Egged on by European energy companies, Senegal has ambitious plans for producing biodiesel from jatropha. The country also targets self-sufficiency in food. Is there a contradiction here?
Connecting rural India then and now
The closure of the Redcar blast furnace in Teesside is an ironic reversal of colonial power relations between Britain and India. But India’s industrialists cannot rest easy until their wealth stimulates the rural economy.
The shock doctrine of climate activism
Never let a good crisis go to waste is the inspiration of the Robin Hood Tax campaign. Does this imply that climate change campaigners must bide their time until the next Hurricane Katrina?
Zuma stirs the HIV hornets
2010 is a year of reckoning in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The personal affairs of President Zuma of South Africa continue to provoke controversy.
Car ownership and the climate
For climate change campaigners, the purchase of new car raises awkward questions. Is it a threat to credibility or an opportunity to support the best available technologies?
The Worst Week Ever
This has been a terrible week for climate change campaigners. Should we take our cue from US Senator John Kerry and just avoid mentioning the climate word?
How to speed read on development
I don’t mind studying opinions which differ from mine but there are some showstoppers. Is this prejudice or efficient research methodology?
Bonus pools plumb depths of injustice
A scandal of global inequality will unfold over coming weeks as investment banks declare their results. Without our taxes, there would have been no bonuses.
Third sector threatened with eviction
The international NGO movement missed crucial opportunities in the global financial crisis. New leadership is needed to restore its position in the political process.
Make haste for IPCC Fifth Assessment
Climate change sceptics tell us not to worry so much whilst many respected scientists such as James Lovelock warn that it’s too late. We won’t know who to believe until the science improves.