Over 100 die in Baghdad bombings; EPA threatens to cut US emissions without Congress; Japan tries another whopping stimulus package; India to buy more atomic fuel from Russia; and more
Read Moreclimate change
World News Brief, Tuesday December 8
Copenhagen climate talks begin at last as countries promise emission cuts (+analysis and background); Climate scientists debate 'climategate' emails as Saudi Arabia asks questions; Morales wins Bolivia election; Iranian protesters back on the street; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 3
Obama outlines Afghanistan plan; Australian government will reintroduce rejected climate change bill next year; Philippine mayor charged with mass murder; NATO pledges 5000 extra troops for Afghanistan
Read MoreNick Smith tells two stories
The government’s made a liar out of Dr Smith in recent weeks. Is his lopsided mask slipping, or is he just a casualty, like the rest of us, of his more cynical conservative colleagues?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 20
US troop numbers could depend on Afghan election re-run; Dozens die in Iran bombings; Pakistan army try to crush Taliban insurgency; Gordon Brown says 'Copenhagen deal must make history'; and more
Read MoreA sea-ice free Arctic by 2028, and other chilling facts
The latest and best climate science is not recommended for bedtime reading. The globe is already committed to warming in excess of dangerous levels
Read MoreEarth Insurance: a way to prepare for the worst
We pay insurance on our car, homes and contents, so why not on our planet? Why aren't we preparing for the worst, for our grandchildren's sake?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 24
China and Japan promise to cut greenhouse emissions by 2020 (+ Copenhagen analysis); Israel-Palestine "ice-breaker" brings talks closer; Obama considers reducing troop numbers in Afghanistan; Burmese general sneaks into US; and more
Read MoreGovt's Global Alliance a step towards prosperity and a change of tune
A link to my TVNZ blog, this week posting about the government's plan to lead the world in research into greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
Read MoreEmissions trading: learn to count, and look before you leap
Emissions trading just got interesting, in ways the government probably didn’t intend. They’ve mastered the first lesson, but maybe not the second
Read MoreThe Age of Stupid: a film too clever, and not clever enough
The converted will love this docudrama’s preachy tone. They chortle at the green in-jokes, and give it a round of applause. It has a message for New Zealanders, but will it reach a wider audience?
Read MoreCarbon footprint: what's your size?
Carbon footprint calculation is a murky science. What to do, when you’ve done everything that you can, and it still might not be enough? Answer: hug a tree
Read MoreThe 2020 vision of crowds
And why they will be disappointed with Nick Smith’s answer to the emissions reduction conundrum
Read MoreEmissions reduction: talking hot air
The Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee is deliberating—and lobby pressure is building towards Copenhagen, where international emissions reduction targets will be debated. That’s heavy weather up ahead
Read MoreGetting Tied Up in Knots Over a Plastic Bag Tax
John Key shot down Nick Smith's idea of a plastic bag tax, much to the delight of the citizens of Palmerston North. But should he have given it a bit more thought?
Read MoreSo much rubbish: a story in search of some facts
Our politicians seem incapable of giving us straight facts on the serious matter of waste reduction. If only MPs would talk more rubbish...
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday March 23
Just "one or two" companies on board for nine-day fortnight; government to allow workers to cash in fourth week's leave; Kiwis believe in climate change; and Dunedin has a new mall
Read MoreBarack Obama: The audacity and the expectation
Barack Obama's audacity and hope is rewarded in the morning when he's finally sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Many worry about the pressure of expectation, but it might not be as overwhelming as they fear
Read MoreAn exceedingly pluvial country....
Sir Geoffrey Palmer once sympathised with flood victims by noting the rainy nature of New Zealand's climate. As weather patterns change and water becomes a political issue, we might yearn for a bit more pluvialism
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