Energy

By James Dyke | (The Conversation) | – The Earth is on course to lose up to one in six of all its species, if carbon emissions continue as they currently are. This global extinction risk masks very large regional variations. Up to a quarter of South American species may be doomed. These are some […]

China

The China-Pakistan trade corridor and its implications for regional security

contributors

By Brian M. Downing | (Informed Comment) | – China and Pakistan announced, with considerable fanfare in Islamabad, a $46 billion dollar investment program to build a transportation corridor from the western Pakistani port of Gwadar to Xinjiang region in northwestern China. In time, the route will link with Chinese railways bringing Afghanistan’s wealth to […]

Climate Change

Tesla batteries: just the beginning of how technology will transform the electric grid

contributors

By Michael McElfresh | (The Conversation) | – Tesla Motors already makes batteries for its electric cars. On Thursday, it’s expected to introduce battery systems for homes, businesses and electric utilities. The spread of cost-effective batteries will fundamentally change the way the electric grid operates. Combined with other innovations, batteries in homes and businesses will […]

Africa

Global Connections: World History as Social History – a New Synthesis

Juan Cole

I and colleagues have just brought out a world history. Because of the fine and exciting writing of my co-authors, it is more than just a textbook. My readers often ask me about history books – here’s one I can recommend. By John Coatsworth, Juan Cole, Michael Hanagan, Peter C. Perdue, Charles Tilly, and Louise […]

Featured

Iran calls for Nuclear Disarmament by US, Israel, World

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | — At a summit on Monday, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif turned the tables on the countries demanding that Iran keep its nuclear program for solely civilian, electricity generation. Zarif called for all countries to give up nuclear weapons, including Israel and the US. Iran does not […]

Acidification of Oceans

Anger Translation: Why Obama was Ranting against GOP Climate Policy at Press Dinner

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – The Comedy Central show, Key and Peele, made famous a bit by Keegan-Michael Key on Obama called the “Luther, the anger translator,” which plays on the president’s laid back approach to controversial issues. But at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner, Obama outdid “Luther” in ranting against climate […]

Climate Change

BP Defends Tar Balls still washing up in Gulf

contributors

ThinkProgress | – Confronted with BP tar balls still washing up on Gulf shores, a spokesman denies the toxic chemicals are harmful, sidestepping the damage to pristine beaches. Scientists do not agree with him about the balls’ lack of toxicity and point out they can break down in harmful ways. ThinkProgress Video: “BP Defends Tar […]

Acidification of Oceans

Fossil Fuels have to Stay in the Ground: But Renewables are anyway Cheaper

contributors

By Will Steffen and Martin Rice | (The Conversation) Ninety per cent of Australia’s current coal reserves will need to be left in the ground for Australia to play its role in limiting warming to no more than 2C. That’s according to a report released today by the Climate Council, “Unburnable Carbon: why we need […]

Acidification of Oceans

Top Ten ways to prove you Love the Earth on Earth Day

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – I was a junior in high school on April 22, 1970, on the first Earth Day, called for by Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-Wi) (d. 1981). The road leading to our school had been littered with trash, and a group of us went out with black plastic bags and […]