Scientists from Food Science Australia, a government-funded research body, have now demonstrated that natural foods sourced by Australian aboriginies aid in the fight against cancer. The fruits, in particular, found in bushland are high in anti-oxidants which are proven to help teh body resist cancer and other diseases. They include red and yellow finger limes, …
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Time to compost Belgium …?
Though Brussels is the centre of Europe it seems that Belgium is coming to the realisation that its nationhood is of no use any more because of bickering between Walloon and Flemish politicians. The Economist points out that Belgians themselves are asking whether or not it is better to split the country down the middle …
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US cosmetics fast turning eco-natural
A new report from Organic Monitor, UK-based organic industry analysts, shows that the natural and organic sector is the fastest growing in the North American cosmetics and toiletries industry, with sales increasing by 20% a year and strong growth projected with its share of the total US personal care products market doubling to 15% in …
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Healthy eating makes you good and brainy
A children’s nutrition survey by the UK education charity Food for the Brain has shown strong links between a healthy diet and higher SAT scores. The survey also reveals “the shocking state of children’s diet and mental health in Britain” which leads to one in three children suffering from attention or concentration problems and mood …
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Not for sale – end slavery
A campaign to end slavery, check out Not For Sale and the interesting people behind the campaign.
How We Got into the Subprime Lending Mess
This linked article, How We Got into the Subprime Lending Mess (published by my alma mater Wharton), describes the background to the changes in the mortgage industry that contributed to the dislocation between stated risk/return profiles and reality of the loans. The comments following are insightful too.
Turn Iran from a threat into an opportunity
Jean-Pierre Lehmann eloquently describes the opportunity to include Iran in globalisation which would benefit the world, rather than consuming resources needlessly. The benefits include participation of the nation with the fifth largest oil reserves, access to a great world civilisation and a balance to fundamentalist culture. We support his suggestions following: Stop treating Iran as …
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US Fed drops rates from 5.25% to 4.75% – oh dear …
Oh dear … Well, it wasn’t as if it wasn’t expected. Futures were pricing a 100% chance of a drop of 0.25% and a 50% chance of a drop of 0.5%. But I still think it was a dangerous mistake. Inflation is pulling at the rein and the speculative dynamic of stock markets continues to …
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More money than deals in clean tech
As we expected, there appear to be more money than deals in clean-tech. New Energy Finance reports: 2006 was another record year for Venture Capital and Private Equity investment in the clean energy sector, with $18.1 billion invested in companies and projects. This represented a 67% increase on 2005 ($10.8 billion), and beat New Energy …
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IEA reports on poor record of energy consumption
Energy Use in the New Millennium by the International Energy Agency published on 10 September draws a gloomy picture of efforts made by the 26 IEA member countries to control their energy consumption since 1990, the reference year of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. “Final energy-use increased by 14% between 1990 and 2004. This …
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