Category Archives: Communicating Development

When Worlds Collide #66: Indian Ocean: Wild West of the 21st Century?

Posted on 12 May 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 12 May 2013 Tuna Wars are hotting up in the Indian Ocean. At stake are the jobs of tens of thousands of fishermen, and nutrition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Development, Environment, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #64: Good Governance for Clean Energy

Posted on 27 April 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 28 April 2013 One of my favourite cartoons on energy is one drawn years ago by Australian cartoonist Ron Tandberg. It shows two men standing on … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Pollution, Biofuels, Climate change, Communicating Development, Energy Conservation, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Green Economy, Power & Energy, Public health, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Transport, Urban issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #63: Looking for Real Cities in Sri Lanka

Posted on 21 April 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 21 April 2013 I enjoyed the mid April traditional New Year holidays for a very practical (and selfish) reason. When much of the country shuts down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Development, ICT, Poverty, Public perceptions, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Transport, Urban issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #62: Don’t be a Fossil Fool: Towards a Climate-smart Sri Lanka…

Posted on 13 April 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 14 April 2013 Last week’s column, on Sri Lanka’s climate change adaptation needs and priorities, elicited some predictable reactions. Environmentalist friends — with whom I frequently … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Pollution, Biofuels, Climate change, Communicating Development, Disaster Communication, Education, Energy Conservation, Environment, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Green Economy, Power & Energy, Public health, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #61: Climate Change – Adapt Now or Perish Later!

Posted on 7 April 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 7 April 2013 As Sri Lanka sizzles in April heat, some ask: is this due to global warming? Well, not exactly: high temperatures are typical for … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Climate change, Communicating Development, Disaster, Disaster Communication, Environment, Environmental management, Science Journalism, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Water, Water management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

When Worlds Collide #60: Code Red for our Blue Planet?

Posted on 30 March 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 31 March 2013 Now it can be revealed. A highly advanced but devious alien race has been sapping the island of Sri Lanka of its freshwater, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Biofuels, Climate change, Communicating Development, Conspiracy Theories, Environment, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Green Economy, Power & Energy, Public health, Public perceptions, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Water management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #59: Seeking Clarity in Murky Waters

Posted on 24 March 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 24 March 2013 When it comes to collectively and rationally managing our freshwater, many Lankans seem to suspend their good judgement. Any passing conspiracy theory, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Climate change, Communicating Development, Conspiracy Theories, Environment, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Public health, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Water management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

When Worlds Collide #58: Making Our Roads Safer – Every Life Counts!

Posted on 17 March 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 17 March 2013 See also: When Worlds Collide #53: Saving Lives on India’s ‘Mean Streets’ “You lay crushed Under twisted metal. I held you, stunned until … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Development, Disaster Communication, Documentary Film, Poverty, Public health, Road Safety, Sri Lanka, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Worlds Collide #53: Saving Lives on India’s ‘Mean Streets’

Posted on 10 February 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 10 February 2013 Sometimes it takes a personal tragedy to open our eyes to monstrous realities. A few years ago, 17-year-old Shivam Bajpai was struck down … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Development, Disaster, Innovation, Public health, Road Safety, South Asia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Worlds Collide #49: Living with Our Toxic Heritage…

Posted on 12 January 2013 by

Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday newspaper on 13 January 2013 My column on 30 December 2012, which assessed the lasting influence of Silent Spring and its author Rachel Carson, was focused on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Communicating Development, Documentary Film, Documentary films, Environment, Environmental management, Environmental policy, Film making, Poverty, Public health, Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment