31 July 2008
EC Veto
The League of Nations was a precursor to the United Nations. It was founded after the first worldwar to find a peaceful way to solve conflicts.
Jean Monnet was deputy to the secretary-general. On the failure of the League of Nations (we wouldn't have had a second world war if it had succeeded) he said:
The veto is at once the cause and the symbol of the inability to go beyond national self-interest.
- In Europa - Geert Mak
After the second world war Monnet became an important architect of the European Community.
With the current discussion on the European constitution, the veto is still haunting his brain child.
Jean Monnet was deputy to the secretary-general. On the failure of the League of Nations (we wouldn't have had a second world war if it had succeeded) he said:
The veto is at once the cause and the symbol of the inability to go beyond national self-interest.
- In Europa - Geert Mak
After the second world war Monnet became an important architect of the European Community.
With the current discussion on the European constitution, the veto is still haunting his brain child.
25 July 2008
Wetlands Loss Fuelling CO2 Feedback Loop
Wetlands hold massive stores of carbon -- an amount in CO2 equivalent comparable to the carbon content of today's entire atmosphere.
However, wetlands, including peatlands, continue to be converted to other uses around the world, resulting in large emissions of carbon and methane.
By itself, climate change is already degrading wetlands, especially in the Arctic and near Arctic regions where the once permanently frozen peatlands are thawing. If global average temperatures rise 3 or 4 degrees C, most wetlands, will likely dry out.
more...
However, wetlands, including peatlands, continue to be converted to other uses around the world, resulting in large emissions of carbon and methane.
By itself, climate change is already degrading wetlands, especially in the Arctic and near Arctic regions where the once permanently frozen peatlands are thawing. If global average temperatures rise 3 or 4 degrees C, most wetlands, will likely dry out.
more...
10 July 2008
tram
De Weense tram is een glanzende schommelende doos, een machine waarin een paar honderd kilo mensen heen en weer wordt geschud om toekomst van hen te maken. Honderd jaar geleden zaten zij met net zulke gezichten in de postkoets, en over honderd jaar zal er god mag weten wat met hen aan de hand zijn, maar zij zullen er als nieuwe mensen in de nieuwe toekomstapparaten precies zo bij zitten.
Robert Musil, 1914 (uit In Europa - Geert Mak)
Robert Musil, 1914 (uit In Europa - Geert Mak)
29 June 2008
Who's the boss?
me: You'd better be kind to your father, we're deciding on plenty of things for you.
Hanna (14): You'd better be kind to us, we're deciding on the retirement home you'll be in.
Hanna (14): You'd better be kind to us, we're deciding on the retirement home you'll be in.
20 June 2008
Sustainable energy study
A great study on UK energy generation scenario's and alternatives,
with accurate numbers and calculations.
The entire article "Sustainable energy without the hot air" is online, here's a 4 page summary.
with accurate numbers and calculations.
The entire article "Sustainable energy without the hot air" is online, here's a 4 page summary.
15 June 2008
pope reintroduces Communion-on-the-tongue
Electing an 80 year old german shepherd as a pope, what did you expect.
Side note:
I remember when the election of this pope was announced Live on VRT TV as Benedictus Sextus Decimus, the reporter (Jan Becaus) translated this to pope Decimus the Sixth.
He started out funny and gets better every day.
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