Shell plans its business on the assumption that global heating will not be curbed, and will proceed to global disaster.

Because these giant companies have so much influence, whatever they assume about the future is as much a decision as a forecast. If you suppose that global efforts to avert disaster will fail, that is pessimism; when Shell supposes this, that is sabotage.

This shows that the fossil fuel companies recognize what CO₂ will do to the Earth, even as their pet politicians deny it.

Scientists are on the verge of making GMO yeast that produces morphine.

Some day it will be possible to get bacteria that will live in your gut and steadily produce whatever drug you like. Using them might not be wise.

The South African government stands to be embarrassed by publication of an investigation into the massacre of striking miners by thugs.

Various ways of countering deforestation .

In Canada and the US, massive deforestation is occurring because trees have been killed by drought or insects, both brought by global heating. For instance, many trees in California have been killed by the current drought, and the drought will also promote fires that will burn them up and release their carbon as CO2.

Only 1/4 of the world's workers now have permanent contracts.

This measures the extent to which steady jobs and a stable life have been replaced by precarity.