Author Archives: Paddy Morris
John Tyndall – Ireland’s Greatest Climate Scientist
Science in 1861 was very different to now, and entire fields of study and concepts that are now taken for granted – quantum physics, the theory of relativity, continental drift, the big bang, DNA, the uncertainty principle, black holes, an … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus
Tagged climate change, CO2, environment, global warming, History, Ireland
3 Comments
Mary Robinson – Reshaping the debate on climate change
For those of you who missed it in November, Mary Robinson’s lecture ‘Reshaping the debate on climate change’ is available to watch on YouTube now: John has covered this lecture in a previous post, which I have taken the liberty … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sustainability
11 Comments
The economics of climate change: discounting the future, ignoring the poor?
Economists looking at climate change face a difficult task, with uncertain climate models, chaotic climate systems and possible catastrophic threshold effects. Often, when looking at the impacts of climate change different mitigation/adaptation options and emission scenarios will be looked at, … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Global Warming, Sceptics
Tagged climate, climate change, economics, environment, global warming
61 Comments
Driving an Electric Car
I was fortunate enough to test-drive the Nissan Leaf this week, and thought I would post some first impressions. The car itself is very comfortable, and for anyone used to a Prius (or any automatic), it drives exactly like a … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Sustainability
Tagged carbon, CO2, Electric Cars, electricity, Peak Oil
5 Comments
Lloyd’s of London on Peak Oil and Climate Change: Business as usual is no longer an option
Lloyd’s of London recently published a white paper called “Sustainable Energy Security: Strategic risks and opportunities for business (PDF)“. It would appear business as usual is no longer an option. The paper is available for free online and is essential … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming
2 Comments
Decreasing carbon emissions without affecting the quality of life
There are a couple of simple ideas, which if implemented could make deep and long term cuts in our carbon emissions, while maintaining (or even increasing) the quality of life for all. In no particular order, they are: 1. Immediately … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Sustainability
Tagged carbon, climate, climate change, CO2, emissions, global warming, Sustainability
4 Comments
Now there’s an App to zap the sceptics
The always useful site Skeptical Science, with its handy list of the most common arguments used by climate change sceptics and detailed rebuttals of them, is now available as an iPhone app. So next time a discussion occurs and one of … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Media, Sceptics
Tagged climate, climate change, climate hoax, sceptics
2 Comments
21st Century Swords to Plowshares: From Megatons to Megawatts
Currently, hydropower provides 6% of the USA’s electrical power, and solar, biomass, wind and geothermal combined provide 3%. Dismantled nuclear weapons provide 10%. The ‘Megatons to Megawatts’ programme was instituted in the 1990s as a means to secure the weapons … Continue reading
