India is on the way to become a fossil fuel-based energy powerhouse of the 21st century.India’s developmental goals for the future are quite ambitious. They ought to be: From tackling the surging poverty rates to providing affordable utilities, the country faces a steep challenge. The key to achieving any of its developmental goals is a strong energy sector. India is the third largest energy consuming nation and is following the fossil fuel pathway (like the West did during the 20th century) to … [Read more...]
So Climate Change Is a Non-Crisis—What about Air & Water Pollution?
A follower writes,My question concerns the legitimate concern with pollution in large urban areas across the globe. I have come to believe that CO2 emissions are not a threat to our climate. But many of the things spewed into the air and water as a result of industrialization are harmful to people. It seems to me it is good to clean up our air and water for the sake of the health of many. Do you have any comments or resources that would help think through these issues?Yes, definitely, it’s good … [Read more...]
Indian environmental scientist blasts anti-GMO celebrity Vandana Shiva for ‘baseless’ assault on biotech crops
A reader curious about celebrities’ role in the radical environmental movement emailed me recently. He wondered if and their claims about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) were credible.He was particularly interested in anti-GMO claims by Indian scientist Vandana Shiva. Shiva is no newbie to GMO. She speaks often against it. Her celebrity status gives her high visibility.Recently, Shiva claimed that Bill Gates perpetuates Monsanto’s work by promoting GMO in India. She said GMO crops … [Read more...]
What’s the ‘Most Important Figure You’ve Never Heard of’?
Get ready. You’re about to meet “the most important figure you’ve never heard of.”SCC.No, not SEC—Securities and Exchange Commission. (And you sports fans thought that was Southeastern Conference!)SCC stands for “social cost of carbon.” Which should prompt you immediately to ask two questions: “What’s that?” and “What’s that?”Okay, that’s one question. But you need to ask it twice.The first time, you want to know what it means. The answer, according to Wikipedia, is (take a deep breath) “the … [Read more...]
UNPREPARED: Covid-19, Locusts, Refugees, Floods, and Climate Change
by G. Cornelis "Kees" van KootenI live on a Pacific Island off the coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Vancouver Island is about the same size as the Netherlands, but only has a population of about ¾ million (about 60% of whom live in the Victoria area) compared to 17 million in the Netherlands. As of April 8, 2020, BC had 1,291 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 43 deaths (mainly at long-term care homes), while the Island had 81 confirmed cases. The Netherlands had 20,682 confirmed cases and … [Read more...]
50th Earth Day: Compassionate concern for humans and their habitat
A measured response to COVID-19 must balance health and economic needsFifty years of weather have passed since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This was the same year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was established and the federal Clean Air Act was promulgated.Over the past five decades, since I rode my bike to school celebrating that inaugural day, the nation’s air quality has improved markedly. Particle and gaseous pollutants have been reduced tremendously, and … [Read more...]
The Poor Take the Hardest Hit from Lockdown: Report from India
I live India. It is not uncommon for me to come across those who live in abject poverty. But the coronavirus pandemic has shown me, and others, how bad the consequences of poverty can be. The nationwide lockdown began in March last week. It is scheduled to end in May. But the damage is already done—not only by the coronavirus, but also by the loss of livelihood for millions. It is estimated that 300 million in India are under the poverty line. Many others are daily wage laborers. Day after day, … [Read more...]
As We Spend Earth Day Inside, Let’s Get Creative about Conservation
Why incentives matter more than ever this Earth Day. Guest column by Hannah Downey and Holly FretwellIt is sobering that much of the world will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day sheltered inside. Rather than wandering in nature, we are wondering what comes next. In the midst of this uncertainty, politicians and interest groups are still finding time to push for environmental regulations. In passing the most recent coronavirus-response legislation, intended for emergency economic … [Read more...]
Coronavirus and the Environment: What’s Up?
A friend of Cornwall Alliance points out that with most of the driving and large parts of the economies shut down around the world, air pollution emissions are declining, as are carbon dioxide emissions, so many environmentalists celebrate these results and think they point toward a better world.Yes, there’s been lots of discussion of the “environmental benefits” of the “lockdown” designed to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2: fewer people driving to and from work, and fewer factories operating, … [Read more...]
Choosing the Economy over People’s Lives?
The current novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has stimulated all kinds of questions. As more and more people begin to demand that the more extreme measures to curb its spread---those that are shuttering a large part of our economy---come to an end, one of the most common is whether such thinking involves prioritizing the economy over lives. Is it not pro-life to insist that we continue the widespread shutdown of our economy in the name of saving lives?That's what drew this email from one … [Read more...]
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