This is a really informative and inspiring documentary on climate change, presented by David Attenborough. While it mentions the decades-long influence of the fossil fuel industry in sowing doubt around the science, it goes on to focus on what we can do personally about climate change. Perhaps a political statement is too sensitive for a … Continue reading Climate Change: The Facts – how it falls short
Rant and Rave
I see in my life all these things. Stuff. Accessories. Equipment. Technology. Computers, phones, clothes for every occasion and mood. Gadgets with widgets that I would never use or use only once. Bags with zips I don’t need, magazines I don't read, soft furnishings that clog up my overworked attention. Stuff that piles up, gathers, … Continue reading Rant and Rave
Goodbye ‘Shop Til You Drop’ Mentality: Renegade Band of Economists Call for ‘Degrowth’ Economy | Alternet
An article on Alternet giving a backdrop to the ecological economics movement, and the person credited with starting it, Herman Daly. He advocates a steady-state economy that accounts for nature, as opposed to the dominant economic ideology, which presumes technology will overcome all barriers, ecological or otherwise.Goodbye 'Shop Til You Drop' Mentality: Renegade Band of … Continue reading Goodbye ‘Shop Til You Drop’ Mentality: Renegade Band of Economists Call for ‘Degrowth’ Economy | Alternet
Ecosystem collapse
When grasses whither, trees shed their leaves to become dead limbs, flowers do not bloom - when the skeletons of livestock litter the parched lands - when there is no birdsong because there are no birds - we will know the time has come. We pushed too hard, too fast, believing nature to be perennial … Continue reading Ecosystem collapse
Sustainability hinges on local policies, not global goals – SciDev.Net
Sustainability hinges on local policies, not global goals - SciDev.Net: 'via Blog this'This is an interesting piece that suggests domestic politics is the primary motivator for action on sustainable development, environmental protection and poverty. The authors suggest that in some arenas global meetings and agreements count for very little, while in other arenas they achieve … Continue reading Sustainability hinges on local policies, not global goals – SciDev.Net
The logic of reducing emissions
Governments have decided not to force industries to pay directly for carbon emissions, preferring to let the market decide how and where to reduce emissions. They argue that the market can implement reductions at lowest cost, but somehow the carbon markets have been unable to achieve reductions. How have they failed and why?To me that … Continue reading The logic of reducing emissions
Dissociation and the norm
Those of us in the urban world, in a developed country or part thereof, tend to think of commercial and consumption-based transactions very much in business terms, we talk of doing 'business' with one another, or providing a service or 'good', or being a 'resource' for your business. For many, the earth is something the … Continue reading Dissociation and the norm
Breaking News: Coca-Cola Dumps ALEC | Center for Media and Democracy
Breaking News: Coca-Cola Dumps ALEC | Center for Media and Democracy: 'via Blog this'
Can corporations really ever own resources?
I am never certain exactly why resources are allowed to be squandered for the fleeting enrichment of a few and to the ultimate detriment of all. I know there is job creation, tax revenue, short-term political cycles reinforcing the two, but I am not sure why there is not more social opposition - especially given … Continue reading Can corporations really ever own resources?
How might we start to incentivise lower birth rates?
In response to the need to feed more people in the future - feeding more people, without any incentive to reduce birth rates, leads to population increases. This in turn leads to unsustainable resource use rates.Are they doing something like this already? Do they quantify how much of a burden in food and environmental terms … Continue reading How might we start to incentivise lower birth rates?
Earthan 