Nick Rosen

Nick Rosen is editor of off-grid.net

Saturday

Nick Rosen

A net zero referendum? Bring it on

From our UK edition

The left-green axis has been in uproar in recent weeks because several right-wing commentators have suggested holding a referendum on the government’s net zero measures. If the Telegraph, Sun, and Reform party support it, say critics of a referendum, then it’s got to be a bad idea. As an environmental campaigner since the 1970s, I say bring it on. Even if the initial impetus for a referendum came from right-wing groups, net zero will affect our livelihoods and basic freedoms for decades. The way to counter accusations that it is the invention of a woke elite is to widen the debate. What will be the terrain of that debate?

Wednesday

Nick Rosen

Living off grid is the best way of weathering the EFFing crisis

From our UK edition

The EFFing crisis continues to bite. We hear dire warnings that the average household is set to pay hundreds of pounds more this winter for their energy use. Yet thousands of Brits remain blissfully unaffected. I know because I am one of them: among the 150,000 UK residents who live off-grid – that is, without any mains utilities. This means I manage my own water supply, provide all my own power and deal with my own waste. Most people consider us at best eccentric and at worst crazy. But in a time of increasingly unaffordable energy, living off grid is a wise decision. You'll find us living behind hedgerows, at the bottom of suburban gardens, nestling in woodlands, bobbing about in boatyards.

Monday

Nick Rosen

Let’s give Extinction Rebellion protestors what they want

From our UK edition

Extinction Rebellion’s leaders have arrived in London by fossil-powered train, car and bus – brandishing their mobile phones full of rare Earth metals, to protest against wasteful consumption. Extinction Rebellion is calling for urgent action on climate change. The good news for the government is that there is a radical green policy that would placate the mob and simultaneously tick several policy boxes too. Stripping away the rhetoric, Extinction Rebellion is making two demands – one is that countries commit to immediate radical action to cut carbon well ahead of the 2050 date in the current inter-governmental agreement (not endorsed by the world’s biggest polluter, the United States).

Monday

Nick Rosen

How the Occupy movement saved Wall Street

Amid the slew of articles commemorating the 10th anniversary of the financial crisis there has been a curious silence about the role played by the Occupy movement. And Occupy did play a key role in developments, though not at all in the way its leaders intended. For a few months in 2011-12, Occupy had the attention of the world.

occupy wall street