Author Archives: markdowe1

Environment, Government, Nature, Society, United Nations

The COP15 agreement in Montreal was a success, but it needs to be acted upon

COP15

Intro: The historic global agreement this month at the UN conference in Montreal, Canada, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 is just the beginning. Governments and businesses now need to carry out the pledges made

THE COP15 agreement in Montreal, Canada, earlier this month, commits countries to implementing and funding ambitious global targets and national plans that can halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. Our hopes of reversing the global crisis facing the natural world remain alive with the release of the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It puts us on course for a nature-positive world.

By setting a target to conserve at least 30 per cent of land, freshwater and the oceans by 2030, and by restoring 30 per cent of degraded land – while respecting the rights and leadership of indigenous peoples and local communities – governments have chosen the right side of history. If the promises made in Montreal are delivered, history will truly be made.

During the early stages of the convention, hopes were high that negotiators could secure a “Paris Agreement for nature”. Just as the Paris Agreement targets guided subsequent actions on the climate, the GBF and its aims can now drive action to restore nature. This substantive agreement must be the catalyst for action from governments, business and society where we must transition towards a future with more nature, not less.

During the symposium, one of the most contentious issues arising was the finance package to support conservation efforts globally. It is a major achievement that negotiators forged an agreement that could pave the way for the mobilisation of at least $200bn a year in nature financing by 2030. The agreement commits signatory governments to eliminating subsidies to fertilisers and other products and practices harmful to nature.

The importance of the GBF affording full recognition to the rights and roles of Indigenous peoples and local communities cannot be emphasised enough. Indigenous peoples make up just five per cent of the global population, but they safeguard 80 per cent of the world’s remaining biodiversity. It was vital that they were recognised in the agreement and their rights protected.

Click on page 2 to continue reading

Pages: 1 2
Standard
Books, Literature, Science

Book Club: How To Solve A Crime

SYNOPSIS

FORENSIC SCIENCE has long exerted a fascination on TV audiences in shows like CSI and Silent Witness, but Angela Gallop’s book reveals that the facts are even more interesting than the fiction.

With a career spanning more than four decades, which includes involvement in high-profile murders like those of Stephen Lawrence and Rachel Nickell, she has much experience on which to draw.

Bite marks, fingerprints and even ear prints can identify the perpetrators of crimes. And who knew there were such people as forensic knot experts? A platoon of pundits with unlikely knowledge assist in bringing criminals to justice.

Dr Gallop provides eye-opening insights into what she modestly calls a ‘strange but important little corner of scientific endeavour’.

– How To Solve A Crime by Dr Angela Gallop is published by Hodder, 272pp

. Recommended reading Gaby Hinsliff: Ignore the purists – listening to a book instead of reading it isn’t skiving or cheating

The Guardian columnist writes: “From audiobooks to podcasts and voice notes, there’s a steady generational shift in the way we understand the world.”

Standard
Arts, Drama

Lateral thinking drama: The Watchmaker

DRAMA

S.R. Hardie Watchmakers Scotland had been a fixture of the city for well over ten years. The ageing Mr Hardie was a stickler for precision and routine, as could reasonably be expected from a man who worked with timepieces. Miss Simpson usually passed his shop at five to eleven in the morning, on her way to the weekly lunch meeting of the ornithological society. When she did, he was invariably sitting at his desk by the window, hunched over a mechanism of one sort or another. Very occasionally, he would be working on a casing. She always looked in and, on those occasions, when Hardie noticed her, they would exchange nods. So, she was surprised and somewhat concerned to note, on that morning when she was passing, that he was not in his usual place.

Deciding she could spare a couple of minutes, Miss Simpson went into the shop. A bell jangled loudly above her. “Just a moment,” came a voice from behind the curtain at the back. Less than a minute later, a young man in his thirties came out, straightening his jacket.

“You’re not Mr Hardie,” Miss Simpson said.

“No,” said the man. “Well, that is, in fact yes, I am, but not the one you know. Tom Hardie. Pleased to meet you.”

“Gail Simpson,” said Miss Simpson. “Likewise. Is Mr Hardie well?”

“Oh yes,” Tom said. “Uncle Mac is fine. Strong as a horse. I’m sitting in for him this morning. He’s off buying some faces for a set of carriage clocks.”

“I see,” Miss Simpson said. “Do you help him like this often?”

“From time to time, but it’s no bother. I’m very glad to be able to help. What else are family for?”

“What indeed.”

“Did you need to speak to him personally?”

“Oh, no, thank you. I was just concerned as to his wellbeing. He’s a familiar face, if you know what I mean.”

Tom smiled. “Indeed I do. Well, while you’re here, Uncle Mac does actually have something rather special in stock at the moment. A vintage table clock with the most exquisite mother-of-pearl fronting. A lady of your obvious refinement would find it rather enchanting, I think.”

Miss Simpson felt her eyebrow arching, and fought it back under control. “Well, I suppose that I can have a look at least.”

Tom directed Gail’s attention to a table at the far end of the counter. Several pieces stood on it, including the clock in question. It was a genuinely lovely piece. The elegant fronting was quite something to behold, glimmering attractively. The hands looked to be made of gold but edged with jet or basalt, so that they were clearly delineated against both the face and the hour markers. The rest of the case was a mix of gold and clear crystal, giving a tantalising glimpse into the mechanisms inside.

“It certainly is handsome,” she told him. “However, I’m not sure that I – ”

He named a price which must have been fifty per cent of the clock’s value at the very most. “You’d be doing Uncle Mac a good turn,” he said. “The liquidity would be really useful this morning.”

“I’m afraid I can’t,” Miss Simpson replied. “I must get to my meeting.”

“Of course,” Tom said, looking disappointed. “It was a pleasure. I’ll pass on your concerns when Uncle Mac gets back.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

As soon as she left the shop, Miss Simpson looked up and down the street. Spotting a police officer heading away, she hurried over, calling to him as she got close.

“Officer. Officer! I fear that something is terribly wrong at Hardie’s Watchmakers. Please, you must hurry!”

– Using your skills of language and comprehension, why is Miss Simpson concerned? How is the scene likely to have evolved if she eventually paid the true asking price of the vintage table clock?

Detection level of difficulty: 2

Standard