The Steam Engine When George Stephenson’s Rocket was revealed to the world at the Rainhill Trials in 1829, a surprisingly large range of objections was raised. Operators of canals and stagecoaches feared competition from a vehicle that could travel as fast as 25 mph (!) and there were fears about the safety of steam engines … Continue reading The New Industrial Revolution
sustainability
Let’s Get Britain Drilling
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has launched a new campaign in an attempt to seize control of the political narrative about energy security. In a film on the Conservative Party YouTube channel Mrs Badenoch says: “its time for us to drill our own oil and gas in the north sea so I’m calling … Continue reading Let’s Get Britain Drilling
Things that keep me awake at night (2)
Forests could soon be drivers of climate change The carbon cycle consists of a set of natural mechanisms that together process huge quantities of carbon dioxide. These mechanisms involve both the capture of carbon dioxide and its conversion to organic molecules in photosynthesis, and its release into the atmosphere through natural processes (respiration). Carbon sinks … Continue reading Things that keep me awake at night (2)
Net Genius Zero
The Economist reported recently that “Cheap solar power is sending electrical grids into a death spiral”. Solar power is now so cheap that it is breaking the model used to regulate the supply of energy in many nations. Pakistan, the Economist reports, “has sky-high energy prices, a legacy of expensive contracts to pay for capacity … Continue reading Net Genius Zero
Net Stupid Zero
The question “what should we do about climate change?” does not have a scientific answer: our response to the climate crisis will be guided by our moral values, and science does not answer moral questions. However, science can help us to understand the consequences of our decisions. For example, if global temperatures are increasing, will … Continue reading Net Stupid Zero
Science and Non-Science 