easy to maintain. Eleven of the Supertrees have environmentally sustainable features. Some of these have photovoltaic cells on their canopies to harvest solar energy for lighting up the Supertrees at night. This reduces reliance on the electric grid and contributes to about 67% of the energy used to light the Supertrees. A number of the Trees are also linked to the greenhouses, and are effectively exhaust systems to help release accumulated hot air. The Supertrees are like the ‘ecological engines’ in the Gardens, they collect rainwater, absorb heat and provide shade for the gardens below. Pete & Nikki * * * * * * * Ches Braves the Floods at his Parents Home! Nineties Pop Sensation Chesney Hawkes returned from his home in LA recently for a few dates in the UK, and found floodwaters surrounding his parents' (Len 'Chip' and Carol Hawkes) Thamesside home.However, once he was in, he celebrated Christmas and New Year with a beer and snacks with the family... BOTTOMS UP CHES!!! Love & PeaceUncle Pete & The Lovely Nikki xx (See feature below) VVVVV FLOODING ON THE THAMESBy Pete & Nikki These are pictures sent to us by Pete's cousin Carol Hawkes, formerly Carol Dilworth one of the 'Golden Girls' in TV show 'The Golden Shot' in the 60s, wife of Tremeloes bassist/singer/songwriter 'Chip' Hawkes and mother of Chesney Hawkes.The photographs were taken by her from her house, showing clearly how the banks of the Thames has burst, and is threatening the family home at Laleham Reach.Ironically, the picture above, taken from her window, shows a cushion with the message 'Heaven seems a little closer in a house beside the water'. The joke is wearing a bit thin now, however! All these pictures can be enlarged by clicking the bottom right hand corner of each photograph for a better view. Her drummer son Jodie (see picture on the right) has been staying in the guest annexe with his children, whilst wife Claudia goes about her job as an Air Stewardess.Chesney is due to arrive soon, and, as Carol herself tells us, 'He will have to put his waders on just to get to the guest annexe!'She went on to tell us 'The kids could not go out in it, - it is far too dangerous. The river flow is really fast, you would not stand a chance if you missed your footing'. Of the picture on the right, Carol says 'This is the walkway between our house on the left, and the guest annexe on the right...'At first, Carol was treating it as lighthearted as possible, but that is now changing...'I have just heard that the river is coming up another 3 to 4 inches over night', She told us, 'This is not funny any more!!!' PETE HAS BEEN WARNING FOR YEARS THAT FLOODING WOULD INCREASE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE - MAYBE PEOPLE WILL LISTEN NOW... Our thoughts and prayers are with you CarolLove & PeacePete & Nikki xxx * * * * * * * NORWAY LEADS THE WAY!By Pete & NikkiOne of the most significant things we found out on our Norwegian cruise was how more environmentally aware the Norwegians (along withthe Danes and the Swedish).Green roofs are everywhere, - especially in rural areas. It is simply a way of life to them.Not only are many houses fitted with green roofs, but so are sheds and even bus shelters! This is exactly what we have been advocating for the UK since 2003, and something that Pete himself has had in mind ever since the Sixties.But green roofs are only ONE of the ideas that the Norwegians have embraced with open arms.There are still trams and trolleybuses on the streets of Bergen, whereas, in the 1960s, the UK scrapped environmentally-friendly trolleybuses in favour of noisy, smelly diesel buses, - much to Pete's disgust at the time.A step backwards in our opinion.They even have bicycle taxis, - and you can't get much more environmentally-friendly than that! The Norwegians have also made maximum use of all the waterfalls that abound in the country, by harnessing their power to produce hydro-electric power. INDEED - 99% OF ALL THE ELECTRICITY USED IN NORWAY IS PRODUCED BY HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER! It seems we, in the UK could learn a lot from the Norwegians! Love & PeacePete & NikkiFor PETE'S WILDLIFE GARDENCLICK HERE * * * * * * *GREEN ROOFS ARE SPREADING ACROSS THE WORLD(erm- except for The UK!)By Pete & NikkiSince we launched our 'Green Roof Campaign' back in 2008, they have been springing up in countries right across the World, - except for The UK!Greece, France, Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Austria, Canada, and even The USA have taken up the challenge, - and yet our own government here in the UK continue to ignore us.Here then, is proof of the World interest in Green Roof Technology, including a government building in Greece,as well as an echo of a joke Ernie Almond made when we spokeabout our campaignon BBC Three Counties Radio, - a GOAT on a roof!LEFT:Goats graze a roof in Switzerland. RIGHT:Treasury building in GreeceRIGHT: Hobbit House in Montana. LEFT: City Hall, ChicagoRIGHT: A Church in Iceland. LEFT: Municipal building in France. RIGHT: Green roofs in Austria. LEFT: Medical Centre in Canada SO WHY ARE THE UK GOVERNMENT STUBBORNLY REFUSING TO JOIN INWITH OURGREEN CAMPAIGN?* * * * * * * Scientists agree with us at last! By Pete PerryFor the past 50 years, I have been warning of the dangers of petrol and diesel fumes, and the effect they have upon the health, particularly of the young, infirm and elderly. Now at last Scientists agree... as you can see by the recent newspaper article on the right. As many of you will be aware, I have been warning of the dangers of breathing in vehicle exhaust fumes since the late Sixties. They contain carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrous oxides, all of which are highly poisonous gases. Well, excuse me, but that is why people use car exhausts to commit suicide!And yet still manufacturers and politicians drag their feet on cleaner fuel, - because the whole global economy is based on oil, - black gold, - texas tea, - call it what you will, - AND THE OIL BARONS AND POLITICIANS ARE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING PROFIT THAN THEY ARE ON THE HEALTH OF YOU, YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR GREAT-GRANDCHIDLREN. INDEED, THEY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING A QUICK BUCK THAN THEY ARE IN SAVING THE PLANET!So, just as reminder, here are a few of the serious and not-so-serious articles i have written on the subject over the past 50 years...Don't forget, for an enhanced view, click on the bottom R/H corner of each feature...PS: PETE WILL NOT STAY IN THE CAR WHEN NIKKI FILLS UP AT THE PUMPS, AS FUMES FROM THE UNDERGROUND FUEL RESERVOIRS COULD TRIGGER AN ANGINA OR HEART ATTACK.* * * * * * *NOW WILL THEY TAKE MY WARNINGS SERIOUSLY? * * * * * * * For Pete Perry's Green Garden CLICK HERE