‘Sherlock Holland‘ to tackle IPCC report
March 10, 2010
The United Nations have initiated an independent investigation of the errors that have recently come to light in the IPCC 2007 Climate report, and the Netherlands will be in the centre of this operation.
The international investigation will be carried out by the Amsterdam based InterAcademy Council (IAC), a world wide body in which 18 national academies of science cooperate. At the same time the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), the Dutch’ own official strategic environmental planning bureau, is also stageing an investigation. PBL has been asked to do so by the Secretary of the Environmental and Parliament. Among other things the IPCC report contains some faulty figures on the percentage of Dutch land surface below sea level.
In a unique ‘crowd sourcing’ move, PBL has launched a special website www.pbl.nl/meldpunt, on which anyone can report possible further errors. The PBL's evaluation will be supervised by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), that also serves as the IAC head quarters.
The IPCC report errors cropped up in the so called Second Working Group section (on environmental effects of climate change) that must rely partly on less-than-scientific documents, due to lack of peer reviewed scientific ones. Even so the errors cost IPCC considerable public loss of face. Related stories...
Photo: © Michel Robles
Martial Art
Once they were bullets, pistols or grenades. Now under the deft hands of Mozambique’s possibly most famous sculptor Goncalo Mabunda they have been transformed into Art.
Recycling AK-47's and other arms from the one-time civil war has become the trade mark of Mabunda and a couple of his fellow artists. I saw some of the results in a small B&B in Antwerp. But even the British Museum and the Bill Clinton Foundation acquired pieces from the 'Arms into Art' programme. Read more…
Photo: © Michel Robles
High on FSC
Ten years ago the Netherlands were an admired environmental pioneer nation. Nowadays, due to a shortsighted neoliberal policy we are almost tail-end Charley within the European Union. Belgium, on the other hand, is a real runner-up. Last December (2010) the Flemish Leukenheide distillery presented Dennenknopje (Pine Bud). Dennenknopje is the world’s very first jenever (traditionally a truly Dutch strong drink), made from a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) labeled wood product. The gin-like softbooze is distilled from pine cones from the Pinus silvestris. The pines grow in Flanders’ vastest, FSC certified forest region Bosland. A local high from an okay forest. Innovation can be anywhere.…
Questioning Plastiki pride
The newly designed cradle-to-cradle catamaran Plastiki has recently arrived is Sidney after a publicity voyage from California across the Pacific Ocean. The designers claim extreme recyclability. But, contrary to earlier announcements, the ship will not be up-cycled now that it has reached its destination. The builders say they've become too attached to their newborn baby. Of course, the vessel can be a showcase for years to come. But, hey, isn't this kind of attachment of people to their achievements precisely the reason why our earth is becoming such a cluttered place? www.theplastiki.com
Sweet C2C
Cradle-to-cradle handmade beauty: go haunt the town's antique and recycle shops and flea markets for a bunch of elegant (or maybe you prefer funny or modern design) plates, saucers and wine glasses. Wash them well, sand the glasses' brims lightly and glue things together with strong porcelain glue. Any shape, size and design you fancy, will do.
Lo and behold: you have now created your own home grown bonbonnière! For sweets, cookies, fruit - or sandwiches if you like. Ladies love'em! Dozens were sold in a fashion shop in my home town. Enjoy more...
Photos: © Michel Robles
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