Time to abandon the big bang theory? (1)
It was nice to read that what was just a whisper about problems with our leading explanation of the universe is now a shout 鈥� that “our best model of the cosmos, a seemingly serenely sailing ship, might be holed beneath the water line” (28 November, p 34). Indeed.
The real question arising from this is: do we use a sticking plaster where we think the hole might be or do we dig deeper to see if there is something more seriously wrong further back? The article largely covers the sticking plaster approach, in other words keep the basic model of the universe and try to adjust it.
I think we need to dig deeper. Doing so may mean discarding our current “best” model to explain the universe, the big bang theory. This may dismay a lot of its aficionados, but it needs to be done.
Time to abandon the big bang theory? (2)
Could the conundrum about the universe’s faster-than-expected expansion be illusory? Since it is red-shifted objects on which we are relying as evidence for this acceleration, could it not be that the space-time in which the matter is embedded is shrinking with distance, producing the same effect through a different route?
Water is my big worry in population debate (1)
Of all the resource-related concerns for a growing global population, the availability of fresh water is by far the biggest in my view (14 November, p 34).
Problems resulting from global warming, the uneven distribution of rainfall, the huge wastage of water and rising sea levels are the main concerns and a red flag. The UN declared that if a third world war happened, it would be over the issue of water.
Some and each day 800 children under the age of 5 die due to diarrhoea as a result of poor water and lack of access to sanitation, such as handwashing.
There is a water supply crisis even at current population levels. People are struggling to access the quality and quantity they need for drinking, bathing and cooking.
Water is my big worry in population debate (2)
In “The great population debate”, the key to solving many of the world’s problems is summed up for me in the words “people in advanced economies should be rethinking their consumption-fuelled economic models”. Somehow, we have to turn around the world’s economic system.
Mechanisation, artificial intelligence and technology, together with increases in the global workforce and potential customers, will contribute to extra production, bringing with it increased use of energy and resources, changes in atmospheric composition, pollution from non-recycled products and damage to the natural environment.
We have to find a new way to regulate production and consumption. Whether the answer is to replace capitalism or adapt the market to prioritise a habitable planet, a new system is urgently needed.
Water is my big worry in population debate (3)
You say that those who advocate limiting population must be clear how they intend to do it. No, these aren’t the people who hold power. Rather, it is for those who do hold power to be clear how they intend to stop and reverse environmental degradation while the human population continues to balloon.
Limiting population requires globally agreed targets and global economic and social disincentives to exceed these, but also global agreement to cut consumption at the top and improve life chances at the bottom, and an acceptance of more migration.
You set out the barriers to such changes very well: populist governments, vested interests, nationalism, natalism and racism. However, that is no reason to stop thinking about solutions.
How to tackle the thorny issue of vaccine refusal (1)
As your interview with Heidi Larson suggests, it would seem that persuasion, coercion or appealing to people’s better nature is unlikely to have much effect in the uptake of a vaccine against covid-19 (21 November, p 12). So how do we deal with the problem?
Perhaps a system of registration could go some way to convincing refusers to change their minds. A register of those vaccinated would give the operators of aircraft, boats, trains and mass venues such as theatres and sports stadiums the right to refuse people admission or stop them buying a ticket. Checking the register could be quick and simple.
How to tackle the thorny issue of vaccine refusal (2)
Wouldn’t it be prudent to issue a secure and easily identifiable badge at the time of vaccination to show who has had it and encourage others to get the injection? It isn’t as though it would take long to manufacture them.
Can we address this pandemic waste?
The arrival of successful vaccines for covid-19 is great news (21 November, p 36). But if a possible outcome is a shortage of the , has their recycling potential been considered?
. You mention an estimate that providing enough vaccine to give everyone on the planet one dose would fill 8000 Boeing 747 planes. This amount of non-reusable vials, not to mention the syringes also needed, seems shocking. Is there any way to minimise the waste legacy of this pandemic?
A runaway streetcar is no dilemma for me
The trolley dilemma always puzzled me (31 October, p 23). Anyone who has played with a train set as a child knows that accidentally setting the points to the halfway position will derail the train. So, move the lever to this position, the runaway trolley is derailed and stopped, and all the people are safe.
Keep drones away from nesting birds please
Regarding the Aperture photo (14 November, p 28). Despite what the text says about the birds being calm, drone photography at any nesting site mustn’t be allowed.
For the record 鈥� {19 December 2020}
We should have said that birds that moult all their flight feathers from both wings at once may be predisposed to evolving flightlessness (5 December, p 17).