Climate change
The Big Society in action
The Big Society, in so far as it can be defined at all, envisages an empowered people taking responsibility for their local communities. The little platoons’ efforts could determine the… Continue reading
11 CommentsHunt the heretic
Eureka, the science magazine from The Times, is in many ways a brilliant accomplishment. Advertising is following readers in an online migration – but James Harding, the editor, personally persuaded… Continue reading
24 CommentsA hard-headed case of déjà vu
It was as if we’d been transported back a week – here was William Hague talking about ‘hard-headed foreign policy’, the very phrase that David Miliband had used before he… Continue reading
10 CommentsDarling: bankers’ super tax failed
Honesty is an attractive though rare quality in a politician, and Alistair Darling’s self-awareness and morose delivery always grabs attention. Last night, the former chancellor told a conference of bankers… Continue reading
15 CommentsHuhne backs nuclear energy through gritted teeth
You could almost hear the thumbscrews being tightened as Chris Huhne appeared on Today this morning to back nuclear power. The Energy Secretary has an, erm, patchy history when it… Continue reading
16 CommentsForging a cheaper green policy
The debate over climate change is one of the most polarised in UK politics, between those advocating doing everything possible (no matter what the cost) and those who refuse to… Continue reading
55 CommentsGreen gold
Most of Tim Yeo’s proselytising on climate change must be resisted. He calls for a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions in the short-term, which would paralyse Britain’s already geriatric economic… Continue reading
27 CommentsWhy we shouldn’t worry about overpopulation
Perhaps the most sinister side of the environmentalist movement is the idea of an “optimal population,” where human life is seen as a menace. The Optimal Population Trust has today… Continue reading
84 CommentsPacific islands defy apocalyptic climate change scenarios
The President of the Maldives can sell his snorkel: he’ll be waving not drowning. The New Scientist carries a fascinating article, examining the research of Paul Kench of the University… Continue reading
24 CommentsArise Lord Prescott
It’s John Prescott’s birthday – or Lord Prescott, as he will soon be. How odd of JP to don the ermine, given that he is on record saying that he… Continue reading
38 CommentsClimate kamikaze
Several months ago, European leaders went to Copenhagen to save the planet. China, India and Brazil on the other hand went to the climate negotiations in Denmark to showcase the… Continue reading
35 CommentsGoldsmith’s declaration of independence
Make what you will of his political agenda, but I think this is quite a refreshing admission from Zac Goldsmith today: "There are various things I have said in this… Continue reading
18 CommentsA week to forget for Andrew Adonis
The weekend cannot come quick enough for Andrew Adonis. What an awful week. The BA strike wrecked travel; the absurd Stephen Byers dragged him into the lobbying scandal; the RMT… Continue reading
11 CommentsRationalism enters the climate change debate
I have been gripped by The Guardian’s climate change investigation and reporting these last few days. We do like to tease George Monbiot but he was one of the first… Continue reading
53 CommentsOh no, the Tories are consulting Lord Stern
According to Laura Kuenssberg, Lord Stern is not an official advisor but confirms that he is consulting with the Tories on their climate change policy. As Iain Martin notes, what… Continue reading
37 CommentsIt’s war!
Politicians have to shout to be heard over the lurid tale of John Terry’s bordello, but Ed Miliband’s fervour for climate change is sufficiently shrill. He has declared “war” on “sceptics”,… Continue reading
50 CommentsGeorge Monbiot’s Alternative Universe
George Monbiot isn’t everyone’s cup of char, not least in these parts. I don’t write much about climate change because the subject* bores me and so I’m happy for Monbiot… Continue reading
9 CommentsI blame Bono for the Copenhagen failure
So who or what is to blame for the failure of the Copenhagen gathering to achieve what most people hoped for? Polly Toynbee says that the nature of politics is… Continue reading
34 CommentsThe relevance of politics
This morning’s papers share a unifying theme: the failure of political leadership to secure a deal at Copenhagen. Now, I applaud politicians for not succombing to enormous pressure and making… Continue reading
30 CommentsThe spectre at the climate change feast
Today the TaxPayers’ Alliance is releasing a new report which sets out the huge and excessive burden that green taxes impose on families and business across the UK. At the… Continue reading
26 Comments