Steve Martin

The Valley that Changed the World, and Could Do So Again.

Transforming the Derwent Valley for a Regenerative Future May 10, 2024 Image by Derwent Valley MillsAuthors: Jonny Norton, Stephen Martin, Chris Ives — School of Geography University of NottinghamNestled within the picturesque landscapes of Derbyshire, England, lies the Derwent Valley — a valley once pulsating with the relentless energy of the Industrial Revolution. From theContinue reading “The Valley that Changed the World, and Could Do So Again.”

MURDER IN THE CLIMATE ASSEMBLY by Denise Baden

Murder in the Climate Assembly is a contemporary literary fiction novel that weaves moral philosophy, climate policies and elements of the popular whodunnit genre into an engaging story.This original take on the traditional campus novel addresses broad themes of what justice means in an age of climate change. The story grapples with one of theContinue reading “MURDER IN THE CLIMATE ASSEMBLY by Denise Baden”

A Quantum Year of Turmoil

We are in the International Year of Quantum (IYQ). Can the conceptual turmoil in physics one hundred years ago tell us anything about doing science amidst the political turmoil we experience today?Karen O’Brien Feb 2025 The International Year of Quantum (IYQ)How exciting! The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum ScienceContinue reading “A Quantum Year of Turmoil”

Paradigm Shakes

We seem to be stuck in a dangerous and destructive paradigm. Our current approach to climate change is painfully inadequate. Will shifting paradigms be easier if we start with a few small shakes?Karen O’Brien Jan 20 ExtremesThese are not easy times. It’s hard to watch the news and read the latest climate projections. And it’sContinue reading “Paradigm Shakes”

Biesta: The Beautiful Risk of Education

We seem to be in the process of creating an education system that strives to reduce all risks whilst making ever-greater demands. The new system tells our students they must work harder, be more productive, and aim ever higher, but is not prepared to allow them simple freedoms or opportunities to make choices and toContinue reading “Biesta: The Beautiful Risk of Education”

Back to fossil fuels-with AI?

An edited opinion piece by John ElkingtonAccording to the International Energy Agency (IEA), AI-related energy demand is set to almost double between 2022 and 2026. Bad enough, but Generation is more pessimistic still. “There are … forecasts that are much more drastic,” it concludes. “It is easy to imagine a world in which ever moreContinue reading “Back to fossil fuels-with AI?”

Interdisciplinarity makes us greater than the sum of our parts

The real world is complicated. Let’s give our students the tools to take it on with interdisciplinary education Graduates are increasingly entering a work landscape that demands agility, flexibility and a diverse skill set, and as a result, the value of interdisciplinary education is on the rise. Universities are seeking out ways to expand students’Continue reading “Interdisciplinarity makes us greater than the sum of our parts”

WHAT IS TRUE NET ZERO?

From the Guardian 19/11/2024 Under the “true” net zero definition, the natural world’s vast carbon-absorbing capabilities must only be put to work to remove historical emissions so that the planet can slowly cool over time, the net zero researchers say – not to cancel out future fossil fuel pollution.“It is a common assumption that removingContinue reading “WHAT IS TRUE NET ZERO?”

NET ZERO MEANINGLESS WITHOUT NATURE’s SUPPORT

There can be no net zero without nature. Each year, the planet’s oceans, forests, soils and other natural carbon sinks absorb about half of all human emissions. They feature in dozens of national plans to limit global heating to below 2C. This week, however, the scientific architects of net zero have a warning: you haveContinue reading “NET ZERO MEANINGLESS WITHOUT NATURE’s SUPPORT”

THE URGENT NEED FOR AN ACADEMIC REVOLUTION IN OUR UNIVERSITIES

By NICHOLAS MAXWELL- PHILOSOPHER We might put the matter like this. Humanity faces two fundamental problems of learning: learning about the universe and us and other forms of life as a part of the universe; and learning how to create a genuinely good, civilized, wise world. We have solved the first problem of learning. WeContinue reading “THE URGENT NEED FOR AN ACADEMIC REVOLUTION IN OUR UNIVERSITIES”