Saving the Polar Ice Caps

Okay I admit that on the first take this idea might sound a little crazy. I reminded myself however of that saying that ‘all great ideas must at first sound crazy to the existing paradigm…’ or some such thing. You might know who said it (please send me an email if you do). So I am throwing this idea out as one that might need you to stop your knee from giving a habitual ‘jerk’ thus preventing you from immediately proclaiming to all and sundry ‘Ridiculous!’.

‘Let’s cover the polar caps in a massive white reflective blanket!’

Yes you read right. The good oil on the bad outcome is that the polar caps are melting, that as they do so less heat will be reflected and more will be absorbed into the now (exposed) darker areas of the artic land mass, thus accelerating the problem.

So let’s cover the polar ice caps (the Arctic in particular). Lord knows for the sake of ‘art’ the entire white cliffs of Dover were covered in a material shroud. Lord knows that the average advertising panel n a giant Billboard promoting perfume, cars, weightloss and fast food is big enough to cover a netball court and we thrown thousands of those into the tip every year. So why can’t we just cover the most exposed areas in a solar blanket to reflect sunlight, keep the ground cover white and hopefully delay or avert the melting?

Yes, yes I know it’s a big ask requiring lots of effort and more consideration of potential adverse impacts. But surely those potential impacts would be less adverse than the ones coming when the caps melt?

When a Car Insurance company leaves a bad taste in your mouth

Mar 2, 2009

It is a tad unfortunate that in the past couple of weeks I’ve had to experience the way in which one of the players in the car insurance industry treats its customers. I haven’t lost a single demerit point since well into last century and consider myself a pretty safe driver. So a couple of…

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Recession Proof Marketing – how to survive and thrive in a recession

Mar 1, 2009

Marcus Barber has teamed up with Marketing expert Tod O’Reilly to write ‘Recession Proof Marketing – how to survive and thrive in a recession’. The book is due for completion by the end of March, 2009 and pre orders are now being taken for advance copies Tod was the account manager for both the David…

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2009 – Living with an economic downturn – a view from Russia

Feb 15, 2009

At the Long Now group run by Stewart Brand, they have regular guest speakers on a whole range of topics. Recently they had Russian Dmitry Orlov who discussed what happened in Russia during the economic crisis in the early 1990’s and what people around the world might need to do to prepare for the current…

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2009 – a year for Playing ‘Catch-Up’ (Part 1)

Jan 18, 2009

This is Part one with Part two (looking at who will probably better off at this time next year) to come shortly. If you are in a position to sharpen your thinking, catch a breath or use some time to improve your understanding of the ways in which we create our societies, then I have…

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Ahead for 2009 on 774 ABC’s conversation hour

Jan 12, 2009

What’s emerging for 2009? What might shape the near term future, what can we do about it and what are some of the indicators suggesting change or otherwise? Strategic Futurist Marcus Barber joined Raphael Epstein and co-host Denise Scott, as part of the panel to answer the questions on the 774 ABC’s conversation hour today……

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2008 – what a year it was!

Dec 27, 2008

Yes you read right – thinking ahead I’m anticipating an amazing 2008. Happy new year to all for when it happens (depending on the calendar you subscribe to) and I look forward to some fun, challenges, stresses and enjoyment for the year ahead. Marcus Barber 🙂 PS – Hope 2007 was a good one

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Australian Strategic Planning Institute work shop in Sydney fully booked

Dec 7, 2008

The Advanced one day Strategic Planning Workshop in Sydney on the 11th of December at Rydges World Square is now fully booked For inquiries about the next series of dates for the 2009 series, keep an eye out on The Australian Strategic Planning Institute website at www.taspi.com.au or contact us via email here

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Heading down the drain with the ‘4 Minute Shower’

Nov 16, 2008

Every now and again what sounds like a really good idea turns out to be less beneficial than what was hoped for. There’s lots of talk right now about technology solutions and ways in which societies can change the way they use water – there’s conferences and ‘talkfests’ a plenty featuring many of the industry…

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Blackwood 8 fundraiser assists the Ludwig Institute for Cancer research

Nov 3, 2008

The second annual fund raiser was held in late October and attended by almost 300 people. Marcus Barber offers a brief update: The Blackwood 8 commitee put together a great fund raiser on behalf of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne. With a delightful crowd warm up by Greg Champion of the ‘Coodabeen…

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Regional Produce Summit slides now available

Oct 21, 2008

The slides used as part of Marcus Barber’s key note address to the Regional Produce Summit are now available via the link below   Held at the Wangaratta Gateway Motel (and the first conference event staged in its very impressively redsigned function room) the conference brought together a range of speakers to discuss culinary tourism,…

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