IDEAS21

There are some signs that the world economy might be recovering from its worst recession since the 1930s.

 Japan, Germany and France officially exited recession in the second quarter of this year and the Chinese and Indian economies are still growing apace.

 Many economists and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund are predicting a return to global economic growth next year.

 Nevertheless some more bearish analysts - such as Professor Nouriel Roubini, who correctly predicted the financial crisis - warn of a possible ‘double dip’ recession.

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We’ve been on our farm for 11 months and have not turned on our hot water geyser (except once briefly to do a warm wash of clothes). Last summer, I enjoyed cold showers until about April when it started getting a bit chilly. We also acquired a bulky twin-tub washing machine, and had no other place to put it other than in the shower cubicle. So since then we’ve been bathing in a tub, using water boiled in the kettle for efficiency (we use about 4 litres of boiled water for two adults and two kids). Admittedly, in the depths of winter this felt rather spartan.

Today I decided to rig up an outside shower to harness solar energy directly - a simple coil of black pipe. The most convenient place to hang it was on the geyser, which appeals to my sense of humour!

By not switching on the geyser, we are saving at least 60% of what our electricity bill would otherwise be, and are limiting our carbon dioxide emissions. So it’s good for the pocket as well as the conscience.