Articles

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and plays a major role in regulating the weather and climate of the planet. It seems unbelievable, then, that it has taken so long for climate scientists to factor in the dynamism of the ocean into their climate calculations. But it’s not as easy […]

Climate change worriers have been on a steep learning curve for years. Desperate for certainty about the carbon cycle and how it affects climate, they’ve been grappling with concepts like “parts per million”, “feed back loops”, “CO2 equivalents” and “carbon sinks”. Reliance on the media as a primary teacher simply has added to the confusion. […]

The one size, one shape, one skin tone monoculture that dominates our ideas of beauty is a cultural poison. The only antidote is to recognise that beauty is a journey, not a destination. Spring is here. The birds are singing. The trees are blooming. In stores across the country a colourful array of swimsuits has […]

Of all the forms of alternative energy, none is so contentious as biofuels. More than a decade ago the possibility of filling the energy gap with fuels made from plants came charging onto our horizons full of bold promises.  But the promises have not been fulfilled and this book in part aims to explore why. Within […]

  There’s the price that you pay for something in the store and then there’s the other price, the hidden price, the price that everyone pretends isn’t real. This challenging, at times gritty documentary by director Frank Piasecki Poulsen goes deep behind the gloss, glamour and convenience of mobile phones and reveals a price so […]

Flea powder probably isn’t something you think often about. But with some frighteningly toxic ingredients you should: they can be deadly for you and your pets. By Pat Thomas The pet care industry is big business. In Europe pet owners spend around £10 billion ($18 billion) on products for their animal companions while in the […]

Christmas dinner means only one thing for millions of us: turkey. But the intensively reared and genetically manipulated birds that most will consume this holiday season leave a nasty taste in the mouth. By Pat Thomas At a time of year when we are supposed to be practising good will, spare a thought for the […]

Biodiversity. It’s this year’s big green word. Yet when we think of biodiversity we think mostly along the lines of plants, animals and insects. This beautifully illustrated book reminds us that human diversity is a vital, but often overlooked link in that chain. These days when we talk about learning from other cultures we often […]

It’s the condiment of choice for a million fast-food outlets and a staple sauce in homes around the world, but there’s more to tomato ketchup than meets the eye, says Pat Thomas In Britain we like a bit of sauce. Especially on our chips. Our taste for tomato ketchup is such that we currently spend […]

Spices don’t simply add flavour to your food – they also aid digestion, protect against bacteria and prevent a range of illnesses Spices generally add a more pungent taste to foods. Wherever possible, it is best to buy the whole spice and grind or crush it yourself. This way the aroma will be stronger and […]