Week 6 Energy Poverty
Week 6
The Globalist 9 feb
disappearing blueberries
On the globalization downside, for the multitudes who are suffering a downside, is the increased gap between rich and poor, job loss, wage stagnation, worker exploitation, deforestation, reduced biodiversity, increased pollution — and the spread of plant disease such as the blight now threatening nutrient-dense blueberries. ...and Florida oranges (92% of trees affected by something else)
...and starting to think about the boat (sigh of relief)
We have the Marrekrite Flag delivered every year now - a timely reminder to start thinking about the boat - even though there is still snow outside...
In the recently published report State of the Infrastructure, Rijkswaterstaat describes the technical state of the Dutch infrastructure in 2023. Although the infrastructure is currently in order, the facts are confronting, according to the report.
Water Recreation...
Many of the Dutch bridges, locks and viaducts date from the 1950s and 1960s. They are in urgent need of major maintenance or renewal. Just like last year, deferred maintenance increased further.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management states in a letter to parliament that the largest maintenance task ever is coming our way. The focus in the coming years will therefore be on the maintenance of the infrastructure.
Main waterways
For the main waterways, the assessments are exclusively good or average. This is an improvement compared to 2022. The safety, lifespan and availability of the storm surge barriers have been assessed as good. However, many structures, especially bridges, are at the end of or beyond their expected lifespan. Some 64% of the fixed steel bridges and half of the movable bridges have less than a third of their lifespan left. Deferred maintenance and increased ship size further increase the risk of malfunctions and damage in the event of collisions.
In addition, most parts of the infrastructure were constructed in the same period. As a result, these parts are now reaching and exceeding the end of their lifespan at the same time. This is also happening earlier than expected: structures are being used more intensively than they were originally designed for.
Some of our local infrastructure...
On Sunday we went for a walk to have a closer look at the local lock being repaired...not sure what they are doing but the pumps look impressive...
One of our favourite moorings at Felder's Boskje
More snow on Monday...
In the front yard....
Energy Poverty and Log Fires
Economists from one of the Banks have estimated that households are paying 25% more for gas and electricity since 2017.
People are paying tens or hundreds of Euros more just to heat their houses...but, there is "almost nobody" openly admitting that they can no longer pay their energy bills - a member of Solidarity Friesland (a support group) likens it to a taboo (on having to admit to Energy Poverty).
The energy prices increased dramatically after the Russian invasion of Ukraine - the taps from Russia were turned off and European suppliers had to find (more expensive) alternatives.
Social/Community organisations Solidarity Friesland and the Salvation Army set up "A warm Living Room" project in Friesland - with help of subsidies from The Province of Friesland. ie. a place where people could go simply to get warm and to share their experiences...
The project was well-intentioned but it is now thought that people were put off by the name as it meant that they had to admit that they were struggling...
The Energy Crisis was the impetus behind the idea but the group have now changed the name to "The Living Room" and people come for company and "gezeligheid" (cosiness). There are now 5 locations in Friesland.
It is still difficult to talk about, but most people agree that energy costs are very demanding. According to ABN AMRO Bank, the hardest hit are renters - paying on average 28% more (than 2017).
People on fixed (low) incomes (like our clients) have already turned the temperature down, although elderly people are finding even that difficult and yet further savings are still necessary.
We have our floor heating down to 19 degrees but top it up of an evening with the log fire.
Log Fires
Another story on Thursday was about the increase in the number of log fires as people try to beat the cost of gas heating. The CBS (Centraal Bureau of Statistieks) reported that there are now an estimated 1.2 million log fires in the Netherlands (we have 3) - a huge increase in 2023 (Russia) with 84% of people saying that the high gas price was their reason for buying.
Further, 28% of low incomes families say that they cannot warm their home properly on cold(er) days. This was also the case for 7% of higher income families.
On the TV news on Friday there was an item about the Government providing assistance to the hardest hit (by Energy Poverty).
The Night Watch
Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, also known as The Shooting Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, but commonly referred to as The Night Watch, is a 1642 painting by Rembrandt van Rijn.
Pieter, one of our Day Activity clients is not bad at painting...he transferred this by hand and eye from Janny's tablet and got the proportions pretty right (I'm sure I couldn't)
Ben sent photos from Madrid...yet another music festival
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