Last week I was allowed to deal with two topics that make many people's pulses race: the argument about the speed limit on the motorway - and ugly gravel gardens that are ecologically completely worthless.
I don't hide the fact that I, too, am annoyed by these seemingly apocalyptic areas.
Not only do they massively disturb my aesthetic sense;
They also drive me nuts because they have just as little to offer native birds and insects as the Gobi desert.
However, I doubt whether the areas should be banned and owners forced to dismantle the gravel gardens, as some conservationists are now demanding.
Fighting daisies
It seems to me that the problem caused by the comparatively few horror gardens is too small to install front yard police and strict sanction systems.
What some cities and municipalities are now doing should be more effective and more tolerable for peace in the district: They not only offer owners help with ecologically correct redesign, but also financial help.
In this context, it might make sense to also approach people who have oversized paved areas ready for their family carriages.
Or to those who always keep their lawn razor short and even consistently cut out daisies.
Perhaps some of them can be persuaded that gardens that hum, hum and chirp are far more beautiful than uninhabitable concrete wasteland or uniform lawns.
Avoid traffic jams and stress
When it comes to speed limits, however, it will probably not work the gentle way and with warnings alone.
I can't imagine notorious speeders letting themselves be persuaded to drive 120 voluntarily.
Contrary to what I would have expected before doing my research, for example, it is not at all clear whether a general speed limit would help to reduce the number of accidents on the motorways.
Accident researchers suspect that expanding intelligent control systems might be the better choice.
Apart from that, a speed limit would of course be a suitable means of saving fuel and making us less dependent on Russian oil.
Besides, it would help to avoid traffic jam and stress.
And above all: It helps the environment to drive more slowly - just as the demolition of gravel gardens would do.
Away with the stone deserts!
Heartfelt
Yours, Guido Kleinhubbert
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picture of the week
A trip into
space and a view of the earth will remain a dream for many people.
A trip to Tokyo, on the other hand, is much more realistic and significantly cheaper.
At the National Museum for Emerging Science and Innovation, visitors can take a look at the »Geo-Cosmos«, a globe six meters in diameter.
The artificial blue planet has now been equipped with 10362 new LED panels, which are intended to provide even more realistic cloud and vegetation displays.
(Feedback & suggestions? )