Yahoo News Big oil to be eclipsed by the sun
Oil has been a game-changer for humanity. It turbocharged more than a century of growth and destruction: people got bigger, went further, stayed warmer and lived longer. Oil powered travel, exploration, science, industry and innovation.
But it also powered conflict, both as a fuel and a potential spoil. It exacerbated inequality. And it polluted – oceans, rivers, wildernesses and, of course, the atmosphere.
It is clear that we cannot go on like this. That is why it was heartening this week to learn that renewables were experiencing such strong growth that demand for oil might peak in the next decade.
Barely a week goes by without some new renewables record being achieved. In London, environmental activists are glueing themselves to trains and railings to urge the transformation that can halt the climate crisis. It may be quietly and slowly happening already.
Elsewhere, we had an eclectic mix of stories on the Upside, including:
• a soap opera as birth control? Two-minute read
• a promising innovation in treatments for eating disorders. Three-minute read
• young people having a great night out (in New Zealand local elections). Three-minute read
Lucky numbers
Gender equality is improving across Europe, according to the latest survey. But which country is best? Have a guess, then click here.
Meanwhile, the World Bank reported that India has halved its poverty rate since 1990
What we liked
An initiative founded by the journalist and photographer Oliver Gordon called Struggles From Below, which aims to ‘focus on solutions – and the people behind them’. Sounds like a fellow traveller…
We also liked the idea of an all-African smartphone, made entirely within the continent, as reported by CNN
What we heard:
Kalumba wrote below the line on an article about opposition to fracking:
Excellent article which captures so well the grit and stamina of this inspired group. Their collective achievement is massively inspiring in climate of these troubled times ... Long live!
Councillor Tim Gard, in South Australia, called for “the means for bringing the large groups of under-40s together from each nation to create international synergies” on a range of issues.
It is most stimulating to hear of trends towards reversing the manmade effects of climate change, albeit it must not be viewed as a replacement or reduction of pressure on the need to reduce emissions in any case. Ideally the best solution is not to pollute in the first place.
Robert Griffin emailed:
Love the emails. I think they would flow and read better if you didn’t underline the links in the text. Having them a different colour is enough, they don’t need to be underlined as well.
To which our design team replied:
We don’t rely on colour alone for the important element like hyperlink on the website, as some users have difficulties to distinguish the differences between certain colours.
Where was the Upside?
In Vienna, where a man (and a woman) ran very, very fast
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