Author Archives: Hugh Barnes

A Brief History of Ecology

By Bryn Glover Forty years ago, Stephen Croall and William Rankin described the relationship between humanity and the Earth in a nutshell. The biosphere surrounding the planet is like a thin coat of paint over a football, they suggested in Ecology for Beginners. The image is typical of the way they allude to the delicacyContinue reading “A Brief History of Ecology”

Toxic Planet

By Malcolm Christie AIR pollution is the world’s worst public health emergency. It directly causes some 40,000 deaths annually in the UK. Across the whole of Europe the figure is around 500,000 and for the whole world some seven million people die each year because of air pollution. And as with other social evils, itContinue reading “Toxic Planet”

Smart bombs and dumb animals: Afghan war goes back to the future

By Hugh Barnes KABUL, 13 Nov 2001 (AFP) – The American spy had come to Afghanistan all kitted out for the first war of the 21st century, a rucksack bulging with hi-tech gadgets and gizmos – and then he jumped on his horse. Smart bombs and dumb animals have been the two main ingredients ofContinue reading “Smart bombs and dumb animals: Afghan war goes back to the future”