Commentary / World Mar 7, 2021

China’s weaponization of rare earths is bound to backfire

There was a time when China could cause the world to tremble by threatening its supply of rare earths. It’s long in the past.

Commentary / World Dec 23, 2020

We’re never going to mine the asteroid belt

One factor rules out most space mining at the outset: gravity. It guarantees that most of the solar system’s best mineral resources are to be found under our feet on Earth.

Commentary / World Nov 25, 2020

Beyond Meat takes on tough rival in China: tofu

Beyond Meat Inc., the U.S. maker of plant-based burgers and sausages, announced a new product designed to crack China, the world’s biggest meat market: imitation ground pork.

Commentary / Japan Oct 28, 2020

Zero hour is coming for emissions. Believe it.

Any targets laid out by politicians will find themselves up against institutional inertia, unintended consequences and political pushback.

Commentary / World Oct 25, 2020

Australia's money laundering detectives have been out at the pub

Unlike cash laundering, which involves a relatively small number of casinos and businesses, invoice-based laundering can take place between almost any two companies.

Commentary / World Oct 21, 2020

Capitalism caused climate change; it must also be the solution

The coronavirus pandemic has caused the the biggest drop in emissions in history and the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Commentary / World Oct 21, 2020

Jacinda Ardern landslide is a vote for COVID-19 competence

Shutting down New Zealand's economy at a time when there’d been just 102 cases was a political gamble, but one that’s paid off.

Commentary / World Oct 14, 2020

New Zealand gives U.S. a lesson in pandemic democracy

The U.S., a nation founded on the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights, would do well to heed the example given by New Zealand.

Commentary / World Oct 5, 2020

Australia's miners carve themselves an ugly heritage

Digging iron ore out of the ground and carrying it to port inevitably involves conflicts between miners and the Aboriginal traditional owners.

Commentary / World Sep 23, 2020

Coal’s last refuge crumbles with China’s renewables plan

If Asia — and in particular China, which accounts for about half the world’s coal consumption — can’t break the habit, devastating climate change will be unavoidable.