Dirty Aliens/CRC

Looking for life on other Worlds has long fascinated us. Seeking out radio noise has been the preferred method for some time, but do Aliens pollute their planets? If they do, then this would give us a promising way to spot where they live.
Light pollution from out cities might give us away and we can look for a similar glow on far away planets although our detectors would need to be very sensitive. Our presence on Earth also leaves other traces that could be observed from afar, CFCs strongly absorb infrared light making them detectable in the atmosphere, as do other artificial compounds, each with their own characteristic infrared fingerprint. So, if you don't want to be invaded by Alien monsters, stop polluting!

I keep being asked about CRC, so here it is, pay attention;

The CRC has now been renamed, rather nattily, as the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, which trips off the tongue as easy as a peanut butter sandwich.
Under various climate change agreements the government has incentives in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from big energy intensive industries. The next stage of the government plan to achieve it's obligations is now being introduced.
The new emissions trading scheme, this CRC energy efficiency scheme thingy (herein after called the CRC) is a mandatory scheme starting next April and affects all businesses and organisations whose electricity consumption exceeds 6000 MW/hr... or in other words, those with an electricity bill of more than around £500K ... that is many businesses and organisations (Councils for example) . This will include companies that operate across multiple sites, or that have franchises, or groups of companies in private equity ownership.
From April 2010 all organisations in this category will be required to measure their carbon footprints and then purchase carbon credits at a currently fixed price of £12/tonne CO2e.
At the end of each year, performance will be summarised in published league tables outlining the best and worst performers in terms of carbon emissions and reductions. The auction revenues generated by the initial sale of the credits will be recycled back to participants with organisations receiving payments back from the government in relation to their first year emissions, plus or minus a bonus or penalty dependent on their league table position.
In year one the maximum bonus or penalty rate is 10%. This will rise to +/- 50% by year 5.
In 2013 the ante will be upped and the system will become a full cap and trade system with carbon credits being sold on the open market by those with surplus through efficient operation and purchased by those that increase their greenhouse gas emissions.
I think this is a superb piece of government thinking, and if you're eligible then you'd better get on it sharpish.
The organisation performance will be ranked in the league table using three metrics;
Absolute Metric; the relative change in absolute emissions
Growth Metric; their change in emissions relative to revenue
Early Action Metric; whether they have taken voluntary steps to reduce emissions prior to 2010.
Any business out their not up to speed.... you'd better contact Change of Atmosphere.