The Bigger They Are…
Comedy Break, Consumerism — by Marc Roberts January 10, 2009
The arse falls out of the Chinese recycling industry, causing hardship to millions and stalling one of the few large scale attempts to limit the damage we’re doing.
Of course we should repair, re-use and recycle wherever possible – that should go without saying – but this stuff is travelling thousands of miles to seek out cheap labour, and is still inextricably tied in to high levels of consumption – which is, of course, why it’s flagging now. This international trade is a short term fix. The real solutions surely lie in reduction of waste through reduction in consumption.
Reports indicate that a reduction in consumption is coming our way anyway, so perhaps we might like to consider doing something about it?
Comments (0)Slip Hazard
Comedy Break, Consumerism, Global Warming/Climate Change, Society — by Marc Roberts January 3, 2009
With apologies to Robert Newman
A percentage of climate scientists expect that climate engineering of some sort will be required – because we as a species just can’t be arsed with changing our behaviour.
Marvellous. Can I have my Jet-Pack now?
Baubles
Comedy Break — by Marc Roberts December 22, 2008
 Click for full view (Courtesy: Throbgoblins) |
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?
Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Presidency
Alternatives to Political Systems, Comedy Break — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor December 14, 2008
No New Coal
Comedy Break, Global Warming/Climate Change — by Marc Roberts
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
 Click for larger view Courtesy: Throbgoblins |
"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
 Click for larger view Courtesy: Throbgoblins |
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
 Click for full view Courtesy: Throbgoblins |
Living Planet reports the resource crunch, yet again, whilst elephants fear for the worst.
Comments (0)Letters from Vietnam – a Funny Thing Happened…
Comedy Break — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor October 29, 2008
Was it the distracting view here in Vietnam, or the mud – or simply carelessness? I’ve parked motorcyces (normally a bit larger than this one…) in some unusual places before, and never had this happen to me. What am I on about? Well, while taking this photo….
… I heard a kind of crashing noise in the grass next to me….
Comments (2)South Bank Show Demystifies Financial Crisis
Comedy Break — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor September 21, 2008
New Permaculturists in Kamiah, Idaho
Comedy Break, Food Plants - Annual, Water Harvesting — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor August 25, 2008
While on a consultancy at the future site of the Kamiah Permaculture Institute at Kim and Julie Pagliaro’s FNA Ranch, Geoff and Nadia visit the neighbor’s (Carol and David Johnson) permaculture garden in Kamiah, ID. Just a little exposure to permaculture by their neighbour’s students set them off on the high road to sustainability. You know how the advert goes – you tell two people, they tell two people, and so on, and so on….
Comments (1)
Cantankerous Frank Digs for Victory
Comedy Break — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor July 30, 2008
He’s lean, he’s mean, and he knows what he wants. It’s Cantankerous Frank, stripped down to his 25-or-so year old vest, brandishing a shovel, and holding firm against the not-so-super markets.
Click for larger view
Courtesy: Throbgoblins
