All Entries in the "Economics" Category
More Than Rio
by Einar Du Rietz The Rio circus has barely started and already, reports are streaming in on plans for international taxation schemes, close to police power for the UNEP…believe me, the list will be longer. For regular reports from our team in Rio, check out www.cfact.org . Meanwhile, in Europe, the environment ministers don’t want [...]
You Win Again
by Einar Du Rietz The most famous bet in the environmental debate is probably the one between the Late Julian Simon and alarmist Paul Erlich in 1980, over predicted shortage in natural resources. As much as the story still amuses me, it also serves as a constant reminder of the optimism we all deserve more of. [...]
4th International Conference on Climate and Energy (updated)
For the 4th time, the European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE), the Berlin Manhattan Institute, CFACT and a few others host an International Climate and Energy Conference, this time in in the Bavarian capital Munich, Nov. 25.-26 (program below). Renowned scientists such as Professors Svensmark, Shaviv, Veizer and Patzelt, as well as bestselling authors [...]
Video: Why we need affordable Energy
Just follow the link: Halloween Light Show
No More Butter on the Fish
by Einar Du Rietz Yesterday, I watched that widely acclaimed movie by Nora Ephron about Julia Childs and her later follower. Marvelous. And somehow, all about butter. I seldom use butter, as I prefere olive oil, but for certain dishes it’s the best option. All sorts of fish, for example. How interesting then that there is [...]
London Olympics drops carbon offsets
Greens see red as organizers cut waste When London submitted its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, it sweetened its offer with a promise “to purchase emission reduction credits and to invest directly in clean energy projects in the developing world to offset … emissions.” Organizers estimated that “international travel to London by competitors, [...]
Don’t Overdo It
by Einar Du Rietz Last time I had to visit the hospital, the first thing I noticed, apart from the hilarious waiting line, was the rather outdated, but proudly displayed ISO14001 certification. This seemed to be the great pride of the place and apparently, the certification had nothing to do with the – just reported in media [...]
If it Aint Broken – Don’t Fix it
by Einar Du Rietz A screwdriver often comes in handy. But not as a soup ingredient. Black pepper is essential in any cooking. But don’t try repairing your bike with it. Calculation of GDP is, not only among laymen like myself, but also among skilled economists, regarded as a tricky tool indeed. Still, it’ very [...]
Green taxes v. green research v. productivity
UK green energy researchers seek exemption from green energy taxes The Guardian reports that “world-class research into future sources of green energy is under threat in Britain from an environmental tax designed to boost energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions.” Researchers at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy complained to The Guardian that, “considering [...]
Will The World Be Enough?
by Einar Du Rietz Bureaucracies and weed have the thing in common that when not controlled, they grow beyond control. The same goes for governmental organisations, supra national or others, with the addition that it’s most often difficult even to find out who’s in charge, what the mandate is, not to mention the plan. Delegates [...]
Memo to America: Don’t do carbon trading!
The United States must learn from Europe’s mistakes – not repeat them ROGER HELMER, MEP Senator Harry Reid has repeatedly denounced opposition to carbon trading as “dangerous.” Senator Reid is wrong. It is the House and Senate climate and renewable energy bills that are dangerous. Fortunately, the recent elections and the ongoing dissension at the [...]
Where is the green worker?
Perhaps the most pernicious and pervasive gimmick of recent years is that of “green growth.” “We need not renounce our worldly goods,” we are told, “green is also good for business and millions of jobs will be created by putting technology at the service of a better environment.” Tremendous news: but where are the jobs [...]
Create Prosperity – Not Hypocrisy
by Einar Du Rietz Investing your money and savings for your pension in funds that advertise themselves as more “ethical” than others? Maybe it’s time to think again. Environmental watchdogs are increasingly pointing out funds as dubious, because of investments in different energy companies. In a recent – undercover – study (Swedish) non of the [...]
Allègre con brio: last stance at the OK Corral
Former government minister Claude Allègre is once more to be hailed for fighting the “consensus”, as his recent book is high on the best-seller lists. Yes, discussion is possible; no, scientific progress is not a matter of international voting to find the truth. (This would be comparable to letting the dictatorship countries vote on human [...]
I Didn’t Do It I Was Not Even There
by Einar Du Rietz On March 21, incidentally my birthday, a friend from Iceland called me and said she had organized some fireworks for me. What a pity she could not set off the second eruption one week ago. With all airline traffic closed down in most of Europe, as today, the Climate conference in Bonn would have been [...]
