Permit to save the world refused

Amongst many very dodgy predictions for 2009, the ShadowLands predicted this:

* Some solutions for carbon emissions to be put forward, but dismissed by environmentalists who kind of like this whole moral crisis thing;

Along these lines comes this news:

[A] German carbon capture plan has ended with CO2 being pumped directly into the atmosphere, following local opposition at it being stored underground.

Dish served cold

The ShadowLands caught this brilliant video on AB frigging C television. It features some beautifully filmed countryside in France and computer generated insects. (Requires patience for downloading, but well worth sticking around when vengeance arrives at around the four minute mark.)

Passing shadows

* The Tour de France heads down memory lane.

* The douchebag name generator (be patient with the form-filling already, the results are way worth it).

* This miracle drug can soothe bug bites, remove stains, clear up pimples, prevent cancer, restore hair colour, relieve pain, prevent strokes... Can you guess what it is?

* Sexual techniques to drive her wild! Safe for work, but still red hot!

Moldovan gap to widen

The last ruling communist government in Europe has finally been removed from power in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova.

The citizens of Moldova are said to be the poorest in Europe, but enjoy a very small gap between the poorest in their community and the richest Moldovans who are also not very wealthy. About one million of the Moldovan population of 4 million are said to live on less than $2 per day.

Although the end of communism is likely to relieve widespread poverty, true socialists will be concerned about the widening gap between rich and poor.

One of the reasons the communists have held on for so long is that the Moldovans' helpful neighbours, Russia have been backing the Communists. The Russians prefer their neighbours to be weak and poverty stricken.

Great moments in science

* It turns out that organic food is no good for you, but blue M&Ms just might be.

* Obama's evil plan comes closer and closer to fruition.

* Homelessness solved.

Goalposts moved

Since 2005, climate alarmists have been warning that there will be 50 million climate refugees by 2010. However, censuses of the Pacific nations predicted to be underwater by now (such as Tuvalu) show that their populations are actually increasing.

Now that 2010 is fast approaching, it will soon become apparent that the predicted 50 million climate refugees figure is simply not going to happen. So what to do?

a) Reappraise the figures and go back and have a look at the science, or

b) Make increasingly ridiculous claims and extend the deadline?

It's a no-brainer - the latest media reports suggests that there will be up to 75 million climate refugees in the Asia Pacific over the next 40 years. Since the entire population of the Pacific Islands is about 1.6 million, we guess this means about 73.4 million can be expected from unspecified places in Asia.

UPDATE: The UK's Daily Telegraph reports that:

More than 75 million people living on Pacific islands will have to relocate by 2050 because of the effects of climate change, Oxfam has warned.

However, we repeat, the entire population of the Pacific Islands is 1.6 million, maybe 6 million if you include Papua New Guinea, which is well above sea level in any case. What's more, the report does not mention 75 million people in it anywhere.

UPDATE/CORRECTION: Our assertion that 75 million refugees is not mentioned in the report is incorrect. The report being referred to is at the Oxfam page at http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/climate-change/docs/The-future-is-here-final-report.pdf

Our apologies for this error.

Priorities set

Aborigines from Cape York who are protesting new rules that prevent them from developing their own land have upset an inner-city gathering (is there any other kind?) of Sydney environmentalists.

What amuses the ShadowLands most are the environmentalists' comments. (We add our contribution in italics.)

"I think it was confronting," one guest said. [Confronting? Did it add a sour taste to the canapés? Maybe if you spent a night in a Cape York community - and let's face it, that's never going to happen - you would find out what confronting really means.]

"It is scene setting. It is dramatic. It gets people's attention," another said. [Yes, it gets your attention in a way that, for you, caring about Aboriginal people apparently hasn't.]

"I am aware of the dispute between the Aboriginal people and the environmental movement up there particularly, but I have to say environmental sustainability comes first," she said. [You mean, and people's welfare comes second? I'm glad we cleared that up.]

(By the by, can anyone remember the last time that a report on an environmental protest included quotes from three sources on the other side?)

Emissions reduced

Earlier this month, the Medical Association for Prevention of War and Doctors for the Environment called for a carbon audit on war games involving the US and Australia.

So this news must come as a tremendous relief to them.

Passing shadows

* We bring you these images of reporters being hit with things, not because we think it is funny#, but only to raise awareness about the inherent dangers of reportage.

* WARNING: This virtual beatbox is fun only if you are participating. Do not let others - and particularly children - know of its existence.

* Islam proven to be only true religion.

* We can attest that swine flu is actually no fun if you get it, but in the meantime you might as well play the flash game.

(# We're lying .)