The Environment
For something which is so vital, it's distressing how little concern most people and governments show for environmental matters. This will be the biggest political and social matter within the next century; we should all start thinking now about the environment and how we use and abuse it.
Climate change
Which are the 'greenhouse gases'?
Is global warming man-made?
What are the likely long-term consequences of global warming?
What other climate changes are taking place?
What measures can we take to mitigate or combat these changes?
What are the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels?
What are the alternatives?
Can renewables satisfy our energy needs?
Has nuclear energy a future?
What scope is there for fuel conservation?
Is it possible to be a green consumer?
Is recycling our rubbish enough?
What is 'green' politics?
Do environmental pressure groups succeed in their aims? And is civil disobedience a legitimate option? [see also politics]
Useful links
Farming
How much does British farming satisfy our food needs?
From where do we import significant foodstuffs?
How damaging to the land is intensive agriculture?
Is timber-felling sustainable?
Is the trend to bigger farms inevitable and desirable?
Prince Charles had something to say on this the other day!
Housing
Is high-rise housing over and done with?
Is suburbanisation unstoppable?
How might we reclaim the inner-city as desirable living space?
Do we need more roads?
Should transport be planned or be left to the market?
[see also 3-d
art]
Land ownership
What is it that gives title to land?
How much land should anyone own?
What responsibilities does this ownership confer?
Is there land that belongs to us all?
In what might the right to roam consist?
Industry
Do the old factors in industrial location still run?
What advantages do industrial parks have? And 'science parks'?
What amenities do high-tech industries need?
Why do industries locate abroad? [see also globalisation]