Environment
A disaster film
And, meanwhile, William Hague and David Cameron have issued statements on the disaster. Here’s Hague: "My thoughts are with the people of Japan at this time. We are in contact… Continue reading
11 CommentsDisaster in Japan
Graphs and tables cannot ever convey the full tragedy of the situation in Japan, but the one above captures an important fact: that today’s earthquake is historic in size. At… Continue reading
17 CommentsTinkering with solar panel subsidy risks making bad policy worse
The fallout from Chris Huhne’s sudden review of the government’s system of subsidies for small-scale renewable energy gathers momentum. Solar firms, who built business cases on the system of subsidies,… Continue reading
40 CommentsCameron fells the forestry consultation
Despite his easy charm, David Cameron is unsentimental. His dismemberment of Caroline Spelman’s sagging forestry policy at yesterday’s PMQs was as ruthless as it was abrupt. The Prime Minister cannot… Continue reading
34 CommentsSpelman’s a-turning
The BBC reports that the government has dropped some of its plans to privatise forestry. The general scheme will proceed, but the sale of 15 percent of publicly owned forests… Continue reading
20 CommentsLost in the woods
The government’s plans for state forestry are so weak and feeble that it is hard to understand why there is so much fuss about them. Maybe people do not realise… Continue reading
14 CommentsSpelman’s a lumberjack and she’s ok
The coalition’s plans to privatise Britain’s woodlands have received what is euphemistically termed ‘a mixed reception’. Caroline Spelman’s consultation document and accompanying article in today’s Times (£) may change that… Continue reading
20 CommentsA flooded world
It looks like the opening of a Hollywood disaster film. The South African government has declared parts of the country disaster areas, after 40 people died in floods in a… Continue reading
12 CommentsPutting a stop to taxpayer funded environmentalism
It’s that time of year again, time for the world to pay attention to climate change policy for a few weeks. Most of the year, schemes like the EU Emissions… Continue reading
14 CommentsCarbon omissions
With the latest round of international climate change negotiations at Cancun less than a week away, Policy Exchange has published research showing that the UK’s and EU’s performance in reducing… Continue reading
41 CommentsCan the Greens make good on the yellow’s broken promises?
One consequence of coalition and the student fees row is, as Nick Clegg said this morning, that the Lib Dems will be more careful about what they sign up to… Continue reading
5 CommentsThe 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 CommentsOpportunistic Ed stuttering for an authentic voice
The fightback begins here. To that end, Ed Miliband is being offered plenty of advice by the swords around his throne. The Mirror trails his speech, pleased that it will… Continue reading
13 CommentsClegg must resist temptation
As Pete notes, Nick Clegg is moderating the debate over the spending review in David Cameron’s absence. It’s an unenviable task. IDS and Liam Fox have been the most cussed… Continue reading
10 CommentsPrepare to be nudged
‘Nudge’ posits that people can be subtly cajoled into changing their behaviour. The Cameroons were convinced nudgers at one stage. Greg Clark and Grant Shapps designed The Green Deal, a… Continue reading
49 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 CommentsDealing with China in 2010
The execution of Akmal Shaikh has brought China to our frontpages, and to the forefront of diplomatic thinking, as the New Year begins. The question is not just how to… Continue reading
65 Comments