A Glimmer of Hope
It’s not much and it’s not nearly enough but there’s a rare glimmer of hope in the report that China’s coal consumption has fallen for the first time this century.…
China
The Oliver Stone Rossiyskaya Gazeta interview: Ukraine, US media bias, Putin, MH-17 and more
American film director, Oliver Stone, recently gave a lengthy interview to the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta. He is in the region helping to produce a documentary with the title Ukraine…
The Big Question Now is When?
Several years ago a non-governmental organization, the Global Footprint Network, came to my attention. GFN’s purpose was to monitor the state of the biomass around the world on a global,…
The Umbrella Revolution and the Hypocrisy of the Harper Cons
It's an amazing sight, thousands of young pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, defying the old guard in Beijing. Daring to lecture them on the limits of power, in their own…
Hong Kong—a people who actually care about democracy
North Americans don’t seem to care much about democracy. Canadians don’t, and our good neighbours the Americans don’t. We enjoy considerable freedoms along with our electoral systems of government, but…
The Climate Change Deal We Cannot Live Without
Just what does all this squabbling about greenhouse gas emissions really mean? What has to go into an effective climate change agreement? What factors are in play? Here, courtesy of…
Saturday Morning Links
This and that for your weekend reading. – James Meek observes that decades of privatization in the UK have eliminated public control over housing and other essential services – and…
It’s Called "Virtual Water"
Water-stressed Israel realized this year ago when it recognized that its exports of Jaffa oranges were really exporting “virtual water.” It took scarce water to grow the orange and when…
Could America Break Its Own Bank on a Russian Anvil?
The sanctions being plastered on Russia by the US and her allies are already having a rebound effect, especially in Europe. Russia is not only the major supplier of the…
India – Superbug Time Bomb
India is the worst but it’s not alone. All of the emerging economic superpowers share the same problem – the abuse of antibiotics. For India, it’s the result of a…
Happiness & Fulfillment
There are ten methods for meditating on the world, begins one scroll in the 1,300-year-old collection of Tang-dynasty sutras from Xian, China, that can lead us to happiness and fulfillment.…
The Tibetan Plateau – Asia’s Armageddon?
To Asia’s three nuclear powers, the Tibetan plateau represents life or death. China, India and Pakistan are all dependent on the headwaters of rivers that are fed by the glaciers…
When Confidence Fails
Few who lived through the Cold War with its constant threat of nuclear annihilation realize the role confidence played in preventing an outbreak of apocalyptic hostilities. Even at times when…
China Moves to Nationalize Christianity
Yeah, I know, it sounds wacky but it’s true. China wants to nationalize as in “Sinicize” the Christian religion as it’s practiced in the Peoples Republic. “The construction of Chinese…
China’s Changing Waste Management
China’s rate of economic development has caused massive change in the country and that includes the impact on waste management. Waste from consumer goods, industry, and other “good” things for…
From My Quotes Cupboard: China’s leaders could have ruled the waves, but blew it
Decisions made can impact centuries, as China found out when its leaders made a shortsighted decision in the early 1400’s: In Nanjing today you can see a full-size replica of…
Remembering Tiananmen Square
25 years ago in Tiananmen Square there was a protest against the Chinese government. The protest was dealt with lethal force by the government – killing many people. Since then,…
Good news: China’s Fracking to reduce its use of Coal
Early China coal mine When it comes to global warming, coal is the biggest culprit in the warming of the earth. China is taking giant strides to reduce its need…
“Those Mainlanders” and other racist ways to start a sentence
I was at a restaurant with friends a few weeks ago. The conversation was kind of slow, so I mentioned my plans for travelling to Hong Kong next year and…
Mad As Hell
I got up this morning to a fog rolling into the city. It’s not from rain, or from temperature change or any other natural reason for a hazy day. It’s…