The new sliding roof over the Wimbledon Centre Court represents an extreme and expensive example of adapting to climate uncertainties. Low cost index insurance is a valuable tool for poor farmers but can it work if climate becomes even less predictable?
Tag: alpha
UK climate projections betray Copenhagen agenda
The new UK climate projections published by the Met Office Hadley Centre are a valuable risk management tool for policymakers. But they also speak volumes about the global failure to protect poor countries from climate change.
Climate activists should look beyond Copenhagen
The outcome of the G20 reinforced fears that the US and China will not reach agreement on climate change this year. Maybe it’s time for campaigners to downgrade the Copenhagen summit, however unpalatable.
How can poor countries fight the credit crunch?
Anger is brewing amongst African governments as their economies are undermined by a crisis for which they are not responsible. They lack the monetary tools available to countries attending the G20 London Summit.
The decadence of chewing gum removal
In Costa Rica, municipal authorities compete with each other to plant the most trees. UK cities seem to be more concerned about removal of chewing gum from the pavements. Does this reflect cultural diversity or just muddled priorities?
Searching for a new economic and social model
As the nationalisation of major banks looks increasingly likely, the World Social Forum is promoting a “new economic and social model”. It’s always informative to revisit Cuba when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of socialist ideals.
World poverty in Obama’s inauguration speech
Would global poverty feature in the new president’s inauguration speech? Yes it did, but let’s hope that Barack Obama adopts rather less biblical language when it comes to real policy.
Questioning the happy ending to Slumdog Millionaire
Setting the final scene of Slumdog Millionaire in Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus unwittingly links the film with the recent terrorism outrage. Can the “war on terror” hope to end as happily as the film?
After Mumbai: fear of railway station terror
The carnage of the terrorist attack at Mumbai’s railway station was given relatively poor coverage in the media. Those of us with a fear of railway terror will have India’s ordinary travellers in our thoughts.
Singapore: learning in the lion’s den
Singapore is well known for its shortcomings in human rights, freedom of speech and democracy. It’s also well known for creating a stable, safe and prosperous multi-racial society. Maybe its time for students of human development to take a closer look.