- Bold move from the US this week, as Obama announces new fuel economy standards for the nation’s road vehicles.
- Chris Mooney wonders why everyone tries to link the tornadoes to climate change when there is little evidence, but doesn’t attempt the same thing with heatwaves when the evidence is much stronger.
- Teachers, Practical Action’s ‘100 small things to make a difference‘ would look great on your classroom wall.
- How much would it cost to end poverty, full stop? Any guesses?
The Earthbound Report 
How do they come up with this arbitary $1.25 figure? Surely it makes much more sense to come with a measurement of how much they can buy with their income. I have just worked out I live on an average €2.38 in Northern Italy (I earn €50 a week for a household of 3). If it wasn’t for the fact that I own a small piece of land for personal food production and that I own the roof over my head I wouldn’t be able to support myself on this.
There’s more going on behind the $1.25 than meets the eye, and the figure was chosen in 2008 – previously poverty rates were set at $1 a day or less. The World Bank explains the reasoning behind the decision here.