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October 2007

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Perspective

Will truth win over power soon enough?

Although this question crossed my mind in the middle of October, it kept recurring in a range of areas. For those seeking system change it is core to the philosophical question of whether humanity can adapt to systems based on love and sharing instead of greed and fear. While that thought may not bear much reflection for us in our busy lives, and may even be annoying, it is strange that practical implications of the consequences of this primitive mindset coexisting in our high tech world should present themselves in a few weeks. We'll call it synchronicity. Let's reflect on the big picture of where power wins at the expense of truth.

Old news it may be, but the war in Iraq is prominent. The lie of course is that there were weapons of mass destruction. The truth is that its about money and oil. See Iraq is a resounding success ...

Related to this is Iran and nuclear concerns. Here again we see the rich and powerful condemning the poor and weak, while in fact raising nuclear risk. See The US's poor example of nuclear weapon management and US sanctions on Iran - the pot calling the kettle black?

Again related is the super media ready soundbite of a war on terror, while in fact curtailing civil liberties. See King John and all that - fighting for habeas corpus and Lying to ourselves

Turning to the world of money, there was more encouragement of moral hazard. But the best example of power winning over truth is the Master Liquidity Enhancement Conduit, a ruse by big banks with messy balance sheets to get investors to buy "the good loans" off their balance sheets. When the market needs transparency the big and powerful obfuscate the situation with MLEC! See US banks want you to carry the can for their sub-prime mistakes

And then there are the environmental challenges that everyone feels. Whether its drought in the US or warm winters or heat waves in summer we know there are problems and all of the science tells us we need to change behaviour now. So companies talk about green this and eco that. But do little to change their behaviour. See Lots of talk about Environmental Disclosure, little action among FTSE All-share

And we delude ourselves with the rationale that technology and trade can feed the world. But it isn't working now and it doesn't look like it could, unless the human population drops a lot and soon. See Humanity's demands on nature, in pictures

There was also scientific research published which suggests that while fairness is a genetic quality, some have more than others. The balance of economic and social influence seems to be held by those with less interest in fairness and more interest in themselves. See Behaving like monkeys

We know that education is the solution to many of our challenges because it distributes power among many. We're even getting a better consensus on what how to educate. But this solution gets little time, capital or energy so most of humanity is left behind. See How to build a better education system and Trade, inequality and education

We keep lying to ourselves. Whether it is economic imbalances, Iraq, Myanmar, trade or our own diet, we keep hiding from the fact that we want control over others even if the consequence is that our integrity is eroded. It is all too easy to take the money today, instead of sharing life with others. Whether it is coming to terms with Iraq or economic imbalance, our deal with the devil can only be unwound at a cost.

Just jotting these notes seems overwhelming. No one's perfect. We all cut corners. But humanity will be richer by working together. For that we need trust. For that we need truth. Humanity needs to grow up and behave more like a healthy life-form than a disjointed, dysfunctional mess. We need to live with nature, not without it. Let's hope that as our economic systems bend under the strain of over-consumption we can adjust our behaviour and love one another a bit more.

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Geopolitics

This is not the EU constitution

The world's biggest economy, the EU, passed a slightly rephrased constitution calling it a "reform treaty" so that a referendum would not be needed.  Whether or not the constitution is good is irrelevant to teh fact that the process by which the reform treaty was passed goes against the raison d'etre of the EU.  The treaty may yet not be ratified, but without public referendums to support it, it will cause more problems than benefits.

At last, well spent Iraqi reconstrcution funds on power from China and Iran

It is welcome news that Iraq is working with Chinese and Iranian businesses to expand the country's power infrastructure. Shanghai Heavy Industry of China will build a $ 940 million, 1,300 MW plant and Sunir of Iran will build a $ 150 million, 160 MW plant. Together they will increase Iraqi electricity generating capacity by over 20%. The Iraqi Electricity Ministry is one of the few in the central government that has successfully invested money allocated to it in the Iraqi budget for reconstruction projects. Because of corruption most funds for reconstruction have either been left unspent or poured into projects that have had a marginal impact on the quality of life for Iraqi citizens.  (Although provincial spending, though smaller than national budgets, is more efficient.)

Some might be concerned by Iraq's engagement with Iran while the US condemns the Iranian nuclear power programme. However, pragmatic observers will realise that Iran and Iraq working together means peace in the region and power for Iraq means that factories can operate and people can rebuild their lives. The development of industrial and social infrastructure has been critical to encouraging people to live instead of fight, to stay instead of leave. The investment by Iran and China also means those nations have a stake in Iraq's stability - a far more persuasive motivator than war. Peace in the region depends on cooperation between neighbours, not a military surge.

A war of virtual imperial powers

It seems that the political dynamic of our world remains dominated by tension between imperial powers. The primitive psychology is the same as any caricature of Romans, Huns or Brits, but the banners under which they march are not so tangible. Today the powers are virtual. They are fighting for minds and souls, rather than land. Who are the players? Capitalism, America and GWB versus Islam, Al Qaeda and OBL seem to be the protagonists. Unfortunately neither side is right; they both advocate the same misguided objective of exclusive power: "We are right, you are wrong."

It is a battle without winners, everyone must lose. If you are on either side you are contributing to greed and hate. To be right you will think for yourself. You will not be partisan, but holonic. You will agree to disagree, but not fight over it. You would rather walk away than join in battle. When there are more people who can step back from confrontation, the energy for battle will wane. Then our energies can be more wholly committed to managing humanity in a globally responsible way.

Dalai Lama, Politics and Religion

The hosting of the Dalai Lama by Bush raised hackles in China, as expected. The Dalai Lama was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honour. China is upset because it sees the Buddhism as a threat to state unity. It seems as if it is fighting a rearguard action though, because in August China's State Administration of Religious Affairs issued Order No. 5, a law covering "the management measures for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism" which basically prohibits Buddhist monks from returning from the dead without government permission: no one outside China can influence the reincarnation process; only monasteries in China can apply for permission. (An almost medieval policy in itself.)  Then in September the Dalai Lama met Angela Merkel and now he has been feted by the US president, the first time a sitting US president appeared with the Dalai Lama at a public event.

The Congressional Gold Medal is being awarded to the Dalai Lama to recognize what Congress called "his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, human rights and religious understanding." The medal's past recipients include Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. The Dalai Lama has been living in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 during a failed revolt against Chinese rule. China has long accused him of being a separatist, seeking to split Tibet from China, though the Dalai Lama dismisses such claims, saying he wants autonomy not independence for the region.

While the virtues of freedom motivate our abhorrence of China's occupation of Tibet, if we step back and put ourselves in China's shoes (or pretend China is the US and Tibet is, mmm, somewhere else ...) it is more difficult to condemn outright.  As Slavoj Zizek (points out in the NYT: "Perhaps we find China's reincarnation laws so outrageous not because they are alien to our sensibility, but because they spill the secret of what we have done for so long: respectfully tolerating what we don't take quite seriously, and trying to contain its political consequences through the law."

Hopefully the Dalai Lama's consistently peaceful and positive behaviour and words will continue to help China (and us all) to move to  a more federal approach to politics, a more local approach to community management and a more peaceful approach to managing different perspectives.  Humanity is bound to become more spiritual and less religious as more people choose their values for themselves and behave accordingly, without a set of "rules" from "church" or "state".

What coalition ... ?

A senior Pentagon official has been on a fortnight tour of little-known European and Eurasian capitals trying to deliver a dribble of troops for Iraq and Afghanistan. As the NYT notes "The low-profile trip reads more like a geography test than a geostrategic foray."  Debra Cagan, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for coalition affairs, has toured places like Tirana, Skopje, Chisinau and Astana, among others. The trip is a desperate attempt to keep as many flags flying in Iraq as possible so that media can still talk of a "coalition". The 168,000 U.S. troops account for about 94% of the forces there. The largest other contributor, UK, is below 3% and will halve its presence to 2,500 next year.  The modest contributions of emerging countries will be repayed with trade and investment, but the reality is that even media patience with the delusion of Iraq is waning.

Chinese party congress seeks improvement

The five year Chinese Communist Party Congress, taking place over 5 days, was opened by President Hu Jintao.  While the event is carefully orchestrated it is refreshing to note self criticism which one would hardly expect from US or European political leaders.  Hu drew attention in particular to the problems of corruption and local governance, many of which have been reported in the international media, such as the conviction of the head of the Agriculture and Food Ministry earlier this year.  Other themes were Promoting 'social harmony', 'Scientific development', and Building a 'well-off society'.   The pragmatic approach of China's government will continue to yield dividends and underpin stable, rapid economic growth.

We love China, but ...

October saw China's Communist Party Congress, a gathering held every five years to publicise the party's objectives, endorse policy and make senior appointments.

As China prospers and expands its presence on the world stage, this offered an opportunity to reflect on political and social developments at home. While the general commentary is positive, critics highlight the differences in style between China's approach to development and the text-book model of western perception.  While we should be aware of this bias, some of the social and political dislocations are widening enough to threaten stability and even economic development.  The kind of inequalities are not so different from those seen in developed economies, but in China the expectation of equality is built in to the political system.

While the objective of refocusing development on the countryside, on inland provinces and sustainability are appropriate, this is not easy.  It is made more difficult by the growing dispersion of power, principally through economic wealth in the coastal provinces.   This is compounded by the falling away of social infrastructure that used to provide a ground floor for the poor, such as public housing, which has been cleared from Beijing (and other cities) to make way for middle income housing or public infrastructure (eg Olympic housing) and the evaporation of rural education and health care infrastructure. (These articles from The Economist offer food for thought: China, beware and Missing the barefoot doctors.)

Looking to the future, as in all systems, openness offers the way to manage complex and diverse aims.  Moving from a system of closed thought and action (China 30 years ago, Europe in the middle ages) to an open system has not yet been achieved on a national scale, but that is where China must head.  The difficulty is always liberating thought and action while raising ethical standards.  (The saddest example of this challenge is offered by wealthy America which retains capital punishment, incarcerates minors and has curtailed civil liberties in the past 5 years.)

While China will continue to be a wonderful example of stable growth and enlightenment, the tension for volatility and social explosions will be difficult t0 manage.   Look to the recent history of industrial action in the UK in the 1970s or the civil rights movement of the US for illustrations of the confrontations that are to be expected.

Koreas may be coming closer

North and South Korea agreed in early October to press their superpower allies for a peace treaty to end the world's oldest and bloodiest cold war conflict, as the leaders of the divided peninsula ended their second summit in more than 50 years. Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun, said they would urge China and the United States to negotiate a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean war. That conflict, which cost 4 million lives, was merely halted by an armistice that has left the nation divided, militarised and tense ever since.

While this reconciliation is long overdue, one may be justifiably sceptical that real progress will be made. The North's Kim has a reputation as a wily negotiator and may just be using the proclamations as a lever to gain concessions from US and west in their nuclear programme or food aid. Nevertheless we can applaud the South's extension of a friendly hand and hope that ties between the Koreas will strengthen.

Ahmadinejad speaks at Tehran U

Last month's controversial gathering at Columbia University catalysed an equally divisive discussion by Ahmadinejad at Tehran University. It is a good sign that these discussions are taking place even though Iran may be castigated by western media (not without some reason).

The dark reality of 'Incredible India'

As India celebrates its 60th anniversary and the stock market pushes to new highs, it is appropriate to remember the complexity of teh Indian sub-continent. The following article is a short, stark illustration of the reality that there remains much inequality and pain in the lives of the majority who are poor. While this will not immediately impact politics, economics or society for most, if the inequalities are allowed to continue to accrue, the pain of adjustment will be difficult to manage.

The dark reality of 'Incredible India' by Siddharth Dube and Mohan Guruswamy

After this week's IncredibleIndia@60 campaign in New York City, many more Americans are likely to think of India as a vibrant, middle-class democracy that yet contains enough elephants and beaches to be a choice tourist destination.

While there is some welcome truth to these new images of India, the defining reality of India is that it remains the land of mass poverty and human want, scarcely less so than before its economy began to take off a decade-and-a-half ago.

The Government's latest survey of living standards reports that the numbers of extremely poor Indians, those chronically unable to consume even the minimum calories needed for full functioning, is an astonishing 301 million, just 19 million less than in 1983. At this rate, it would take India 300 years to lift all its people out of the most extreme poverty. Worryingly, the survey's results suggest that extreme poverty has fallen no faster, and possibly more slowly, in the past 15 years of spectacular
economic growth than in earlier periods, challenging the popular notion that money is 'trickling down' to all Indians.

Moreover, the true scale of poverty and deprivation in India is substantially greater than that suggested by even the huge ranks of the extremely poor. A report released last month by the prominent Indian economist Arjun Sengupta, chairman of a key Government commission on labour conditions, emphasized that another 50% of India's people, over 500 million in all, live on less than Rs 20 a day, which puts them above the official poverty line but still leaves them 'in abject poverty and excluded from all the glory of a shining India.' (Rs 20 is $0.50, but adjusted for purchasing
power falls somewhat below the $2 a day international poverty line.) While the proportion of Indians living in such poverty has being falling slowly, their absolute numbers have risen by 100 million in the past 15 years alone.

Tellingly, such facts do not create a furore in India's media or in Parliament. Poverty has never been high on India's public and political agendas, and is slipping steadily down as the interests of India's business elite and growing middle classes dominate media and political attention. The view from middle-class India today is that theirs is a land of wealthy and middle-class people, with a small and shrinking minority of
impoverished people. In a interview with the BBC earlier this year, India's Finance Minister, P Chidambaram, a key architect of narrow business-friendly reforms, said 'I'm confident we can wipe out poverty by 2040.' Little wonder that there is now an Alice-in-Wonderland quality to discussions of India's realities. Celebrations of prosperity, typified by the IncredibleIndia@60 campaign, drown out the ubiquitous evidence that the vast majority of Indians lead desperate lives.

What will it take to transform India's newfound dynamism and prosperity into a meaningful reduction in poverty?

The first step is recognition by the Government of the true scale of poverty. For decades, successive Indian governments have downplayed the scale of the poverty challenge by insisting that the cut-off line marking poverty be set extraordinarily low, at a level that most experts would consider not poverty but outright destitution. (India's poverty line is significantly lower than even the widely used $1 per day extreme poverty line.) A report by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, lead authored by one of the authors of this article, estimates that a poverty line adequate to cover the costs of meeting such basic human needs as education, nutrition, healthcare, clothing, safe water and sanitation, would be roughly twice as high as the poverty line in use today. Nearly 80% of India's population would be considered impoverished were the Government to adopt this poverty line.

Faced with a true recognition of the massive extent of poverty, the Indian state's response must certainly include further steps to sustain the rapid economic growth of recent years. It is this performance that has moved some 90 million Indians into the middle- and upper-class. But with hundreds of millions remaining impoverished, and millions more added to the work force every year, India needs a pattern of economic growth that rapidly creates many more decently paid jobs. This requires far more success in expanding manufacturing and industry, following China's example, rather than just the services sector. And, even more critically, it requires rural prosperity through ending the disastrous neglect of agriculture, rural infrastructure (particularly state-provided irrigation), and rural industries. The lobbyists from trade, finance and business who now dominate government economic planning have little interest in strrengthening these areas.
Economic growth and jobs will create avenues for the educated and the healthy among the poor to begin to rise out of poverty. But hundreds of millions of Indians are poorly educated or outright illiterate, malnourished, vulnerable to illness, and often oppressed – with the lowest castes, Muslims, and women of the populous northern states worst off.

Setting right these inequities requires not just more money – though far higher government investments are needed in some areas, such as public health and providing vital social security benefits to each of the poor. Much of the billions of rupees spent on India's panoply of poverty programmes currently ends up in the pockets of the country's legion corrupt officials, politicians and businesspeople; another large share is never spent because of bureaucratic inefficiency. There are no quick-fix solutions for such problems. Without the mobilization of the poor in rural and urban areas alike, and agrarian reform in favour of the rural poor, neither government nor the private sector will ever deliver education, health or other vital programs to the poor in a manner that will remedy the backlog of the past. India's peninsular states have a far better track record on basic services and, increasingly, on poverty, precisely because of decades of political and social movements committed to equity. Such social mobilization is the foundation for eventually making India's democracy responsive to the country's impoverished majority, whether in terms of commitment by political parties or governance by the bureaucracy.

Incredible India! is still very far from a reality on the ground. It will take many years, if not decades, of commitment to pro-poor economic growth, reform of government, and social mobilization in favour of the poor to realize this vision of India.

Siddharth Dube is the author of In the Land of Poverty; a 10th anniversary edition will be released in fall 2008. Mohan Guruswamy is the chairman of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, New Delhi.)

Bush vetoes child health, to help cigarette manufacturers

US President Bush vetoed a bill to expand a children's healthcare insurance scheme, after it was passed with a large majority (67-29) in the Senate.  Congress had approved the bill by 265-159. It is only the fourth time Bush has used his veto power in the course of his presidency. The vetoed bill proposed higher tobacco taxes (up to $1 from 61c) to provide an extra $35 billion to insure about 10 million children.  Bush's rationale was that it might help children who are not really poor.

Bush's decision to block the legislation is likely to prove unpopular with many people. A Washington Post/ABC News poll suggested that more than 7 in 10 Americans supported the $35 billion increase proposed in the bill.  Commentators have drawn a parallel with the administration's request for $190 billion funding for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008 - "The president has asked for an open-ended, open-wallet commitment to Iraq, and the American children get an empty stocking".

This is another clear sign of where the US administration priorities are and again raises the issue of US political corruption.

Risk and Terror

The US's poor example of nuclear weapon management

From The Economist:

Concerns were raised about the handling of America's clear weaponry apparatus. Around 70 air force personnel, including four officers, were disciplined for an incident in August when six cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads were mistakenly flown on the wing of a B-52 from North Dakota to Louisiana, a serious breach of safety protocols. And in a separate incident, a navy investigation revealed that sailors had failed to carry out safety checks on a submarine's nuclear reactor for a month, and had tried to cover it up.

US sanctions on Iran - the pot calling the kettle black?

As expected, the US has stepped up its sanctions on Iran for "supporting terrorists" and pursuing nuclear activities - new measures target the finances of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and three state-owned banks. The US said the moves were part of "a comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behaviour of the Iranians", while Iran said the latest "hostile policies" were counter to international law, and accused the US of hypocrisy. Under Executive Order 13382, US authorities will be able to freeze the assets of, and prohibit any US citizen or organisation from doing business with the Revolutionary Guards. The US declared the Revolutionary Guards a "proliferator of weapons of mass destruction"and their international arm the Quds Force, a "supporter of terrorism". The US has repeatedly blamed the Revolutionary Guards for supplying and training insurgents.

In light of the destruction of Iraq in the last 5 years, the deployment of more armaments in Europe and the massive US nuclear arsenal, it is not surprising that Iran sees the US as a demonic superpower rather than an enlightened global leader. The Iranian response: "It is incongruent for a country who itself is a producer of weapons of mass destruction to take such a decision. A country that has created and supported many terrorist groups cannot obstruct the course of development, progress and prosperity for the Iranian nation."

The sanctions will simply aggravate Iran and make reconciliation more difficult.  A peaceful approach should be adopted.

Iraq is a resounding success ...

It's The Oil by Jim Holt (a conservative Republican) puts us in the picture.  While his pitch is depressing it's also realistic and underlies all the concerns about the quagmire of Iraq.  Bush/Cheney (or should we say Cheney/Bush) got what they wanted from their boondoggle to Iraq - oil and money.  And the reason they've not been held to task is because they used some of their windfall to share among cronies.  They will continue to benefit from a supply of Iraqi oil because of the US hegemony supported by military bases.  And with oil prices rising, even anti-war protesters in the US may quieten down.  As Jim Holt concludes:

The costs – a few billion dollars a month plus a few dozen American fatalities (a figure which will probably diminish, and which is in any case comparable to the number of US motorcyclists killed because of repealed helmet laws) – are negligible compared to $30 trillion in oil wealth, assured American geopolitical supremacy and cheap gas for voters. In terms of realpolitik, the invasion of Iraq is not a fiasco; it is a resounding success.

The only counter balance to the US in Iraq is Iran, which is hamstrung by geopolitical sentiment and impotent on its own anyway, and China, which is loathe to embark upon any military confrontation and will pursue economic confrontation in its own modest way.

The sad conclusion: Iraq, the cradle of western civilisation is incapacitated, decapitated and being sucked dry of its resources.  It will be dead by the time the US leaves.

Lying to ourselves

The delusion of our own integrity has worn thin. Linked here is an NYT editorial, The Good Germans Among Us, detailing the quilt of lies and deception that we have sewn to keep ourselves in "the right" while portraying others (Iraqis, Burmese, Chinese, Afghan ...) as brutal, terrorists and wrong. While the tale is focussed on the US and the self-serving policies in Iraq, we are all benefiting from the charade. The first lines, which outline the dirty picture, are here:

"BUSH lies" doesn't cut it anymore. It's time to confront the darker reality that we are lying to ourselves.

Ten days ago The Times unearthed yet another round of secret Department of Justice memos countenancing torture. President Bush gave his standard response: "This government does not torture people." Of course, it all depends on what the meaning of "torture" is. The whole point of these memos is to repeatedly recalibrate the definition so Mr. Bush can keep pleading innocent.

By any legal standards except those rubber-stamped by Alberto Gonzales, we are practicing torture, and we have known we are doing so ever since photographic proof emerged from Abu Ghraib more than three years ago. As Andrew Sullivan, once a Bush cheerleader, observed last weekend in The Sunday Times of London, America's "enhanced interrogation" techniques have a grotesque provenance: "Verschärfte Vernehmung, enhanced or intensified interrogation, was the exact term innovated by the Gestapo to describe what became known as the 'third degree.' It left no marks. It included hypothermia, stress positions and long-time sleep deprivation."

Still, the drill remains the same. The administration gives its alibi (Abu Ghraib was just a few bad apples). A few members of Congress squawk. The debate is labeled "politics." We turn the page.

Read on here. And change the way we encourage this behaviour with our own apathy and convenient spin.

And here's another cry for decency from the dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

US administration torture policy uncovered

In 2005, after the US Justice department declared torture abhorrent in December 2004, the Bush/Cheney administration obtained from the Attorney General an expansive endorsement of the harshest interrogation techniques ever used by the Central Intelligence Agency. That secret opinion provides explicit authorisation to barrage terror suspects with a combination of painful physical and psychological tactics, including head-slapping, simulated drowning and frigid temperatures. Then, as Congress moved toward outlawing “cruel, inhuman and degrading” treatment, the Justice Department issued another secret opinion declaring that none of the C.I.A. interrogation methods violated that standard. With these two documents the White House has succeeded in preserving the broadest possible legal latitude for harsh tactics.

It is perhaps not surprising to read that the Bush/Cheney administration has done this, and in secret. And it is consistent with other primitive cultural practices of America, like capital punishment and life without parole for 13 year olds. The majority of Americans do not condone this behaviour and the law must be changed to bring American ethics up to modern standards. Otherwise we are just deceiving to ourselves.

Child military recruits in Myanmar

While this news is not surprising, the Burmese government is forcibly recruiting many children, some as young as age 10, into its armed forces. The Human Rights Watch report  Sold to Be Soldiers: The Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Burma found that military recruiters and civilian brokers receive cash payments and other incentives for each new recruit, even if the recruit clearly violates minimum age or health standards.  It is almost more surprising to learn that there is a bureaucracy of recruitment, since we know that the Myanmar government uses slave labour and we see on TV minors carrying guns in news reports from Sudan, Middle East and other hot spots.  But the timing is opportune as international attention is on the Myanmar public demonstrations calling for democracy.

The only security of all is in a free press

As civil liberties have been constrained in the name of a "war on terror" even the free press has found itself gagged.  (And not just traditional media but bloggers too.)  The Economist concludes a four part review of civil liberties with a discussion of the rationalisation of controlling free speech even though for national security.  As the quote in our title intimates (from Thomas Jefferson) we do not believe there is any excuse.  The review is particularly poignant because the First Amendment of the US Constitution guaranteeing free speech has been tarnished during by the current administration with unsubstantiated claims of "protecting national security" which seem more like "protecting the administration".

Jefferson's quote continues:

The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary-to keep the waters pure.

Let the truth be free.

To be a journalist in Iraq - 2 die every week

A couple of years ago I met the founder of Globalegacy at The Frontline Club in London.  While waiting, Pranvera Shema kindly allowed me to work in the bar upstairs.  I had been to correspondents' clubs before, but here I was struck by the number of sad stories  of journalists dying in the line of duty that covered the walls. So this from the NYT is worth sharing, with thanks to journalists for fighting with pen and camera around the world:

To Be A Journalist In Iraq

The International Women's Media Foundation awarded its "courage in journalism awards" yesterday to women who risk their lives covering the news. One award was given to six Iraqi women who work in the McClatchy Newspapers bureau in Baghdad, a job so dangerous that they cannot take the chance of being photographed, not even in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue.

Speaking for the six, Sahar Issa had a powerful message that we wanted to share with our readers:

"To be a journalist in violence-ridden Iraq today, ladies and gentlemen, is not a matter lightly undertaken. Every path is strewn with danger, every checkpoint, every question a direct threat.

"Every interview we conduct may be our last. So much is happening in Iraq. So much that is questionable. So much that we, as journalists, try to fathom and portray to the people who care to know.

"In every society there is good and bad. Laws regulate the conduct of the society. My country is now lawless. Innocent blood is shed every day, seemingly without purpose. Hundreds of thousands have been killed for seemingly no reason. It is our responsibility to do our utmost to acquire the answers, to dig them up with our bare hands if we must.

"But that knowledge comes at a dear price, for since the war started, four and half years ago, an average of about one reporter and media assistant killed every week is something we have to live with.

"We live double lives. None of our friends or relatives know what we do. My children must lie about my profession. They cannot under any circumstance boast of my accomplishments, and neither can I. Every morning, as I leave my home, I look back with a heavy heart, for I may not see it again - today may be the day that the eyes of an enemy will see me for what I am, a journalist, rather than the appropriately bewildered elderly lady who goes to look after ailing parents, across the river every day. Not for a moment can I let down my guard.

"I smile as I give my children hugs and send them off to school; it's only after they turn their backs to me that my eyes fill to overflowing with the knowledge that they are just as much at risk as I am.

"So why continue? Why not put down my proverbial pen and sit back? It's because I'm tired of being branded a terrorist: tired that a human life lost in my county is no loss at all. This is not the future I envision for my children. They are not terrorists, and their lives are not valueless. I have pledged my life - and much, much more, in an effort to open a window through which the good people in the international community may look in and see us for what we are, ordinary human beings with ordinary aspirations, and not what we have been portrayed to be.

"Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to reach out. Help us to build bridges of understanding and acceptance. Even though the war has cast a dark shadow upon your nation and mine - it is never too late."

Conflict wipes out aid in Africa

The cost of conflict on African development was approximately $300 billion between 1990 and 2005, according to new research by Oxfam International, IANSA and Saferworld. This is equal to the amount of money received in international aid during the same period.  The study Africa's Missing Billions is the first time analysts have estimated the overall effects of conflict on GDP across the continent and comes as diplomats from around the world arrive at the United Nations to discuss an Arms Trade Treaty. It shows that on average a war, civil war or insurgency shrinks an African economy by 15%. The continent loses an average of around $18 billion a year due to armed conflict. It concludes that African governments have taken encouraging steps at a regional level to control arms transfers, but that what is needed is a global, legally-binding arms trade treaty.

The study's methodology almost certainly gives an under-estimate. It does not include the economic impact on neighbouring countries, which could suffer from political insecurity or a sudden influx of refugees. The study only covers periods of actual combat, but some costs of war, such as increased military spending and a struggling economy, continue long after the fighting has stopped. In countries affected by war the direct costs of violence (such as military expenditure or the destruction of infrastructure) pale in comparison to the indirect costs of lost opportunities. These include:

• Inflation, debt and high unemployment.
• Income from natural resources going to private individuals, rather than being invested in the nation as a whole.
• More people, especially women and children, die from the consequences of conflict than in the fighting itself.

It is ironic that the trend is to increase weapons proliferation in Africa, as the US imports weapons to Iraq and is establishing a new African military command centre.  A solution to violence in Africa requires the commitment of western economies to peace.  This will be difficult to achieve in a climate which rationalises that more weapons are needed for security - a Doomsday rationale.

King John and all that - fighting for habeas corpus

The Economist's penultimate paper on civil liberties discusses detention without trial.

When I heard the history of King John of England playing fast and loose with people and how his own barons and courtiers had to rein him in and force him to contract to behave ethically (Magna Carta 1215), it was one of those stories that drew a line between us and them: We know how to behave, they didn't; modern society is civil, theirs was brutal; we have the resources, technology and emotional intelligence to raise the less well off, while they just stomped on them on the way to the banquet.  It is painful to realise that there are places in the world where "King John" still gets away with it.  It is excruciating to know that it's not that far from home ... King George or should we say Prince Dick.

The Economist outlines the battle that judiciary and legislatures are fighting to rein in executive power.  As they say it is The Stuff of Nightmares.  There have been some successes, but it is frightening that this battle should continue today.  We must grow up.  Reinstate habeas corpus in America.  Stop driving a wedge between administration and people.  Let the police and military be on the same side as everyone else.  Let empathy back into justice.

North Korea agrees to halt nuclear arms for food, for now

North Korea agreedto a specific timetable for the North to disclose all its nuclear programs and disable all facilities in return for 950,000 metric tons of fuel oil or its equivalent in economic aid by the end of the year. The agreement does not discuss when North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons. The agreement also calls on the United States to "begin the process of removing" North Korea from a United States terrorism list "in parallel" with the North's actions.

That sounds like great news. Let's hope it is. But the track record of Kim Jong-il is bad. We might expect resumption of nuclear posturing once Kim has fed his people and warmed their homes for winter.  (But here's a more optimistic editorial from NYT.)

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Energy

Zany and green at the Tokyo motor show

Zany concept vehicles and fuel efficient hybrids vied for attention at the Tokyo Motor Show. Both Toyota and Honda tried to soften the image of sports cars as gas guzzlers with concept hybrids running on a mix of petrol and electricity.  Fuel cells, which run on hydrogen and emit only water, also make an appearance as Honda shows off the “PUYO” concept car with a “gel body” to improve safety and “the feel of an adorable pet”. Despite the success of the hybrid, car makers are still hedging their bets on green technology, with electricity, biofuels, clean diesel and fuel cells also seen as potential alternative power sources.Toyota is among automakers trying to lighten the load so as to reduce fuel consumption, unveiling the 1/X (pronounced one-Xth) plug-in hybrid; the car is said to be two-thirds lighter than Toyota’s hot-selling Prius and twice as fuel efficient thanks to the use of carbon fibre materials.  Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe, trundled onto the stage on the i-REAL, which resembles a high-tech armchair on wheels. Among the more wacky designs on show was Suzuki’s Sharing Coach which looks more like a small spacecraft than a car, with two smaller one-person PIXY pods on wheels that fit snugly inside. Nissan showed off the Pivo 2 egg-shaped electric concept car that has a rotating cabin, can drive sideways and comes with a talking “robot agent” to cheer you up or help with navigation.  Its “Round Box” curvy compact convertible is said to be “like being on a roller-coaster yet without any risk.”

Nuclear may be popular with politicians, but not people

Over the past year politicians have been leaning more towards nuclear as it seems to be a convenient solution to climate change.  While safety and economic concerns have been depreciated, the public has not been convinced by the political spiel, at least in the UK.  That is good and offers hope that appropriate energy alternatives will be capitalised before the spread of nuclear fuel and waste accelerates.

New data underpins need for pragmatic precaution on nuclear

As the 50th anniversary of the Windscale nuclear disaster occurs (the worst in the world at that time) new research published in the journal Atmospheric Environment shows the incident generated twice as much radioactive material and could have caused more cancers than was previously thought.  Although the scale of that disaster was modest by modern standards, the research underlies the need for a much more precautionary approach to nuclear than is current.

Solar demand outstrips supply and raises valuation concerns

China’s solar technology industry has experienced explosive growth in just a few short years as it becomes the principal supply of solar product.  But in early October the challenge of getting enough raw material to satisfy demand has caused valuation concerns over listed Chinese solar businesses.  At issue plaguing the global industry is an acute shortage of high quality polysilicon, the key feedstock material for manufacturing solar panels.  Exacerbating investor anxiety is the industry’s practice of not fully disclosing amounts of polysilicon supplies to which companies have guaranteed access or the prices that companies are forced to pay for tight supplies.

The solar technology industry in China has thrived thanks to a favourable regulatory environment spurred by a government eager to expand the use of alternative energy and clean up air pollution. The Chinese solar push has coincided with booming demand in Europe, particularly in Germany and Spain, for PV arrays buoyed by generous subsidies and national efforts to expand the mix of solar to their power grids.

The emergence of Chinese solar companies’ presence on Wall Street began in December 2005 with the listing of Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., a solar-module maker based in Wuxi, Jiangsu.  Suntech is the world’s largest module manufacturer, with a global workforce of more than 4,000.  Other listed Chinese firms include Canadian Solar Inc. Trina Solar Limited,  Solarfun Power Holdings Co Ltd, JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd, China Sunergy Co. Ltd, LDK Solar Co. Ltd and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd.

The ongoing polysilicon shortage, along with recent controversies over two Chinese companies accused of inaccurately reporting supplies to investors, will contribute a waning of investor confidence.

This phenomenon, while alerting investors to the general risks of investing in China, also illustrates how green tech is not immune to the economic imbalances felt in other sectors.  While green is the way industry is going, it remains a challenge to find businesses that manage themselves in a more holonic way.  Investors should expect a less transparent investment environment in the “Wild East”.

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Environment

GM in Europe is small but growing dangerously fast

The area planted with genetically modified crops in Europe grew by 77% since last year. The only genetically modified crop grown widely in Europe is maize resistant to the corn borer, a moth larva which eats the stem, and it is cultivated for animal feed, not for human consumption.  Last year 1,000 sq km of GM maize was harvested, but this is still a small fraction of the total farmed area of Europe and tiny compared with the one million sq km under GM around the world - an expanse the size of France and Spain combined.

The growth is largely attributable to marketing by biotech giants since the use of GM continues to be unproven both environmentally and economically. Some environmental groups claim beneficial insects could also be harmed by the crop; and in France, President Nicolas Sarkozy has suspended all GM plantings until next year.

Clare Oxborrow, a Friends of the Earth food campaigner notes that the increase in the area planted with GM crops should not be viewed as beneficial. “The reality is, these crops have failed to deliver benefits, and more and more evidence is, in fact, coming to light showing that there are increased concerns about their environmental risks.  GM crops, GM industry is not competitive, it is not creating jobs, it is not creating any new environmental benefits, it’s not accepted by consumers, and I think we need to take a long, hard look. These figures today are more about the industry trying to reassure its investors than any significant success.”

The ozone hole seems under control, after 20 years of regulation

The ozone hole peaks in September. While it was not the largest it has been it remains above average. The linked article discusses the science behind the destruction of this protective layer of earth’s upper atmosphere. Scientists don’t expect the hole to significantly shrink for about another decade because of the long lifetimes (40-100 years) of CFCs already in the atmosphere. Full recovery is expected by about 2070 (if we don’t release another wave of pollutants that destroy the upper atmosphere).

Drought where it shouldn’t be

It’s not just California that is feeling the heat.  The US south east is experiencing extreme lack of rain that normally occurs once or twice a century.  During October, adding to calls for limiting water use, Georgia’s governor sued to stop teh Army draining water for use in Alabama and Florida.  If the drought continues, drinking water supplies will be jeopardised.  If there is a silver lining to this (virtual) cloud, it might be that concerns over climate change will be adopted by the wider public.

More species extinction, especially primates (- that means your cousins)

Global Environment Outlook 2007 - getting worse

The fourth Global Environment Outlook launched on 25 October provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state of the environment. GEO-4 addresses the key challenges facing our planet, highlights emerging environmental issues that require policy attention and makes recommendations for decision-makers to act. It is a benchmark reference for challenges humanity faces today.

The future of the biosphere is most at risk from climate change, species extinction and a growing human population. Unfortunately there has been little policy reaction by big business, government or consumers and we are still failing to recognise the seriousness of major environmental issues.

The study, involving more than 1,400 scientists, is teh 20 year anniversary of the first GEO in 1987. Its main conclusion is that human consumption has far outstripped available resources.

30% of amphibians, 23% of mammals and 12% of birds are under threat of extinction

10% of the world’s large rivers run dry every year before it reaches the sea.

45,000 square miles of forest are lost across the world each year

60% of the world’s major rivers have been dammed or diverted

34%: the amount by which the world’s population has grown in the last 20 years

75 thousand people a year are killed by natural disasters

50%: The percentage by which populations of fresh fish have declined in 20 years

20%: How much the energy requirements of developed countries such as the United States have increased in the period

EU sustainability progress modest; transport remains a problem

A new progress report concludes that the EU has made only “modest” progress towards sustainability since revising its sustainable development strategy  last year.  The European commission says there have been significant policy developments in some of the seven areas identified as key action priorities, including climate and energy, but progress on policy has not yet translated into concrete action.  There has been some progress towards sustainable production and consumption in areas including green public procurement.  And there has been a decoupling of material use from economic growth.  Another positive sign is a “convergence” of difference stakeholders’ agendas in many areas, though it is not surprising that the EU, member states, NGOs and businesses are increasingly focusing on the same issues because the science of sustainability points in the same direction.

Unfortunately progress on transport has been very limited.  The sector’s carbon emissions continue to increase and the EU’s goal of shifting towards environmentally friendly transport modes has not been achieved. The use of non-renewable resources has slightly decreased and pressure on groundwater seems to have decreased, but soil quality continues to deteriorate.

GMO complacency is destroying habitats

The complacency over the dangers of genetically engineered food is extraordinary and worrying.

While the EU bans a genetically modified potato made by BASF and three corn varieties developed by Monsanto, the US is planning to deregulate another GM soyabean (the comments on this link reveal the dangerous nature of GM).

And against this background, research  “Toxins in transgenic crop byproducts may affect headwater stream ecosystems” published in the  journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences that found consumption of Bt corn byproducts  increased mortality and reduced growth in caddisflies, which are aquatic insects that are related to the pests targeted by the toxin in Bt corn.

News like this reinforces the perception that big business and politicians are corrupt, greedy and abdicating any responsibility with which their role might be vested.  Unfortunately, we all suffer the consequence of a failing biosphere.

Markets for Ecosystem Services by WBCSD and IUCN

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development  and The World Conservation Union  has just published Markets for Ecosystem Services – New Challenges and Opportunities for Business and the Environment (1.3 MB).  The report shows how at a fundamental level, all economies and businesses depend directly or indirectly on the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable supply of ecosystem services.  Environmentalists have long argued that conserving ecosystems and sustaining the services they provide is a pre-requisite for prosperity; business, governments and society are catching up.  The report intends to help establish a shared vision of market-based approaches to nature conservation.

The report is timely given the recent reports of mammalian extinction threats.

Markets for Ecosystem Services – New Challenges and Opportunities for Business and the Environment (1.3 MB)   PowerPoint Presentation (1.5 MB)

Toxic emissions coming under control in north America, but SMEs lag

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation, a NAFTA industrial grouping, released their latest annual study (2004 data) which shows a 15% drop in emissions among large companies in North America, but warned that emissions were rising from some small and mid-size industries. The report compares data from 10,000 facilities across nine industrial sectors and incorporates data covering separate 56 chemicals. The improvement was attributed in large measure to greater recycling efforts and enhanced pollution prevention strategies.

The finding that SMEs are lagging average progress reinforces recent concerns that not enough support and infrastructure is available for smaller businesses to adapt their operations to sustainable systems.  This is a natural consequence of their position in the industrial food chain.  But it is these businesses that make up over 90% of industrial output and policy ought to be adapted to benefit smaller businesses more.

EU environment failing: air pollution, biodiversity loss and poor water quality

The European Environment Agency released its fourth assessment report on the environmental situation in 53 European countries, highlighting significant air pollution, biodiversity loss and poor water quality across the region.  The irony of the report is that a principal cause of these problems is growing consumption and the demand for transport neither of which people seem willing to reduce.  In general, the report points to the environmental impact of agriculture and energy as well as consumption, transport and other economic activities.

Among the most alarming findings in the report is the observation that air pollution likely reduces the life expectancy of Western and Central Europeans by almost one year. Heightened economic activity in the EU’s wider neighbourhood, including Central Asia and the Caucasus region, has led to a 10% increase in air pollution since 2000.

Access to safe drinking water is a problem in many parts of the region, especially in rural areas. More than 100 million people in the pan-European region still do not have access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Climate change is also increasing the frequency and severity of droughts.

700 European species are currently under threat”, according to the EEA, and the general biodiversity trend on agricultural land is negative despite agricultural policies being increasingly geared towards biodiversity conservation.   There is a wide-ranging set of problems faced by Europe’s oceans, inland waters and coastal environments, including over-fishing, eutrophication (particularly from agricultural run-offs), pollution, oil spills and regular discharges from vessels, population densities and ecosystem collapses.

We may conclude that the report makes clear that we are good at talking about improving environment, but fail to actually take much action on a personal, business or institutional level.

Executive summary of report;  European Environment Agency Website with links to sections of report;  Clean Air page;  Nature and Biodiversity page;  EU Maritime policy;  Water page

The State of the Paper Industry 2007 - change for sustainability needed

The State of the Paper Industry 2007 released by the Environmental Paper Network examines how the paper is made today in the face of growing environmental awareness in the US, and calls for major changes across the industry to reduce impact and increase sustainability. The need for this assessment, the group says, is that a “green wave” is sweeping North America, with ever-increasing numbers of consumers and companies seeking to address and minimize their impact on the environment. The report’s findings detail a list of negative environmental impacts, including:

• The paper industry is the fourth largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions among United States manufacturing industries.
• Paper accounts for 25% of landfill waste, the largest of any single component.
• Paper production accounts for over 40% of the world’s industrial wood harvest
• Paper production is one of the world’s largest consumers and polluters of fresh water
• Paper production continues to come into conflict with indigenous and other communities around the world over land rights, culture, human health, and livelihoods

But at the same time, the green wave cited by the report’s authors include significant opportunities for companies to embrace:

• Growing market demand for environmentally responsible paper products
• Growing acreage of Forest Stewardship Council certified sustainable forestry
• Cleaner production and alternatives to chlorine bleaching
• Increasing recovery of waste paper
• The emergence of innovative, corporate leaders.

Among the improvements the EPN would like to see from the industry are responsible, certified forestry practices, paper recyling and recovery, a move to reduce paper consumption by its customers, and a shift toward clean production that reduces bleach and toxin emissions.

By the way, paper use and disposal does have a significant climate impact. According to the report, 42% of industrial wood harvest goes to paper, a sobering fact given that trees store roughly half of all terrestrial carbon. And recycled paper saves energy: Compared to copy paper made from 100% virgin forest fibre, a copy paper made from 100% recycled content reduces total energy consumption by 44% and net greenhouse gas emissions by 38%.

EU to help SMEs green operations

European commission has unveiled a plan to reduce the environmental impact of small and medium size businesses  and boost their compliance with EU environmental legislation. The plan coincides with a review of EU efforts to increase the competitiveness of these firms and contains measures for increasing SMEs’ awareness of environmental issues through training and better information networks. The plan aims to increase use of EU funding available through schemes such as Life+ and the competitiveness and innovation programme. Sector association Ueapme described the plan as “well-designed” but said it did not focus sufficiently on training and criticised the lack of a specific EU budget for supporting SMEs.

This sector represents 99% of all firms in Europe, yet very few are taking steps to reduce their impact. Insufficient awareness of the environment and low staff numbers and expertise are the principal barriers to greening SMEs.

The commission is also considering making it easier for SMEs to adopt environmental management systems as part of a forthcoming revision of its eco-management scheme, Emas. Small firms would see their entry fees slashed and they would be able to share resources by registering in groups.

Humanity’s demands on nature, in pictures

These super pictures illustrate the density of primary production across planet earth and the demands by humans, relative to that local production capacity. The massive productivity of the Amazon basin and similar sub-tropical environments stand out. And it is interesting to see the greatest relative demands being made in the Middle East, India and China.

What is not made clear though is the fact that current consumption exceeds net primary production by about 3x on the earth as a whole. (This difference is largely made up for by fossil fuels.) This article, Can the earth’s plants keep up with us? is clearer on that point.

Earth from space

Beautiful pictures of earth from space shared by the Earth Observatory.  Click the link to get the full resolution images (~3 MB each).

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Climate Change

Lovelock projects a frightening future, soon

James Lovelock discussed his concerns about the impending consequences of global warming at the Royal Society lecture, “Climate change on the living Earth“.

He notes that although the scientific language of the IPCC report is “properly cautious”, it gives the impression that the worst consequences of climate change are avoidable if we take action now. Instead, his view of the future is much more frightening. Even if we act now Professor Lovelock believes that we will be faced with ever diminishing supplies of food and water in an increasingly intolerable climate.  Whole ecosystems will become extinct. He argues that we have set off a vicious cycle of positive feedback in the earth system whereby extra heat in the atmosphere from any source is amplified, causing yet more warming.  His solution involves two important aspects: We must recognise that the complexity of the system we are in (the biosphere) is beyond our scientific comprehension at the moment; And we must realign our modern infrastructure and systems to work with the natural systems rather than against them as is now the case.   Lovelock concludes “We are not merely a disease; we are through our intelligence and communication the planetary equivalent of a nervous system.  We should be the heart and mind of the Earth not its malady.”

Webcast available here.

Oceans’ CO2 absorption halved

New research shows that the amount of carbon dioxide being absorbed by the world’s oceans has significantly reduced. University of East Anglia researchers gauged CO2 absorption through more than 90,000 measurements from merchant ships equipped with automatic instruments during a 10-year study in the North Atlantic.  The data shows CO2 uptake halved between the mid-90s and 2000 to 2005.The findings, published in a paper for the Journal of Geophysical Research, are surprising and worrying because global warming might accelerate more than predicted if the oceans soak up less of the greenhouse gas.  It also poses a significant issue for new technologies that had hoped to use oceans as a CO2 sink.  The findings suggest that in time the ocean might become saturated with humanity’s emissions and the carbon cycle will become dysfunctional and fail.

Humans causing wetter climate too

New research, reported in the journal Nature, confirms the global increase in humidity found in previous studies and that humidity is increasing in a pattern consistent with man-made climate change.  The research shows that the pattern of humidity increases in various parts of the world resembles that projected by computer models of man-made global warming. Water vapour is a greenhouse gas, and it is thought that having more of it in the air could amplify temperature rise.  The major IPCC report released earlier this year said that this amplification was the largest “positive feedback” mechanism they had identified. Previous research has shown that humidity increases in Europe, a response to higher temperatures, were amplifying the temperature rise by about a factor of two.

Although an upward trend in atmospheric water vapour in the late twentieth century has been previously reported, this study is the first to link the increase directly to anthropogenic warming. The findings have important implications for understanding future increases in atmospheric humidity, which would be likely to influence the intensity of precipitation and tropical cyclones, as well as effecting human heat stress and water availability.

(Some of the scientific team were involved in another study, reported in July, which showed that human-induced climate change was behind trends of increasing and decreasing rainfall noted in various parts of the world.)

Raise efficiency or lower consumption: the best ways to tackle climate change, again

Energy efficiency is the most effective company-wide first steps CEOs can take to launch a climate change program, according to a team of environmental scientists and climate researchers. The panel, which includes 54 fellows of the Switzer Foundation, an environmental non-profit, participated in a survey titled, “What the Scientists Know: How Business Leadership can Help Solve Climate Change“.  To best leverage a CEOs leadership, the scientists top rankings included: improving energy efficiency of existing operations, converting to clean and renewable energy, engaging in climate change policy discussions, consideration of climate risk in asset management and buying carbon offsets.  Carbon offsets wasn’t listed as a top priority for companies. The panel also pegged the purchase of renewable energy credits as the last corporate priority; the most popular write-in suggestion for top priority was reducing energy consumption.

Executive summary pdf

Consumer goods giants to analyse supply footprint. Fuel for carbon rating products?

Wal-Mart announced that it will parter with the Carbon Disclosure Project to measure the energy use and emissions of the entire supply chain of seven product categories, and find ways to increase their energy efficiency.   And in the UK several global companies are calling on their supply chain partners in the UK to measure and manage carbon emissions -  Tesco, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Cadbury Schweppes and Imperial Tobacco Group formed the Supply Chain Leadership Collaboration, which will work with the Carbon Disclosure Project to create a standardised mechanism of measuring their footprint throughout their supply chain.

This coincides with the release of a report that tracked how businesses on the FTSE 350 manage and CDP report climate change related risks. The report found that 87% of companies that responded viewed climate change as a commercial risk while 80% considered it a commercial opportunity. Nearly 40% of respondents have implemented emissions reduction programs.

If these steps lead to consumer goods having a carbon rating it would help consumers differentiate the impact of imported vs locally sourced product. That would quickly change the dynamics of supermarket supply, which many blame for over transporting goods and squashing local producers.

Ice shelf disintegration signals faster melting

The giant Ayles Ice Island drifting off Canada’s northern shores has broken in two - far earlier than expected. The original Manhattan-sized berg (16km by 5 km) broke off the Ayles Ice Shelf in 2005. A team which landed on the Ayles ice block in May found it to have an average thickness of 42-45m (138-148ft) - the equivalent of the height of a 10-storey building. The great mass of ice has now split apart.

In a season of record summer melting in the region, arctic sea-ice shrank to the smallest area on record this year, as measured by satellite. The US National Snow and Ice Data Center said the minimum extent of 4.13 million sq km was reached on 16 September. The figure shattered all previous satellite surveys, including the previous record low of 5.32 million sq km measured in 2005.

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LOHAS

Education

How to build a better education system - lessons from around the world

A new report by McKinsey examines the common characteristics of school systems producing students who perform well on international tests. How the World’s Best Performing School Systems Come Out on Top (9.46 MB pdf).  Their conclusions are not rocket science but do help clarify myths and reality.  Getting good teachers depends more on how you select them than on how much they are paid; it becomes a career choice for top graduates.  Ongoing teacher training helps.  early intervention when things go wrong helps.  And with the right policies neither schools nor students need lag behind.

The report is worth reading offerng good examples, data and sense.

Humans learn aggression from parents when young

Research looking at the development of aggressive behaviour in toddlers, highlights that young children do not learn to be aggressive, instead as they get older and their brains become more mature they become less aggressive as they learn to control their behaviour. Children learn to regulate the use of physical aggression during the preschool years, making this time a critical period in which to intervene in order to prevent violence in later life. Those that don’t learn to do so in early childhood stand a much higher chance of developing into aggressive adults leading to antisocial and even criminal behaviour in later life.

Richard Tremblay, Professor of Paediatrics, Psychiatry, and Psychology at the University of Montréal, who worked on the research said “Developmental studies show that infants aged three to four years old are more physically aggressive than adults. Learning how not to be violent which mostly takes place during the preschool years - is dependent on both genetic and environmental factors. These range from the type of parental care a child receives to whether its mother smoked when pregnant. Research has shown, for example, that nicotine affects the development of areas of a baby’s brain which are responsible for emotional control.  The early years of human development are on fast forward’ and it is during this time period that physical aggression increases most dramatically and environment plays a very important role in the extent to which physical aggression develops or is controlled.

Professor Tremblay highlighted why this understanding is so important: “Physical aggression in children is a major public problem. It is not only an indicator of aggression in adulthood but it also leads to other serious behavioural problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, violent crimes and continues the cycle of abusive parenting. Identifying the factors which stop children becoming well socialised adults should help us design preventative measures which are employed at the right time in a child’s development. These should put an appropriate emphasis on the behaviour of the parents, as well as that of the child.”

The research highlights the role that parents have in determining their children’s violent behaviour. Children at highest risk of not learning to regulate physically aggressive tendencies have mothers with a history of antisocial behaviour during their school years, mothers who have children at an early age, who smoked during pregnancy and parents with a low income and troubled family relationships.

(BBC report here.)

Play is critical to development

The UK school grounds charity, Learning Through Landscapes, commenting on a poll of 1,146 children sponsored by RBS, suggests children engage in bullying and negative behaviour because they are bored.  Although almost all (93%) enjoyed playtimes, one in four had been bullied in the playground while one in six got bored.  They suggest a solution would be to engage them in more stimulating play.

Most parents agree that the school playground had a lasting influence on their own personal development, but one in five parents said there was a lack of sporting facilities to keep children active and engaged and a quarter wanted to see more seating areas which encouraged social interaction.  This survey also fond that parents think that schools do not allow children to experience “good old fashioned fun” in the playground, with 57% agreeing that children were “too wrapped up in cotton wool“.

The general message is that emotional development requires stimulating, experiential learning and play, and this should occur in early years, while cognitive intelligences may be emphasised in teen years.

Trade, inequality and education

Observations that inequality is rising as wealth rises have circulated recently with the publication of the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook which shows that while global income inequality has fallen, within countries, both rich and poor, inequality has been rising almost everywhere. As the IMF put it: “This recent experience seems to be a clear change in course from the general decline in inequality in the first half of the 20th century”.

While the antagonists tend to parrot the orthodoxy of capitalism vs anti-globalisation, all voices seem to end up with the same conclusion: education is the key. This quote from the FT makes the point:

They say the answer is to raise educational standards, and to mitigate the pain for the losers with social protection programmes to compensate their lost income and education to help them find another job.

Professor Paul Krugman of Princeton University wrote on VoxEU.org that the problem of inequality “doesn’t mean I’m endorsing protectionism”.

“It does mean that free-traders need better answers to the anxieties of those who are likely to end up on the losing side from globalisation.”

The IMF agrees, arguing: “The appropriate policy response is not to suppress FDI or technological change but to make increased access to education a priority.”

Education is the holy grail as it reduces the benefits the already-rich derive from new technology and FDI. But as Jim O’Neil and Erik Neilsen of Goldman Sachs observe: “This, of course, is easier said than done.”

Executive certificate in sustainability - more please

In an effort to meet the growing demand for leaders in sustainable business, the Presidio School of Management has expanded its offerings to include an executive education certificate program targeted at senior executives.  The school’s Sustainable Management Executive Certificate program will launch in January 2008 in partnership with the San Francisco-based Hanson Bridgett law firm. The Presidio School has offered an MBA in Sustainable Management since 2003, which integrates environmental concerns and social responsibility into every course. The new certificate program will last for 10 months, and is aimed at giving senior-level managers, executives and entrepreneurs a new look at traditional business disciplines taught from the perspective of sustainability. Among the goals of the program, the Presidio School of Management said its certificate program will give graduates the ability to:

• Define sustainability in the context of their company’s strategy and create a plan for achieving it
• Think beyond environmental performance with a whole systems approach to manufactured, financial, natural and human capital
• Make the case for sustainability in their business and define a competitive advantage in alignment with their organization’s values
• Successfully design a sustainability initiative, including plans for implementing within their organisation.

It will be great when the likes of Harvard, Penn, IMD and INSEAD offer such programmes and integrate sustainability in their core MBA offering.

A global map of ocean plant-life

This image shows the density of chlorophyll in the earth’s oceans; the lighter colour the more phytoplankton. The linked article describes how the graphic was created and its implications. It is striking because it shows which parts of the ocean are most productive. This awareness will be important as humanity improves ocean management and even uses phytoplankton as a carbon sink.

Social skills favoured in evolution

A new cycle of research of baboon behaviour is summed up in a book titled “Baboon Metaphysics” by Dr. Cheney and Dr. Seyfarth, biologists from the University of Pennsylvania.  The title is a play on Darwin’s comment “He who understands baboon would do more towards metaphysics than Locke.”

Their conclusion, based on many painstaking experiments, is that baboons’ minds are specialized for social interaction, for understanding the structure of their complex society and for navigating their way within it. The shaper of a baboon’s mind is natural selection. Those with the best social skills leave the most offspring.  Perhaps that is why so many with questionable technical skills are so successful, especially it seems in politics.  And if so, this again reinforces the rationale for encouraging development of emotional intelligence in the first 10 years of life when social skills are adopted.

This NYT article discusses the research and offers videos of baboons in action.

Health

Official: organic really is better for you

Early results from a € 20 million European Union-funded four-year project conclude that organic food is more nutritious than ordinary produce and may help to lengthen people’s lives.  The study found that organic fruit and vegetables contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of cancer and heart disease. They also had higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.  The evidence from the research will end years of debate and should overturn government advice that eating organic food is no more than a lifestyle choice.  Professor Carlo Leifert, the co-ordinator of the  project, said the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people not eating the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables: “If you have just 20% more antioxidants and you can’t get your kids to do five a day, then you might just be okay with four a day.”

UK to tighten standards for imported organics

The Soil Association has warned that it will introduce stricter ethical standards to certify organic food flown into the UK from January 2009. The association, which certifies 70% of the UK’s £1.9 billion organic food sector, wants the trade to bring real benefit to developing world farmers so all air-freighted food will have to meet tough “ethical trade” standards, which few overseas firms currently meet. The rules will affect the 1% of the organic food market in the UK which is fresh flown in from abroad, about 80% of which comes from low to lower-middle income countries. The association expects some producers would find it impossible to meet the standards and they want producers to eliminate the casual use of air freight. The Soil Association notes that is neither sustainable nor responsible to encourage poorer farmers to be reliant on air freight and recognises that building alternative markets that offer the same social and economic benefits as organic exports will take time.

Mallen Baker reviews the likely consequences of this decision here.   He notes the blurring of the line between production method and route to market and so reflection supports the utility of a “carbon” label for your food, as distinct from an organic label, to differentiate the carbon per kg of food.

Consumers enforce organics in US, because the government won’t

Acting on behalf of organic food consumers in 27 states, class action lawsuits are being filed in U.S. federal courts in St. Louis and Denver, against Aurora Dairy Corporation. The suits charge Aurora, one of the nation’s largest organic dairies, with consumer fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment concerning the sale of organic milk by the company. In April, Aurora received a notice from the USDA detailing multiple and “willful” violations of federal organic law that were found by federal investigators, specifically not providing mandatory pasture access and bringing non-organic cows onto their massive feedlots. The USDA gave Aurora a “slap on the wrist,” rather than taking away the corporation’s USDA Organic certification. Commenting on this week’s class action lawsuit, Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the OCA stated: “If the USDA refuses to properly enforce organic standards, then organic consumers have no choice but to act as their own enforcement body, using the courts to punish those corporations, like Aurora, that put profits ahead of organic integrity.”
This is a welcome display of consumer choice, setting an example for us all to emulate. Well done America.

Research compares US and UK organic market drivers

New research into the US organic sector by the Hartman Group reveals intriguing differences between the American and UK markets. In numbers, the US sector has grown slower, about 1/3 as quickly as the UK: the US organic market grew by just over 30% between 2002-2005, whereas the UK achieved 33% growth in 2006 alone.

The qualitative observations are revealing. In the US a key purchasing factor is ‘avoiding hormones’ (especially so for parents buying food for daughters) whereas this is rarely cited by UK consumers. Also in the US the vast majority of organic use is occasional, whereas in the UK committed consumers account for 50-60% of organic sales.  Also in the US there is a growing trend for packaging that tells the story behind the product and the people who grow and make it. This trend towards food ‘narratives’ is aimed at providing ‘soul’ and to humanise the organic experience.  Key words in US organic food marketing include ‘local’, ‘fresh’, ‘seasonal’, ‘pasture-fed’, and ‘artisanal’.  In the US is there also a single, well-recognised certification symbol underwritten by the US Department of Agriculture.

Reflecting on these qualitative differences it seems that US consumers continue to rely upon big brother to certify “quality” and to rely on suppliers to deliver a “feel good factor”, whilst the majority of shoppers remain uninformed about the real choices they are making.  (Of course there are careful shoppers in the US as the OCA and others illustrate, but the research suggests that this is not the majority.)

US EPA intent on poisoning Americans

While the USDA fails to enforce organic standards, the EPA has decided to liberate a vile toxin on the American countryside.  The EPA approved a new chemical fumigant, methyl iodide, for use on food crops across the US. The pesticide vaporises quickly, allowing it to drift far distances. Although the state of California has categorized it as cancer causing, and the EPA admits it causes thyroid tumors, the Bush Administration has been advocating approval of the fumigant for the better part of two years. In a letter to the EPA leading chemists asked EPA not to approve methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemical has been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causes neurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studies with laboratory animals. Farmworkers, families, rural workers, and the food supply will now be subjected to exposure to the carcinogen unless the EPA revokes the approval immediately.

It is depressing that the organisations vested with responsibility to protect us, succumb to greed and the persuasion of lobbyists.  Ask for clean food from your grocery or supermarket before you find yourself in hospital.

Quitting smoking makes business sense

Many US businesses are seeking to reduce their medical bills by paying for programs to help employees stop smoking. Recent surveys show that one-third of companies with at least 200 workers now offer smoking cessation as part of their employee benefits package. Among the US’s biggest companies, the number may be nearly two-thirds of employers.

Other corporate wellness efforts like weight management and diabetes control are ways that private employers are taking health care reform into their own hands, even as politicians continue to prevaricate.  For businesses, it is the bottom-line that counts: $900 or so to give free nicotine patches and  phone sessions with smoking addiction counselors, more than offsets the estimated $16,000 or more in additional lifetime medical bills that a typical smoker generates.  And that federal figure does not count the costs of absenteeism or the drain on productivity when smokers periodically duck outside for a cigarette.

Smoking’s toll is not just the bottom-line.  It is blamed for 435,000 premature deaths in the US each year, and it adds more than $75 billion to US annual spending on health care.

Thanks Allen Carr.

Parental smoking causes cot death

A comprehensive study, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Parental Smoking, carried out at Bristol University’s Institute of Child Life and Health and published in the Early Human Development medical journal, reviewed existing evidence from numerous studies on smoking and cot death and concludes that 9 out of 10 mothers who lose a baby to cot death are smokers.
UK national statistics suggest that smoking among pregnant mothers has fallen from 30% to 20% in the past 15 years, but the proportion of babies who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that were born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy has risen from 57% to 86%. It is thought that the rise in the proportion of SIDS mothers who smoke is at least partly a result of the 1991 Back to Sleep Campaign which urged parents to put their baby on to its back to sleep.  Since then, the number of SIDS babies found lying face down has dropped from 89% to 24%. With this factor taken out of the equation, one of the main dangers which remains is exposure to smoke.

Buzz the fat off!

Strange results from research on physiological condition of test subjects to low intensity vibration suggest that mice placed on the vibrating platform convert fat to bone. It reminds me of those extraordinary “exercise belts” prominent in the 70s in which people would stand to have their tummy fat vibrated away! It sounded a bit lazy and more gimmick than science. But maybe the vibrating platform works. It makes sense that bones are growing while fat is diminishing since the bones would need to be strengthened to take the “strain”, and energy consumption by the subject would consume fat. Maybe we’ll have vibrating chairs for fat cat managers soon! But I’d rather get my vibrations by biking along a mountain path.

Attention to diet and health at school is working in the US

The results of a survey of US schools, which is conducted every six years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows improvement in diet and lifestyle.  30% of school districts have banned junk food from school vending machines, up from 4% in 2000.

Other signs are good too: schools offering fried potatoes in their cafeterias declined, to 19%  from 40%; more schools offer salads and vegetables; fewer permit bake sales; more states have enacted policies to prohibit smoking at school and to require courses on pregnancy prevention; districts that require elementary schools to teach physical education increased from 83% to 93%; and more states and school districts insist that elementary schools schedule recess and that physical education teachers have at least undergraduate training.

While, in some instances, progress toward healthier living and learning was notable only because so many schools had started from such low points, the general trend is hopeful and shows that schools are beginning to stand up to the marketing tactics of brands that push sugar and fat.  Perhaps the trend of growing obesity will be reversed, but do not become complacent yet.

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Living

Fear stops children’s development

Tim Gill, a child expert, shows in his new book a reluctance to let children take risks could stop them developing vital skills needed to protect themselves; youngsters are missing out on their childhood because we over-protect them. In No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society, Gill argues that childhood is being undermined by the growth of risk aversion and its intrusion into every aspect of children’s lives. The book explores several key areas, including children’s play, anti-social behaviour and fear of strangers. Activities that previous generations of children enjoyed without a second thought, like walking to school on their own, have been re-labelled as troubling or dangerous and the adults who permit them branded as irresponsible. He recommends that instead of creating a “nanny state” we should build a society where communities look out for each other and youngsters.

Personally, I feel the need to protect and control my children’s behaviour, but I’ve learned that that doesn’t actually happen and it’s exhausting to try. The simple realisation that you can not watch your children that they are going to have to make decisions themselves has been the catalyst for a more hands-off approach to their activities. But this does not mean neglect. It means letting them get in to difficult situations (but not too difficult) and helping them resolve the situation. A child without a bruise or scratch has not been a child.

No Fear Summary pdf No Fear Book pdf (text only) The Children’s Society (UK)

Another US execution paused

The US Supreme Court granted a stay of execution to Mississippi death-row inmate Earl Wesley Berry  moments before he was due to die.  His lawyers requested the execution be stopped until the court rules on whether death by lethal injection is unconstitutional. His temporary reprieve adds to a series of stays granted since a challenge was mounted in Kentucky in September, and expected to be decided early next year.   Commentators say courts will probably interpret the Supreme Court ruling as a signal that they should impose an unofficial moratorium on executions until the Kentcky ruling. Berry murdered Mary Bounds, 57, 20 years ago as she was leaving choir practice.

While the method of execution may be changed, there is not yet enough momentum to eliminate capital punishment in the US.

America, please stop convicting children as adults

As the rumblings of a change to the policy of capital punishment begin in America, the Equal Justice Initiative is releasing a report that says states should be required to review sentences of juvenile offenders, looking for cases where parole might be warranted.   According to the report, there are 73 Americans serving life without parole sentences for crimes they committed at 13 or 14. I found it shocking that such a cavalier attitude to children’s crimes is taken; so does the UN which took up a resolution calling for the abolition of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for children and young teenagers in a vote of 185 to 1, with the United States the lone dissenter.

Perhaps we should not be surprised given the track record on capital punishment, global military belligerence and failures to build the resources of the least advantaged (like education and health).  As a parent I know that children simply reflect the environment in which they find themselves and, as minors, responsibility for their behaviour lies first with parents and then with the community and state.  As an adult I know that mistakes can be made and trying to correct our mistakes is the usual consequence.  As a scientist, I know that incarceration expands criminal potential while rehabilitation works.  It is time past due for America to move on from its primitive “wild-west” culture and set a more enlightened standard.

Living with nature in California

The extensive wildfires in Southern California at the end of October have been devastating: half a million acres burnt, 7 dead, and 1,800 structures burnt. But they are not unexpected, have happened before and will happen again. The native Americans were more cautious about development in this area realising the fire hazard, and would even burn brush under control to prevent the ability of wild fires to spread. While global warming may extend the problem, there are ways to live with fire hazards such as building fire proof shelters and planning for fire. However, unfortunately, we can expect recurrence of these events annually, though hopefully with less extensive damage.

Eco baby shower, a la Sheryl Crowe

This article caught my eye because my children like to listen to Sheryl Crowe. The article links a handful of sites that offer advice and products to green your baby’s public debut. See Behind the Scenes at Sheryl Crow’s Green Baby Shower, Party Planner to the Stars Shares Tips and Tricks for Eco-Showers

Knowing what you can’t see

Geoffrey Miller recently published research which clearly shows that human males can detect whether or not females are fertile.  The data support the conclusion that males can detect whether or not females are ovulating, even if they don’t know that that’s what they are detecting.  His unusual study took place in lap-dancing clubs and the measure of detection was how much the men tipped the dancers.  The conclusion: a woman is sexier when most fertile.  His paper Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap-dancers: Economic evidence for human estrus? is here and you can read a synopsis by The Economist here.

The research doesn’t say how males detect the fertility of females, but the data certainly illustrates that our communication is far more comprehensive than words alone and animal instincts play a large part in economics.

Islam and Christianity must work together

In a letter, A Common Word Between Us and You, addressed to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders, 138 prominent Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam urged Christian leaders “to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions”, spelling out the similarities between passages of the Bible and the Qur’an.  The text focuses on principal commandments of Christianity and Islam: love God and love others.  Whether or not you subscribe to the philosophy or rationale, there is doubt that peace is a requirement for the continued survival of humanity and the biosphere.

Eco-consumption under pressure from economic slowdown and greenwash

The slowing US economy is dragging down several green industries, including demand for green homes, energy-efficient home products and renewable energy, according to Energy Pulse 2007, the third annual national consumer market study conducted by the Shelton Group.

For eight different kinds of energy efficient home products, this year’s Energy Pulse survey found that consumers are on average 16% less likely to go green, with 11% saying they’re less likely to buy CFL or halogen light bulbs, 15% less likely to buy special insulation, and 19% saying they’re less likely to buy an Energy Star certified home appliance. The survey wasn’t entirely gloom-and-doom for the green economy: consumer interest in renewable energy for their homes is at an all-time high. Over 54% of respondents said they were likely or very likely to participate in a green power program through their utility, up from 44% last year. Despite the growth in consumer interest in these programs, the survey found that actual participation in green energy programs is at a standstill: over the last three years, the number of consumers saying they already participate in these programs has actually dropped slightly, from 3.4% in 2005 to 3.2% this year. Sheldon chalked this up to poor promotion and marketing from utility companies.

Although much of the drawdown can be blamed on fallout from the sub-prime mortgage loan scandal, Shelton Group CEO Suzanne Shelton said that economic concerns are only half the equation. Fewer consumers seem willing to put the up-front cash into a green or energy-efficient purchase despite how much it may save them in the long-run or how it might assuage their guilt about the environment,” Shelton added. “Marketers should take notice with respect to the content and credibility of their messages. Prices matter, and consumers may be growing weary of companies that appear to tout ‘green’ merely as a marketing ploy.

Art pioneers donationware

Alternative rock group Radiohead, has released their seventh studio album, In Rainbows, as a donationware download from their official website: that means you can pay what you like to download it. You decide what to pay for the 10 MP3 files - from nothing to £100.  So far they have not revealed how many people have ordered the album, or what they paid, but you can see the reactions online here - some have paid as much as £ 20 voluntarily.  Chris Hufford, a Radiohead manager, commented “There are actually people who are going on websites and saying:, ‘I don’t actually like Radiohead, but I’m going to give them some money because I think it’s a brilliant idea.’”   The files are provided without copy protection - meaning fans can copy them to any other computer or music-playing device. Radiohead are the latest act to circumvent the traditional routes of supplying music to their fans. Earlier this year, Prince gave away copies of his latest album, Planet Earth, with the Mail on Sunday newspaper in the UK.  Indie band the Charlatans are also giving away their next album as a free download to fans who visit the website of radio station XFM.

(I wonder how Microsoft would do if they offered their ubiquitous operating system or office suite as donationware.  If you could charge for testing their buggy software it might be worth the download  :-).)

TV makes you bad

A study carried out at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, US analysed 2,707 children aged two and five, based on information from their parents and found that children aged five who watch television for 2 hours a day are more likely to suffer behavioural problems and poor social skills - fresh evidence that too much television can harm children’s development. However, children who were weaned off high levels of television-viewing were at little risk of having their development affected.

16% watched two or more hours daily only when they were two, 15% only when they were five, and 20% maintained their two-hour viewing habit over the three years. Health experts were most concerned about the children starting to watch television for prolonged periods at the age of five.  The study also found that 41% of the children involved had a television in his or her bedroom.

Earlier this year in the UK, a psychologist told MPs that letting young children watch just one and a half hours of TV a day could put them at risk of health problems, including attention-deficit disorder, autism and obesity. Dr Aric Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society and member of the Institute of Biology, said “Between the ages of nought and three, particularly when children are acquiring language, their brains are going through rapid development and are being physically shaped, like a piece of clay, in response to what they are exposed to. “Key stages of development are language acquisition and social skills and if they’re displaced at this stage, they may be irreplaceable.

Holonics

Behaving like monkeys

A couple of articles discussed recent research in to the genetic programming of fairness. A study by Keith Jensen of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology published in Science concludes that a sense of fairness is genetically encoded in humans, but not in chimpanzees. It is also apparent that some people are fairer than others. And the research suggests that it is as much a genetically programmed sense of fairness, rather than intellectually learnt.

Fairness is important to the stability and prosperity of social groups. The sense of fairness, and a willingness to punish the unfair even at some cost to oneself, is what allows large social groups to form. Without it, free-riders would ruin such groups, because playing fair would cease to have any value.

While I might frivolously accuse the “rich and powerful” of behaving like chimps when greed and power are displayed without empathy, the consequence of humanity having a significant proportion of the population without the “fairness gene” raises important paradoxes. If it is necessary that humanity’s social order becomes more equitable to resolve the pressures on the biosphere, and this requires individuals to give up excess consumption, how can those without the “fairness gene” achieve this? Perhaps it requires that those with the “fairness gene” behave less patiently (patience is the other advanced characteristic shared with the taxonomic tribe hominini) as this appears to help balance social exchanges. Further research might also indicate whether this “fairness gene” is more prevalent in some ethnic groups than others which might account for different social trajectories of societies around the world over the past 5 millenia. If so, as economic wealth reaches eastern and southern populations, the trend to equity would accelerate. We can hope so, anyway.

Further reading: Science Daily: Chimpanzees, Unlike Humans, Apply Economic Principles To Ultimatum Game; Science Daily: Genes Influence People’s Economic Choices; The Economist: Patience, fairness and the human condition; BusinessWeek: Of Economic Choices—Human And Otherwise

“Living” Companies Perform Better

We are especially drawn to this title being advocates of anthropomorphic business models and biomimicry. This article, Living Companies Perform Better, outlines the approach discussed in the book Profit For Life. While the specifics may differ from other proponents, the systems approach is common to this big picture way of managing complex organisations. It draws upon the lessons of nature to redefine ways of working with increasingly complex businesses. Here are the author’s, five common attributes that can be found in companies that mimic living systems:

• The companies are built of layers of networks that relay information and feedback both internally and externally. Many of the networks are informal between people inside and outside of the company.
• The companies are managed with people and relationships in mind. Companies actively let employees make decisions and hold employees accountable.
• Living companies use natural resources wisely, conserving energy and materials, with the waste of one process, feeding other processes. Conservation of financial resources mirrors conservation of natural resources.
• Living companies are open to input from all shareholders and employees, building trust and capacity.
• Living companies are aware of the larger systems they are part of, i.e. nature, communities and markets.

Straight away one notices the open management approach so well described by Ricardo Semler in Maverick. Biomimicry also draws the parallel with nature, which extends one’s tool box by drawing on the encyclopaedia of the biosphere.

And the author offers evidence that this model increases returns and reduces risk too.

(The Ecologist  has a readable article on biomimicry in their October issue “It’s only natural”.  They also recommend the following sites for further reading:  www.zeri.org, www.biomimicry.net, www.biomimicryguild.com)

Let innovation be free

The Economist reports on the changing face of innovation, its benefits and how to encourage it.  What is clear from the various articles is that openness, open systems, freedom to do business are the characteristics that allow creativity to flourish.  The internet is such an environment (you only have to browse YouTube to see that).  And that regulation , IP protection and similar distortions are not helpful in the emerging global economy of democratic capital.  Open systems are inherently innovative.

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Activities, Media and Gatherings

Home and Garden

BT Notes: Halloween, biking, yoga, PestalozziWorld Ireland, garden …

Halloween is one of my favourite time of year.  Colours are changing.  Its not quite the dead of winter.  And we have an excuse to party  ;-).  Over the past few years I’ve also come to experience the importance of the changing rhythm of life at this time of year.  Its a time when nature prepares for the coming year: store food for winter, start sewing spring seeds, sort the survivors from the rest in new families (foxes, rats and squirrels are most obvious casualties).  The symbolism of a bonfire is appropriate to getting rid of dead wood from our lives if we want to make a new start.  The pagan ritual was symbolic of a sense of respect for those gone before - the dead; this also is useful grounding in the modern consumer culture of credit driven desire for more stuff.  I hope you have a chance to reflect on past and future this Halloween.  If you need a bonfire to help … come and stand around ours to be lit at 7pm.  Here are a couple of links for more on the traditions of this time of year: Halloween,  Samhain (from ancient Irish).

I’ve started mountain biking on the beat as briars and nettles slowly retreat.  Its great!  But a bit dangerous.  I’ve kissed the nettles and nearly bathed in the Slaney a couple of times, but its getting a bit easier each time.  Its definitely adults only (or with adult supervision).  If you want to join the fun, please let me know.
Yoga is in full swing: 8pm at Teach Bride, Tullow or Thursday at 7.30 at Mount Wolseley, Tullow.  Give Pam a call for more info 086 0891141.

Pam has set up PestalozziWorld Ireland an affiliate of the group that sponsors children’s education in Asia and Africa.  We’ve always believed education is the best way to improve lives and communities and this charity helps the least advantaged.  If you would like to know more, check out the website or chat with Pam or me.  There’ll also be an information reception on 7th December - please let us know if you’d like to come.
The tomato harvest is winding down now as the weather turns cool and humid and will only be available for another week or so.
We had a couple of tours of the garden since last months offer.  The garden infrastructure and history has become more interesting to me since reading Joseph Paxton’s biography.  Paxton rose from garden boy to member of parliament and advisor to many in the first half of the 1800s. It was a time of great interest in horticulture when new propagation techniques and global expeditions to find new species took place.  It is at about this time that the walled garden would have been constructed and the rhododendrons planted.  The interest in horticulture then was similar to the investments in IT today.  The biography is A Thing In Disguise if you’re interested.
The experiment with a blog seems to be going well - web traffic doubled last month so somebody’s reading it!.

Happy Halloween.

Tomatoes and tilling

I finally got some overdue chores completed in the garden.

The tomato harvest is in full swing and they need to be harvested at this time of year or they can deteriorate quickly. Although the greenhouse is warm enough for them to grow, the low temperatures overnight combined with seasonal humidity result in high condensation on the fruit which accelerates disease and rotting. Once they’re harvested they can be removed to a cool, dry area and last longer. We also make jars of pasta sauce and freeze bags of cherry tomatoes which can be used for culinary delights later in the year.

It is also a good time to control weeds which are growing in uncultivated space. Ideally proper weeding would be done, however, that is not really possible for me because of the large area cultivated and the limited time I have. Even if I had time, it would be uneconomical. (That is why Africa can import fresh veg to Europe - the wages are very low and allow for the air freight cost.  A friend with 10,000 hectares under cultivation in Africa reckons the that for every Euro of European local labour, Africa substitutes 20c of African labour and 80c of air-freight!)  So today I tilled 3 of six plots and the expansion plot - that’s about 700 sm with a 2-wheel tractor.

Farewell Spotty

Spotty died last night.  He was a beautiful Faverolle cock.  He looked quiet last night when I put him to bed.  This morning he was still slightly warm and supple, but otherwise lifeless.  There were no signs of injury or sickness and he’s less than a couple of years old.  Very sad.  We’ll miss him.

Media and Gatherings

You Tube for scientists

If you want to complement your video browsing with something a bit more scientific, check out SciVee.  It has two main types of video: those accompanied by documentation for peer review and those without peer reviewed papers.  For example, there’s a video of 6 science bloggers discussing their blogs or a lighthearted look at transgenic mice.

Planetpals

A friendly website with facts about our planet from how big it is to how it works.  Lots of information and educational tools.  Planetpals.com  and the main earth related page.

Awareness to Action: Sustainable Finance for today’s global markets

UNEP FI Global Roundtable, Awareness to Action: Sustainable Finance for today’s global markets, took place on 24-25 October.  The website now offers presentations, summaries etc online.

Heroes of the Environment

Under the byline of A Sense of Urgency, TIME’s annual celebration of heroes spotlights the most innovative and influential protectors of the planet.  Congratulations.  You may not agree with all their picks, but its a great roll-call of people who have changed systems to save the planet.  See them all here.

Examples of those feted are: Interface chairman Ray Anderson, carbon market pioneer Richard Sandor, Japanese rock stars and green-finance leaders Kazutoshi Sakurai and Takeshi Kobayashi, Cradle-to-Cradle innovators William McDonough and Michael Braungart, next-generation solar entrepreneur Shi Zhengrong, Ahmet Lokurlu creator of an emission-free solar cooling system, and wind-power magnate Tulsi Tanti.

God, the Universe and Everything

This video (God The Universe and Everything Else) records a discussion between Stephen Hawking, Arthur Clarke and Carl Sagan, moderated by Magnus Magnusson.  It is a very forward looking and, although recoded in 1988, offers insights today.  Worthwhile viewing.

Anti-whaling video

The Australian government has launched an anti-whaling video aimed at Japanese children.   The video, which carries Japanese subtitles, urges all countries to stop catching and killing whales.  (Japan opposes the international prohibition of commercial whaling.  Every year it hunts hundreds of whales in Antarctica under what it describes as a scientific research programme.  This year, it will hunt 50 humpback whales - an endangered species - as well as more than 900 minke whales, a move criticised by anti-whaling nations.)

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