All of Earth's resources are precious and finite
I realise that it might just be a turn of phrase, but I am quite concerned about the use of “unlimited” with respect to tapping magma chambers as a source of energy. It may be an unimaginable amount, but it isn’t unlimited. Ask anyone who has been in space and seen the finite size of Earth. Expressions like this may result from our throwaway culture and planned obsolescence, with poor concern about waste and the squandering of our limited earthly resources (6 January, p 32).
True cost of owning a car might empty the roads
Cheaper goods in local shops, and so on, is only tinkering at the edges of the problem of excessive car use. Modern urban areas are designed, and modern life is run, with the expectation of access to motor vehicles. Perhaps motorists should pay the real costs of having a car (building infrastructure and the environmental impact) without subsidies, so we can see how much they really value the independence of having a motor vehicle (Letters, 30 December 2023).
Do good microbes thrive on a Mediterranean diet? (1)
Your article got me thinking about indirect contributors to the Mediterranean diet’s healthful properties (13 January, p 32). Specifically, with large amounts of fresh and unprocessed foods, how many more beneficial microorganisms are supported? We are learning of the importance of our intestinal microbiome: has anyone yet compared that of long-lived Mediterraneans with other Westerners? Maybe the good bugs really like olive oil!
Do good microbes thrive on a Mediterranean diet? (2)
It seems that the Mediterranean diet as described manages to minimise added sugars. No desserts, no sugary breakfast cereals, no sweets or cakes or pastries. And no fruit smoothies, sugary soft drinks or sugary, ultra-processed food. I assume sugary treats are allowed on occasional celebration days. Could this be the simple reason why the diet seems to be so healthy?
Do good microbes thrive on a Mediterranean diet? (3)
Common descriptions of a healthy Mediterranean diet don’t reflect typical diets in much of the region today. For example, a reliance on whole grains better matches German and Danish diets. What’s more, . Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus all have higher rates than the UK, Switzerland, France and Denmark. Drizzle olive oil onto foods and sip red wine because it is enjoyable. But not for medicinal purposes.
More diverse views needed on future of AI
You report the supposed 5 per cent chance that artificial intelligence will make us extinct, according to a survey of AI experts. Asking only such people about the consequences of AI is analogous to asking only Manhattan Project scientists about the consequences of developing atom bombs (13 January, p 16).
Predicting the broader consequences requires also addressing the complex physical, biological and social dynamics surrounding AI. Influences from multiple domains will feed back into the progress of this. Yet all the reporting and analysis I have seen only includes people whose expertise is AI. That’s myopic.
Capitalism may be long gone when our sun dies (1)
From
Capitalism may be long gone when our sun dies (2)
Tony Green suggests that, billions of years from now, only the mega-rich will be able to afford to decamp to the moons of the gas giants to avoid the sun’s expansion, while the rest of us plebs are left behind. I think he is taking too pessimistic a view about the survival of economic systems such as capitalism. I would prefer to think that we will have developed a more equitable existence by then.
Possible answers to science teacher shortage
It is evident that the shortage of qualified mathematics and science teachers in many countries must be addressed, or the next generation of scientists, particularly researchers, may be lost. A combination of online and live teaching is the best solution when qualified and inspirational high-school teachers are in such short supply. Perhaps the best teachers could spend one day per week at four or five schools to provide learning opportunities to many students. It may also be possible to attract retired researchers who wish to impart their considerable knowledge and experience (13 January, p 21).
Anthropocene stand does not reduce climate concern
We appreciate your efforts to present diverse views concerning the definition and application of the Anthropocene. Nevertheless, we are concerned by the closing quote of the article, which suggests that standing against defining an Anthropocene Series/Epoch in the geological time scale, as we do, is to deny anthropogenic global climate change. As scientists and as citizens who have long been deeply concerned with and active in addressing the unprecedented challenges of global climate change, we resent this suggestion (30 December 2023, p 15).
Can't wait for great stargazing in New Zealand
When it comes to dark skies, Aotearoa (New Zealand) aims to be the , a fact that warrants a mention. It is a lofty goal, but the country already has five dark sky reserves to enjoy while we wait for this to happen (6 January, p 28).
What we need are drastic power consumption cuts
The possibility of North American electricity shortages, partly as the rollout of renewables fails to keep pace with demand, highlights what is probably the biggest stumbling block to a zero-carbon future. It is clear we have very little chance of replacing every fossil joule with a renewable joule. Therefore, we have no choice but to drastically reduce our total consumption (6 January, p 13).