What does CO2 look like?

Globalisation – a flawed ideology

The Nation has an interesting article on an ex-IBM executive in the US who is questioning the economics and politics of unbridled “free” trade.

Take a look here:  The Establishment rethinks Globalization.

John Ralston Saul has a related book entitled The Collapse of Globalism.  He’s a Canadian author and intellectual and the book describes well the rise and fall of what we commonly know as Globalisation.

Here’s a short passage to give a little taste:

“While the true believers continue to insist – sometimes enthusiastically, but more often angrily these days – on global inevitabilities, you will hear, if you listen carefully, a rising babble of contradictory sounds.  A growing number of nation-state leaders – along with the more interesting businessmen, have changed their vocabulary, gradually weeding out the global assumptions.  The new discourse is more complex, sibylline, less grandiose.  Much of it is built around the idea of citizens and society…..

….it is again respectable to admit that the era preceding Globalisation was one of the most successful in history for both social reform and economic growth.  Why, apart from an ideological sweep, should we ever have dismissed it as a failure when we could have weeded out its weaknesses and built on its accomplishments?”

 Image source: globalisation-tibet-nike-woman by flickr user exposedplanet under creative commons licence

Growth isn’t the answer, it’s the problem

Some great posts from Australian e-journal Online Opinion.  First up is a great critique of the mantra of increasing economic growth (via population and consumptive growth).

Hot on its heels is a piece by Mark Bahnisch on why Australia’s apparent economic sunshine isn’t winning over the electorate as reflected in polling.

Technorati Tags: growth, economics, Australian politics, green, envrionment

Even smarter – zero emissions

Technorati Tags: smart, global warming, climate change, automotive, green, environment

The word on the street is that Daimler-Chrysler’s smart brand will soon be releasing two hybrid models – a diesel and a petrol version.

Petrol – 4.3 litres/100km

Diesel – 2.9 litres/100km

Even more impressive is the prospect of an all electric smart car which releases no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse emissions.  When combined with a 100% renewable energy deal at home, this would be the first major vehicle manufacturer to deliver zero emissions driving.

Can’t wait for the electric version to hit Australian shores.