Monthly Archives: February 2014

This is the view of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a lobby group, onthe imagined “scientific consensus” that most of the global warming since 1950 was manmade: This, however, is what the published, peer-reviewed science actually shows: Over and over … Continue reading →

When James Lovelock published his famous “Gaia” theory in 1979, I thought he was nuts.  He talked about the links between all biological life in the biosphere, and he had a point.  But he seemed to be saying not simply that … Continue reading →

When I first heard that Nick Clegg had asked Nigel Farage for a debate on EU issues, I was (as they say) gob-smacked.  Turkeys voting for Christmas.  A Clegg death-wish.  A boy sent to do a man’s job. I’ve debated … Continue reading →

On the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: The “Winston Churchill” locomotive I remember as a child my parents taking me for holidays on the South Coast, and a key attraction that’s always stuck in my mind was the Romney, Hythe … Continue reading →

Not at these prices! I occasionally get e-mails from UKIP members saying “OK, I know why we oppose wind and solar.  But we can’t afford to be against all renewables.  Why don’t we take a strong stand in favour of … Continue reading →

Britain spends nearly £12 billion a year on foreign aid.  By international standards, we are almost grotesquely generous.  We are the second largest aid donor in absolute terms (behind the USA), and the sixth largest in relative terms, at 0.56% … Continue reading →

We need a sense of proportion The floods have achieved one thing: they’ve whipped up a frenzy about climate change.  Some flood victims (for whom we all have enormous sympathy) have been seen with banners calling for “climate action now”.  … Continue reading →

Public opinion in the UK has been hugely influenced by the movie “Gasland” which showed inter alia gas coming out of a domestic water tap (or as the Americans say, “faucet”) and being set alight.  A dramatic image which has … Continue reading →

On Tuesday morning I attended a breakfast briefing sponsored by Eurelectric on the Commission proposal on the deployment of electric infrastructure (actually the full title runs to 21 words, but I thought you’d be happy if I abbreviated it).  We had … Continue reading →

I am a passionate supporter of the Monarchy as an institution (though I have had occasion once or twice recently to castigate our Crown Prince over his rather wild views on climate and the environment).  So I’m happy to have … Continue reading →

… and all must have prizes! In the Caucus Race, in Alice in Wonderland, Alice asked the Dodo, who was organising the event, who had won.  After some deliberation the old bird replied “All have won, and all must have prizes”. … Continue reading →

UKIP Energy Spokesman backs IPCC position In its Third Assessment Report, 2001, the IPCC stated: “In sum, a strategy must recognise what is possible. In climate research and modelling, we should recognise that we are dealing with a coupled non-linear … Continue reading →

How EU legislation damages financial services Generally speaking I only blog about things I understand.  But just occasionally I get to hear about issues outside my day-to-day experience.  I think I understand the money market issue that follows, but I’ll … Continue reading →

There’s been a lively debate on Twitter recently about climate change, and the IPCC.  Believe it or not, there are people out there who think the IPCC is a panel of 2,500 scientists who all support Al Gore’s orthodoxy.  Michael … Continue reading →