Baubles
Comedy Break — by Marc Roberts December 22, 2008
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Christmas brings the fortieth anniversary of the first image of Earth Rising – an image that (should have) transformed the way we, as a species, conceptualise ourselves.
Did it?
No New Coal
Comedy Break, Global Warming/Climate Change — by Marc Roberts December 14, 2008
Courtesy: Throbgoblins
A lone anonymous protestor single handedly shaves 2% off our emissions by temporarily knocking out a turbine at Kingsnorth. How audacious. Desperate times – desperate measures.
Comments (0)Dead Man’s Chest
Biodiversity, Comedy Break, peak oil — by Marc Roberts November 19, 2008
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"War-torn" is such a compact description, isn’t it. It leaves out the economics and the politics and the machinations of great powers, and concentrates on the trauma in the here and now, as though it had sprung fully formed upon an innocent world.
So we watch the seizing of an oil tanker by desperate men from a failed state – whose climate and conditions get crueler by the year – and we imagine that it is not a portent of things to come, but an aberration in an otherwise purposeful, perfectible world. We choose not to look down the path from whence this monster came.
One of many links from today’s extensive coverage, and another one not so well covered, and another BIG ONE – not for the feint hearted.
Comments (0)Exodus
Biodiversity, Comedy Break, Global Warming/Climate Change, Society — by Marc Roberts November 12, 2008
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Whilst the newly elected president of the Maldives brings up the massive issue of the resettlement of whole nations due to sea level rise, the UK panics over a more imaginary inundation, and limits non-EU immigration to ballet dancers and sheep-shearers. The Dutch, meanwhile, – in their great tradition of physical nation building – plan to build a hydro electric island in the north sea. The basking shark, amongst others, begins its long goodbye.
Comments (0)Elephants and Weasels
Comedy Break — by Marc Roberts October 30, 2008
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Living Planet reports the resource crunch, yet again, whilst elephants fear for the worst.
Comments (0)Congestion Explained
Consumerism, peak oil — by Marc Roberts October 22, 2008
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On my way to work this morning I was obliged to abandon the bus in gridlocked traffic and walk the last mile or so. As I passed junction 17 of the M60 I saw a poor deluded soul parading through this belching impromptu car park wearing a sandwich board declaring his opposition to the Manchester congestion charge, and handing out leaflets to the thousands of stranded drivers. I crossed the motorway bridge and looked down on the stalled traffic, breathing in the poison and the frustration, and observed that at least 90% of the vehicles were occupied by single individuals – all ruthlessly enjoying the freedom that personal transport brings.
I must admit that I was temporarily overwhelmed by a combination of pity, despair and contempt that boiled briefly over into loud swearing and gesticulation before collapsing back into the general bewilderment that characterises my working day.
The sad fact is that most people get a car because "it’s what you do, innit?"
We’ll get the future we deserve.
Comments (1)Criminal Mastermind
Global Warming/Climate Change — by Marc Roberts September 30, 2008
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Courtesy: Throbgoblins
Al Gore announces his incredulity at the lack of non violent direct action from the young in the face of global corporate inertia. Judging by some of the woefully misguided responses from the Right, you’d think he’s advocated ritual kitten-disemboweling on the Whitehouse lawn.
Wouldn’t it be grand if some high profile, well respected and experienced mainstream American politician could be found to lead the way into some actual, law-breaking, jail-time civil disobedience? If only there was someone like that somewhere….hmmm
Comments (0)Shell Shock and Delta Blues
peak oil — by Marc Roberts July 26, 2008
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Courtesy: Throbgoblins
While the US and UK concentrates most of its oil warriors in the middle east it’s easy to forget the struggle that goes on and on for the black gold of Nigeria. Both place and people continue to suffer, and Gordon Brown has sent in some professional help to deal with those pesky locals. The rush to keep it cheap and keep it burning maintains its pace. There are elections to be considered, and tomorrow can wait (Independent).
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