Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ivar Giaever resigned as a Fellow from the American Physical Society Tuesday, condemning the group's official stand on global warming. In his resignation note, Giaever wrote: "In the APS, it is ok to discuss whether the mass of the proton changes over time and how a multi-universe behaves, but the evidence of global warming is incontrovertible?" --
International Business Times, 15 September 2011
Having recently announced that he wants to use the Royal Society as a tool to influence political debate, Paul Nurse has now decided that he's going to use his position as Royal Society president to try to influence elections more directly, taking a direct shot at the US Republican party. Is it just me that finds the spectacle of the president of the Royal Society wallowing around in the mud just a little unedifying? –Andrew Montford,
Bishop Hill, 15 September 2001
You would probably be even more disturbed to be told that these are the opinions expressed by potential Republican candidates for the US presidential nomination... If those who are anti-science in the US are allowed to carry the day it will ultimately hurt the American economy. Who will be able to take its leaders seriously? --Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society,
New Scientist, 14 September 2011
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, wants the society to have a stronger voice on the big policy questions of the day. "The Royal Society has a responsibility to provide advice on difficult issues, even if they are contentious," he says. He hopes to boost the society's role in government decision-making by fostering greater involvement of its roughly 1,500 fellows and foreign members in preparing reports, potentially with the help of more policy staff. --Geoff Brumfiel,
Nature, 13 September 2011
Windfarm bosses are expecting a huge payout after Hurricane Katia proved too gusty for the National Grid to handle. Thirteen windfarms had to be temporarily taken off the national grid on Saturday as high winds battered the country. Windfarm owners are likely to be in gales of laughter as they await a huge compensation cheque that could give them a windfall running into the millions. --
Evening Times, 14 September 2011
Government climate change targets will put £500 on the average family's fuel bill within four years, a study warns today. The report warns that the political elite's obsession with renewable energy will damage Britain's competitiveness without necessarily doing anything to tackle climate change. --Jason Groves,
This is Money, 15 September 2011
In both India and China today, the mantra is grow, baby, grow. Clean, baby, clean, will have to wait. --Walter Russell Mead,
Via Meadia, 13 September 2011
