Extinction Rebellion

So a bunch of eco-activists have decided to draw attention to the whole issue of climate change by disrupting public transport in London through various means. They've done that, but also managed to annoy an awful lot of people in the process. Getting realistic change generally involves getting the people with the power to make it happen on side somehow, not by antagonising them.

In relation to climate change, the boat has arguably sailed on any meaningful action to prevent it. We're not going to be able make the necessary changes by 2030, because humanity is at heart a selfish and greedy species. The best we can reasonably do is prepare ourselves for a 4 degree rise over the course of this century and once climate change really starts to bite (it already has), it's going to be very unpleasant for a large number of people.

I can take some grim comfort from the fact I'll likely be dead by the time it happens.

Forgive us Lord our selfish ways.

March for the Alternative

The TUC are organising a large march in London today against Government spending cuts. The Government says that those against the cuts need to have an alternative.

Here's some of my alternative, then:

• Aim to eliminate the bulk of the deficit by 2020, not 2015.
• Halve the speed of the cuts.
• Cut salaries of top executives - no public sector worker should earn more than the Prime Minister
• Require universities to make similar cuts on top-level pay before they are allowed to charge £9,000 a year
• Focus on getting people into work in the private sector, so they can fuel growth
• A Robin Hood tax.
• Ensure that funding to local councils is based on local needs (e.g. free school meal requirements). It is unjust that Witney should have a far smaller cut than Lewisham.

Elsewhere in the Middle East

There have been further clashes between protesters and the government in Syria and Yemen, with deadly force being used against peaceful protesters in the latter.

My message to those regimes: Shame on you.