Now with the Brexit negotiations looming, and the EU making like the mafia over pensions payments, and no doubt any other gambit they can think of to try to scare us into making a deal with the devil to try to keep the EU dream afloat, I really think it's time we were bold enough to come back with a loss cutting decision to scrap the project.
I am delighted that the German people have risen up against the trade deals with Canada and America. These are also deals with the devil in my opinion. I think America still thinks it can govern the world!
There is a cotton mill opening in Manchester for the first time in 30 years. They were all shut down in the 60s, mostly because people started buying fabrics made from petrochemicals Nylon and Rayon. It was revolutionary not to have to iron anything. However, the fibres do contain microfibres that get into the ecosystem through waterways and into the oceans.
I have been reading various papers on cotton production today. Once the fibres for making the fabric are separated the seeds can be used for animal food, or more interestingly set up with Bio Deisel distilleries as part of the plant, and the seeds used to create fuel. I have no doubt the remaining plants if they are grown as annuals could be pelleted and used for either fuel or something else.
I don't find good quality cotton a problem, Yes I iron my sheets but I was lucky enough to buy a Miele rotary iron at an auction a few years back for £53. It's a luxury that I couldn't imagine to have this bit of kit.
I find all my other cotton clothes are fine got straight out of the machine and given a good shake, I leave them in the air to dry if I can, and don't iron them. I am a crumpled sort of person anyway!
The thing is natural fibres are so much healthier for us, Linen and Cotton are my favourites, Cotton jumpers are lovely, and real wool mixes with cotton or silk are an incredible luxury.
I would far rather have a few clothes that are very good and last for years than being a slave to the high street. I actually enjoy making clothes. I am very good at it, it's just that the fabric shops have all closed down in Jersey, the pattern companies don't bring out a lot of great designs any more, and I haven't had the bug for a while to make any. I am reclusive and prefer not to go out unless it's to walk the dog. I just don't need more clothes, I hate having to try things on, and actually don't enjoy shopping. There is definitely something wrong with me!
I do enjoy Mondial just outside Rennes though. The problem is I know my husband is waiting, and with such a huge amount of fabrics to look at before choosing something, I would have to send him off somewhere to keep him occupied. He pretends to read a book in the car, and I never end up buying anything for myself.
I think the UK has a huge opportunity to get ourselves investing in real people and real benefits to society. A few quality producers of cottons, wools, and a return of our own clothing and shoe industries. People spend a fortune on sports equipment and clothing, surely it would be better to have our industries back, a Buy British ethic, and a healthy home economy. With climate change we may even be growing our own cotton in a few years! Spain and Greece grow cotton. Cotton doesn't like getting wet though.
I was also looking at how the Ocean Cleanup projects are going. If we consumers just decided to boycott plastics and throwaways perhaps industry would get the message. We are so used to buying everything wrapped or sealed in containers. There must be a better way. I so much prefer to see paper bags in supermarkets to put loose vegetables into. Perhaps this would be the first choice the public could make.
Then there are the disposable paper/plastic coffee cups that can't be recycled. How difficult would it be to carry our own cup for buying coffee.
At least plastics are being recycled into building materials now. I hope as the Petrochemical industries, and toxic refineries become obsolete through renewables, perhaps we won't have to find ways to use and discard of the plastics it creates.
The world can change, it will have to change. People are beginning to see that they have been most awfully and dreadfully used by corporations and business Giants.
To allow Central Banks to impose zero interest rates, or make charges on deposits of 'real money' capital that the individual has saved up for retirement is criminal. We are being sold out on so many levels.
We the little people need to get some justice!