Monthly Archives: August 2013

Response to Assad use of chemical weapons – If not now, when?

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Rick Altman

The British Parliament may have failed to send a strong message of disapproval but, this may well be the fault of David Cameron trying to rush things. Even more humiliating for David Cameron, it looks like the French will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The video that Shell does not want you to see

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Rick Altman

Watching the Belgian Grand Prix live (yes, I know, I shouldn’t, but I do), I was wondering what all the boo-ing was for. Greenpeace posted this video on YouTube but the FIA/FI got it taken down pretty quick.

Posted in Environment | 1 Comment

How NOT to be sceptical

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Rick Altman

In the process of compiling my previous post, I was reminded of this one; and decided it warranted being re-posted in its own right… Originally posted on 7 September 2011, as How to be a climate change “sceptic”, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Science, Cognitive Dissonance, Confirmation Bias, Denial, Environment, Junk Science, Politics, Pseudo science, Psychology, Scepticism | Leave a comment

Conservatives for conservation (of a habitable planet)

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Rick Altman

Whilst I am aware of – and have previously quoted – Lord Deben (i.e. leader of of the Committee on Climate Change – the advisory group David Cameron and George Osborne are ignoring so studiously), I was not aware of … Continue reading →

Posted in Capitalism, Climate Science, Economics, Environment, Fossil Fuels, Hydraulic Fracturing, Politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

George Monbiot is as incisive as ever

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Rick Altman

I admit it, even though I am (or would like to be) socially conservative, George Monbiot is one of my heroes. His long track record of illuminating the stupidity of climate change scepticism was one of the reasons I decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Crisis, Environment, Ethics, Fossil Fuels, Hydraulic Fracturing, Insanity, Politics, Renewable Energy | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

The graphical nature of reality

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Rick Altman

In response to demand (and comments submitted), here is yesterday’s post in graphical form: Questioning the reality, reliability, or reasonableness of the consensus understanding of atmospheric physics (i.e. that post-1850 warming cannot be explained unless 40% extra atmospheric CO2 is … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Science, Cognitive Dissonance, Denial, Environment, Ethics, Fossil Fuels, Growthmania, Merchants of Doubt, Politics, Pseudo science, Storms of my Grandchildren | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

If global warming has stopped…

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Rick Altman

Can someone please explain why… Arctic ice is still disappearing. Biodiversity is still reducing. Coral reefs are still dying. Deserts are still growing. Experts are still worrying. Fisheries are still shrinking. Glaciers are still retreating. Heatwaves are still coming. Ice … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropocene, Climate Science, Cognitive Dissonance, Denial, Environment | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Scotland – in all its panoramic glory

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Rick Altman

Following on from yesterday’s light-hearted offering, today I give you the delights of my own photographic efforts (as spliced together using Adobe Photoshop). I really will have to get myself a smartphone to do this for me. An almost 180 … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Photography | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Scotland – Cloudy with a chance of…

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Rick Altman

Sunshine… certainly. Evidence of that to follow shortly (i.e. tomorrow). For now, however, here are some examples of other delights and/or dangers to be faced by motorists north of the border: Roadworks… in the middle of nowhere (Laxford Bridge – … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Photography | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Nick Reeves – a tough act to follow

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Rick Altman

In the 20 years that I worked as a hydrogeologist, Nick Reeves was undoubtedly the most inspirational environmental professional that I never met. I am truly shocked to learn of his premature death last month. It seems to me, therefore, … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Tagged , , | Leave a comment