Climate Change

We Need a Revolution in Universities to Help Humanity Solve Global Problems

Guest Blog by Dr Nicholas Maxwell, Science and Technology Studies, UCL The world is in a state of crisis. Global problems that threaten our future include: the climate crisis; the destruction of natural habitats, catastrophic loss of wildlife, and mass extinction of species; lethal modern war; the spread of modern armaments; the menace of nuclearContinue reading “We Need a Revolution in Universities to Help Humanity Solve Global Problems”

EMOTIONS AS A BASIS FOR ECOLOGICAL BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE

The question is urgent: emotions about climate change do not directly lead to behavioral change, what is needed? Yesterday de Volkskrant published an interview with Martha Nussbaum, following her latest book ‘Justice for animals: our collective responsibility.’ I really want to share the last paragraph of the interview with you:“Making people feel guilty is not theContinue reading “EMOTIONS AS A BASIS FOR ECOLOGICAL BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE”

REGENERATIVE CULTURES:LEARNING AND UNLEARNING

In an earlier blog I suggested that we are beginning to see evidence of avoiding using the word “sustainability.” “Sustainability is steadily falling into disrepute, mainly because of its reformist piecemeal applications, which exclude wholesale systems change.” In its place terms such as “regenerative paradigms” have come into play. In its broadest sense this encompassesContinue reading “REGENERATIVE CULTURES:LEARNING AND UNLEARNING”

UNIVERSITIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD

It is difficult to imagine a future that is humane, decent, and sustainable without marked changes in the substance and process of education at all levels, beginning with university. David Orr(2018) In my next series of blogs, I want to bring out some of the compelling arguments for transformative change in the education provided byContinue reading “UNIVERSITIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD”

We are awash with all kinds of Greenwash- Are university league tables part of this surge and intensity of flawed reporting?

“The truth is, playing down the potential worst effects of global heating and climate breakdown is far worse than raising the alarm and amounts to what I like to call climate appeasement. It does nothing to help spur the urgent action that is required, and by underplaying the climate threat it works -intentionally or notContinue reading ” We are awash with all kinds of Greenwash- Are university league tables part of this surge and intensity of flawed reporting?”

TRANSFORMING UNIVERSITIES IN THE MIDST OF GLOBAL CRISIS:A UNIVERSITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD

From the Times Higher Education Book Review. No one paying attention needs reminding that universities are “in crisis”. We are beset by critiques of their complicity with neoliberal and extractive capitalism, dispossession of First Nations, top-heavy administrative regimes, and pedagogical shifts away from critical thinking toward so-called job-ready, marketable skill sets. When we turn aContinue reading “TRANSFORMING UNIVERSITIES IN THE MIDST OF GLOBAL CRISIS:A UNIVERSITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD”

12 Renewables days of Christmas

Here’s a renewables Christmas quiz for you: 12 questions. Getting 4 right or nearly right will be pretty good and show a better understanding of the problems our electricity grid faces than most people.Reposted from Bill Scott’s Blog ……….. 1 – The proportion of our electricity generated by coal in 2011 was 29.5%. What wasContinue reading “12 Renewables days of Christmas”

NEW ECONOMY based on NEW SYSTEMS

The role of human agency is an essential element of the authors of this new books analyses, evaluations, and prescriptions. If humanity is to live in harmony with itself, with other creatures, and in balance with the planet’s ecological systems, then we must be clear about what we can and cannot do, and what weContinue reading “NEW ECONOMY based on NEW SYSTEMS”

What can Sustainable Development do for World Heritage Sites like Cromford Mills?

‘Why bother?’ – if you have never thought about sustainability in terms of heritage and education, or have only touched on it, there are several reasons to engage, or engage further: – Public interest: Society is in a state of rapid change not least about rising energy costs and more generally the cost ofContinue reading “What can Sustainable Development do for World Heritage Sites like Cromford Mills?“

CULTURAL HERITAGE in a CHANGING CLIMATE

March 21, 2022 | by Adam Markham Climate change is the fastest growing threat to heritage sites across the world, and as such it was chosen as one of the themes for the 2022 Watch. As a member of the independent panel that gathered (remotely) over three days to make the final recommendation of sites for inclusion, IContinue reading “CULTURAL HERITAGE in a CHANGING CLIMATE”