Pointless Contributions To Climate Change Competition

Do you know anyone who'd like a copy of my book 'How To Win Campaigns'? Or maybe you would? I'm going to give away a signed copy to those making the three best nominations received by 31st December, in the competition for 'Most Pointless Contribution To Climate Change'. If we get enough entries I'll organise a panel of judges.

Here's one to get you started thinking: the self-stirring mug. Requires batteries. Energy buffs will know that batteries take more energy to make than we get out of them. Even with rechargeables the electricity has to come from somewhere, and they don't last forever. In my view splendidly useless in many respects.

  • Self Stirring Mug
  • (Product ID 1115990)
  • No more sugar or soggy soup mix at the bottom of your mug. Now you can stir your drink at the touch of a button, without needing to hunt for a spoon.
  • Just press the handle to activate the rotating paddle in the base.
  • A fun gift for travel or office - perfect for instant milkshakes or frothy 'cappuccino' too.
  • Insulated with anti-spill plastic sip-through travel lid. 1/2 pt capacity. 4 1/4"x3 1/2" dia. Uses 2 AAA batteries incl.
  • http://www.theoriginalgift.co.uk/

I'm sure you can do better than that. Nominations, please, preferably with a website link, and a short description as to why you especially like it and think it ought to win mail@tochrisrose.idps.co.uk. All entries not involving imminent legal action will be posted at this site. You may wish to award points for volume of greenhouse gas emissions produced in proportion to the sheer pointlessness of the activity or product.

  • Standby button
  • It's not very interesting but "Britons waste the equivalent of around two power stations' worth of electricity each year by leaving TV sets and other gadgets on standby"
  • See news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4620350.stm
  • Estimated annual CO2 emissions from devices left on standby (source: Energy Saving Trust): Videos - 960,000 tonnes, TVs - 480,000 tonnes, DVD players - 100,000 tonnes.
  • Also see WWF Poland's campaign and podroze.onet.pl
  • [Nominated by Justin Woolford]
  • Ultra violet shoe dryer
  • (£39.95 plus P&P)
  • Prevents you from having to go to the trouble of drying out your shoes in boring conventional ways such as putting them on the radiator or perhaps just leaving them on the floor for a bit to dry
  • http://www.proidee.co.uk/
  • [Nominated by Chris Smith]
  • Illuminated mouse pad
  • (£14.50)
  • "frames your pad and bathes it in a spheric blue light". The copy reveals that it is "a fascinating eye-catcher on your desk (even in daylight)".
  • http://www.proidee.co.uk/
  • [Nominated by Chris Smith]
  • Powered gardening equipment
  • So many to choose from! My first vote goes to all - particularly leaf blowers and suckers and whipper snippers. They are noisy, anti-social, gas guzzling and unnecessary. And stop you exercising.
  • eg http://www.cyclonerake.com/commander.htm
  • [Nominated by Jenny Henty]
  • Jet skis
  • They are noisy, anti-social, gas guzzling and unnecessary. On our local Port Phillip Bay, riders have been fined for harrassing dolphin pods.
  • see http://www.jetskiworld.com.au/
  • [Nominated by Jenny Henty]
  • Electric candle warmer
  • These products use 20 watts of electricity to heat scented candles to release the scent.
  • One of the most useless contributors to GHG emissions with the added feature of producing poor indoor air quality.
  • http://potpourriburners.stores.yahoo.net/elcawrtr.html
  • [Nominated by James Sullivan]