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Scientific Alliance Newsletter - 20th August 2010
Feeding the 9 billion plus people expected to be alive in 2050 will be a challenge, but not an impossible one. A new edition of the Royal Society's 'Philosophical Transactions' covers this complex situation in detail in a series of 23 papers.
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20/08/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 6th August 2010
Sometimes hard choices have to be made, and short-term humanitarian problems may trump longer term environmental concerns.
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06/08/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 30th July 2010
Those searching for the simple life often want farming to become more local, less intensive and more sustainable. Is this a realistic and sensible aspiration?
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30/07/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 23rd July 2010
A look back at 20th Century history reminds us that each generation has a sense of impending catastrophe.
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23/07/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 16th July 2010
Commissioner Dalli has announced plans to allow Member States the choice of whether or not to grow approved GM crops. Is this likely to break the current impasse for crop biotechnology in Europe?
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16/07/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 9th July 2010
In the week when the third and final report into the Climategate affair is published, we look at the impact of this and other inquiries.
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09/07/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 2nd July 2010
This week, we look at the thorny issue of Peak Oil. Will we have to deal with the potentially disastrous consequences of demand oustripping supply, or will reserves and output continue to increase?
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02/07/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 24th June 2010
Failure to appreciate the point of view of others means the breakdown of scientific dialogue.
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25/06/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 18th June 2010
Should we feel guilty about the impact our species has on the environment? The UN Development Programme and EU Environment Commissioner seem to think so.
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18/06/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 10th June 2010
Friends of the Earth are vehemently opposed to GM crops. How credible are their arguments?
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10/06/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 4th June 2010
An essay on why progress is not smooth, and how straight-line projections can alert us to the need to invest in the future.
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04/06/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 28th May 2010
Will climate change continue to top the list of environmental issues?
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28/05/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 21st May 2010
Holding to principles is generally considered a good thing. But in the field of policymaking, beneficial outcomes are more important.
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21/05/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 14th May 2010
The EU is in the midst of multiple crises, some immediate, others more long term. At times like these, what is likely to happen to climate change policy?
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14/05/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 7th May 2010
Recent research shows that, at the farm level, organic management has a surprisingly small effect on biodiversity. Because productivity is lower, more land is needed, so the broader environmental impact of large-scale organic farming would be higher.
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07/05/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter - 30th April 2010
The UK election: what about the environment?
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30/04/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 23rd April 2010
This week, we consider two new approaches to the development of renewable energy, and also the concept of ecocide.
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23/04/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 9th April 2010
A critique of the peer review process: a flawed system but the best we have.
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09/04/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 1st April 2010
This week, we consider the distinction between 'sceptics' and 'deniers', and also James Lovelock's view that modern democracy is barrier to decisive action on climate change. Finally, the Appeal Court judgement that Simon Singh can use the argument of 'fair comment' in the libel case brought against him by the British Chiropractic Association.
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01/04/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 26th March 2010
Nissan have announced that they are to build the Leaf - the first mass-produced, all-electric, family car - in Sunderland. From 2013, up to 50,000 will roll off the production line each year. How likely is it that such cars will displace the internal combustion engine?
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26/03/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 19th March 2010
The climate change juggernaut seems to be faltering. The UN has been forced to announce an independent investigation into the workings of the IPCC, and policymaking momentum has been lost. How will the debate develop now?
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19/03/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 12th March 2010
The first GM crop to be approved for cultivation in the EU for 12 years - an industrial starch potato - has been given the green light. What might this mean for the future of crop biotechnology in Europe?
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12/03/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 5th February 2010
Some thoughts on economic growth, environmentalism and the human frailties of scientists.
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05/02/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 29th January 2010
Governments and pressure groups often call for a transformation of the transport system, with a move away from the private car. Is this possible? Should we even be contemplating it?
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29/01/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 22nd January 2010
Climate change science has come in for vigorous attack over 'climategate' and now 'glaciergate', but these incidents do not change the situation regarding the certainty or otherwise of the science. It would be good to see these two events as a wakeup call for all involved to treat opponents' views with respect and work to resolve the differences.
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22/01/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 15th January 2010
Some thoughts on the future of farming, particularly regarding genetic modification.
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15/01/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 8th January 2010
Reflections on the outcome of the Copenhagen conference and the future direction of climate change policy
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08/01/10 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 18th December 2009
In the final newsletter of 2009, we look at what the final outcome of the Copenhagen climate change conference might be and consider what 2010 may bring.
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18/12/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 11th December 2009
As the Copenhagen climate change conference gets under way, we consider how mitigation policy should be arrived at, and the pitfalls of adopting a prescriptive, top-down approach to decarbonisation.
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11/12/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 4th December 2009
Some reflections on 'climategate' and the forthcoming Copenhagen climate change conference.
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04/12/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 20th November 2009
Some thoughts on the likely outcome of the Copenhagen climate change conference and public opinion on the issue.
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20/11/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 13th November 2009
Some thoughts on the reality of species loss and the roles of modelling and observation in science.
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13/11/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 6th November 2009
Deconstructing Gordon Brown's speech to the Major Economies Forum on climate change
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06/11/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 30th October 2009
A discussion of Lord Stern's views on meat eating, and the role of farming in greenhouse gas emissions.
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30/10/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 23rd October 2009
This week: thoughts on the next generation biofuels, the latest Royal Society report on the application of science to improve food security and plans for a new London airport in the Thames estuary
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23/10/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 16th October 2009
Climate change wars: some thoughts on attempts by the government and Church of England to sway public opinion.
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16/10/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 8th October 2009
If we want a secure, low-carbon source of electricity, then nuclear has much more potential than wind.
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08/10/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 2nd October 2009
The end of the world is nigh: a discussion of the latest Met Office suggestion that average global temperatures could rise by 4°C this century
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02/10/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 25th September 2009
In praise of progress: some thoughts on costs, benefits and the precautionary principle
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25/09/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 18th September 2009
A look back at the achievements of agricultural pioneer Norman Borlaug, and a discussion of the World Development Report and climate change policy.
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18/09/09 |
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Scientific Alliance newsletter 3rd September 2009
A discussion of the benefits of phasing out incandescent lightbulbs and a welcome for David MacKay as chief scientific adviser at DECC.
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03/09/09 |
