Stephanie Mills on choosing whether or not to have children [VIDEO] | Grist

My GINK manifesto on being green and childfree kicked off with a quote from Stephanie Mills, who in 1969 publicly declared her intention not to have kids for environmental reasons. She stuck to it. Four decades later, she answers this question: "What advice do you give people who feel conflict about having children and living sustainably?"

We should use the recession to help save our fragile planet | Letters | From the Observer | The Observer

Economic crisis and budget austerity provide an opportunity for serious reduction in carbon emissions

Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M Conway | Book review | Books | The Observer

This exposé of the coterie of rightwing scientists hell-bent on destroying the cause of environmentalism is outstanding
* Robin McKie
...
Thus the tactics – the spreading of doubt and confusion – of a small group of cold war ideologues have worked their way across America and have now crossed the Atlantic so that the public in both the US and the UK are more confused than ever about the truth on a series of key scientific issues, in particular global warming, even though scientists have become more certain about the accuracy of their efforts.

In many ways, it is a tough message to stomach, though there is no doubt that Oreskes and Conway deserve considerable praise for this outstanding book and for exposing the influence of these dark ideologues. Merchants of Doubt – which includes detailed notes on all sources – is clearly and cleanly outlined, carefully paced and is my runaway contender for best science book of the year.

How should scientists communicate about climate? | 1Sky

1. The science is settled: climate change is occurring, it is due to human-caused burning of fossil fuels, and we no longer need to engage with the global-warming denialists. They (the denialists) are a relatively small proportion of the population, they will not be convinced, and their support is not necessary for us (American, global citizens) to take action against climate change. It is past time to move on.