An international group of scientists have been involved in intense discussion this week in Wellington on climate and biotic events of the Paleogene and what we can learn from them to predict the impacts of climate change in the future. Best of the SMC blogs: The state of science journalism in New Zealand, UK stem cell research falters, Controvery over fat tax, How your friends make you fat, happy and smoke-free, 2008 ends in climate change confusion An international multi-conference event for Computer Science professionals, researchers and students, and occurs under the auspices of the Computing Research and Education Association (formerly the Computer Science Association).