Matt Ridley: The most important thing to happen in 1776

Happy Independence Day, rational optimist. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Matt Ridley reflects on the 1776 innovation that made it possible for democracy and free enterprise to flourish... Enjoy.

The Declaration of Independence, written 250 years ago this week, was a bright torch of the Enlightenment. So was Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, also published 250 years ago this year. But for me the most momentous happening in 1776 was the inauguration of James Watt’s first practical steam engine.

Net Zero Watch Samizdat: Green growth delusion collides with AI revolution

UK

Nvidia boss warns Miliband over UK energy policy

Britain will need natural gas to power new giant computing hubs for artificial intelligence, the boss of Nvidia said, warning that Britain’s high electricity price remained a “challenge”. During an interview with the BBC, Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury said in response that the UK government plans to to continue with its push for renewables. 

Net Zero Samizdat: Energy realism bites back

UK

Tice: AR7 support will not last

Writing in Energy Voice, Richard Tice tells renewables developers to “walk away” from AR7. In his first direct message to the sector, he warns the politics of net zero are shifting - and future subsidies can’t be guaranteed. He brands AR7 a threat to prices, security, and growth.

Sallust: Is the UK Heading Towards a Cultural Collapse?

Spectator Australia has a piece by Julie Sladden on ‘a nation in crisis?‘ No prizes for guessing which nation that is. She reluctantly visited Britain in February this year to attend a conference. There’s nothing like seeing how your nation appears to others:

I was right to be worried. As I crisscrossed the country after the conference, I visited with friends and family, made new friends and spoke with strangers, taxi drivers, locals, farmers and fellow travellers. What I saw and heard shocked me. The change that had taken place over a few short years could only be described as alarming.

Sallust: The Cold Truth – Britain’s Grim Winter’s Tale

Unfortunately, climate activists live in the fantasy world of averages and averages of averages, not reality. In their mythical universe temperatures can be stabilised and power consumption projected, all based on those averages. Their ideology has been allowed to drive Government policy for years and the result has been a misguided reliance on the vagaries and unreliability of solar and wind power.