M Zahidul Haque IT appears that the Novel Corona Virus has caused to break up the universal ties between Men and Nature. A sombre shadow of gloom has plunged over the entire natural habitat.
Tag: Columns
Europe’s social safety nets were not ready for the corona shock
by Sarah Marchal and Ive Marx on 21st April 2020 @IveMarx The coronavirus crisis has punched a hole in Europe’s safety nets. But they were already frayed and urgent repairs are needed.
People not in safety net count need to be seen and supported
Mostafa Kamal Majumder As the duration of the coronavirus lockdown is in the fourth week in Bangladesh beginning on March 26, new categories of people vulnerable to hunger are emerging. They are normally not the people to ask for support…
The coronavirus, health inequality and social democracy
Carol Johnson The coronavirus may be indiscriminate but health inequality means that while all humans are vulnerable, some are more vulnerable than others.
Preventing the next virus outbreak
Michal Rotem The coronavirus is not a natural disaster but the outcome of a system of agriculture subordinating animal, and human, welfare.
The corona crisis will define our era
Karin Pettersson Karin Pettersson writes that the pandemic has highlighted the frailties of a short-sighted and hyper-individualistic social system.
A great equaliser
by Branko Milanovic @BrankoMilan Branko Milanovic writes that the coronavirus is reminding some of the world’s privileged what it is like to experience its daily stigmas.
Hard truths about the eurozone crisis
There has been little honest reflection within the European Commission about the eurozone crisis. Until now.
Industrial countries gamble with younger generations’ future
Through the Fridays for Future protests, young people vent their frustration with political short-sightedness—yet little is being done to tackle intergenerational injustice.
New firms for a new era
Societies should not allow firms’ owners and their agents to drive the discussion about reforming corporate governance.
Fridays for Keynesianism
Peter Bofinger Keynes recognised the key role of the financial system in modern capitalist economies and Peter Bofinger argues the 2008 crisis must bring the demise of neoclassical economics—which still doesn’t.
Brexit: The British Government starts to recognise reality
Brendan Donnelly Michael Gove’s acknowledgement that trade between the UK and the EU after 1st January 2021 will be far from frictionless is a watershed in the Brexit process. The claim that Brexit would not significantly impinge upon British trade…
What’s at stake in the Democratic primaries
Sheri Berman sets out the reasoning of the contending camps behind the US Democratic presidential contenders—and their European resonances.
Isn’t a wealth tax common sense?
The wealth tax proposals advanced by Democratic US presidential primary contenders have drawn vehement criticism from many who should be supporting them.
WEF: Towards sustainability with neoliberal recipes?
The World Economic Forum has recognised intellectually that Scandinavian social models offer an alternative to rising inequality. It just can’t accept this ideologically.
Moving beyond coal: policy lessons from across Europe
A new report has identified good and bad practices which can inform national efforts at ‘just transition’.
The world has lost its compass
By Roberto Savio Rome, Jun 3 2019 (IPS) – The terrible feeling I had on waking up and seeing the Italian voting results at the recent European elections was that my country was suddenly full of strangers. How could the…
Elites want more refugees: Why?
Robert J. Burrowes There is much being written about the refugee crisis in Europe at the moment but none of what I have read explains why the problem is occurring and what will need to be done for the problem…
Economic destabilisation, rigging of Shanghai Stock Market?
By Prof Michel Chossudovsky he dramatic collapse of the Shanghai stock exchange has been presented to public opinion as the result of a spontaneous ‘market mechanism’, triggered by weaknesses in China’s economy. The Western media consensus in chorus (WSJ, Bloomberg,…
Knowing less is equally alarming
Sudhirendar Sharma This book is for those who not only think that climate change is an urgent problem, but also agree that getting the world off fossil fuels is difficult. If you support either of these two positions, this book…
15 organisations defending land rights
Danielle Nierenberg The increasing trend of international land grabbing—when governments and private firms invest in or purchase large tracts of land in other countries for the purpose of agricultural production and export—can have serious environmental and social consequences. Investors claim…
Regional consequences of the Iranian nuclear deal
By Afro-Middle East Centre The agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme concluded this week seems to be an example of the benefits of concerted diplomacy. Once it is ratified by the US Congress and Iranian Supreme National Security Council, the agreement…
Station 50 of an Indian journalist
S, Gopikrishna Warrier Man had not walked on the moon when I was born. It took another five years for that “giant step for mankind.” I was born a long time ago; a rather long time. In the year I…
Obama’s Pacific trade deal trails behind China’s dev vision
By Nile Bowie Often touted as the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s re-engagement with Asia, a close vote in the US Senate has brought the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) a major step closer to becoming law. Facing significant opposition within his…
30 funding resources for sustainable food advocates
Danielle Nierenberg Farmers are the backbone of resilient local and regional food systems, yet many are aging or retiring. The FarmLASTS Project at the University of Vermont estimates that 70 percent of farmland in the United States will change hands…
Most attitudes and beliefs are outcomes of fear
Robert J. Burrowes I routinely come across efforts to change an individual’s attitude, belief and/or value by using education to teach the ‘right’ one. This is most usually intended to lead to a better behavioural outcome, such as someone who…
Assam scribes demand protection of media persons
By Nava Thakuria The media fraternity of Assam in northeast India has come out to the street demanding the legitimate protection for media persons across the country. Journalists representing both print and television media, while demonstrating their angers against the…
Chefs creating change
Danielle Nierenberg Chefs have a unique part to play in making the food system more environmentally sustainable, socially just, and delicious. They connect producers and consumers, understand where food comes from, and know what consumers want. Food Tank is excited…
Effective water governance: Need of the hour
By Ermelinda Dias Water is identified as 3rd largest risk in the World Economic Forum Risk Report, 2015. Water resources are constantly under pressure due to increasing population and changing lifestyles, pollution and overuse. A growing population pressure on finite…
20 Earth Day superheroes
Danielle Nierenberg April 22nd is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day—an important opportunity to highlight solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. On a planet in which hunger and food waste coexist, where crops feed…