- Written by Dr Robert McCaffrey, Managing Editor, Global Gypsum Magazine
The publication of the new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a landmark moment. The report states that the UN-backed body of international scientists is 95% certain that half of the global warming seen in the years covered by the report is man-made. The other 50% of the warming effect is presumably perfectly natural and is therefore acceptable. This natural warming is to be borne with gritted teeth and a sigh of weary acceptance. If sea level does eventually rise by a metre, then I shall curse the man-made half of the rise, but I will try to enjoy the other half of the sea level rise, like I might enjoy a lovely natural organic hummus wholemeal baguette.
- Written by Dr Robert McCaffrey, Managing Editor, Global Gypsum Magazine
We have recently advertised for an editorial assistant to help us here at Global Gypsum Magazine. We had 10 graduates apply for the job, including two PhDs. One candidate whom I had invited for interview, subsequently called up and told me that she wouldn't be coming after all, since "Gypsum just isn't sexy enough." Are you kidding? It's a multi-billion dollar industry with major international companies innovating as fast as they can, with law suits, mergers and acquisitions and even some espionage now and then. The people are friendly, the product is just about as 'eco' as it gets and there's enough international travel in the job as you could wish for. Needless to say, she didn't get the job.
- Written by Dr Robert McCaffrey, Managing Editor, Global Gypsum Magazine
While I was out for a walk recently, I met two Asiatic ladies also taking in the fresh air - one was from Singapore and one from Malaysia. We soon found ourselves talking about the air pollution that is drifting from forest fires in Indonesia and is creating a choking haze in Singapore. They mentioned the terrible air pollution in Beijing and the fact that 6000 dead pigs had been found floating down the Huang Po, the river that flows through Shanghai. One of the ladies then told me the following joke: "Two Chinese, one from Beijing and one from Shanghai, are discussing the relative merits of their glorious cities. The Beijing resident, boasting, said "We are so lucky in Beijing; we can open the window and get free cigarette smoke!" The resident from Shanghai just snorts and says, "That's nothing. In Shanghai we turn on the taps and out comes pork soup."
- Written by Dr Robert McCaffrey, Managing Editor, Global Gypsum Magazine
- Written by Dr Robert McCaffrey, Managing Editor, Global Gypsum Magazine
We've recently been asked - again - to organise a Global Boards Conference. Some of you may remember that this idea was floated in 2010: we keep on being asked to create such an event, but economic conditions have not been right in the last few years. We had not considered the possibility of 'resurrecting' the Global Boards Conference, until we were asked by potential participants to once again look at the conference. Such a conference would concentrate on 'future boards;' new board compositions, state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and new board applications. It wouldn't cover gypsum-boards or insulation-only products, since these are already covered by the Global Gypsum and Global Insulation conferences.
We are aware that there are other events that cover some of the topics that a Global Boards Conference might cover, so we went out to our large database and asked our many readers and contacts for their feedback.
