Such is the sentiment expressed by Mike Hulme from the University of East Anglia in his book, 'Why we disagree about climate change'.  At least that is what reviewer, Sheila Jasanoff, Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Harvard University tells us.

According to that review, Mike Hume's book looks at how climate change, a physical, measurable and observable scientific phenomenon has become a political, social and cultural one.  His purpose, it would seem, is to shed some much needed light on why this controversial issue has become one.  Rather than regard it as some score that we need to settle over an unknown future, Mike Hulme invites us to consider how climate change is shaping us as a society.

As the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen draws ever closer, the raging debate seems to have hit yet another rocky bump with the recent hacking of emails exchanged between scientists on climate change research, emails dating back to 2005.  The incident, incidentally, took place at the University of East Anglia.

It has given timely fuel to climate change skeptics, one of whom declared on ABC television this evening that climate change has become the modern world's crusade, now that the anti-capitalist movement has been resoundingly silenced.

According to an article in the Guardian, about 50% of Americans believe that global warming is the result of human activity.  On the other hand, according to the same article,an overwhelming number of scientists, some 84%, share the same belief.

Why are we so divided on climate change?  What do you think/believe?  How have you come to your conclusions?

I'd love to know :)

Image from abc news

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Hi everyone,

I received an email from President Barrack Obama today.  It was about receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.  I'll let you read it yourself.

I've no doubt that, like me, there must be many others who are surprised, if not shocked, by the news.  A flurry of thoughts and questions went through my mind:  Is this a joke?  Are they taking the mickey?  Why on earth?  Could this be an underhanded way of wreaking havoc and animosity towards the Obama government, both nationally and internationally?

Anyway, do read the letter and let me know what you think:

Lucy

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Image from ABC News : Jake Sturmer

On August 14, 2009, the Supreme Court of Western Australia granted Christian Rossiter the right to refuse food that was being administered to him intravenously. That effectively meant that as Christian edges closer toward the terminal effects of starvation i.e. death, no attempt will be made to revive him.

Christian developed spastic quadriplegic following an accident in which he was hit by a car. Prior to that, he has been a keen bushwalker, cyclist and rock climbers.

"I'm Christian Rossiter and I'd like to die. I am a prisoner in my own body. I can't move. I can't even wipe the tears from my eyes,"

Christian's case is an example of 'passive euthanasia', one in which no intervention is used to support or prolong a person's life. It is different to 'active euthanasia' in which deliberate intervention such as a lethal dose of medication is used to end a person's life.

The 'right to die', also described as 'euthanasia' or 'mercy killing', is a controversial subject. Those who support it believe that a person's life is their personal responsibility and 'possession'. As such, it is their right to end it should they choose to particularly when the person's 'quality of life' is so severely compromised. Often, these arguments revolve around 'free choice' and living and dying with dignity.

Those who oppose euthanasia do so for various reasons. Some contend that life belongs to 'god' and only 'god' has the right to end it whenever 'god' so chooses to.

Others believe that it is simply unethical to end life because there can always be extenuating factors that might influence a person's ability to live longer and even recover from what may currently appear to be terminal illness, non-reversible 'vegetative' states or incurable pain. In extreme positions of this argument, euthanasia or 'mercy killing' is considered 'murder'.

What do you think? Perhaps the following questions might be worth pondering:

• What would you do if you were Christian or if you were told you had an incurable disease which would place you in extreme pain and loss of critical functions eg movement, memory, speech, hearing etc?
• What would you do if someone asked you to help them end their life? Would you see yourself as commiting murder?
  

And here's a particular 'heavy' one:

• What is life and does it 'begin' and 'end'? Should we think of human life as just a form of 'life' as a whole, something that neither begins nor ends?

I look forward to your response!