Newspaper Solutions

In this day and age of electronic technology, ecological awareness and other social and resource movements, newspaper magnates around the world are in a quandary about which technologies to diversify into, how to reduce there greenhouse gas emissions, and still be able to make money. Paper newspapers are reused by millions around the world for a myriad of tasks, from boot polishing through to art production. Have you ever noticed that products offered to be removed are often the most reused, such as newspapers, which are already recycled, instead of bulky "use once" packaging? Here is an idea that increase their profits, is cheaper for the customer, and reduces the overheads of material costs, transport costs, and also greenhouse gas guilt/costs.
As well as branching into electronic technologies, it could be good if the newspaper sold their newspaper SECTIONS, so that the customer could select the sections of greatest interest to them. So, if they are looking for a car, like the horoscope, want to know the local and/or world news, and the T.V. times, they can buy those particular sections, and leave the rest. Or if they work the stock market and have children, the business section, news section, and cartoon/ kid's entertainment pages. Or if they love gossip, hate sport and like political debate, the social pages and political news/commentary section might suit. If they like sport, are looking for a house, and the Mrs. likes the crossword puzzle, they can buy the sports section, real estate section, and the crossword/horoscope pages. A billion other examples could be given.
This means the customer is more satisfied (they don't have to dig through a huge, cumbersome newspaper for a small section) and pays less. The "landfill" potential, and production/transport costs/greenhouse gases are reduced. Also, the newspaper would benefit in three ways. Firstly, they can charge more for less. If a section costs 5c to produce (which doesn't change), earns 13c, buying the individual section could cost 20c, thereby increasing profits at less material effort, except at point of purchase. Also, for profitability and customer research, it makes it easier as an editor to see what sections sell the most. "Prime" sections can sell at a higher price. Also, it looks good for the company, making both the "greenies" and the "sensible" Conservative pragmatists smile and approve. Anyone who doesn't like it can buy the whole paper! Most people would react to it a as a revolution of something sensible finally being done.

Renewable Energy for the Poor Nations

If poor villages in impoverished countries want green electricity in their community I have a few suggestions to get it happening. Renewable energy systems are perfect for their situations if they live in isolated small villages as individual mini systems can be put in separately. If enough happen, they can be put on a grid. Wind power, solar power and methane generators are perfect.

One way is to get a charity, or to create a charity, where people or organisations can "Give Power to the Poor", so that the village clinic, school and/or community centre can have a power supply. Of course it would be tax deductible and with advertising rights.

Another way is to create a cottage industry for the locals, like with micro-economic loans, where a workshop with the power supply supplying power. That way, by making their product they can buy the stuff back for their own benefit. As this is actively more empowering then a charitable handout system, it may get more co-operation from proud people. However, consulting the people about which power supply and which industry is probably wise, as trying to impose it on them is just rude. When looking at products to produce, local resources are a key factor. If there is lots of sand and not much water, glass products could be better then nurseries. If there is lots of water but not much metal, nurseries or pickled fish may be the way.

Another way is to do a swap. If they work for a certain time for the U.N. or a charity, they, as a community can earn themselves a wind turbine, or solar panels, or a methane generator. That way, again, it isn't just a handout, and helps the people feel like they got it themselves, which is resentment free for all involved and dignified.