I was reading this 2012 article on India-China border disputes with useful map when I noticed their GraphicDetail section where they produce an interesting graphic every day. The entries for 22nd and 23rd of September caught my eye.
On the 22nd GraphicDetail was bemoaning the health effect of emissions from coal fired power stations – while on the 23rd they reported UN figures showing huge improvements in mortality rates globally for the decade 2000-2010.
On another subject – I wanted to mention this interesting site which was sent in by a reader – 38 maps that explain the global economy – Always enjoy studying maps.
On childhood mortality, diarrhea is the 2nd biggest cause of death worldwide. Plastic bottles and bags have saved millions of lives by allowing clean water and food to be cheaply available.
On particulate pollution from coal. The health effects are a small proportion of those from the domestic hearths and stoves they replaced, And anyway are easily solved with gas and particle scrubbers.
Note the deceptive way it is written. Implying coal power stations kill 4 million a year. Most of those deaths will be from domestic burning of coal/wood/etc, which coal power stations replace. Consequently, they are saving millions of lives.
This study from India goes into detail. SO2 then NO2 are most of the problem and removal is fairly cheap.
www.hks.harvard.edu/m-rcbg/rpp/RFF-DP-12-25.pdf
I read the Economist for many years and it used to have great science reporting. But 15 to 20 years ago it bought into AGW and general greenery and I cancelled my subscription.
Yes The Economist went mad, all of broadcast and print. Is there an exception?
I think I can put my finger on what has happened but doing so in someone else’s place is not apt.
Here is a link to a brief article I posted after the death of Sir Alastair Burnet late of The Economist
tallbloke.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/a-counterpoint-to-media-misbehaviour-wry-smile-alastair/