environment
Green Column [September 2006]
Submitted by brian on Mon, 2006-09-04 00:00.environment | society
This might be heavy going.
In 1968 a guy called Garrett Hardins wrote an essay entitled "The Tragedy of the Commons". Although I came across the Essay in the mid '80s, the premise of the essay is more relevant that ever.
The essay demonstrates that when natural resources are held in common, freely available to everyone for the taking, the incentives that normally direct human activity lead people to steadily increase their exploitation of the resources until they are inadequate to meet human needs. The exploiters generally do not intend to cause any harm; they are merely taking care of their own needs, or others in want. Nevertheless, the entire system moves to disaster. Everyone in the world shares in the resulting tragedy of the commons.
Green Column [February 2006]
Submitted by brian on Tue, 2006-02-14 09:54.environment | waste
Whinge, Whinge, Whinge
The more I start to get my head around the ways of the world, the less I really want to know. I’m in preachy form this month so if you don’t want to read a big whinge then don’t bother reading any more.
Each week, the leftovers of consumption in Clare amount to 10 kg per person. 1,000 kg of resources are consumed upstream to satisfy this consumption. Yet only a tiny fraction of these resources actually reach the hand of the consumers downstream. Most of them become waste in the course of the extraction and manufacturing process. For instance, with all the hidden waste, a toothbrush "weighs" nearly 1.5 kg and a 20 kg-computer some 1,500 kg!
Green Column [October 2005]
Submitted by brian on Tue, 2005-10-11 10:39.environment | politics
Why does anyone go into politics?
Most people will answer that question with a mention of power, influence, money, ego and other non-complimentary terms. The profession has a low esteem in public perception. I can only speak for myself when I say I am involved primarily because I want to influence the world my children will live in and it was something I was drawn to, not sure why. I am a slightly hyperactive individual who is full of opinions and energy. I have no great ambitions towards power, wealth or fame. I do have a strong sense of justice and it is my experience most politicians share these attributes.
