Our Future Planet News

Stopping slavery: Slavery still exists, despite global efforts to end the practice.

Monday, 08 March 2010 21:52

Giles Crosse investigates how this can happen in today’s supposedly civilised world.

For people in developed countries, slavery may seem something from a previous century, or something that exists only at tribal levels in far flung territories.

But a harsher reality is the practice continues, if shrouded, in both developed and developing world societies. Within the EU, migrant workers, immigrants or asylum seekers sold into the sex trade from Eastern Europe into major Western cities represent a tip of the iceberg.

A Different View of China

Friday, 05 March 2010 11:49

by Simon Mollison

I am frequently reminded of how negatively China’s family planning policy is viewed by the rest of the world, even including many people who share our views. Having fairly recently had the good fortune to work for two years in a corner of rural China, I would like to offer a different perspective.

Damaging diversity: Cultural diversity is one of the key elements to taking humanity forwards.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 18:18

Our Future Planet looks at ways to halt its decline.

Cultural diversity may not seem on the top of the hit list of greatest fears, compared with environment, climate change, conflict or education.

But in fact, it touches upon and impacts a strong force on all these drivers. Sustainable development, seen widely as today’s solution to the ills of the past, is impossible without richer diversity and growth.

Chain reaction: The nuclear debate is among the most pressing of our times.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 10:31

Giles Crosse lines up the arguments.

Following the precautionary principle, avoiding the construction of more nuclear power stations worldwide is a sensible idea.

But this doesn’t hide the fact the planet is facing an energy crisis. While plenty of alternative and renewable sources of power exist, whether they can be adopted in sufficient time, or provide the true volumes required seems uncertain.

Art is all around us, but does it have measurable benefits, and might it help educate and improve our society?

Thursday, 25 February 2010 16:54

Do we need arts? What do they achieve? What role might they play in a future planet?  Most of us listen to music, watch films or look at pictures at least once or twice a day, but rarely consider the societal impacts of such commonplace things.

It only really takes a moment to understand how pivotally art is linked to culture, learning, community or conflict. From February 16 to March 12, the Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery is presenting an exhibition and symposium highlighting the iraqimemorial.org project.