mi Rosberg: Hamilton drove like a champion By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 07:48:24 GMT Nico Rosberg praised Lewis Hamilton for his drive to victory in Australia and said he unsuccessfully mounted a full-scale attack in the closing stages Full Article
mi Hamilton: I was in complete control By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 08:43:13 GMT Lewis Hamilton admits he always had something extra in his pocket throughout the Australian Grand Prix after leading home a dominant Mercedes one-two in Melbourne Full Article
mi Hamilton amused by Horner's equalisation comments By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:21:13 GMT Lewis Hamilton says he finds Christian Horner's calls for equalisation "funny" considering the success Red Bull enjoyed in recent years Full Article
mi Hamilton blocked from novelty helmet change By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:48:51 GMT Lewis Hamilton appears to be the first victim of the FIA's controversial helmet ban after being blocked from wearing a novelty lid in Malaysia Full Article
mi Hamilton: Ferrari pace a surprise By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:17:42 GMT Lewis Hamilton admits he is surprised about Ferrari's competitive lap times in Friday practice but thinks he left plenty of time on the table from his own qualifying simulation Full Article
mi Why Matter Matters: How Technology Characteristics Shape the Strategic Framing of Technologies By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Nov 13, 2019 Nov 13, 2019The authors investigate how the executives of the two largest research institutes for photovoltaic technologies — the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, USA and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) in Freiburg, Germany — have made use of public framing to secure funding and shape the technological development of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The article shows that the executives used four framing dimensions (potential, prospect, performance, and progress) and three framing tactics (conclusion, conditioning, and concession), and that the choice of dimensions and tactics is tightly coupled to the characteristics of the specific technologies pursued by the research institutes. Full Article
mi Why the U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord is a Mistake By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Dec 4, 2019 Dec 4, 2019The authors explain why the Trump administration's reiteration of its intent to finalize U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a tragic mistake that will weaken us as a nation. Full Article
mi Illuminating Homes with LEDs in India: Rapid Market Creation Towards Low-carbon Technology Transition in a Developing Country By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mar 19, 2020 Mar 19, 2020This paper examines a recent, rapid, and ongoing transition of India's lighting market to light emitting diode (LED) technology, from a negligible market share to LEDs becoming the dominant lighting products within five years, despite the country's otherwise limited visibility in the global solid-state lighting industry. Full Article
mi Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson Outlines Ways Organizations are Changing in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and Climate Change in New Edition of "Environmental Insights" By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 8, 2020 Apr 8, 2020Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, shared her perspectives on how large organizations are changing in response to the coronavirus pandemic and climate change in the newest episode of "Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program," a podcast produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Listen to the interview here. Listen to the interview here. Full Article
mi Transatlantic Dialogue: The Missing Link in Europe’s Post-Covid-19 Green Deal? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 10, 2020 Apr 10, 2020This policy brief emphasizes that the European Green Deal's effectiveness in a post Covid-19 world will require the involvement of strategic partners, especially the US. In the context of a potential US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the consequential vacuum, it will be even more important to engage the US in implementing the GD. In light of divergence between the US and the EU during past climate negotiations (e.g. Kyoto, Copenhagen, and Paris), we suggest a gradual approach to US engagement with GD initiatives and objectives. Full Article
mi New Committee to Advise Bacow on Sustainability Goals By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020Harvard University has created a Presidential Committee on Sustainability (PCS) to advise President Larry Bacow and the University's leadership on sustainability vision, goals, strategy, and partnerships. The Harvard Gazette spoke with committee chairs Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor; John Holdren, the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy at Harvard Kennedy School; and Katie Lapp, executive vice president, about why it is so important to act now; the role of the PCS in developing collaborative and innovative projects; and how the campus community can get involved. Full Article
mi Emerging Issues in Economic Diplomacy By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 2, 2020 Apr 2, 2020The nine issue papers contained in this report were proposed and written by graduate students at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. They present fact-based, nonpartisan analysis to help focus the next Administration on the key policy debates that must be resolved. And, they aim to create a platform for our students to engage with the most pressing policy issues of the day as they continue their careers in public service. Full Article
mi The United States Can Still Win the Coronavirus Pandemic By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 3, 2020 Apr 3, 2020The Trump administration has made one mistake after another—and, with some foreign-policy changes, could emerge with more global power anyway. Stephen Walt details those recommended foreign policy changes. Full Article
mi Oil Markets Provide a Glimpse of the Post-Pandemic Future By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 7, 2020 Apr 7, 2020Henry Kissinger warns that many existing domestic and international institutions that have helped govern the past decades will not survive the Covid-19 crisis. He is surely correct. Full Article
mi Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson Outlines Ways Organizations are Changing in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and Climate Change in New Edition of "Environmental Insights" By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 8, 2020 Apr 8, 2020Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, shared her perspectives on how large organizations are changing in response to the coronavirus pandemic and climate change in the newest episode of "Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program," a podcast produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Listen to the interview here. Listen to the interview here. Full Article
mi 'We had a decent chance of pole' - Hamilton By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:05:25 GMT Lewis Hamilton believes he could have taken pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix with a bit more luck in Q3 and is now targeting a win on Sunday Full Article
mi Hamilton says title still possible and reflects on accident By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:34:32 GMT Lewis Hamilton is not writing off this year's championship despite notching up his second retirement in a row and dropping 20 points off Mark Webber at the Singapore Grand Prix Full Article
mi Schumacher admits 'not particularly happy' after Singapore GP By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:44:32 GMT Another disappointing weekend from Michael Schumacher served only to spark another round of speculation over his future with Mercedes Full Article
mi Singapore not committing beyond 2012 By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:02:36 GMT The Singaporean government has yet to decide whether it will extend its Formula One race contract beyond 2012 Full Article
mi Strategy did not cost me win - Hamilton By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 29 Mar 2015 10:44:18 GMT Lewis Hamilton doubts Mercedes could have beaten Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel even if it had matched the German driver's two-stop strategy in Malaysia Full Article
mi Mixed feelings for Alonso after retirement with ERS issue By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 29 Mar 2015 11:48:17 GMT Fernando Alonso was left with "mixed feelings" following the Malaysian Grand Prix after he retired from his McLaren-Honda debut on the 21st lap with an ERS cooling problem Full Article
mi Hamilton '99.6%' done on new Mercedes £27m deal By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:25:20 GMT Lewis Hamilton is closing on a new Mercedes deal reportedly worth £27 million a year and he expects it to be closed this week Full Article
mi Ferrari still has work to do to catch Mercedes - Kimi By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:11:39 GMT Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari still has work to do to be consistently competitive with Mercedes but is confident it has taken a big chunk out of Mercedes lead following Sebastian Vettel's victory in Malaysia Full Article
mi Why Matter Matters: How Technology Characteristics Shape the Strategic Framing of Technologies By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Nov 13, 2019 Nov 13, 2019The authors investigate how the executives of the two largest research institutes for photovoltaic technologies — the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, USA and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) in Freiburg, Germany — have made use of public framing to secure funding and shape the technological development of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The article shows that the executives used four framing dimensions (potential, prospect, performance, and progress) and three framing tactics (conclusion, conditioning, and concession), and that the choice of dimensions and tactics is tightly coupled to the characteristics of the specific technologies pursued by the research institutes. Full Article
mi Why the U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord is a Mistake By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Dec 4, 2019 Dec 4, 2019The authors explain why the Trump administration's reiteration of its intent to finalize U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a tragic mistake that will weaken us as a nation. Full Article
mi Illuminating Homes with LEDs in India: Rapid Market Creation Towards Low-carbon Technology Transition in a Developing Country By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mar 19, 2020 Mar 19, 2020This paper examines a recent, rapid, and ongoing transition of India's lighting market to light emitting diode (LED) technology, from a negligible market share to LEDs becoming the dominant lighting products within five years, despite the country's otherwise limited visibility in the global solid-state lighting industry. Full Article
mi Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson Outlines Ways Organizations are Changing in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and Climate Change in New Edition of "Environmental Insights" By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 8, 2020 Apr 8, 2020Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, shared her perspectives on how large organizations are changing in response to the coronavirus pandemic and climate change in the newest episode of "Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program," a podcast produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Listen to the interview here. Listen to the interview here. Full Article
mi Transatlantic Dialogue: The Missing Link in Europe’s Post-Covid-19 Green Deal? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 10, 2020 Apr 10, 2020This policy brief emphasizes that the European Green Deal's effectiveness in a post Covid-19 world will require the involvement of strategic partners, especially the US. In the context of a potential US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the consequential vacuum, it will be even more important to engage the US in implementing the GD. In light of divergence between the US and the EU during past climate negotiations (e.g. Kyoto, Copenhagen, and Paris), we suggest a gradual approach to US engagement with GD initiatives and objectives. Full Article
mi New Committee to Advise Bacow on Sustainability Goals By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020Harvard University has created a Presidential Committee on Sustainability (PCS) to advise President Larry Bacow and the University's leadership on sustainability vision, goals, strategy, and partnerships. The Harvard Gazette spoke with committee chairs Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor; John Holdren, the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy at Harvard Kennedy School; and Katie Lapp, executive vice president, about why it is so important to act now; the role of the PCS in developing collaborative and innovative projects; and how the campus community can get involved. Full Article
mi The battle of 'resistance' vs 'revolution' in the Middle East By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Jan 15, 2020 Jan 15, 2020The events surrounding the US assassination of Iranian Quds Force leader Major General Qassem Soleimani brought to the surface the two main ideological forces that now battle each other across the Middle East - the anti-imperial "resistance" of Iran and its Arab allies, and the freedom "revolution" of domestic protesters in the same lands. Full Article
mi Rami Khouri's interview on Aljazeera TV discussing the appointment of the new Lebanese government. By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Jan 22, 2020 Jan 22, 2020Rami Khouri's interview on Aljazeera TV discussing the appointment of the new Lebanese government amidst continuing protests and clashes with police. Full Article
mi Lebanon has formed a controversial new government in a polarised, charged atmosphere, and protesters are not going to be easily pacified by its promises, explains Rami Khoury. By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Jan 22, 2020 Jan 22, 2020The fourth consecutive month of Lebanon's unprecedented political and economic crisis kicked off this week with three dramatic developments that will interplay in the coming months to define the country's direction for years to come: Escalating protests on the streets, heightened security measures by an increasingly militarising state, and now, a new cabinet of controversial so-called "independent technocrats" led by Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab. Seeking to increase pressure on the political elite to act responsibly amid inaction vis-a-vis the slow collapse of the economy, the protesters had launched the fourth month of their protest movement, which had begun on 17 October last year, with a 'Week of Anger', stepping up their tactics and targeting banks and government institutions. Full Article
mi Rami Khouri on Euronews TV discussing the Trump-Netanyahu Middle East initiative. By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Jan 29, 2020 Jan 29, 2020Rami Khouri's on Euronews TV discussing the Trump-Netanyahu Middle East initiative. Full Article
mi H-Diplo Review Essay 192 on Lawson. Anatomies of Revolution By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Feb 14, 2020 Feb 14, 2020Emily Whalen reviews Anatomies of Revolution by George Lawson (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019). Full Article
mi The Overwhelming Case for No First Use By www.belfercenter.org Published On :: Jan 13, 2020 Jan 13, 2020The arguments in favor of the United States' declaring that the only purpose of its nuclear weapons is to deter others who possess them from using theirs — in other words, that in no circumstances will this country use nuclear weapons first — are far stronger than the arguments against this stance. It must be hoped that the next US administration will take this no-first-use step promptly. Full Article
mi Public Testimony on Trump Administration Funding for Nuclear Theft Preventing Programs By www.belfercenter.org Published On :: Mar 31, 2020 Mar 31, 2020A nuclear explosion detonated anywhere by a terrorist group would be a global humanitarian, economic, and political catastrophe. The current COVID-19 pandemic reminds us not to ignore prevention of and preparation for low-probability, high-consequence disasters. For nuclear terrorism, while preparation is important, prevention must be the top priority. The most effective strategy for keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists is to ensure that nuclear materials and facilities around the world have strong and sustainable security. Every president for more than two decades has made strengthening nuclear security around the globe a priority. This includes the Trump administration, whose 2018 Nuclear Posture Review states: “[n]uclear terrorism remains among the most significant threats to the security of the United States, allies, and partners.” Full Article
mi Vettel secures pole position ahead of Hamilton By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sat, 17 Nov 2012 20:03:45 GMT Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the United States Grand Prix after edging out Lewis Hamilton for pole position by 0.109s. His title rival Fernando Alonso will start eighth on the grid Full Article
mi Hamilton wins as title battle goes down to Brazil By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:00:48 GMT Lewis Hamilton won an enthralling United States Grand Prix ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, meaning the drivers' championship will go down to the final round in Brazil Full Article
mi De la Rosa focusing on job amid HRT uncertainty By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:56:41 GMT Pedro de la Rosa says he is trying to block out the speculation about the uncertain future of HRT at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix and will wait to see what happens from Monday onwards Full Article
mi Hamilton leads tight first practice session at Interlagos By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:52:52 GMT Lewis Hamilton led a closely fought first practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix, which saw the two McLarens and two Red Bulls covered by less than a tenth of a second Full Article
mi Hamilton tops Friday practice ahead of Vettel By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:07:21 GMT Lewis Hamilton set the pace in second practice after McLaren made a strong start to the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend Full Article
mi Hamilton leads McLaren front row, Vettel fourth and Alonso seventh By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:02:57 GMT Lewis Hamilton took pole position as part of a McLaren front-row lockout at the Brazilian Grand Prix as championship contenders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso only managed fourth and eighth respectively Full Article
mi HRT missing from 2013 entry list By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:06:30 GMT HRT appears set to close after failing to find a buyer in time to make the FIA's 2013 entry list Full Article
mi HRT slammed for 'misleading information' by supplier By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:44:30 GMT One of HRT's suppliers has accused the team of providing "misleading information" and claims the team went in to liquidation in early November Full Article
mi Can Sudan’s military be convinced to support democracy? By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:40:25 +0000 Full Article
mi Hamilton beats Red Bulls to fastest times By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:56:11 GMT Lewis Hamilton lead the way in the afternoon practice session at Interlagos Full Article
mi Ricciardo admits to Lotus 'chance' By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:20:51 GMT Daniel Ricciardo admits there is a chance he could drive for Lotus - to become Caterham - in 2012 as a replacement for Jarno Trulli Full Article
mi Abhijit Iyer-Mitra's arrested for 'derogatory' remarks: Many condemn Odisha govt's move By www.thenewsminute.com Published On :: Thu, 25 Oct 2018 07:22:37 +0000 ArrestAbhijit Iyer-Mitra was arrested for his alleged derogatory remarks against the Sun Temple and Odisha culture. TNM StaffSecurity analyst and columnist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged derogatory remarks against the Sun Temple and Odisha culture. The Commissionerate Police arrested Abhijit after hours of interrogation at an undisclosed location in Bhubaneswar. Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said Abhijit was arrested in connection with a criminal case registered against him at Saheed Nagar Police Station on September 20. He has been booked under IP63C Sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. He also appeared before a House Committee of Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and tendered an unconditional apology for his derogatory remarks on legislators. The House panel, headed by leader of opposition Narasingh Mishra, asked Abhijit to re-appear on November 2 and submit an affidavit. "Abhijit Iyer-Mitra admitted to the charges levelled against him and offered an unconditional apology for his 'stupidity'. He has been directed to depose before the Committee and submit an affidavit in this regard," said Mishra. "After examining his affidavit, the panel will decide whether to accept his apology or not. Accordingly, the Committee will then recommend to the House to take action against him, if necessary," he said. Abhijit was questioned about the alleged breach of privilege. Many have condemned his arrest, terming it "a zone where freedom is in danger, and an "Orwellian nightmare". Dear Prime Minister @narendramodi, quite admirable that you are active on social media. So I am sure you are aware that in India one can get arrested, like my friend @Iyervval, for a tweet on the origin of Rasagola. That's the democracy & freedom we Indians enjoy under your govt. https://t.co/Hg9kd3pAAe — Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) October 24, 2018 We're slipping into a zone where #freedom is in danger. It's outrageous that Abhijit Iyer-Mitra @Iyervval has been arrested by #Odisha Police on risible charges and denied bail. Please read and circulate my protest and appeal. Fight for your, his and everybody's liberty. #India pic.twitter.com/gbuHebzI8g — Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) October 24, 2018 Absurd, vindictive, to jail @iyervval for 14 days over a rosogolla-origin tweet. He's a shock-jock, but trawling through his year-old tweets to fuel specious outrage charges is an illustration of how much is wrong with India's FoE laws.https://t.co/TQZTh05PDW — Nilanjana Roy (@nilanjanaroy) October 24, 2018 .@Iyervval has been arrested by Odisha over a tweet about rasgolas. Read that again. Yes. Does this country have a reset button?https://t.co/wfBXqi5JgH — Kabir Taneja (@KabirTaneja) October 24, 2018 #AbhijitIyerMitra (@Iyervval) got arrested in Odisha for a conversation he had a year ago on SM about the origin of Rasogola! Yes, it's 2018 and you read it right, Rasagola. This is beyond bizarre!!https://t.co/ZGzeuI2fEy — Viju Cherian (@vijucherian) October 24, 2018 This is absurd, we are descending into some Orwellian nightmare. The man is known for his viciousness on social media but he can’t be targeted like this. https://t.co/nAkJqnwSpY — Rammanohar Reddy (@ramreddy) October 23, 2018 We are a banana republic. So much for India being a secular democracy . Shame ! #istandwithabhijit https://t.co/yhN95j5T4K — Naveen Suresh (@NavSuresh) October 24, 2018 This nonsense with @Iyervval has got to stop. His comments are often bigoted and silly and he knows it but mouthing off shouldn't be cause for arrest. Fighting over the origins of rasagola? How about over the success or otherwise of #MakeInIndia instead?https://t.co/EP4kxnYxmE — Jabin T Jacob 鄭嘉賓 (@jabinjacobt) October 25, 2018 He had earlier been summoned to appear before the panel on October 11, which he had skipped. He was summoned again to appear on October 23. Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat had on September 20 constituted a House Committee to probe the journalist's alleged derogatory remarks against the state and its lawmakers. Abhijit had on September 16 posted a video on Twitter criticising the Konark temple. Later, he went on to make the alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha and its culture. Two FIRs were registered against him at Konark and Saheed Nagar police stations for his remarks. Last month, the Odisha Police arrested the columnist in New Delhi for his anti-Odisha comments. However, he was given conditional bail by a local court in Delhi. Later, the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea saying his comments 'incited religious sentiments'. With IANS inputs Full Article
mi Lessons we can learn from the pandemic: A teacher writes to her students By www.thenewsminute.com Published On :: Sun, 05 Apr 2020 12:46:18 +0000 CoronavirusFrom how different governments have acted to conspiracy theories and realising that we can be self-sufficient, here are some takeaways from the COVID-19 crisis.Shakti SwaminathanImage for representation: PTIDear students, I trust all of you are keeping safe and healthy. You are still so young, but yet forced to witness so much turmoil and have thus evolved into thinking women (or in your words, ‘adult’.) While you were deciding between watching another episode of Sex Education or sleep, you were shaken out of your reverie and forced to reckon with the world – to fight for your freedom, your rights and now survive. Did I jinx it when I gave my farewell speech, saying that you had seen it all? From Brexit, Hong Kong protests, repeal of Article 370 in Kashmir, Revolution of Sudan, the assassination of Baghdadi, the crushing economic recession and the anti-CAA protests? Not in our wildest imagination did we think that the worst was yet to come, that we would one day be witness to a pandemic, a World War like situation with the entire globe shutting down. While being torn between my desire to consume more and more news, and drown in escalating anxiety, and resist the urge not to, for my own sanity, I couldn’t help but make a list of the lessons that we can learn from the pandemic. This pandemic is a perfect example of The Butterfly Effect – when a butterfly flaps its wings in one part of the world, it causes tremors on another, says Chaos Theory. COVID-19 has shown us the reach of the growing tentacles of globalisation, our relatedness and how everything is connected. All our actions have effects. We often take the World Wars for granted, don’t we? It had become another page in our history textbook, another date to remember and yet another pointless exam answer to write. But now we can understand how it would have been for people to live through the wars. To worry about resources, to scramble for good news, and hope in the face of crippling uncertainty. The Government is important – when we are in despair, we turn to the state for support. Only the state can pass the right policies, keep the system running and take care of its citizens. And this is why it’s in our own best interest that we stay abreast of news and use that information to make important choices. To vote. To exercise our right wisely and choose the best. While exposing the importance of the state the pandemic has also given rise to one major thought – which form of government works best? Communist countries with robust public health systems like China, Cuba and Vietnam have done very well in containing the disease, while neo-liberal democracies like Italy, Spain and the US have floundered. Is there a lesson here? Can there be too much democracy? Is the cost of a free and open society, a total disregard for community? Is there something utterly irresponsible about individual freedom? To take the US as an example, even while the number of cases were skyrocketing in New York and the government was pleading with people to practise social distancing, college students were seen frolicking on beaches and in pubs, indulging in spring break shenanigans and licking toilet bowls as a part of #CoronaChallenge. We now know what oppression feels like. Lockdown used to be the parlance of the Kashmiris. We now know what it means. Gaza. Palestine. Syria. Now that our lives have been painfully disrupted, we have a taste of what it is to lose freedom. And remember, we have only lost our freedom of movement. Did China conspire to do all this? Was COVID-19 created by China to choke the world and attain global domination? Was the virus created in a bio-research facility in Wuhan to be unleashed on ‘troublesome’ Hong Kongers and snuff out democracy forever? China’s successful handling of the crisis and subsequent closing of its international borders has given rise to many WhatsApp forwards and articles insinuating that the Chinese orchestrated the pandemic. Apparently, Chinese millionaires have bought shares in crashing companies worldwide ensuring China remains unscathed in the global recession that is sure to follow. Beijing hasn’t recorded too many cases and was never locked down. How was that possible? Well, we will ever know the truth. It’s perhaps also foolish to indulge in conspiracy theories, especially today when the fake news infodemic seems more lethal than the actual disease. In the face of growing racial discrimination, it’s best we ignore these theories and focus on reviving our societies instead. When we heard about the lockdown, what did we worry about most? Contracting the virus or the effect the lockdown could have on our minds? Most illnesses kill the mind before getting to our body. Is it still all in the mind then? Mental health is as important as physical health, if not more. Guess who is having the last laugh now? History’s longest and happiest social distancers – Kim Jong-Un and the Sentinelese of course (separately, not together though)! Oblivious to the outside world and happy to be isolated. Capitalism can be aggressive. Capitalism can kill people – America, the country that has never had qualms over waging wars against weaker countries (as long as it’s not on its soil) and destroying their economy to smithereens (while keeping their economy intact) – America that prides itself on being the stuff that dreams are made of – America that makes a hue and cry about a scrawny terrorist killing 10 people – is now grappling with an unprecedented crisis on its hand, with 500 deaths each day. For a long time, they chose to ignore the crisis, called it the ‘Chinese virus’ and lived in denial. Also, they could not bear the thought of their malls and merchandise coming to a grinding halt – after all that’s the machine that runs America isn’t it? The country with the highest GDP in the world. Alarming death rates have finally opened the government’s eyes and pushed them to place importance on public welfare over economy. It’s easy to pin all the blame on Trump, but it reeks of something more sinister, the corrupt moral fabric of America. The UK in order to not pick up the tab (since the government sponsors the NHS) decided to go for the long haul or work at herd immunity. Social Darwinism. Let life go on. Corona will kill the weak, the fittest will survive and the rest will develop immunity, was the policy. So who will bite the dust? The poor and the old, of course. It sounded like Hitler was espousing his model for superior genes all over again. One thing is for sure. This pandemic is changing the world irrevocably. At a personal level we may now choose to be more mindful of our health and reorganise our priorities. At the global level, there will probably be two kinds of government control – greater surveillance of citizens at the cost of individual freedom and maybe tighter borders. Is social distancing giving rise to national isolation? Is nature telling us something? Have we been grounded to repent for what we have done to the planet? Perhaps we are the virus and corona is trying to get rid of us. The surreal image of Olive Ridley turtles nesting along the beaches of Bhubaneswar peacefully, for probably the first time in their life, is testimony. The difference has not been more clear. What is essential and what is not. While we recognise that doctors, nurses, health workers, police, researchers, cashiers, grocers, farmers, journalists and teachers are the essential services of today, it must be also taken into account that they are also the least paid. The right to Internet is a fundamental, inalienable right. COVID-19 has been a great equaliser – it can infect the homeless man on the street and the Prince of England. However, it is a rich man’s disease – it has come from foreign travel. Yet who seems to be paying the price? The hapless migrants who had disinfectant sprayed on them for no fault of theirs. If we cared so much shouldn’t we have sprayed it on the NRIs and tourists who came from abroad? Inequality is the biggest problem in our country. I think we finally realise the true cost of development. Did we really need that flyover? Or that mono-rail for that matter? Should we be spending Rs 3,000 crore on a statue while our health expenditure is only 2% of India’s GDP? And should we elect such a government that chooses to do so? Countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong have done well in mitigating the crisis than much richer European countries and the US. Which brings us back to the question – what makes a country ‘developed’? I’ve been curious of the crow sitting on the branch of my mango tree. Does it wonder where the humans have gone? Do the street dogs wish for our presence? What was running in the mind of the civet cat when it walked down a street in Kerala’s Kozhikode? Did they think it was the apocalypse or did they celebrate their freedom? It’s time we check our privilege – we can socially distance because we can afford to. We have savings. We have enough resources to even bake cakes and post it on social media. It was also privilege to hang out with friends and to explore aisles and aisles of our favourite snack. It’s a privilege to say goodbye. Indigenous people are right – we need to be in tune with nature. Listen to it, not encroach on it. The more we eat into the territories of wild animals and snatch their homes, the more trouble we will find ourselves in. If nothing else, this pandemic has made us self-sufficient. We can cook, clean and take care of ourselves, and sustainably too. And no, we do not need to shop so much online. We are the books we read, the movies we watch and the music we listen to. We are the art we create and the craft we make. In the darkest of times we turned to art to keep us alive and may we never forget that. The world will never be the same again. You young women are inheriting a brand new world. Rich from this experience, I know you will make a difference. May we emerge scathed but stronger. Views expressed are the author’s own. Body 2: Full Article
mi Greener Stimulus? Economic Recovery and Climate Policy By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mar 26, 2020 Mar 26, 2020In this edition of Columbia Energy Exchange, host Jason Bordoff and Professor Joseph Aldy explore the role of climate-change and broader environmental policy in the U.S. federal government’s emergency economic stimulus funding package. Full Article