Economy – Page 3

TRANSITIONING FROM THE PANDEMIC: Sound Advice from the OECD

As governments proceed to reduce the lock down measures implemented to contain Covid-19 they are being encouraged to implement a 5-step decision making framework which takes account of longer-term impacts of climate change. We do not need gung-ho business as usual changes which stimulate carbon intensive industrial and consumption growth, knowing only to well thatContinue reading “TRANSITIONING FROM THE PANDEMIC: Sound Advice from the OECD”

SHOULD UNIVERSITIES BE A FORCE FOR SOCIAL GOOD?

Imagine if a university totally reoriented itself around redeveloping its locality. It would only offer teaching and research directly relevant to this mission. It might bring in local employers, partner with private training providers, and only carry out research that would benefit its local communities.This idea by a leading consultancy firm was headlined in theContinue reading “SHOULD UNIVERSITIES BE A FORCE FOR SOCIAL GOOD?”

The Intelligence Trap: Why do clever people make stupid mistakes?

I have argued that our universities are not yet addressing, at scale and urgency, some of the systemic existential issues of our time. We are currently facing the Covid-19 pandemic and our collective understanding of this crisis is woefully inadequate. And this underpins some of the ill-judged policy decisions made in response to its impact.Continue reading “The Intelligence Trap: Why do clever people make stupid mistakes?”

What is a Climate Emergency?

Many of our governing bodies at both national and local levels are declaring a climate emergency. But what does this mean? Do we carry on as before or are we meant to do something differently? We usually think of an emergency as some event that has happened that requires an urgent need for action toContinue reading “What is a Climate Emergency?”

2020 – TEN YEARS TO SAVE THE PLANET!

This is the front-page headline carried by the Daily Mirror on New Year’s Day. Will this be the year transformative change happens? Or will we face another decade of business as usual? One relatively simple test of our current trends in decarbonising our lifestyles is to ask ourselves this question: How many cars can theContinue reading “2020 – TEN YEARS TO SAVE THE PLANET!”

The Money Myth

As the party election policy machinations gather pace the media headlines become more and more hyperbolic. One party blames the other that their respective spending plans will bankrupt the country. What do these pontifications mean to us ordinary individuals who know little about the economy? Today’s Daily Mail (10 November) will strike fear into manyContinue reading “The Money Myth”