Adam Smith revisited: Some would have you believe the great economist Adam Smith was a zealous free-market fundamentalist. The truth is more nuanced, as this thoughtful Guardian piece explains
China Ramps up Support for science reports Nature Briefing We are not anti USA, nor pro China. But just as the USA cuts its science budgets and pours billions into wars, China steadily invests in the future. Last time this happened was Iraq in 2003: the subsequent trajectories of the two nations has been clear ever since.
| The Chinese government has announced plans to increase two of its key science budgets at the country’s biggest political meeting. The government proposes to increase its science and technology budget by 10% this year, and its overall research and development expenditure by at least 7% per year over the next five years — a boost that translates to billions of extra dollars each year. The latter target was set as part of China’s next five-year plan, which will serve as an overarching blueprint for the country’s policies from 2026 to 2030. Nature | 4 min read |
Geothermal to the rescue: Wind, solar, nuclear, fusion: current events make the search for non-fossil energy more urgent than ever. Ever since the 1970s we’ve heard chat about geothermal energy, which draws cheap power from the warm rocks beneath our feet. Looks like these canny Cornishmen are making it the idea real, according to the BBC
Earth’s heat to produce electricity for homes in UK clean energy first – BBC News
Only happy when it rains What if you had a panel which collected energy when the sun shone, and then when it rained? Spanish scientists have taken a big step towards this happy end by developing a sorty of laminate which collects energy from falling raindrops Here’s El País:
Quote of the week : Rash hand, what fury urges thee?
Paradise Lost, Book 1X
#renewable energy #science #China #USA #economics
Learning, Science and Society 