In Other New...
Great Mall of China at Shopopolis...
4 days ago
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Brit Industry Ready to Deal with the Climate Crisis
Still not convinced the Climate Crisis is upon us? Check this out:
By Roger Harrabin
BBC Environment Correspondent
A group of Britain's leading industrialists has written to the prime minister urgently demanding long-term policies to combat climate change. The heads of the 12 leading firms say climate change is a huge challenge that needs serious investment by business. But they say they cannot invest because they are not sure what future government policies on climate will be.
The letter is signed off by the heads of BP, Shell, HSBC Bank, BAA, John Lewis, Scottish Power and more.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that these industry leaders, including fossil fuel behemoths, are endorsing a view long held by alternative energy advocates. Here's what the BBC story says:
But in their letter the business leaders say they believe emissions cuts of 60% can be achieved in the UK without damaging competitiveness if firms use energy more wisely and harness new technology.'
They believe measures to hold CO2 emissions to a safe level would reduce economic growth by no more than 2% by 2050. They say bold policy action could actually boost Britain's profits by making the UK a world leader in low carbon technology.
The group say some of the technologies to achieve this goal already exist but need to be developed. Some are yet to be invented.
This is the kind of breakthrough that's needed---when people like this see a business opportunity. Will the dinosaurs of American based global industries follow? Or be left behind?
Still not convinced the Climate Crisis is upon us? Check this out:
By Roger Harrabin
BBC Environment Correspondent
A group of Britain's leading industrialists has written to the prime minister urgently demanding long-term policies to combat climate change. The heads of the 12 leading firms say climate change is a huge challenge that needs serious investment by business. But they say they cannot invest because they are not sure what future government policies on climate will be.
The letter is signed off by the heads of BP, Shell, HSBC Bank, BAA, John Lewis, Scottish Power and more.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that these industry leaders, including fossil fuel behemoths, are endorsing a view long held by alternative energy advocates. Here's what the BBC story says:
But in their letter the business leaders say they believe emissions cuts of 60% can be achieved in the UK without damaging competitiveness if firms use energy more wisely and harness new technology.'
They believe measures to hold CO2 emissions to a safe level would reduce economic growth by no more than 2% by 2050. They say bold policy action could actually boost Britain's profits by making the UK a world leader in low carbon technology.
The group say some of the technologies to achieve this goal already exist but need to be developed. Some are yet to be invented.
This is the kind of breakthrough that's needed---when people like this see a business opportunity. Will the dinosaurs of American based global industries follow? Or be left behind?
Good News for the Can't Wait for the Rapture Crowd
By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: May 27, 2005
WASHINGTON, May 27 - A monthlong conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ended in complete failure today, many of its participants said, with the nuclear and non-nuclear states so far apart that they never engaged in a detailed discussion of how to fix the gaping loopholes that many experts say have allowed a resurgence in the spread of the most dangerous nuclear technologies.
Participants Say Talks Fail on Strengthening Nuclear Treaty - New York Times
By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: May 27, 2005
WASHINGTON, May 27 - A monthlong conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ended in complete failure today, many of its participants said, with the nuclear and non-nuclear states so far apart that they never engaged in a detailed discussion of how to fix the gaping loopholes that many experts say have allowed a resurgence in the spread of the most dangerous nuclear technologies.
Participants Say Talks Fail on Strengthening Nuclear Treaty - New York Times
Thursday, May 26, 2005
That's Historical! It's Just Not Funny
Speaking of six months ago, here's how Paul Krugman ended his most recent column, another brilliant one to which this is a kind of ominous aside:
Everyone loves historical analogies. Here's my thought: maybe 2004 was 1928. During the 1920's, the national government followed doctrinaire conservative policies, but reformist policies that presaged the New Deal were already bubbling up in the states, especially in New York.
In 1928 Al Smith, the governor of New York, was defeated in an ugly presidential campaign in which Protestant preachers warned their flocks that a vote for the Catholic Smith was a vote for the devil. But four years later F.D.R. took office, and the New Deal began.
Of course, the coming of the New Deal was hastened by a severe national depression. Strange to say, we may be working on that, too.
America Wants Security - New York Times
Speaking of six months ago, here's how Paul Krugman ended his most recent column, another brilliant one to which this is a kind of ominous aside:
Everyone loves historical analogies. Here's my thought: maybe 2004 was 1928. During the 1920's, the national government followed doctrinaire conservative policies, but reformist policies that presaged the New Deal were already bubbling up in the states, especially in New York.
In 1928 Al Smith, the governor of New York, was defeated in an ugly presidential campaign in which Protestant preachers warned their flocks that a vote for the Catholic Smith was a vote for the devil. But four years later F.D.R. took office, and the New Deal began.
Of course, the coming of the New Deal was hastened by a severe national depression. Strange to say, we may be working on that, too.
America Wants Security - New York Times
Six Months Too Late
(CBS) Four months into his second term, President Bush is increasingly viewed as being out of touch with the American people, according to a CBS News poll.
Six in ten Americans say the president does not share their priorities, while just 34 percent say he does – the lowest numbers for Mr. Bush since the eve of his first inauguration.
CBS News CBS Poll: Bush Out Of Touch May 25, 2005?21:00:10
(CBS) Four months into his second term, President Bush is increasingly viewed as being out of touch with the American people, according to a CBS News poll.
Six in ten Americans say the president does not share their priorities, while just 34 percent say he does – the lowest numbers for Mr. Bush since the eve of his first inauguration.
CBS News CBS Poll: Bush Out Of Touch May 25, 2005?21:00:10
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Something Positive For A Change
Some 15 states and 3 cities offer incentives to people who buy hybrid vehicles. While only 1% of the auto market now, hybrid sales are growing fast, while SUV sales are trending downward.
States hoping more will buy hybrid vehicles - Yahoo! News
Some 15 states and 3 cities offer incentives to people who buy hybrid vehicles. While only 1% of the auto market now, hybrid sales are growing fast, while SUV sales are trending downward.
States hoping more will buy hybrid vehicles - Yahoo! News
American Gulag
Amnesty International finds human rights abuses so extreme and systematic at Guantanamo, the organization is calling for it to be shut down.
"Guantanamo has become the gulag of our time," Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan said as the London-based group issued a 308-page annual report that accused the United States of shirking its responsibility to set the bar for human rights protections.
Amnesty Takes Aim at 'Gulag' in Guantanamo - Yahoo! News
Amnesty International finds human rights abuses so extreme and systematic at Guantanamo, the organization is calling for it to be shut down.
"Guantanamo has become the gulag of our time," Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan said as the London-based group issued a 308-page annual report that accused the United States of shirking its responsibility to set the bar for human rights protections.
Amnesty Takes Aim at 'Gulag' in Guantanamo - Yahoo! News
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Space War Continued
"The Air Force is pressing hard to develop defensive and offensive space weapons without adequately considering the potential adverse consequences," the New York Times editorializes today.
"Congress and the administration need to assess whether a multilateral treaty to ban space weapons might not leave the nation far safer than a unilateral drive to put the first weapons in space. "
Weapons in Space - New York Times
"The Air Force is pressing hard to develop defensive and offensive space weapons without adequately considering the potential adverse consequences," the New York Times editorializes today.
"Congress and the administration need to assess whether a multilateral treaty to ban space weapons might not leave the nation far safer than a unilateral drive to put the first weapons in space. "
Weapons in Space - New York Times
Sunday, May 22, 2005
In Other New...
Review of three new books on the past, present and future of the wired, wired world, in the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review.
Review of DEATH SENTENCES: How Cliches, Weasel Words, and Management Speak Are Strangling Public Language by Don Watson at Books in Heat.
Birth of An Empire (Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith) at Soul of Star Trek.
Review of three new books on the past, present and future of the wired, wired world, in the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review.
Review of DEATH SENTENCES: How Cliches, Weasel Words, and Management Speak Are Strangling Public Language by Don Watson at Books in Heat.
Birth of An Empire (Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith) at Soul of Star Trek.
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