See the post on stored energy
here
Many environmentally related posts appearing at Daily Kos each week don't attract the attention they deserve. To help get more eyeballs, Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue) normally appears twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The most recent Saturday Spotlight can be seen here. More than 22,060 environmentally oriented diaries have been rescued for inclusion in this weekly collection since 2006. Inclusion of a diary in the Spotlight does not necessarily indicate my agreement with or endorsement of it.
Is the planet getting revenge?—by
don mikulecky: "This article from
The Washington Post by Chris Mooney is an example of how the Earth's response to Global Warming is a form of self organization that actually appears to be "punishing" one of the worst sources of that warming:
Global warming is now slowing down the circulation of the oceans—with potentially dire consequences. So in sum: It appears that we’ve just seen yet another surprise from the climate system—and yet another process, like the melting of Antarctica, that seems to be happening faster than previously expected. And indeed, much like with that melting, the upshot if the trend continues is an especially bad sea level rise for the United States—the country more responsible than any other on Earth for the global warming that we’re currently experiencing. The ironic result of this adjustment in the Earth System is not really very funny. It is clear that the way the complex physical events interact is both unpredictable and also in no way directed at the human species causing them. On the other hand a broader view of the earth system's response can actually suggest that the human cause will eventually be eliminated."
Surprise! Inhofe is funded by BP PAC—by
enhydra lutris: "
One of America’s most powerful and outspoken opponents of climate change regulation received election campaign contributions that can be traced back to senior BP staff, including chief executive Bob Dudley. Jim Inhofe, a Republican senator from Oklahoma who has tirelessly campaigned against calls for a carbon tax and challenges the overwhelming consensus on climate change, received $10,000 (£6,700) from BP’s political action committee (PAC)."
You can find more rescued green diaries below the orange garden layout.
Climate Chaos
Discredited Heartland's Free Market Wealth Redistribution—by ClimateDenierRoundup: "The Heartland Institute is desperate for people to read its climate books 'that promote the ideals of the free markets, smaller government, and greater liberty.' How desperate? So desperate that they've sent out an email to followers offering the books for free. They even cover shipping! Reading the synopses of the books, the projection is palpable. In Roosters of the Apocalypse, the author argues that the global warming movement, 'is basically irrational, ideological, and profoundly anti-science.' Seeking to turn the tables, Climate of Corruption asks, 'Who stands to benefit most by promoting public climate change alarmism?' Finally, Heartland's fossil fuel funded NIPCC books are described as 'independent, comprehensive, and authoritative,' which aptly describes the real IPCC, but obviously not the NIPCC. All doublespeak and projection aside, the best part is the irony that this free market group—which idolizes capitalism—obviously can't sell its product, and is instead giving it away for free. Put another way, they take money from the rich and redistribute wealth by sending books out for free."
A Nasty Surprise in the Greenhouse—by greenman3610: "The disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow was based on long term scientific concerns about global warming’s impact on the North Atlantic Current, also called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation—what most people think of as 'The Gulf Stream'—although that is a simplification. The movie was obviously over the top in terms of the projected impacts, but after a decade in which science has downplayed the possibility of such an event, a new paper shows that the circulation is indeed slowing down."
Climate skeptic David Evans is going to lose his shirt—by Keith Pickering: "I've taken some shots at Australian climate skeptic David Evans in a previous diary about one of his odd theories. But I do have to give Evans his props in one regard: unlike some others in the skeptic community, he has the guts to put his money where his mouth is. Evans is darn sure that the IPCC is wrong about how hot it's going to get, and he has laid a series of bets with Brian Schmidt, who blogs under the nom-de-net Eli Rabett (caution: bunny puns fill the Rabett's blog), on the five-year average GISS global surface temperature in the years 2019, 2024, and 2029. What Evans apparently doesn't realize is that because of the thermal inertia of the oceans, within narrow bounds we can already predict what global temperatures will be in 2019, 2024, and 2029. And David Evans is going to lose his shirt."
NOAA's Orion: More than a Hurricane Hunter—by
BlackSheep1 : "Which brings me to sharing that airplane picture with you above, and then telling you why I think you should care. That's not just a hurricane hunter.
Vast regions west of the Mississippi River are under development for oil and gas extraction, and the associated equipment has become a familiar sight on any cross-country road trip or flight. But while one focus is on what comes out of the ground, NOAA and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) researchers and their colleagues are studying what escapes to the air—and how it is transformed in the atmosphere and affects air quality and climate. The scientists are using a suite of state-of-the-art chemical instruments aboard a research aircraft this spring in the NOAA-led Shale Oil and Natural Gas Nexus (SONGNEX 2015) field campaign, to study the atmospheric effects of energy production in the western U.S. That airplane is, as the kids today say is doing a science."
Steve Goddard Censored by "The Nazis At Twitter"—by ClimateDenierRoundup 03/24/2015: "In February, the CEO of Twitter said in an interview that the service would start cracking down on abuse and trolls. Apparently, Twitter is living up to its commitment. In a new post, blogger Steve Goddard (pen name of Tony Heller) laments that Twitter has shut down his account. Titled, 'As Expected, The Nazis At Twitter Have Shut Down My Account,' the post tells his readers of the tragic news and shows the rest of us just why his account suspension is valid—because he's an abusive troll who loves to harass climate scientists. It's a brief post, but he gets right to the point with a photo of a Nazi book burning (because apparently a private company deciding not to host your attacks is on par with the Nazis). Always eager to manufacture controversy, Daily Caller's Michael Bastasch managed to stretch this 140-character travesty out into a full article, mostly by explaining the ways the environmental community 'maligns' Goddard. Goddard responded to Twitter's horrific injustice with a slew of posts, including one about 'Green Shirt Fascists,' where he begs readers to tell Twitter to 'release' him as a 'Political Prisoner at Twitmo,' and another informing readers of his new URL (realclimatescience.com) because he expects 'climate Nazis to get [him] blocked from Wordpress.'"
Extreme Weather & Natural Phenomena
When False Balance Isn't False: Daily Caller's Self-Rebuttal—by ClimateDenierRoundup: "Media Matters has a postlooking at the Daily Caller's coverage of Cyclone Pam, which devastated Vanuatu. Many in the deniersphere were enraged when Vanuatu's president connected the devastation to climate change, and the Daily Caller sought to hit back with an article repudiating the climate link. Within the Daily Caller article, though, the scientists quoted said the exact opposite. Although they didn't directly attribute Cyclone Pam to climate change (because you never can), they did say that climate change made it worse. In a rare occurrence, DC showed a shred of journalistic credibility by actually quoting real experts. Multiple scientists point out the climate connections, mentioning the important detail that sea level rise, which had 'no doubt been influenced' by climate change, fueled the 26 foot storm surge. In journalism, traditionally, false balance is when reporters include an opposing view where it isn't warranted, casting doubt on something true for the sake of the journalistic norm of presenting two sides to every story. But in deniersphere publications like the Daily Caller, that same phenomenon (including an opposing viewpoint for balance) introduces truth into the story that is otherwise false. So in this case, the false balance isn't false at all, but a sorely needed fact check on the reporter/outlet's own bias."
Critters & the Great Outdoors
The Daily Bucket - Confrontational Flora—by
Milly Watt: "If you dare to leave the trail, you may find plants that scratch, sting, itch, and grab. These are plants I've dubbed, 'confrontational flora.' Devil's Club is the king of confrontational flora here on the Olympic Peninsula. There are irritating spines on the woody stems and on both the tops and bottoms of the leaves. It can grow up to 10 ft tall with leaves that are over a foot across. It grows as an understory shrub in dense moist evergreen forests. It can create a tall thicket that you really wouldn't want to try to bushwhack through. Even so, the native peoples used this plant medicinally, as poultices and teas, and ceremonially, making it into face paint. A branch might be hung over the door to ward off evil. It was considered protective, possibly because of its diabolical spines. The roots and inner bark were used to treat arthritis, digestive tract ailments, diabetes, and other health problems. Of course, one would first have to carefully harvest it and scrape off all the spines. Ouch!"
The Daily Bucket: Some Random Photos—by Lenny Flank: "A few random photos shot over the last few days:
Green Anole
The Daily Bucket - rainy muddy spring day on the Skagit flats—by
OceanDiver: "
Skagit River flats. Pacific Northwest. Optimally this would have been a sunny day, as the many tourists who came to see the flowers had surely been hoping. Oh well, this is spring in the Pacific Northwest and it's rainy as often as not. We were zipping through the flats on our way home after a weekend on the mainland, so even though the flowers were not as colorful as they might have been, the fields were delightful. And as a bonus: swans and geese! This is the delta of the Skagit River, a fertile flood plain and prime agricultural land of western Washington. Among the many crops here, tulip and daffodil bulbs are cultivated. In spring the multicolored flowering fields draw visitors from all over."
Turkey Vulture
The Daily Bucket - On the Wing—by
jersyblue: "Last week was typically windy but mild enough to stand in the sun and see what would blow my way. Hawks, vultures, eagles and other soaring birds were taking advantage; some were working, but I think mostly they were having fun. A good sized group of vultures dawdled over the forest, swamp and farm fields that Mr. Jersyblue and I call home. There were Black vultures circling around chasing each other higher and higher up the air column. They were joined by Turkey vultures that swooped a little lower, just grazing the treetops. Then they straightened their flight path and zoomed west to find the next swirl of air. The winds carried them high. Almost too high to see even with a lens. But now there was something different. Brighter. No it's not a plane! It's a bird! A pair of Red-tailed hawks danced and hovered. Too far apart to be in the same frame at that altitude, but maybe I could catch one?"
Bureau will cut American River flows to 500 cfs—by Dan Bacher: "This year was the worst ever for steelhead returns to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery on the American River—and things aren’t getting any better with a drop in flows on the river to 500 cfs., which means low, warm flows for steelhead and king salmon through the spring and summer. The Bureau of Reclamation will ramp flows from 800 cfs on March 24 to 500 cfs on March 26. The only reason given by Randi Field of the Bureau is two words—'storage conservation.' Questions for more details about the cut in flows by Felix Smith, former USFWS wildlife biologist, and myself, haven't been answered yet. The hatchery staff has trapped 143 adult steelhead, including 93 females and 45 males, to date, according to Gary Novak, hatchery manager. That compares to a total of 546 adult steelhead, including 527 adults and 19 half pounders, last season."
The Daily Bucket--You Won't Believe This Plant's Shocking Trick!—by 6412093: "It explodes. Well, its seed pods explode. The truth is, I'm shocked but also a little ticked off. The exploding seed pods scattered seeds everywhere sometime last year, and now I can hardly see my authorized flowers [...] Little Bittercress is a fall/winter germinating annual that is native to Europe, according to Washington State University. WSU recommends glyphosate to kill it (cough). I prefer hand-weeding, especially in the FMA. It yields easily to hand weeding. The US Department of Agriculture classifies it as native to the US, Canada, and Alaska, with its known range in the lower 48 limited to the Western US and New York. I've read that, like watercress, it is edible as a spicy salad green. I intend to eat some, in an superstitious effort to capture some of its powers for myself. If I could sell it by the ton, I'll be rich!"
Energy
Beijing officials take dramatic step to combat extreme pollution—by Jen Hayden: "Government officials in Beijing are finally taking pollution (and climate change) seriously. In an effort to clear the air in Beijing, they've announced they will permanently close their four remaining coal-powered plants: The closures are part of a broader trend in China, which is the world’s biggest carbon emitter. Facing pressure at home and abroad, policy makers are racing to address the environmental damage seen as a byproduct of breakneck economic growth. Beijing plans to cut annual coal consumption by 13 million metric tons by 2017 from the 2012 level in a bid to slash the concentration of pollutants."
Second Total Meltdown Confirmed by Muon Scans at Fukushima—by Joieau: "Previously Unannounced Muon Scans in 2014 Confirm Meltdown of Daiichi Unit-2. On Thursday of this past week I diaried about the announcement by Tokyo Electric Power Company [TEPCO] that muon scanning of Daiichi unit-1 had confirmed that no fuel remains in its original position in the reactor vessel. The scanners were installed in February by the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization [KEK] in Tsukuba, Japan. In that diary I noted that an article in the journal Science about the project explained that TEPCO was planning a similar probe of Daiichi unit-2 to begin in May of this year. Somewhat surprisingly (because neither Nagoya nor TEPCO had previously mentioned it), the very next day - March 20, 2015 - Nagoya University issued a press release entitled, Nagoya University confirms Fukushima No. 2 reactor meltdown."
Fukushima and Our Radioactive Ocean: Science on a Sphere Video—by MarineChemist: "This diary simply presents a video made by Our Radioactive Ocean (ORO) for the United States of America National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Science on a Sphere program. ORO is a sister program of the InFORM network in Canada. ORO runs a large crowd funded citizen science sampling network distributed across the North Pacific dedicated to monitoring for Fukushima radionuclides in seawater. The movie has some production value and provides useful background on radioactive elements in the ocean and is designed to be shown in aquaria and other public spaces. Thanks to ORO for their continued efforts to track the arrival of the ocean borne contamination from Fukushima along the west coast of North America and in the Hawaiian Islands."
new Federal fracking rules and a push for oil exports in an otherwise quiet week—by rjsigmund: "it almost seems odd that there were no oil bomb train explosions in the news this past week to report on, while the only 2 oil spills that turned up in the news were of about 10 barrels that occurred on a Ute reservation in southwest Colorado in February and was only reported this week, and that of a spill of about 100 gallons from a cargo ship at Wilmington on the Delaware River... earlier, there was a derailment of 13 rail cars & spill of some oil in southern Manitoba late last week, apparently with no fire or explosion, that slipped under the news coverage of the larger derailment and explosion in northern Ontario that dominated last week's news... and there was also a derailment of 2 cars of an 86 car freight train near Beacon New York that didn't involve an oil spill... even North Dakota, which usually has a major oil spill or two hit the wires each week, seems to have escaped the week relatively unscathed, with just two brine spills of under 500 barrels each."
Emissions Control
FEMA to governors: If you want funding, act on climate change now—by Jen Hayden: "FEMA isn't putting up with flat earth, climate change denying politicians for much longer: Starting next year, the agency will approve disaster-preparedness funds only for states whose governors approve hazard-mitigation plans that address climate change. This may put several Republican governors who maintain that the Earth isn't warming due to human activities, or prefer to take no action, in a political bind. Their position may block their states' access to hundreds of millions of dollars in FEMA funds. In the last five years, the agency has awarded an average $1 billion a year in grants to states and territories for taking steps to mitigate the effects of disasters. Are you listening, Florida Governor Rick Scott? Because Florida truly needs to take the threat of climate change seriously."
GOP: Florida gov. Rick Scott Bans 'Climate change' - lol...—by Eric Nelson: "There are currently more than 80,000 chemicals available for purchase and use in the U.S. today that have never been tested for potential toxic effects on human health and the environment. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 was enacted to ensure the safety of each chemical released into our economy, but was so full of loopholes that it prevented the Environmental Protection Agency from acting even on known health dangers. For instance, it was entirely possible for the EPA to ban asbestos altogether, but a clause in the TSCA, that the EPA use 'the least burdensome' means to achieve its goal, meant, over time, that regulating asbestos rather than banning it was a less burdensome option. And so it goes. Recently, Senators Tom Udall of New Mexico and David Vitter of Louisiana have proposed the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), which is being lauded mostly because it’s a rare example these days of bipartisan collaboration. But there are problems with this legislation as well, largely because it appears to have been written by the chemical industry."
Democratic Senator in Florida mocks Rick Scott and FEMA about 'atmospheric reemployment'—by xxdr zombiexx: "Democratic Senator Jeff Clemens appeared to have relished this opportunity to troll the FEMA director, who is not allowed to say the words 'Climate change' in Rick Scott's Florida. So Clemens gave him a hard way to go infront of everybody, providing plenty of laughs, essentially torturing Koons (the FEMA official) who is forbidden to say the words "climate" and "Change" together in close proximity."
Florida Senate mocks Rick Scott. "Atmospheric reemployment" Video. lol—by floridagal: "Appearing before a Senate budget subcommittee, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Bryan Koon spoke at length of the need for funds to warn residents in advance of floods, tornadoes and hurricanes in Florida, reports the Miami Herald. Following some back and forth between Koon and State Senator Jeff Clemens (D), Clemens asked Koon if it is true that states need to have 'climate change plans' to qualify for that federal money. Koon agreed, saying it required 'language to that effect.' 'I used "climate change,"' Clemens replied, 'but I’m suggesting that maybe as a state, we use the term 'atmospheric reemployment.' That might be something that the governor could get behind.'"
#PorkSteakRebellion debunked: No, the EPA is NOT banning BBQ grills—by JGibson: "Yet another chapter of the conservatives' War On The EPA continued this past week, as Fox 'News,' conservative blogs, and Missouri State Senator Eric Schmitt led the charge in lying about the EPA's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s study on reducing emission from BBQ grills in order to gin up anti-EPA sentiments. St. Louis Business Journals' Ben Unglesbee: Under the hashtag #PorkSteakRebellion, Schmitt has taken to Twitter to denounce the EPA for backing the study, which won the initial grant last July. While the EPA notes on its website that perspectives and conclusions by project winners don’t represent the agency’s views, Schmitt has voiced concern that the government might soon look to regulate backyard grills."
Renewables & Conservation
When it comes to renewable energy, Costa Rica sets a new record—by Jen Hayden: "Costa Rica has just set an impressive record: Costa Rica has achieved a clean energy milestone by using 100 per cent renewable energy for a record 75 days in a row. The feat was achieved thanks to heavy rainfall, which powered four hydroelectric plants in the first three months of the year, the state-run Costa Rican Electricity Institute said. No fossil fuels have been burnt to generate electricity since December 2014, in the state which is renowned for its clean energy policies. How did they get it done? By investing in infrastructure, thus making it easier to make the transition to newer technology."
How Many Solar Panels Would We Need to Power the Entire United States?—by pierre9045: "Using the standard of the Topaz Solar Farm, one of the largest solar farms currently in existence, which generates about 1000 Gigawatt-hours per year, it would require about 29,300 similar solar farms. The Topaz Solar farm uses 9 million photovoltaic cells, meaning that many farms would need about 264 billion photovoltaic cells. Assuming one solar panel holds 40 photovoltaic cells means about 6.6 billion solar panels."
How Much Sunlight Would it Take to Power the United States?—by pierre9045: "Finally, imagine if someone could figure out how to float solar panels higher up in our atmosphere, where there is even more power available owing to less deflection by the atmosphere. Such panels could also reduce the amount of sunlight even reaching the Earth to begin with, pretty much the main culprit in the Greenhouse effect."
Open thread for night owls: NJ investing in energy storage projects, paving way for more renewables—by
Meteor Blades: "Tom Johnson at NJSpotlight writes New Jersey Invests in Backup Storage for Solar Power and Wind Energy Systems:
The state is funding more than a dozen projects to help make solar and wind power more reliable by providing backup energy-storage systems for the electricity they produce.
These first-ever awards by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will give nearly $3 million to 13 projects scattered around the state, all of which will supply money to existing solar energy systems. The Atlantic County Utilities Authority grant also will be linked to the facility’s wind system, a familiar sight to tourists arriving at the casino resort. Energy storage is widely viewed as crucial to promote the development of renewable energy -- especially given the intermittent nature of solar and wind generation. The state’s has set a goal of having 22.5 percent of its electricity delivered from renewable energy sources by 2020, but some want it raised to 80 percent by 2050."
Fracking
What's the difference between a birdhouse and a fracking rig?—by HannahMiller: "Efforts to stop the march of fracking rigs have gained the most traction at the local level. Voters and legislators have passed more than 400 local bans on fracking—about half of these in New York—and many more are in process. Why is this? Well, as David Spence points out in a survey of local bans in the Texas Law Review, it’s a difference in where the costs and benefits of fracking land. Most of the costs of fracking are borne locally, by neighbors, in the form of air pollution, truck traffic and dried-up creeks. The benefits, if any, accrue to offsite actors: the handful of companies making millions, and more politically important: state governments that collect the vast majority of taxes and fees. But this really shouldn’t be all that complicated. Local responses to fracking should really fall under the bread-and-butter tool of municipalities everywhere: zoning."
Maryland House of Delegates passes 3-year fracking moratorium—by Meteor Blades: "It's taken years for activists to get this far, but on Tuesday, the Maryland House of Delegates passed a three-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing by an overwhelming 93-45 vote. The bill will now go to the state senate where a bill to hold companies strictly liable for injuries to residents or property passed on Tuesday by 29-17."
DC, State & Local Eco-Politics
Governor Jerry Brown on Ted Cruz: 'that man betokens such a level of ignorance'—by Egberto Willies: "While the governor did not want to single out California in the aggregate of climatic events, one has to draw that conclusion given the peer reviewed studies supported by over 90 percent of scientists. Chuck Todd then played a clip of Ted Cruz's willful ignorance displayed on Seth Myers show where he lied about the scientific data on climate change. Governor Jerry Brown's response was epic. 'What he said is absolutely false,' Brown said. 'Over 90% of the scientists who deal with climate are absolutely convinced that the human activity, industrial activity, generation of CO2, methane, oxides, nitrogen, and all the rest of those greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere. They are heat trapping. And they are causing not just warm, drought in California, but severe storms and cold in the East Coast. So it's climate disruption of many different kinds. And that man betokens such a level of ignorance and a direct falsification of existing scientific data. It's shocking and I think that man has rendered himself absolutely unfit to be running for office.'"
Senator Ted Cruz cements his membership in the snowball faction of climate change deniers—by Meteor Blades: "Last week, while mentioning all the snow and ice he had just encountered in a visit to New Hampshire, Sen. Ted Cruz, who brags about how smart he is, demonstrated his scientific illiteracy in an exchange on Late Night With Seth Meyers. [...] On Meet the Press, Sunday, California Gov. Jerry Brown took that statement to the woodshed: 'What he said is absolutely false [...] And that man betokens such a level of ignorance and a direct falsification of scientific data. It’s shocking and I think that man has rendered himself absolutely unfit to be running for office.'"
Jerry Brown skewering Ted Cruz—by Beastly Fool : "Governor Brown used to be known for running for president AND for turning a well-timed phrase: And this morning, interviewed on 'Meet The Press,' speaking of Ted Cruz, who'd appeared on 'Late Night' the night before, Brown said, 'you can't just sit around and engage in rhetoric... [Cruz] betokens such a level of ignorance and a direct falsification of data—it's shocking—and I think that man has rendered himself absolutely unfit to be running for office.' Then back to the environment, 'this has to be almost at the level of a crusade to wake people up to take the necessary steps intelligently, carefully, to move the world forward.'"
Eco-Action & Eco Justice
Get this: science denier David Koch sits on boards of America's science museums. Let's kick him off!—by citisven:
No more dinosaurs for you, Mr. Koch!
You just can't make that stuff up!
Science Museums Urged to Cut Ties With Kochs So David Koch, he of the oil and manufacturing conglomerate Koch Industries and the Lord Voldemort to all that is good and lush and thriving on God's green Earth, sits on the Board of Directors at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History, all while bankrolling groups that deny climate science to the tune of $67 million since 1997.
Sign the Petition to Kick Koch Off the Board I don't know what the correct analogy is here—wolf guarding the henhouse? too many rotten eggs in one basket?—but it looks like the chickens are coming home to roost."
Agriculture, Food & Gardening
International Agency Designates Herbicide Glyphosate (Roundup) as Probable Human Carcinogen—by LakeSuperior: "The most widely produced and used herbicide in the United States has been determined by a prestigious international scientific institution to be a probable human carcinogen (cancer initiating/promoting chemical agent). The International Association for Research on Cancer (IARC) made an announcement of its designation on Friday that the most commonly used herbicide in the United States, Glyphosate (found in "RoundUp") is designated as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans."
Palm Springs, PETA, and Protests—by MrsCaptJack: "I get that not everyone loves the PETA and I'm aware that they've been accused of some horrific stuff. I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian. I like meat. I know where it comes from and how it ends up on my plate. That said, foie gras is disgusting and that's the only reason these protesters were there. Until recently, California had a ban on it. I understand Le Vallauris began serving it again as soon as they could get their hands on it This demonstration took place on private property ~ the parking area is private and clearly marked as such. I understand from the Direct Action Everywhere folks (DxE SoCal) that they are an 'in your face' organization. I get that those tactics are considered necessary sometimes.They were loud, but they were not violent. The actions of the manager who attacks them with what looks like a length of closet dowel rod? I don't even have adequate words to describe how horrified I am."
Finally!! Environment, Health and Public Health groups come together to support reduced meat/dairy!—by VL Baker: "In an amazing show of solidarity; environmental, health care, sustainable food and public health groups and activists have come together to support the sustainability recommendations in the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, calling for less meat and more plants in our diets for the sake of our health and the health of our planet. They announced their solidarity in a splashy, full page ad in The New York Times yesterday. It was addressed to the Heads of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was timed to coincide with the Public Meeting for Oral Testimony on the Scientific Report of the 015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. A video of meeting is available here, but be advised it is over 4 hours long!"
Paul McCartney on Meat Free Monday: "It's damn good for the planet"—by VL Baker: "Paul McCartney joined sustainability experts and country representatives to the United Nations at a reception in New York City, in advance of the Climate Change conference being held in Paris this December. Michael Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, His Excellency Mr. Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Peru’s Ambassador to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. François Delattre, the French Ambassador to the United Nations, co-hosted the reception on Monday 2 March, at Bloomberg Philanthropies, to mark the kick-off to the ‘Road to Paris’."
Open thread for night owls. Farmland without farmers: U.S. landscape loses its stewards and culture—by Meteor Blades: "A short excerpt of The Atlantic's adaptation from Wendell Berry's book, Our Only World: Ten Essays: The landscapes of our country are now virtually deserted. In the vast, relatively flat acreage of the Midwest now given over exclusively to the production of corn and soybeans, the number of farmers is lower than it has ever been. I don’t know what the average number of acres per farmer now is, but I do know that you often can drive for hours through those corn-and-bean deserts without seeing a human being beyond the road ditches, or any green plant other than corn and soybeans. Any people you may see at work, if you see any at work anywhere, almost certainly will be inside the temperature-controlled cabs of large tractors, the connection between the human organism and the soil organism perfectly interrupted by the machine. Thus we have transposed our culture, our cultural goal, of sedentary, indoor work to the fields. Some of the 'field work,' unsurprisingly, is now done by airplanes. This contact, such as it is, between land and people is now brief and infrequent, occurring mainly at the times of planting and harvest. The speed and scale of this work have increased until it is impossible to give close attention to anything beyond the performance of the equipment."
Wyoming Passes Ag-Gag Bill Under Another Name—by Village Vet: "So this happened: Governor Matt Mead (R-Wyo.) signed into law Senate File 0015 (that is, a state senate bill), called (stand by for this): AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; creating the crimes of trespassing to unlawfully collect resource data and unlawful collection of resource data; limiting use of unlawfully collected data; providing for expungement; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date. Otherwise known around here as the 'Data Trespass Bill,' the act prohibits the use of any data collected if permission was not obtained by a property owner in writing or orally first. It also carries penalties for the collection of such data. The problem Governor Mead has is this: people are collecting water samples from public property to show that ranchers around here are not complying with health and safety laws (that is, ranging cattle too close to watersheds, thus polluting the water). Pesky biologists are collecting information on threatened species; archaeologists are collecting information on ancient cultures, &c, and all are violating private property rights (and economic development)."
Long term study of un-natural fertilizers—by nailkeg: "My first job in 1958 was applying anhydrous ammonia, one of the most dangerous chemicals, on farmland for added nitrogen to increase plant growth of corn. Before I was even aware of organic methods, the high schools following the lead of the colleges taught new and upcoming farming methods. We knew of the dangers of the chemicals and always carried extra water as water would neutralize the acid effect if we were exposed to the gas.
It only stands to reason that this highly toxic chemical is killing a large percentage of the earth worms and probably a lot of other organisms naturally occurring in the soil."
Eco-Essays and Eco-Philosophy
Charles Koch Believes Consumers Are Always Right - So Who Needs Regulations?—by diligentbureaucrat: "Take the pitiful working conditions in Bangladesh for example. When news of the factory collapse that killed over one thousand workers came out a few years ago, there was outrage around the world, and in developed countries like the United States, where consumers buy cheap products made in Bangladesh. Yet, years later, conditions continue to be appalling, and another factory has recently collapsed, while many consumers have forgotten the disaster when it comes to shopping. And what about the deepwater horizon oil spill, which effected millions of American’s. While the company has spent around $40 billion in clean up and claim costs, today the company is beginning to recover, and a favorable ruling recently saved the company billions in potential fines. While there were calls for BP boycotts at the time of the spill, nothing truly materialized. It is especially difficult to form a boycott of gas and oil, when consumers look at prices rather than brands. Indeed, studies show that 'ethical consumerism' is more of a hopeful delusion than an actuality."
Climate Denial is Immoral, So is the Republicans Failure to Govern—by Ellinorianne: "Today Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and noted as the 'most powerful woman' in the Christian religion spoke out against climate change denial. She spoke out against it as a moral issue and one that is in direct opposition to the teachings of God and the Bible. [...] Even as an atheist, I cannot emphasize how important this is to have people in religious positions of power speak out against climate change denial. There is a direct correlation between climate change denial and religious belief according to studies, such as one published last year, Who are the climate change deniers."
Climate Change; What will need to happen for it to be taken seriously?—by Tausendberg: "I feel like I'm making an understatement putting that in so few words but simultaneously I can't ever escape the immense doubt I feel when I see what can generously be described as a tepid response to Public Enemy Number One. And I think I speak for many people on Daily Kos and the American Left when I say that I don't know what to really do about it. And by it, I am referring to the American Public, the by and large, apathetic, American Public. The danger just doesn't seem real to a lot of people and I wonder what it would take for it to feel real."
Oceans, Water & Drought
California Snowpack is a Record Low 9% of Normal, No Melt Water for Water Supplies—by FishOutofWater: "California can expect no water for its drought depleted reservoirs from melting snow in the high Sierra. On March 23, one week from the April 1 date used by water forecasters to predict summer run off from melting snow, the Sierra Nevada's snow water content was a record low 9% of normal. Near record warmth is forecast in the coming week and little precipitation is forecast in the next 10 days going into the long, hot, summer dry season. Melting snow normally constitutes one third of California's water supplies and acts to lengthen the spring season. This year summer will come early. Reservoirs and groundwater levels will begin to fall months earlier than normal because of the lack of mountain snow melt this spring. [...] El Niño, an event in the Pacific ocean that brings warm tropical water from the western equatorial Pacific to American shores, often brings heavy precipitation to California. This year, El Niño did bring some rain, but the atmosphere was so warm than almost no snow fell in the mountains. Reduced snowfall in the southwestern North America is one of the predictions of climate models that is verifying in real time. The effect on western regional water supplies is disastrous. Water supply conditions in California are dire."
"Almost half of the average Californian's water footprint is due to consumption of meat and dairy"—by VL Baker: "California is experiencing a historic drought. Due to the impacts of climate change there is no way of knowing how long the California drought will last. So far, their solutions such as Save Our Water have been like trying to slow Niagara Falls with a Band-Aid. Despite their hashtag #EveryDropCounts, their water-saving tips focus only on household use, which accounts for 4% of California's water footprint. But a whopping 47% of drought-stricken California’s water footprint is associated with meat and dairy products, per Pacific Institute's 2012 report California's Water Footprint. "Almost half of the average Californian’s water footprint is associated with the consumption of meat and dairy products." Their report also clearly shows that animal feed has the greatest water requirement of any crop in California, far more than almonds and avocados, as well as any other human use. Climate deniers have their heads in the sand, but we consumers also do our best to ignore the connection between our consumption and the climate crisis."
Trash, Pollution & Hazardous Waste
Polluters Again Challenge Common Sense Public Health Protections at the Supreme Court—by Mary Anne Hitt: "Today, the Supreme Court will hear polluter arguments against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) vital Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), a long-overdue protection finalized in 2012 that will help guard our families, air, water, and wildlife from dangerous toxic pollution that comes from coal plants. These vital protections are critically important to public health, and the polluters challenging them are putting lives at risk. The mercury, arsenic, and other poisonous metal and acid gas pollution that these protections are meant to control pose serious dangers to pregnant women and young children. EPA scientists have estimated that as many as one in 10 women have mercury levels in their blood high enough to cause damage to a developing baby. I know I worried about this when I was pregnant with my daughter five years ago, and I still worry about it now as she grows up. That's why thousands of Sierra Club supporters worked with our partner organizations for years to push for these standards."
Tom Udall Gets It Wrong—by Robocop: "There are currently more than 80,000 chemicals available for purchase and use in the U.S. today that have never been tested for potential toxic effects on human health and the environment. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 was enacted to ensure the safety of each chemical released into our economy, but was so full of loopholes that it prevented the Environmental Protection Agency from acting even on known health dangers. For instance, it was entirely possible for the EPA to ban asbestos altogether, but a clause in the TSCA, that the EPA use 'the least burdensome' means to achieve its goal, meant, over time, that regulating asbestos rather than banning it was a less burdensome option. And so it goes. Recently, Senators Tom Udall of New Mexico and David Vitter of Louisiana have proposed the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), which is being lauded mostly because it’s a rare example these days of bipartisan collaboration. But there are problems with this legislation as well, largely because it appears to have been written by the chemical industry."
Forests, Wilderness & Public Lands
More of the planet is in trouble than we seem to realize: Forests—by don mikulecky: "This article by Lindsay Abrams in Salon: This is absolutely terrifying: 'There are really only two big patches of intact forest left on Earth' brings some obvious but inconvenient truths to the forefront. We are ruining the planet like it does not matter what we are leaving for future generations. We are constantly being told that Republicans still ignoring reality with regard to things like the ACA. It is time to stop scapegoating them while we go on bringing about an end to the kind of planet we have abused for so long."
Miscellany
Settlement or Extortion?—by hannah : "The reports of a settlement on Sea Island, Georgia, are disturbing on many counts, not the least of which is that the Sea Island Company no longer exists. Not only have many of the assets of the bankrupt, family-owned firm been acquired by an artificial body that called itself 'Sea Island Acquisitions,' as if acquisition were an honorable enterprise, but that Limited Liability (little responsibility) Corporation has now morphed into an alphabet string that's not even a pronounceable acronym, SIA PROPCO II, LLC. So, it's no wonder references default to the historical moniker, which may well be the intent. Then too, the community has an historical investment in an enterprise, whose shame they'd just as soon forget. Bankruptcy may be SOP on Wall Street, but it's not welcome on Main Street. So, Sea Island Company survives in local discourse. Mendacity, on the other hand, does not merely survive, it thrives. Indeed, it was the mendacity involved in the claim that a fragile spit of rapidly eroding sand had been destined for development/destruction all along, which raised the hackles of both locals and environmentalists from away. Development has been promised and underway on the Georgia Coast for several decades, with the result that the locals, the people trying to make a living on Main Street, are no better off. Neither the air, nor the water are fresher -- better to breathe and drink. The fish aren't fit to eat and neither are the crabs and shrimp. There are fewer jelly balls washing up on the beach because they're being "harvested" and sold off to Asia, but that's not much of a boon."
What To Do With $5 B?—by DaveElder: "If you live in New York State, I'd like to ask for your help on this one. As it happens, Albany has a one-time $5 Billion windfall landing in its 2015 budgetary lap, as a result of big bank settlements and fines. What to do with that $5 B? Personally, I'd like to see NYS • create jobs in all sections of the state • reduce peak demand on our overloaded electrical grid • increase renewable energy production • lower water/sewer rates around the state • reduce waste volume to landfills • lower landfill methane emissions • upgrade waste-water treatment facilities • give farmers access to better quality and more environmentally-friendly fertilizer • give food suppliers access to more convenient waste processing. Does that sound like a lot? Actually, Albany could do all that and more simply by using the windfall to modernize the anaerobic digesters of waste-water treatment plants throughout the state."
Gallup Poll: Americans more positive about environment, less worried about specific eco-threats—by Meteor Blades: "The Gallup Poll reports that Americans are more positive about the environment than they have ever been in the 14 years the organization has been asking their views on the subject. Meanwhile, on six major environmental issues, including global warming, they are less worried than they were last year. The broader question that needs asking is whether the environment is actually better and whether there is less to worry about among those six issues. Certainly, in the case of global warming, there are plenty of reasons to worry more than before. Extinction of species? Ditto. Rain forest loss? Likewise."
Carbon Poker—by Hermenutic: "Most of the people on the planet have heard of the problems that carbon based energy presents. Not all of those agree with what they have heard. I made this little poster to illustrate the human races dalliance with Carbon. I named it 'Carbon Poker'."