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Le mime est mort
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Balancing growth and green
Jeffrey Ball has a point in wondering if developing nations will risk growth for the sake of the environment.
the debate over how to prod emission cuts by industrialized countries is fast being eclipsed by a more-practical question: how to create incentives for the cuts in the developing world.
With China challenging the US in the biggest greenhouse gas emitter stakes, it is no longer sufficient for established economies to cut back. Rising powers such as India will have to make an effort as well. However, these nations aren’t just going to give in:
Developing economies have made clear they aren’t about to subject themselves to emission caps. The West enjoyed its fossil-fueled century of economic growth, they point out. Now it is their turn.
They are certainly entitled to growth, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be through fossil fuels — though these are still the cheapest and easiest way to power an economy.
The carbon credits market hasn’t had the desired effect. It’s worth billions but hasn’t slowed emissions to the level they need to be.
The Kyoto treaty tries to encourage tree-planting in the developing world by letting companies that do it peddle carbon credits — an additional revenue stream. Some forest-rich developing nations want to be able to sell such credits not just for planting new trees, but for preserving existing ones that otherwise might be logged.
While this proposal was rejected as being too open to abuse, it’s something that should be resurrected. Trees are an elemental tool in tackling CO2, as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. However, in many nations logging clears land for farming as well as being worth a lot of money in its own right.
Lest you think I’m insane, I don’t believe that just planting trees will save the planet. However, it’s just one of many ideas that can make a difference, and it is time all economies took it seriously.
Evolutionary biology and office politics
I knew it! The art that is workplace politics goes way back to our days as hairy apes.
On promotions, Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky references baboons:
Big sharp teeth and lots of muscle have tons to do with which males become high-ranking; social intelligence and impulse control have everything to do with which males remain high-ranking.
He also says the best way to minimise workplace tension is by having lots of small groups, meaning people can move from one to another if there’s some small conflict:
Among lots of hunter-gatherers, you don’t settle the fight with someone by punching it out. You go and hang with your cousins in the next valley for some time instead.
God responds to senator
In a follow-up to the story below, God has apparently filed a response to Ernie Chambers’ lawsuit. It
argues that the defendant is immune from some earthly laws and the court lacks jurisdiction.
It adds that blaming God for human oppression and suffering misses an important point.
“I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you,” according to the response, as read by court clerk John Friend.
There was no contact information on the filing, although St. Michael the Archangel is listed as a witness, Friend said.
A second response from “God” disputing Chambers’ allegations lists a phone number for a Corpus Christi law office. A message left for that office was not immediately returned Thursday.
Magnificent.
Senator sues God
Nebraska state Senator Ernie Chambers sued God last week. Angered by another lawsuit he considers frivolous, Chambers says he’s trying to make the point that anybody can file a lawsuit against anybody.
Chambers says in his lawsuit that God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents, inspired fear and caused “widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.”
The Omaha senator, who skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians, also says God has caused “fearsome floods … horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes.”
He’s seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty.
The lawsuit that sparked this one was filed against a judge who barred words such as “rape” and “victim” from a sexual assault trial. The accuser felt this violated her right to free speech. Chambers considered it a frivolous suit because the Supreme Court had already considered the case. A district judge has already voiced doubts that the accuser’s case has a legal basis.
Still, Chambers has some balls going up against God. He’s the first person I’m aware of who did so in real life. But I guess if you’re going to make a statement you might as well aim for the biggest target you can think of.
Links of the day
The small farm and the cow. The man continues to inspire. (Paul Coehlo)
Tapes released of Simpson in Vegas. If these tapes are accurate Simpson is quite possibly the dumbest man in existence. (AP)
Ramadan’s peaceful roots. (James Carroll/International Herald Tribune)
NY attorney general investigating energy companies. He’s probing if investors were given enough information about the financial risks of CO2 emissions of five firms’ future coal-power plants. (Earth2Tech)
Rule change favours Pakistan’s Musharraf. Seems he’ll be able to seek a new term as president while still head of the army. Slimy bollix. (AP)
Belgium to split? A division into Walloon and Flemish regions is looking more and more likely. (Catholicgauze)
Wallonie-sur-Mer. While we’re on the subject of Belgium, what the country would look like if the Flemish part was submerged, leaving only French-speaking areas. Plus an interesting few facts on how many governments the nation has. (Strange Maps)