WESTERN governments are trying to have it both ways: they want to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and they want to stimulate economic growth by us spending more money including on stuff. But this is not realistic. Either the government … [Read more...] about Reducing Emissions Must Ultimately Mean Less Stuff
Archives for July 2009
Gurr the Toy Maker: A Note from Larry
BEFORE Jane Goodall’s pioneering study of wild chimpanzees, most of us believed that tool-use and especially tool-making were exclusively human activities. Goodall was intrigued when she first observed a chimp poking a stick into a termite mound, … [Read more...] about Gurr the Toy Maker: A Note from Larry
Russia and China Argue over Water
Russia complained about a major Chinese river project on Monday which it says will harm the Russian environment, the latest sign of strained relations between the two countries. Read more here. … [Read more...] about Russia and China Argue over Water
We Need a Steady Voice: A Note from Phil Sawyer
I am convinced that a competently run and managed party, overtly running on a pro-science platform, could win enough Senate seats in the Australian Parliament at the next election to take control from the independents and the Greens. This post … [Read more...] about We Need a Steady Voice: A Note from Phil Sawyer
David Karoly: Sydney was Hot in 1791
Watkin Tench of the Royal Marines detailed a heatwave powered by north-westerly winds that howled for three days... "an immense flight of bats, driven before the wind … dropped dead or in a dying state, unable longer to endure the burning state of … [Read more...] about David Karoly: Sydney was Hot in 1791