Back after several days of 'health leave' I'm staggered by the volume of news and developments coming our way in the interim. There's a fascinating bit on Biomimetic Ocean Power for underwater electricity generation inpsired by kelp fronds, at WorldChanging.com.. And a warning that insects--yes, mosquitoes and the rest of the baddies as well as butterflies--may increase their populations at higher rates with warmer climate.
But the most talked about news I unvoluntarily dozed through was the release in the U.K. of the 'Stern' Review on Global Warming. By now, you all must know something of its key revelation: that "the benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economics costs of not acting." It goes a long way to taking us beyond the pictures we have in our minds of melting arctic ice and smokestack-obscured sunsets. It helps us visualize the coming real economic and human costs--supporting untold numbers of climate refugees, dealing with floods, droughts, and storms...and yes, those damned mosquitoes.
I can't argue with the facts and figures, as many, including the folks over at my current favorite Environmental Economics site will. I can, however, do my best to urge that you make this topic number one at your dinner table, in your business, or in your emails. True, government (especially ours) will have to set its denial aside and redraw its policies for big things to happen--but your action and your voice are critical to making this happen.
I'll leave you with a look at the short and long executive summaries of the Stern report, a cogent review of the work by WorldChanging, and an insight into the nitty gritty environmental economist's take on it. Give 'em a look, and go forth confident that one by one we'll see the powers that be coming to grips with reality.
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