What I’ve been reading: Dairy farming, capitalism and night skies

As we all know the dairy industry in New Zealand in in bad shape, with farmers now selling milk for less than it cost them to make it. In this New Zealand Herald opinion piece broadcaster and commentator Mike Hosking explains why he thinks this is all hunky dory. 

Personally I reckon he’s dreaming. In my opinion, dairying is the single biggest environmental problem in New Zealand. Not only has ruined our rivers, it also makes our largest contribution to global warming. So when it starts costing us money rather than making it… well, it’s time we start listening to people like the bloke in this article. He’s a farmer we spoke to who makes more money out of running fewer cows, by having fewer overheads (fertiliser and feed) and creating less pollution.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in economics and feel like taking a broader view, there have been some really exciting ideas out there lately on where capitalism is heading. I thought this recent piece in the Guardian was fascinating. 

Though if you just want some inspiration from the natural world, then check out this amazing time-lapse video of New Zealand’s night sky.