Recently, ivory trade has caused a great deal of furore between the EU, the public and conservation organisations. However, despite a legal misinterpretation leaving the EU misjudged, the resulting message that consumer demand for ivory is lawful, that killing these mythical creatures is acceptable and that they are a resource to be exploited, remains untouched.
READ MOREThe agricultural sector encounters undoubtedly a form of crisis in Europe. In France, hundreds of farmers continue to unleash a torrent of almost daily protests against the collapse of milk and pork prices. In Italy, the situation is alarming too. Last year, Coldiretti, Europe’s largest agricultural professional organisation, rang an alarm bell: agriculture may disappear in thirty-two years in Italy.
READ MOREAt the beginning of July 2016, a Tesla vehicle that has a built-in Autopilot system crashed with a tractor trailer on a Florida highway, killing the driver. Neither the driver (who allegedly was watching Harry Potter while letting the Autopilot do the driving), neither the Tesla hit the brakes when the trailer appeared in front of the Tesla. Pending investigation by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the radar of the vehicle “tunes out what looks like an overhead road sign to avoid false braking events.” Just days following that incident, another driver was reported to escape a fatal incident thanks in part to the Autopilot.
READ MOREOn the 23rd of June 2016 the United Kingdom, one of the three pillars of the EU alongside France and Germany, and the biggest champion of its enlargement, votes to leave the Union. Whether this historic date will be remembered as Europe’s doomsday or the beginning of its resurrection now weights entirely on the EU shoulders.
READ MOREBig non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Greenpeace can have enormous impact on people’s perceptions of environmental issues. Their campaign against genetically modified foods is a good example. However, when they use that influence to further their own agenda, rather than the public good, it can have very serious consequences.
READ MOREThe role of cities in efforts for global emission reductions are high on the global agenda. However, the reality of the funding gap between the demand for investment from cities in the developing world, and the capacity to mobilise funds, brings to the fore the stark inequalities that endure between developed and developing states.
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