tag:billyx.net,2005:/blogs/blogBlog2023-03-24T17:06:53-05:00Billy X. Curmanofalsetag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356982015-03-21T00:00:00-05:002021-01-24T13:14:14-06:00InClimate 810: Take a Break<p>Take a break <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbshb-Y4CU" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbshb-Y4CU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbshb-Y4CU</a></p>Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356972015-03-20T02:30:59-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 809; Rolling Nap Rolls Out
<p>I got up along with the Spring sunrise from a 24-hour nap. The nails and tacks on my bed kept me in the present, centered and on *point, but I must admit I tried to sneak a peak at the future longing for 7:33 am as a young child longs for Christmas morning.</p>
<p><br><br>Documentation is up at https://twitter.com/BillyXC It includes a photo per hour with a comment from Control: Margarita Baumann, D.L. Hunt and Steve Smith. Add your own sleep stories, images and what-not at www.rollingnap.com</p>
<p><br><br>*pun intended</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356962015-03-18T23:25:12-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 808; Dreaming with Everyone
<p>The 24-Hour Worldwide Nap begins this morning at 7:33 a.m. My body may remain in Witoka, but as the planet turns the dream travels full circle - around and through the world’s time zones - in a virtual nap with everyone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Documentation includes hourly tweets at https://twitter.com/BillyXC through wake-up with the new Spring sunrise.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356952015-03-18T01:39:07-05:002022-01-13T05:26:19-06:00InClimate 807; A Koan Bed
<p>A koan is an insoluble puzzle, paradoxical anecdote or riddle used to escape the prison of logic, to be in the present, to not be in the past or the future, but to be here now - a device used to help us be in the present.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The “Bed o’ Nails” could be viewed as a physical manifestation of a koan with 2,395 nails likely to remind any user about their present moment.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/8c22828d6599a72457fd339edf59d1fe489eba51/original/teddy4-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Teddy4_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356942015-03-17T03:55:02-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 806; Slow Down
<p>A species that has the power to dominate other species and cause mass extinctions and planetary poisonings should really slow down.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356932015-03-16T00:25:59-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 805; Metaphor to Nightmare
<p>www.Rollingnap.com the “Bed of Nails” metaphor for sleepless nights is a bit of a nightmare when I lay upon it.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/b9f335ecf6cec713591f6c248cea02c65f7e589a/original/bedpoints-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="BedPoints_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356922015-03-15T03:24:40-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 804; Rolling Nap Documentation
<p>Relax.. Do less.. Save the *planet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The 24-hour Worldwide Rolling Nap begins March 19th 7:33 am Central Daylight Savings Time. Documentation includes hourly tweets at https://twitter.com/BillyXC</p>
<p> </p>
<p>from bed-down through wake-up with Spring sunrise March 20th, 2015 7:33 am CDST.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Let’s nap. www.rollingnap.com</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Visitation: March 18 5-8 pm</p>
<p><br>Reception: March 20 7-9 pm</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Witoka Contemporary, 27979 County Road 17, Winona, MN</p>
<p><br><br>*Actually, the planet will be okay... Humans... Not so much.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356912015-03-14T04:18:25-05:002023-12-10T12:08:31-06:00InClimate 803; Less Is More
<p>Climate change mitigation may have a minimalist solution: Less is More. Let’s nap.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>www.rollingnap.com</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/cfca3b66e17551ac3dd4892a94699c59a9bc9193/original/dscf21471-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="DSCF21471_resized.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356902015-03-13T02:24:05-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 802; A Koan
<p>Human activity has been linked with a too quickly changing climate. The problem may be a defining issue for this moment in time, but it seems to be similar to a Zen Koan, an insoluble puzzle. The idea of the koan is not to be solved, but for it to tire the mind until it dissolves. If human activity is part of the problem, maybe less activity is a good idea. My mind is tired. I believe I’ll have a nap.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>www.rollingnap.com</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356892015-03-12T03:30:01-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 801; Take A Nap Pete
<p>The transition off fossil fuel is already happening. There is enough oil in reserves to carry us through to the new age of renewable energy. Shell oil intends to go back to the fragile and harsh Arctic environment this summer to try and drill for more oil. Pete Slaiby, the Vice President of Shell Alaska admitted, “There will be spills.” Spills seem to be his vice.</p>
<p><br><br>Last time Shell tried the Arctic in 2012, they had plenty of mishaps including a rig running aground. The Obama administration predicts 800 small spills and two large ones, if Shell finds oil in the Arctic. - Source: www.Greenpeace.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Don’t drill Pete, take a nap.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/d796020785e40ee26d2fdcf3c5f809a8ba007ee3/original/flyer-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDY0eDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Flyer_resized.jpg" height="600" width="464" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356882015-03-11T03:43:02-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 800; Rolling Nap Zen
<p>For the planet its biosphere and fellow creatures - At times, doing nothing may be the most we can do. The Zen of doing nothing could be the Zen of sustainability for a human population in the billions.</p>
<p><br><br>NEWS RELEASE:</p>
<p><br>The Witoka Contemporary - Rolling Nap, Visitation and Reception</p>
<p><br><br>March 10, 2015</p>
<p><br><br>For Immediate Release:</p>
<p><br><br>“Relax… Do Less… Save the Planet… It’s not easy,” so says Billy X. Curmano - as American Idle - in the “The 24-hour Worldwide Rolling Nap”. This, his latest multi-layered performance and environmental statement calls for a paradigm shift to a slower pace. Curmano will attempt to bed down March 19th at 7:33 a.m. Central Daylight Savings Time and awaken with the 2015 Spring Dawn - 7:33 a.m. March 20th.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Naps are personal, but the “How Do You Sleep?” installation will be open for visitation March 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. with a reception March 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Witoka Contemporary, 27979 County Road 17, Winona, MN USA. The elaborate installation demonstrates just how hard the artist finds slowing down. It includes a Bed of Nails with a Pillow and Blanket of Tiny Tacks. The red steel frame bed has 2,395 galvanized steel 3 inch roofing nails, the canvas blanket 2,766 galvanized steel half inch cut tacks and the pillow boasts 640 black steel half inch cut tacks. Don’t ask about the Teddy Bear or Kevlar pajamas.</p>
<p><br><br>Other extended performances from the award-winning artist have included a 40-day Death Valley Desert Fast, a 2,376.4-mile Mississippi River swim and thousands of miles touring on a Greyhound Bus. He’s posted a thought per day without fail since January 1, 2013 on climate disruption to the blog at www.billyx.net for the "InClimate Project" which is under the auspices of Franklin Furnace (NY). His nap begins with "InClimate Post #808".</p>
<p><br><br>Humans probably do the least damage to the environment when they sleep, but modern society knocks out naps, siestas and free time in exchange for dwindling rewards. If everyone worldwide turned off for just an hour each day for a year, the energy savings could be as much as 623,292,349.6 kWh.</p>
<p><br><br>His napping body stays put, but the hours roll around the globe. The Rolling Nap Manifesto at www.rollingnap.com invites visitors to join the movement with their own idle stories and images or simply by taking a nap.</p>
<p><br><br>“Nonsense wakes up the brain cells.” – Dr. Seuss</p>
<p><br><br>- 30 –</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356872015-03-10T02:59:50-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 799; California Fracking Waste
<p>More bad news on hydraulic fracturing probably with secret handshakes and back room negotiations.</p>
<p><br><br>“An EPA investigation recently revealed that California regulators have handed out over 2,500 permits to illegally inject oilfield waste and other fluids into federally-protected aquifers - many of which are used for drinking water and irrigation.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Perhaps, in the new order that last sentence will become toxic drinking water and irritation. Regulators also discovered hundreds of unlined wastewater ponds without permits in California. The problems aren’t new. There’s long been a disregard from the fossil fuel industry for the environment and human health where profits are concerned.</p>
<p><br><br>In 2012, the Associated Press reported Governor Brown saying, “The oil rigs are moving in Kern County. We want to use our resources... our sun and all the other sources of power. It’s not going to be easy. There’s going to be screw-ups. There’s going to be bankruptcies. There’ll be indictments, and there’ll be deaths. But we’re going to keep going. Nothings going to stop us.”</p>
<p><br><br>Perhaps, not - but when it comes to bad choices and human health, the people united can never be defeated.<br><br>Sources:</p>
<p><br>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pits-oil-wastewater-20150226-story.html</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.desmogblog.com/2015/02/11/not-hundreds-thousands-oil-industry-injection-wells-dumping-wastewater-protected-california-aquifers</p>
<p><br><br>Ellen Knickmeyer, “California permitted oilfield discharge in protected water” AP, Feb. 6, 2015</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356862015-03-09T02:45:06-05:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 798; 1st Ever Global Solar Flight Launches
<p>Welcome to the new age of energy! Today’s launch of #Si2 marks another milestone in both aviation and solar technology history. Solar Impulse 1 successfully completed a record-breaking coast-to-coast solar-only powered flight across the USA and now the Swiss explorers, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, are attempting an around-the-world flight - once again - using no other fuel, but the sun.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The first leg of the odyssey began Monday morning at 7:12 (GMT+4) with the Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) lift-off. Power collected and stored in the batteries allows the technical marvel to fly both day and night. There’s a site to follow their progress Live:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.solarimpulse.com/city-stop-abu_dhabi_departure</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/08/swiss-pilots-attempt-worlds-first-around-world-solar-flight</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356852015-03-08T01:24:14-06:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 797; Fever
<p>Global warming has micro-climates with ups and owns. The USA had record-setting highs and lows this February with 386 daily record setting low temperatures and 3,829 record-setting high temperatures. Temps are rising. Earth’s got the Fever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The Week, March 6, 2015</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356842015-03-06T23:44:38-06:002019-12-18T15:34:15-06:00InClimate 796; An Update for A Motto
<p>The inscription on the James Farley Post Office in New York City has entered popular culture as the postal service motto, but perhaps it’s time to break out the chisels and adapt it to modern times.</p>
<p><br><br>“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night... nor severe weather events brought on by human activity and an antiquated fossil fuel powered world economy driving climate change... stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356832015-03-06T01:42:36-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 795; Switching to Clean Energy Is Cheap
<p>Cleaning up the fossil fuel energy economy would do wonders for human health, the health of the environment and the health of all creatures - so why hasn’t it happened? The costs associated with a change to clean energy is sometimes stated, but those costs are often overstated. The change over will be cheap and the consequences of inaction expensive.</p>
<p><br><br>A 2014 report, “Energy Technology Perspectives”, from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showed the switch to renewable energy with a strategy to hold global warming below the 2º Centigrade danger zone (IEA 2DS scenario) would require only 1% of global gross domestic product (GDP) per year.</p>
<p><br><br>“The $44 trillion additional investment needed to decarbonise the energy system in line with the 2DS by 2050 is more than offset by over $115 trillion in fuel savings - resulting in net savings of $71 trillion.”</p>
<p><br><br>These findings are consistent with other reports and are not really controversial. The politicians, pundits, policy makers and oil, gas & coal barons may be worried about losing their cut of that $115 trillion in fuel savings.</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/29/3616382/solving-climate-change-cheap/</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2014/may/name,51005,en.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356822015-03-05T01:55:08-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 794; Just Say No to Tar Sands Oil
<p>Keystone XL and the related pipes and trains for Canadian tar sands oil are often sited for environmental impact. The controversy about extracting, transporting and burning the crude often revolves around these factors, but besides the environmental degradation there are indications of direct concerns for human health.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tar sands oil is a thick bitumen difficult to transport and refine. It is often thinned with toxins like benzene and is a dangerously polluting fossil fuel. The National Resources Defense Council posted information on numerous studies that confirm pollutants in the air, water and soil near tar sands development sites and a concern for rising cancer rates. It continues addressing toxic air emissions during transport and loading, diluted bitumen spills (one of which became the most expensive inland spill in US history), train derailments and explosions. And finally, its refining has increased pollution over conventional crude oil since it is diluted with toxins and has as much as 102 times more copper, 11 times more nickel and sulphur and 5 times more lead. There is also more heavy metal containing petroleum coke produced as a byproduct of tar sands along with an increased risk of refinery accidents.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nrdc.org/energy/tar-sands-health-effects.asp?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=socialmedia</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356812015-03-04T01:54:05-06:002021-01-19T15:37:23-06:00InClimate 793; Fossil Fuel Transition Is On
<p>The numbers tell the story as the world transitions from dependence on fossil fuels.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>In 2004, the amount of new global investment in renewable energy was $40 billion which translated to a 3.7 gigawatts total in world production capacity of solar power.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>In 2013, the amount of new global investment in renewable energy was $214 billion which translated to a 139 gigawatts total in world production capacity of solar power.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Source:<br>Yes! magazine, Spring 2015</p>
<p><br>Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, Global Status Report 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356802015-03-03T02:51:41-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 792; The Fossil Fuels Not To Tap
<p>It’s long been established that there are at least three times more known reserves of the planet’s fossil fuels than can be burned without catastrophic climate consequences, but a new study published in the journal “Nature” goes into more depth on the what, which and where those reserves are most dangerous to extract and use. Christophe McGlade from University College London led the research and described the findings: “We’ve now got tangible figures of the quantities and locations of fossil fuels that should remain unused in trying to keep within the 2º C temperature limit.”</p>
<p><br>Most Canadian tar sands oil, all Arctic oil and gas and a large portion of shale gas needs to just stay put. That’s trillions of dollars untapped and the the kind of news the Koch brothers and other oil, coal and gas barons don’t want reported.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/07/much-worlds-fossil-fuel-reserve-must-stay-buried-prevent-climate-change-study-says</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://bit.ly/1AVCSGo</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356792015-03-02T02:46:55-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 791; Tar Sand Cannons Boom
<p>The tar sands oil boom comes with an almost constant earsplitting boom, boom, boom in the formerly pristine Alberta Canada where it is extracted. A propane cannon blasts every 10 seconds, 24 hours of every single day - and night - of the year in the new dystopian landscape. The blasts are now a regular 24/7 occurrence along with makeshift scarecrows in an attempt to keep the nearly 200,000 birds from landing on the toxic tailings ponds made up of water, sand, clay, leftover oil and other contaminants.</p>
<p> <br><br>Tar Sand oil extraction and transport is an environmental nightmare. It is a thick bituminous crude that has to be thinned with other hazardous products like benzene before it can be forced through pipes under pressure. It has a whopping carbon footprint as it’s refined and eventually transported again and finally used.</p>
<p><br><br>Tar sand oil is tied to the Keystone XL pipeline, but not only those pipes. There are the dangerous tanker cars and backdoor pipelines like Enbridge Energy’s Line 61. That old grandfathered in line is being quietly beefed up. It already has a border crossing immune to presidential action. Its initial 400,000 barrels per day went up to 560,000 barrels per day last August and there is a planned expansion to 1.2 million barrels per day by 2016. That’s a disastrous jump over Keystone’s planned 800,000 barrels per day. Line 61 is the largest tar sands oil pipeline being developed by the most accident prone distributor with the distinction of the Western Hemisphere’s worst record on oil spills.</p>
<p><br>The shame of it all is we no longer need a fossil fuel economy. The technology is there to transition away from dirty energy to a clean, renewable energy future.</p>
<p><br><br>Michael Brune, the executive director of the Sierra Club, visited the tar sands mining site in Alberta and writes about the extraction and aftermath in the latest "Sierra" magazine.<br><br>www.sierra.org<br><br>More on Line 61:<br><br>http://www.wisconsingazette.com/wisconsin/xxlbreakwisconsin-pipeline-dwarfs-keystone-and-affects-every-waterway-in-the-state.html<br> <br>http://wuwm.com/post/wisconsin-pipeline-slated-surpass-keystone-xls-proposed-capacity<br><br>Some Disasters:<br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/19/3624759/disasters-all-the-time/?awesm=a.ran.org_p1E</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356782015-03-01T03:08:03-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 790; Si2 Round-the-World Solar Flight
<p>Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) the all-solar powered airplane is near ready to begin the first ever round-the-world flight using only solar power and no other fuels. The first incarnation Solar Impulse flew coast-to-coast across the United States flying both day and night - again using only solar power - to prove the clean technology would work.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The Swiss designed plane is pushing back the limits of the impossible. It’s one more step - or flight - to end the fossil fuel age and usher in the world’s renewable energy economy. There is a web site to follow the progress live on-line as they depart from Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.solarimpulse.com/city-stop-abu_dhabi_departure</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356772015-02-28T00:58:13-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 789; Home Solar Boost from Tesla
<p>Among other things, Tesla Motors is well-known for developing the Model S sedan. It’s probably the most practical - though kind of pricey - production all-electric vehicle. One of the companies breakthroughs was in lithium-ion battery development. The company is now looking to bring that technology to the home market in a few months. It could be combined with solar panels for another leap forward for energy efficiency and a smaller over-all carbon footprint.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356762015-02-27T02:50:00-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 788; Forget Climate Think Systems
<p>Fossil fuels are a driving force behind greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, but focusing on just the climate can blur the rest of the picture. Climate change is the end-run problem, but it’s actually not the whole picture problem. We focus on it because the results of a too quickly changing climate may be disastrous for our species.</p>
<p><br><br>Step back, forget about climate for a moment and take a broader look. There is much to be gained and little to lose by transitioning off fossil fuels. Making cities more walkable and bicycle friendly reduces emissions and diseases brought on by lack of activity. Renewable energy replacing the burning of fossil fuels clears the air and reduces lung problems like asthma. Cutting back on meat heavy diets is healthier and reduces emissions. Protecting and restoring the natural environment is good for well-being. It sequesters carbon and offers recreation, food security and climate resilience. Efficient energy retrofits save both energy and money. People with a vested interest in a fossil fuel economy may have something to lose, but for most people transitioning to a clean, renewable energy world is a win-win.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.climateinteractive.org/insights/how-to-solve-more-problems-than-climate-and-include-more-people-than-environmentalists/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356752015-02-26T02:37:35-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 787; European Renewables
<p>Transitioning off fossil fuel is not easy, but it is the future for economic security, a healthy, clean environment and mitigating climate change. A recent report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) credits wind, solar, biomass and other renewable energy technologies as an important driving force in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “Renewable energy is quickly becoming one of Europe’s great success stories. We can go even further: if we support innovation in this area it could become a major motor of Europe’s economy, bringing down emissions while creating jobs.” - Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/renewables-successfully-driving-down-carbon</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/renewable-energy-in-europe-approximated</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356742015-02-25T02:52:21-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 786; Line 61 Veto Proof
<p>Good news. President Obama fulfilled his promise to veto the Keystone XL pipeline, but crude oil is still on its leaking and booming not so merry way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Enbridge Energy’s Line 61 runs from Superior, WI to Illinois and already has a border crossing immune to presidential action. The line has been amped up from its initial 400,000 barrels per day to 560,000 last August and a planned expansion to 1.2 million barrels per day by 2016. The figures dwarf Keystone’s planned 800,000 barrels per day. It’s the largest tar sands oil pipeline being developed by the most accident prone distributor with the Western Hemisphere’s worst record on oil spills.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The oil boom booms loudly with explosions at refineries and explosions on the rails. The big one in West Virginia had a trainload with three million gallons derail and explode into a huge fireball. Wetlands in North Dakota were impacted by two other spills. Pipelines have a history of rupturing and leaking. What’s the answer?</p>
<p><br><br>Speed the transition from fossil fuels and just leave them in the ground.</p>
<p><br><br>More on Line 61:<br><br>http://www.wisconsingazette.com/wisconsin/xxlbreakwisconsin-pipeline-dwarfs-keystone-and-affects-every-waterway-in-the-state.html<br> <br>http://wuwm.com/post/wisconsin-pipeline-slated-surpass-keystone-xls-proposed-capacity<br><br>Some Disasters:<br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/19/3624759/disasters-all-the-time/?awesm=a.ran.org_p1E</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356732015-02-24T01:00:48-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 785; NASA Drought Models
<p>Can’t drink oil, gas or coal part 2: If current droughts have you high and dry, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has some troubling news for what could be ahead. The journal “Science Advances” published new data from NASA that ran the growing rate of carbon emissions with complex simulations through 17 computer models. All the simulations came up the same with predictions for extreme drought conditions that could span a 40-year period across the American Southwest and Midwest. The lack of rains would parch the lands with increased heat and evaporation compounding conditions. The data strongly suggests the worse mega-drought in 1,000 years in the US would be due to global warming.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/nasa-predicts-global-warming-dry-southwest-america-article-1.2115720</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-12/worst-megadrought-in-1-000-years-in-u-s-due-to-global-warming</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356722015-02-23T02:56:40-06:002019-12-18T15:34:14-06:00InClimate 784; Too Much; Too Little Rain
<p>You can’t drink oil, gas or coal. Too much rain here. Too little rain there. Storm surges and rising sea levels have been linked to climate change, but at the other end of the spectrum come the droughts.</p>
<p><br><br>California is in a severe drought. January is normally the wettest month, but this one was the driest since record keeping began in 1849 with no measurable rain in many parts of the state including San Francisco. - The Week (2/13/15) from The Wall Street Journal</p>
<p><br><br>Brazil has 1/8 of the world’s fresh water, but... Sao Paulo’s 11 million people are running out of water. A prolonged severe drought has the reservoirs drained and taps dry for several days each week. Predictions are for the reservoirs to be completely dry this year. Human activity has driven the situation. Deforestation has destroyed wetlands that replenished the reservoirs and nearby rivers are heavily polluted. - The Week (2/27/15)</p>
<p><br><br>Water problems are also hitting Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, but the worst impact is in Sao Paulo where a leaked recording had a water utility official saying people may have to be told to flee because there will be no water for basic hygiene or sanitation. Some smaller cities have canceled the carnival festivities because of lack of water. Geraldo Alckmin, the governor of Sao Paulo State, said: “Climate change has arrived to stay. When it rains, it rains too much, and when there’s drought, it’s way too dry.”</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/world/americas/drought-pushes-sao-paulo-brazil-toward-water-crisis.html?_r=0</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356712015-02-22T02:30:02-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 783; Extinctions: Who Is Next?
<p>Temperature, ocean acidity and other phenomenon linked to climate changes can drive extinctions. The Golden Toad, a native of Costa Rica, is thought to be among the first species to go extinct due to climate change. The rufa red knot that migrates from Tierra del Fuego to Canada is the first bird to be designated a threatened species due to the impact of climate change. Some plant species and agricultural zones are also on the move. Worst case scenario, climate change threatens with the sixth mass extinction. Who is next? What about the human species?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Sources: March/April 2015 “Sierra” and</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/08/2011-0829-climate-change-extinctions</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.weather.com/science/environment/news/approach-mass-extinction-climate-change-20130327</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356702015-02-21T02:10:33-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 782; Some Numbers
<p>Some numbers to think about:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“91% of Democrats, 78% of Independents and 51% of Republicans think the government should be fighting climate change.” - The Week, Feb. 13, 2015 from New York Times/Stanford University</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>There’s a consensus among climate scientists: “97% of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities, and most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>In the US, 87% of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) members say climate change is caused by human activity while only 50% of the general public agrees, but then again - 98% of scientists say humans have evolved over time and only 65% of the public agrees. - WashingtonPost.com</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>After a seven year study, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) composed of the world’s leading scientists announced it is “unequivocal” there is no longer any room for doubt climate change is occurring and the dominant cause has been human activity pouring greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/27/ipcc-climate-report-un-secretary-general</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356692015-02-20T01:41:59-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 781; Better Safe Than Sorry
<p>I just returned from New York City. It’s been a couple of years since the flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, but recovery and adaptation continues. Seven subway stations are being updated to help prevent flooding as a changing climate brings more extreme storms and sea level rise.</p>
<p><br><br>The report “Climate Change 2013” from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has the range of sea level rise at between a little under a foot to 3.22 feet by 2100. Of course, it’s impossible to predict precisely what will happen in the future - too many variables. People love the sea and hind-sight is 20/20, but some areas near or below sea level should probably never have been built. Solutions have been to channel rising waters, build higher sea walls or in some instances like Oakwood Beach, Staten Island, NY there have been buy-outs to return land to nature.</p>
<p><br><br>The New York City Panel on Climate Change released a new report with even more alarming climate predictions. The "Business Insider" suggests it would be better to be safe than sorry.</p>
<p><br><br>http://finance.yahoo.com/news/parts-york-city-flood-sea-205201580.html;_ylt=A0LEVr7TUedUKcsAGfgnnIlQ</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.businessinsider.com/terrifying-nyc-climate-report-projections-2015-2</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356682015-02-19T02:21:58-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 780; Common Sense on 3 Levels
<p>Fossil fuels negatively impact the environment during all 3 phases from extraction to transport to final use. Even if most of the world’s leading scientists are wrong and human activity is not a driving force in a changing climate, there is much to be gained and little to lose living with a cleaner energy future.</p>
<p><br><br>Imagine two scientists in conflict.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Scientist A shows human activity and especially the fossil fuel energy economy impacts climate negatively. Suggests a change to a renewable energy economy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Scientist B claims Scientist A is wrong and he can prove it. Says human activity is inconsequential and change to a renewable energy economy is unnecessary and costly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>What’s that mean?</p>
<p><br><br>If Scientists A’s data is correct, but ignored in favor of Scientist B’s, the business as usual model continues:</p>
<p><br><br>Job loss in the fossil fuel industry is averted along with costs of converting to the new economy. Research and a change to clean energy is slowed. Things remain basically the same except possibly for the impacts from climate change.</p>
<p><br><br>Harvesting oil, coal and gas continue with leaks, spills, mountain-top removal and hazardous waste contaminating the environment. Probability of earthquakes increases.</p>
<p><br><br>Transport of oil, coal and gas continues with leaks, spills, explosions and train wrecks contaminating soil, water and air.</p>
<p><br><br>Using/burning oil, coal and gas continues with leaks, spills, explosions and air quality degradation increasing asthma and other disorders. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase.</p>
<p><br><br>If Scientist B’s data is correct, but ignored in favor of Scientist A a transition to cleaner energy speeds forward. Job losses in old energy sectors are balanced by research and job growth in the new energy economy. There is no free lunch - solar, wind and other renewable energy sources still have consequences to the environment, but they are minor in comparison to fossil fuels long checkered history. A healthier and cleaner environment cuts medical costs.</p>
<p><br><br>I repeat: Even if most of the world’s leading scientist are wrong and human activity is not a driving force in a changing climate, there is much to be gained and little to lose living with a cleaner energy future.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356672015-02-17T21:35:14-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 779; Two Oil Spills in Three Days
<p>West Virginia went into a state of emergency because of an oil train derailment and explosion on Monday. The blast caused 1,000 people to be evacuated from their homes and an unspecified amount of crude oil spilled into the Kanawha River threatening drinking water. The wreck was only about 30 miles from a location where 10,000 gallons of a coal industry chemical dirtied the water a little over a year ago.</p>
<p><br><br>The West Virginia problem comes on the heels of another spill Saturday night from 29 of 100 cars loaded with Bakken crude oil that derailed near Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Bakken crude killed 47 people in the Lac-Magentic Canada explosion about a year ago. It’s believed the extra volatility of the oil may be caused by the addition of toxic chemicals used during its extraction usually by hydraulic fracturing.</p>
<p><br>As long as we rely on fossil fuel for our primary energy needs, there will be spills, contamination, explosions and other environmental disasters. Retire the old fossils and transition to clean renewable energy.</p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/17/3623474/west-virginia-derailment/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356662015-02-16T23:46:55-06:002021-04-21T11:07:51-05:00InClimate 778; Oil & Gas Co. Didn't Clean Up
<p>Louisiana’s coastline has been shrinking. Since the 1930‘s, the state has lost about 1,900 square miles of land. It loses about enough land to fill a football field every hour. That land can act as a buffer to protect coastal communities from storm surges and rising sea levels.</p>
<p> <br><br>The Interior Department estimates about 15 to 59% of the erosion is being caused by drilling for oil and gas. The industry itself has admitted to being responsible for 36% of the wetland loss. The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East filed a lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies to help pay the estimated $50 billion in coastal restoration and protection the state will need over the next several years. US District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown dismissed the lawsuit.</p>
<p><br><br>The Flood Protection Authority is expected to appeal. John Barry, a former vice chair of the Authority, said: “People want to call me an environmental activist, but this is not about activism. This is about law and order. The law required [companies] to clean up after themselves, and they didn’t do it.”</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/15/3623349/judge-tosses-louisiana-lawsuit-against-oil-and-gas-companies/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356652015-02-15T23:54:37-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 777; Line 61 Bigger Than Keystone
<p>Keystone XL gets all the press, but way big pipes in Wisconsin are getting ready to push far more dirty thick tar sands oil through the USA. The nation’s largest tar sands crude pipeline is being created, constructed and is destined to be operated by the most accident-prone oil distributor in the nation without an environmental impact study. Enbridge Energy’s Line 61 runs from Superior, WI to the Illinois border. The northern end is close to the Canadian border already getting oil from the Alberta Clipper line. The transfer over the border is in place and pumping, so it is not threatened by a Presidential veto. Line 61 has been amped up from its initial 400,000 barrels per day to 560,000 last August and a planned expansion to 1.2 million barrels per day by 2016. The figures dwarf Keystone’s planned 800,000 barrels per day.</p>
<p><br><br>Enbridge has the Western Hemisphere’s worst record on spills and the largest inland oil spill in US history under its belt. A 2010 spill into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River is still not completely cleaned up, but already cost about $1.2 billion. Line 61 has been creeping through mostly unnoticed and probably by company design. Pumping stations have to be souped up to handle the heavy black goo and the one at Waterloo, WI has only a Dane County zoning committee standing in the way.</p>
<p><br>http://www.wisconsingazette.com/wisconsin/xxlbreakwisconsin-pipeline-dwarfs-keystone-and-affects-every-waterway-in-the-state.html</p>
<p> <br>http://wuwm.com/post/wisconsin-pipeline-slated-surpass-keystone-xls-proposed-capacity</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356642015-02-14T23:31:15-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 776; Outsmart Ourselves
<p>Human intelligence has allowed us to go forth, multiply, survive and prosper. We are a species that uses technology to evolve faster than other species. In so doing, we cause extinctions. And with each extinction, we lose a part of ourselves. Let’s wise up, clean up and respect this spaceship earth before we finally outsmart ourselves and become just another great civilization to go extinct and fall.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356632015-02-13T23:51:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 775; Global Divestment Day Events
<p>It’s fossil fuel divestment day. It’s the movement to take investments away from dirty energy and re-invest in clean energy fashioned after the movement that helped end Apartheid in South Africa. People around the globe are acting and the fossil fuel industry is re-acting. There are over 400 registered events in 48 countries on 6 continents urging the world to transition off fossil fuel. Nations driven by clean energy are bound to lead the new world.</p>
<p><br><br>“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” - Mahatma Gandhi</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://gofossilfree.org/divestment-day/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356622015-02-12T23:49:08-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 774; Global Divestment Day #1
<p>February 13/14 are global fossil fuel divestment days. The transition to renewable energy is already on. Fifty three percent of added energy generation capacity in the United States came from renewable sources last year. The future's so bright we better get shades.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Divest than re-invest in renewables. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for your portfolio.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://cleantechnica.com/2015/02/03/solar-wind-53-new-us-electricity-capacity-2014/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356612015-02-11T23:05:49-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 773; Copenhagen Blue & Green
<p>Climate change preparedness can be an opportunity for city beautification. In Denmark, greenery is replacing hard surfaces to make way for rising waters. A catastrophic cloudburst over the Copenhagen neighborhood St. Kjeld’s in 2011 caused about $1 billion in damages. The water was a problem as it overwhelmed drainage. City planners had to act. Enlarging sewers is expensive so they developed a green and blue - vegetation and water - rainwater master plan. Asphalt in the old squares was torn up and replaced by hilly grassy surfaces with walking paths, cloud boulevards and bowl-shaped parks. Roof top gardens and roof drainage completed the plan. Residents welcomed the changes and the idea is set to expand to other neighborhoods in the capital city.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/26/copenhagen-worlds-first-climate-adjusted-neighborhood.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356602015-02-10T23:05:35-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 772; Fox News on Climate
<p>An analysis by the non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists found that 93% of the climate science on “Fox News” was “at best misleading, and often just plain wrong”. The talking heads talk too much.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>www.ucsusa.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356592015-02-09T22:00:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:13-06:00InClimate 771; Common Ground
<p>It’s the final laps for United Nations climate negotiations. Representatives are meeting in Geneva to streamline about 40 pages of universal climate change text intended for UN states to halt or slow global warming. There’s only 10 months left before the Paris meeting where a legally binding agreement is expected to be put into play. It’s no easy task for the representatives from 194 nations with often very different agendas to agree on anything, let’s hope they find common ground.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.voanews.com/content/draft-of-climate-change-agreement-enters-final-lap/2633842.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356582015-02-09T02:14:53-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 770; Divestment Days Feb 13/14
<p>The transition to green energy is on. Investments and technology are up and prices keep coming down. The fossil fuel energy era is coming to a close. Of course, there are winners and losers. The individuals and corporations heavily invested in fossilized energy won’t go quietly into the night - so they may need a little shove.</p>
<p><br>Divesting from fossil fuel and reinvesting in clean energy is a strategy long championed by 350.org based on the success of the Anti-Apartheid Divestment movement in South Africa. February 13th and 14th are set as global Divestment Days to draw more attention to this fast growing movement. It has already impacted retirement funds, cities, colleges and churches. You don’t want to be left stuck in the oil as the old fossil energy stocks drop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://gofossilfree.org/divestment-day/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356572015-02-08T05:09:40-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 769; What? Me Worry
<p>Ever wonder why so many politicians and big wigs don’t worry about climate change? Maybe it’s because they are way rich and are sure their privileged place will save them from catastrophes. Rising waters at the beach house? Buy further in land. Extreme heat, drought, cold? Move to friendlier climes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>I wonder if that’s what the czars thought before peasants stormed the gates.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356562015-02-07T02:41:56-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 768; Better Safe Than Sorry
<p>Scientists have predicted 30% of the planet’s species will go extinct and 200 million people will be climate refugees within a few decades, if global warming continues. Some folks believe human activity plays a role; some folks don’t. With consequences this great, wouldn’t it be better to be safe than sorry?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: Mother Jones</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356552015-02-06T02:32:53-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 767; The Frac Sand Rush
<p>Hydraulic fracturing has been tied to earthquakes. It forces sand, toxic chemicals and water that becomes contaminated into the earth to release oil and gas. It leaks methane in the process. If that wasn’t bad enough, there’s been a sand rush for the silica sand.</p>
<p><br><br>Some areas have been devastated with sometimes multiple mines that scar the landscape within miles of each other. Governor Walker opened the doors wide for development in the state of Wisconsin, but even with a friendly administration the industry trampled over rules and regulations. Last November, the Land Stewardship Project in neighboring Minnesota released a report, “Breaking the rules for Profit: An Analysis of the Frac Sand Industry’s Violations of State Regulations and Manipulation of Local Governments in Wisconsin”.</p>
<p><br><br>The report states “24 out of 47 frac sand companies have seriously violated state regulations, manipulated local governments or engaged in influence peddling and conflicts of interest.” It goes on to show 20 of the 47 required substantial regulatory action to come into compliance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://landstewardshipproject.org/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356542015-02-05T02:45:22-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 766; EPA on Keystone Tar Sands
<p>The Republican Congress is pushing the Keystone XL pipeline because of backing from rich constituents even though it faces a presidential veto, creates few permanent jobs, sends its oil to the international market, threatens the US with spills and the burning of dirty dirty oil with impacts to air, water and climate. Not to name names, but the initials of the biggest US backers with the most to gain are K-O-C-H. Oh, wait a minute, that’s the Koch brothers.</p>
<p><br><br>The Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to President Obama February 2nd that mentioned spills, but emphasized tar sands oil’s impact on climate:</p>
<p><br><br>“The analysis of climate change issues has also improved from the Draft SEIS. The Final SEIS makes clear that oil sands crude has significantly higher lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than other crudes. The Final SEIS states that lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from development and use of oil sands crude is about 17% greater than emissions from average crude oil refined in the United States on a wells-to-wheels basis.”1. (1. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary, p. ES-15)<br>The final tally from extraction, refining and burning of tar sands oil running through Keystone XL at full capacity (830,000 barrels per day) would result in an additional 1.3 to 27.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year compared to reference crude oils. Those top numbers are like adding the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 7.8 coal fired power plants or 5.7 million cars. In the 50 year life of the pipes, that’s as much as 1.37 billion more tons of greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p><br>http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/20140032.pdf</p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/03/3618612/epa-keystone-obama-rejection/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356532015-02-04T01:19:07-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 765; POWER Plus
<p>Transitioning from fossil fuel is important. From extraction to refining, delivery and eventual consumption, it’s bad for the environment, bad for the climate and bad for us. The replacement energies are being developed, but there needs to be concern for displaced workers in energy industries.<br>The POWER Plus plan in the President’s proposed budget addresses a portion of the problem with more than $55 million in funding for job training and creation, economic diversification and stimulus in communities that have experienced lay-offs due to the declining coal industry. A portion would also go for cleaning up property contaminated with harmful pollution.</p>
<p><br>Of course, there’s an unfriendly air in congress - so the new budget is no slam dunk. Time will tell.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/02/3618103/power-plus-plan-for-coal-miners/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_term=Coal,Obama,economics&utm_campaign=Climate&__surl__=Igec8&__ots__=1422972179725&__step__=1</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356522015-02-03T00:02:27-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 764; What If?
<p>Tap a keg. Chill those refreshments. If droughts and ground water pollution don’t dry us out, there will still be cool refreshing water. If predictions and trends hold true, average Americans will be looking for more cold drinks. If global warming remains unchecked, temperatures over 95 degrees can be expected 45 to 96 days a year by the end of the century. I know, three if’s all in a row, but then again... what if?</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356512015-02-02T03:15:48-06:002020-09-23T03:20:18-05:00InClimate 763; Trees and Human Health
<p>Trees - gotta love ‘em. A walk in nature often relieves stress, but the benefits of forests go bigger than that. Photosynthesis in plants and especially trees acts to sequester the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and produce healthful oxygen. In simplistic terms, it’s like breathing in one and out the other - while keeping the biosphere in balance. A recent study from the US Forest Service tries to quantify the health benefits of trees to humans and suggests they save us billions in healthcare costs and actually prevent about 850 deaths per year. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/46102</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/08/_trees_save_human_lives_studies_link_forest_with_upper_respiratory_illness.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356502015-02-01T02:03:31-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 762; Politics
<p>Steel some shoes and maybe go to jail. Steel a pension fund and maybe become a senator.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356492015-01-31T02:38:10-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 761; Out of Touch Again
<p>Proving once again they are out of touch, the world’s elite dandies flew to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland on 1,700 private jets. It’s one of those conferences that draws the super rich and successful to solve global social and economic problems. Their conspicuous consumption doesn’t exactly set the best example for the planet’s stewardship and climate change - which ultimately impacts everything else.</p>
<p><br>Billionaire Jeff Greene jetted in with his wife, kids and two nannies and spoke on “the plight of the working man”.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356482015-01-30T02:22:20-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 760; Stocks Up & Down: Divest
<p>Global Divestment Days (February 13 and 14) are fast approaching. It’s past time to get out. Wall Street is nervous. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 were running at record levels last year, but so far this year it’s an up and down ride in part do to the glut of oil, conservation measures, improved efficiency, renewable energy and slowing of economies elsewhere. The price of oil has dropped dramatically and US energy companies are decommissioning wells and drilling rigs. We don’t need Keystone. We need to divest from antiquated fossils and reinvest in clean energy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://gofossilfree.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>www.GreenAmerica.org/fossilfree</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Source: The Week January 23, 2015 and others</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356472015-01-29T02:22:37-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 759; Carbon Fee & Dividend
<p>The way to phase out fossil fuels is to include their price to society and the environment in their market price. The Citizens Climate Lobby is an organization that proposes a fee be placed on fossil fuels based on the fuels actual CO2 content. The revenue from the fee would not go to government programs but be returned to the public as a monthly dividend to protect households from rising energy costs caused by the new fee. The policy calls for true cost comparisons between fuels to keep them from being kept artificially cheap.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://citizensclimatelobby.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://citizensclimatelobby.org/carbon-fee-and-dividend/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356462015-01-28T02:22:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 758; Life at Risk
<p>Two 5-year studies published in “Science and Anthropocene Review” looked at the key factors that make the planet livable for humans and found them at risk. Out of nine important components for life on Earth, four are now considered beyond safe levels. They include human driven climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, land system change and high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in the oceans.</p>
<p><br><br>Changes have been coming at an alarming rate in the last 60 years. A rate unprecedented in 10,000 years. The speed of species extinction has accelerated at more than 100 times the old norm. Since 1950, urban population is up by a factor of seven, energy use is times five, nitrogen entering the ocean has quadrupled and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are at historic highs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Let’s hope we can adapt and not outsmart or outgrow ourselves into extinction.<br> <br></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://grist.org/climate-energy/life-on-earth-now-officially-at-risk-scientists-say/?utm_content=buffer0be4a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356452015-01-27T02:23:13-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 757; Too Many Fossils in Reserve
<p>One third (33 1/3%) of oil reserves, one half (50%) of gas reserves and more than four fifths (80%) of coal reserves need to remain unused between now and 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate disruption. There is no need for Keystone, the other pipelines, mountain-top coal removal, hydraulic fracturing and so on and so forth. Air, water and the environment would benefit as well. There is a need to transition to renewable energy by making oil, coal and gas secondary rather than primary sources of power.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v517/n7533/full/nature14016.html</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/01/08/we-might-avert-climate-catastrophe-one-radical-choice?cmpid=san</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356442015-01-26T02:23:27-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 756; Divestment Days Feb 13/14
<p>The fossil fuel industry is ignoring the writing on the wall as they continue to push and pump money into expanding dirty energy. If you are invested in fossil fuel, best to divest. Reinvest in clean energy and protect your portfolio. The world is transitioning from the energies of the past. Don’t be left holding the bag when the old fossils tank. Global Divestment Days are scheduled for February 13 and 14.</p>
<p><br>Smart folks have been getting out in droves. Most recently, 300 professors from Stanford University including Nobel laureates have called for the university to dump all its fossil fuel investments.</p>
<p><br>There are resources to help you divest and reinvest in clean energy with Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, Certificates of Deposit, Financial Advisors and Planners, Asset Management Firms and Retirement Options:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>www.GreenAmerica.org/fossilfree</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Global Divestment Day information:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://gofossilfree.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Stanford Professors:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/11/stanford-professors-fossil-fuel-investments</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356432015-01-25T02:23:44-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 755; Foreign Use of Eminent Domain
<p>It’s not just about the few permanent jobs the Keystone XL pipeline will create, or the oil going off to international markets, or the likelihood of leaks and spills or even the way it ties us to antiquated fossil fuel energy. TransCanada has added insult to injury when they filed the legal papers in nine Nebraska counties to use eminent domain so their foreign corporation can take property from American landowners in the path of their pipes.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356422015-01-24T02:24:00-06:002019-12-18T15:34:12-06:00InClimate 754; Like a Bee
<p>A bee travels from flower to flower gently gathering only enough pollen for it’s needs. The bee takes so little and so carefully that it doesn’t diminish the beauty or scent of the flower. We should learn to gather energy more like the bees.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356412015-01-23T02:24:18-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 753; Turbine Trees
<p>With apologies to Joyce Kilmer:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>I think that I shall never see</p>
<p>A poem lovely as a tree.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>I thought that I would never see</p>
<p>A tree produce electricity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>While politicians try to vote climate change away, sensible people know it would just be a good idea to transition away from fossil fuel. It has a long list of problems from search and extraction to transport and burning. Those divesting will be able to smile, if they get out before the old fossils’ bottoms drop out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Wind energy is one of the renewable energy replacements for fossil fuel. Some folks find the turbines beautiful, but some find them to be eyesores. The latest remedy is a new breed of turbines that take on the shape of trees. Their rotors twist and turn like leaves.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.businessinsider.com/wind-turbines-that-look-like-trees-2015-1</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356402015-01-22T01:37:30-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 752; Snowstorm or Snowfall
<p>Weather events come and go. A Minnesota Snowstorm with a face mask and survival gear or a gentle snowfall walk in the woods along with a familiar woodpecker rat-a-tat-tat. Climate change changes the equation and leans towards that isolation mask and survival gear.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356392015-01-21T03:53:03-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 751; Just Another Oil Spill
<p>Another day; another dollar - another day; another oil spill. Oil prices have been dropping, but it’s not all good news. The more we use the stuff the more damage to the environment from exploring, harvesting, transporting, refining and eventually burning the old fossils and the slower the transition to a more modern and cleaner energy economy.</p>
<p><br><br>Last Saturday, estimates show between 12,600 to 50,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the Yellowstone River up stream from Glendive, Montana. Nearby residents reported smelling oil in their drinking water. Clean-up is difficult since the river was partially frozen and some oil has been seen trapped in ice about 60-miles below Glendive. Ice on top of the river forces crews to kind of “hunt and peck” for the crude. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/19/3612952/montana-yellowstone-river-oil-spill/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356382015-01-20T00:50:26-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 750; Toxic Oil Dispersants
<p>Oil spills and leaks are an ever increasing fact of modern life. Pipelines leak into streams and aquifers. Tankers and wells have spewed and spilled into the oceans. Toxic chemical oil dispersants and other oil spill response chemicals are used for clean-up in the aftermath. About 1.84 million gallons were released into the Gulf of Mexico during British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon disaster - even without knowing the health and environmental impacts of this wide-scale usage. A rule process begun in 2001 for among other things - toxicity testing - of these dispersants was released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this January. After its published in the Federal Register, it will be subject to a 90-day public review and comment period.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The spills are bad enough. Hopefully, public comment and common sense will reduce additional damage during clean-up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br>Incidentally, Canadian tar sands oil, is thicker and heavier than traditional crude and sinks rather than floats making clean up even more difficult. It’s past time to end dependence on old fossils and build clean energy economies.</p>
<p>http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2015/statement-on-release-of-proposed-epa-safeguard-on-chemical-oil-dispersants</p>
<p>http://earthjustice.org/our_work/cases/2012/chemical-oil-dispersant-rulemaking</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356372015-01-19T04:06:47-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 749; Seeds of Environmental Justice
<p>Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired others to demand change and enact laws that would ensure equality and justice for all. From his jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama he once wrote the immortal words, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” In so doing - many agree - he helped plant the seeds for the environmental justice movement.</p>
<p><br><br>Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data reported in 2005 found people of color were 80% more likely to live near industrial hazardous pollution sites than white Americans. As rising seas and weather events become more frequent, the poor will likely be most at risk just as when hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans - African American neighborhoods were hit hardest. The seeds of the civil rights movement and the legislation that followed became a common sense model for clean air, clean water and environmental protection for the good of all.</p>
<p> <br>“I am old enough to have witnessed and experienced the remarkable progress that’s been made since the 1960s when Dr. King, in addition to his many other achievements, helped plant the seeds for what would become our nation’s now-thriving environmental justice movement.” - Attorney General, Eric Holder.</p>
<p><br>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-helped-plant-seeds-environmental-justice-movement-says</p>
<p><br>http://www.livescience.com/39210-the-environmental-movement-debt-to-martin-luther-king-jr.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356362015-01-18T02:53:24-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 748; Dominion or Stewardship
<p>At times, human activity reflects dominion rather than stewardship for the biosphere justified in religious gobbledygook. Here’s a thought from “Billy X: Solo Set”:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Genesis 9:1.1 (spoken word) 2'03"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Whoa Children! Ever stop to think the Bible, the Koran, the Gita, the sacred books that are used to justify most anything and everything are based on translations. The danger with fundamentalists and literal interpretations of the bible are in the translations themselves. Remember, translations can be very dangerous!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>"Hey, yo I walk to the chateau in the alley of meth I will sear no weevils, nor how carts hit me; my cod and my chaff make comfrey tea." - Palms 2 or 4</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>"And God blessed Noah his wife and sons and said unto them: Go ye forth and multiply and replenish the earth." <br>- Genesis 9:1 ....God said...Genesis 9:1...God said. Genesis 9:1</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>God said, "Replenish the Earth". "Replenish the earth doesn't just mean making babies." - Genesis 9:1.1</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Compact disc available from the www.billyx.net store or electronically from http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bxc (The single is .99)</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356352015-01-17T02:20:39-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 747; Official 2014 Temps Highest Ever
<p>The facts are in. It’s official. The National Climatic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) latest report confirms 2014 as the warmest year since record keeping began in 1880. The averaged global temperatures over both land and water were the highest ever recorded.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/summary-info/global/2014/12</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Full report:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2014/13</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356342015-01-16T01:32:12-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 746; Keystone Backdoors
<p>Stay vigilante. The Keystone XL pipeline isn’t the only game in town. Back doors for dirty tar sands oil already exist and could be amped up to make the Keystone controversy almost irrelevant. Enbridge Energy has eyed bypassing the review process by eventually increasing the flow from 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 800,00 bpd through the existing Albert Clipper line (Line #67) in northern Minnesota. One plan is a classic bait and switch. Enbridge would run the increased volume through Albert Clipper to near the US border than switch to Line 3 to cross over and then switch back to the Albert Clipper line. The oil will go on its merry way to the international market. Line 3’s Presidential Permit issued back in 1968 never considered dangerous tar sands oil or such an increase in volume.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356332015-01-15T04:53:29-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 745; 21 Nation Survey on Climate
<p>In a 2014 Global Trend Survey, only 54% of Americans believed human activity is largely responsible for climate change. That’s the lowest percentage among the 21 countries polled.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Perhaps, being inundated with constant reports of severe weather events, droughts and floods numbs people to the problem or maybe the gradualness of the process and far-away loss of coastlines makes it a future issue with no need for concern. Then again, weather changes are uneven. Overall the average global temperature may rise while micro-climates vary. It’s hard to think global warming when your beard is frozen to the sidewalk.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Here’s some reasons people still deny climate change:</p>
<p><br>http://nationswell.com/joe-hanson-reasons-people-deny-climate-change/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Survey:</p>
<p><br>http://www.ipsosglobaltrends.com/environment.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356322015-01-14T04:03:52-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 744; Fracking Quakes
<p>Wastewater injection from oil extraction was linked to a series of small earthquakes near Denver, CO in the 1960’s, but it wasn’t thought to be a problem that would lead to larger quakes. A new study now confirms one of Oklahoma’s biggest fracking-linked wastewater injection earthquake cascades led to a very damaging 5.7-magnitude quake that occurred near Prague on Nov. 6, 2011.</p>
<p><br>Common sense should tell us with advances in renewable energy and the environmental dominoes like climate disruption, spills, clean-ups, air and water quality degradation it’s time to transition away from dirty fossil fuels. Not time to build more pipelines.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.livescience.com/43953-wastewater-injection-earthquake-triggering.html</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.livescience.com/28221-wastewater-injection-caused-oklahoma-earthquake.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356312015-01-13T00:56:32-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 743; Anchorage Above 0º All Year
<p>For the first time in history, Anchorage Alaska did not drop below zero for the entire calendar year in 2014.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Check out the White Christmas video from Quinhagak:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://grist.org/news/anchorage-alaska-is-so-hot-right-now/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356302015-01-12T00:56:58-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 742; UN Humanitarian Report
<p>The latest United Nations World Humanitarian Data report shows 97 million people were affected by natural disasters in 2013. The top five nations by number of people affected were:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>China and the Philippines both with 25.7 million people impacted followed by India with 16.7 million, Vietnam with 4.1 million and Thailand with 3.5 million people affected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Funding requests by inter-agency appeals for people affected by natural disasters and conflicts have risen 600% in the last ten years from $3 billion in 2004 to $17.9 billion in 2014.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.unocha.org/data-and-trends-2014/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356292015-01-11T03:10:49-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 741; Swaying of the Trees
<p>When I walk amongst the trees</p>
<p><br>I wonder when they sway</p>
<p><br>and wave at me</p>
<p><br>Do they care if I wave back?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They seem to happily</p>
<p><br>reach for the sky</p>
<p><br>and bend in the breeze</p>
<p><br>satisfied to simply be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>If I did wave back,</p>
<p><br>would they talk with me?</p>
<p><br>Explain how I too</p>
<p><br>could simply be.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356282015-01-10T04:53:35-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 740; Keystone Rallies & Eminent Domain
<p>The Nebraska Supreme Court announced a ruling that upholds the Keystone XL pipeline route through the “Cornhusker State”, but don’t give up the fight. Besides a potential presidential veto, the Native Americans, farmers, ranchers and environmental groups that opposed Keystone aren’t done. TransCanada, the pipeline’s parent company, is not an American company. The prospect of a foreign corporation using Eminent Domain to seize land from red-blooded American property owners becomes another red flag and legal issue. Until, the land owners are actually served the legal issue will not be addressed. It seems like a big one.</p>
<p><br><br>Tuesday evening January 13 there will be rallies against Keystone. Here’s help to start one in your community:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://actionnetwork.org/events/c420771280a07a3e6d3508141d310d795990a4f0/edit</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356272015-01-09T04:14:16-06:002019-12-18T15:34:11-06:00InClimate 739; Merry Christmas Oil Spill
<p>On a Wednesday a week before this last Christmas, the energy transport company responsible for the largest and most costly inland oil spill in US history gave Canada an early present with a 57,000 gallon spill.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The energy delivery company, Enbridge, was forced to close one of its pipelines into Wisconsin after 1,350 barrels of oil spilled at the terminal. A company statement said, “There are no impacts to the public, wildlife or waterways. Nearby residents and businesses may detect a faint odour.” It seems to be no big deal compared to their really big one, 800,000 gallons of thick Canadian tar sands crude into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. Tar sands are thick and heavy. They require dilution with dangerous chemicals like benzene before they can be forced through pipes under pressure. When the thick bitumen like oil spills it won’t float. It eventually sinks to the bottom of waterways making the mess especially difficult to clean up. The estimate from Enbridge for the Michigan clean-up without reimbursing impacted homeowners and residents comes in at about $1.2 billion.</p>
<p><br>The energy delivery giant’s statement continued with, “We are committed to the goal of reaching zero spills and will thoroughly investigate the incident for lessons learned.” You bet. Remember the oil spill track record when you consider Keystone or any other pipelines... rail delivery, tanker ships, oil platforms and well sites. Time to transition off the old fossils. </p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/12/18/3605276/enbridge-oil-spill-canada/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356262015-01-08T04:54:07-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 738; Politicians & NASCAR
<p>The Hightower Lowdown newsletter suggests,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Here’s a change we could believe in: Make every politician wear their sponsors’ logos on their suits like NASCAR drivers do!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enough said.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356252015-01-07T04:59:33-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 737; Native Americans Nix Pipelines
<p>Old news becomes new news as the new congress pushes for the Keystone XL pipeline. Native Americans have already nixed this along with other oil pipelines crossing their lands.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>“The House has now signed our death warrants and the death warrants of our children and grandchildren. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will not allow this pipeline through our lands. We are outraged at the lack of intergovernmental cooperation. We are a sovereign nation and we are not being treated as such. We will close our reservation borders to Keystone XL. Authorizing Keystone XL is an act of war against our people.” - Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Cyril Scott. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Other members of the Great Sioux Nation have added their voice with Tribal resolutions opposing Keystone XL whose proposed path crosses the Oceti Sakowin or Great Sioux Nation Treaty Lands defined by 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties and within current boundaries of Rosebud Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Reservations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The organization Honor the Earth, the White Earth Nation, Tribal governments in the homelands of the Anishinaabe and environmental groups have banded together to oppose both the Albert Clipper and Sandpiper pipelines from passing through their territory in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The proposed Sandpiper route travels directly through manoonin - wild rice - beds central to their way of life. They’ve introduced a lawsuit based on the infringement of the Treaty of 1855 that is supposed to protect the White Earth Ojibwe Tribes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>President Scott added, “The Lakota People have always been stewards of this land. We feel that it is imperative that we provide safe and responsible alternative energy resources not only to Tribal members but non-Tribal members as well. We need to stop focusing and investing in risky fossil fuel projects like TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline. We need to start remembering that the earth is our mother and stop polluting her and start taking steps to preserve the land, water, and our grandchildren’s future.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br>http://www.lakotavoice.com/2014/11/15/house-vote-in-favor-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-an-act-of-war/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.honorearth.org/enbridge_sandpiper_pipeline</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356242015-01-06T03:23:13-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 736; Tech, Standards & Conservation Work
<p>Emission standards for both power plants and vehicles are being addressed globally with stronger rules and tech innovations in China, the European Union and the USA. Hopefully, that will help contain the impact of an anticipated future growth to two billion vehicles world wide. In the USA, cleaner power plants, Energy Star appliances and conservation have rolled back some energy demands. The results of efforts there have seen pollution drop 10% below 2005 levels and it continues to drop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-solutions-to-climate-change-happening-now/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356232015-01-05T03:35:23-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 735; A Few of My Least Favorite things
<p>The latest imbalance in Washington will have vested interest politicians pushing to shore-up the fossil fuel industry - big coal, gas and oil. There will undoubtedly be new questionable reports questioning global warming, climate change and what not have you. I’ll just call it “the problem”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Just remember, even without any danger from “the problem” there are plenty of other reasons to dump the primary energy of the past for a cleaner future. It seems best to err to caution. Burning fossil fuel dirties the air we breathe and these are just a few more of my least favorite things.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Coal: Explosions in the mines and mountaintop removal, coal ash, black lung, dirty air and water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Oil: Environmental devastation at tar sands and fracking sites, groundwater contamination, toxic chemicals, probable connection to seismic activity, massive spills from tanker ships, trains and pipelines, accidents and explosions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Gas: Environmental devastation at tar sands and fracking sites, groundwater contamination, toxic chemicals, probable connection to seismic activity, leaking pipes, accidents and explosions.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356222015-01-04T03:28:16-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 734; Folly vs Wisdom
<p>In this third year and 735th uninterrupted daily climate post, a sense of clarity has gripped me. The science is in - the numbers, figures charts and graphs become redundant - and yet, the solutions remain elusive. Perhaps, more epigrams and philosophy will help bring my project home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The desire for riches and profit regardless of consequence by some - threatens air, water and life itself for all. When desire trumps common sense, folly reigns and wisdom wanes.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356212015-01-03T01:46:25-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 733; Gone With The Wind
<p>If the Koch Brothers and their ilk invested in renewable energy rather than buying politicians, we’d be gone with the wind...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>and sun... and tides... and so on... and on.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356202015-01-02T01:48:54-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 732; Paris Looks Good, But Sea Change at EU?
<p>After decades of haggling at summits on global warming, climate change or whatever it’s termed, the United Nations expects agreements between about 190 member states to be signed, sealed and delivered at December’s summit in Paris later this year. Happy New Year - 2015 is finally the year to get it done.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Things look promising as President Obama, China’s President Xi Jinping, the European Union (EU) and Pope Francis with 1.2 billion Catholics are all on board. Brazil, Russia and India have all agreed carbon has to be capped, but they’ve yet to offer a solid commitment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Unfortunately, there is a troubling sea change at the EU. Connie Hedegaard, the former commissioner for climate action, was a prime mover in the 2009 Copenhagen meeting. She convinced major carbon emitters there must be curbs on emissions. Her successor, Miguel Arias Canete, was formally the director of two oil companies. Looks like it could be a case of the fox guarding the EU hen house. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/01/guardian-view-paris-2015-last-best-chance-emissions-cut</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/09/former-oil-mogul-confirmed-as-eu-climate-and-energy-commissioner</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356192015-01-01T04:47:05-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 731; Born Perfect
<p>Try to Remember, we are born perfect. It’s simply that the societies, religions and cultures that surround us can corrupt and teach us greed. Returning to our birthright of innocence would go a long way in tempering profit over all.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356182014-12-31T03:48:44-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 730; New Year's Resolution
<p>New Year’s Resolution: The oil glut is still a rut. Even if gas is free, I won’t buy an SUV.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356172014-12-30T04:30:02-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 729; Year's End Compilations
<p>At year’s end, there is always a plethora of compilations: best of, most important, the year in review and so on and so forth. A couple in The Week magazine caught my eye.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The year in review noted a “lavish” celebrity wedding in May and an “instantly iconic image” of that celebrity bride in November, but failed to notice in September there was the largest climate event in history with 400,000 people marching to demand climate action before the UN summit in New York City and 2,646 solidarity events in 156 countries world wide.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The same source had the 5 biggest technology stories - all worthy of note, but failed to recognize any advances in alternative energy including an aviation history breakthrough as the Solar Impulse flew across America coast to coast and day and night using only solar power.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>No wonder people are in the dark about so many things. Perhaps, I need my own personal list of biggest, best and most.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>*I won’t mention any names. Celebrities get more than enough exposure.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356162014-12-29T02:21:15-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 728; The Pope Weighs In
<p>According to the Guardian’s inside sources, Pope Francis will likely instruct 1.2 billion Catholics to act on Climate Change with a new Encyclical or other important document. The charismatic leader has voiced his social and environmental concerns before. Earlier in 2014, he addressed a crowd in Rome with, “if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us!” He went further by calling the destruction of the rainforest a “sin”. He initiated a five-day summit where experts explored how the Catholic church could work on climate and sustainability. Last October Pope Francis said, ““The monopolising of lands, deforestation, the appropriation of water, inadequate agro-toxics are some of the evils that tear man from the land of his birth. Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and deforestation are already showing their devastating effects in the great cataclysms we witness.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>His bishops spoke out at the UN climate talks in Lima calling for “an end to the fossil fuel era.” The Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Soronado, has said, “today solid scientific evidence exists that global climate is changing and that human activity based on the use of fossil materials contributes decisively to this trend.”</p>
<p><br>The pope is by no means the only spiritual leader speaking out. Spiritual guides from indigenous elders to mainstream religions including notables like Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama have voiced the moral importance of sustainability, caring for the planet and mitigating climate change, but there is also a backlash from conservative evangelicals waiting for the apocalypse and their “rapture”. They seem to be sure they’ll be swept up to yet another “just” reward with “heavenly pie in the sky when they die”. Oh, me; Oh my!</p>
<p><br>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/27/pope-francis-edict-climate-change-us-rightwing</p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/12/28/3607083/pope-francis-climate-secret-weapon-next-year/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356152014-12-28T02:39:10-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 727; Obsessive Years?
<p>This is the 727th thought - in an unbroken chain of daily thoughts - about the changing climate posted to the world wide web since January 1, 2013 by this somewhat obsessive artist. The possibility of the third year fast approaches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Sometimes, when I write my blog about the changing climate , I feel like the proverbial blind man in a darkened house looking for a black cat that isn’t there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>I can’t help wondering if it should continue. Guestbook and comments are on. What say you?</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356142014-12-27T03:52:53-06:002019-12-18T15:34:10-06:00InClimate 726; Uncontacted Indigenous Make Contact
<p>Climate change has caused abrupt drops in temperature in Peru’s southeast Amazon driving indigenous formerly uncontacted people out. According to Survival International, about 200 armed Mashco-Piro tribe’s men attacked the community of Monto Salvado with bows and arrows. The previously uncontacted tribe took weapons and destroyed homes during the raid.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>“We’ve never heard reported such a large movement of uncontacted people,” Lorena Prieto, director of Peru’s office of Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, told the Guardian. The dire circumstances are aggravated by oil companies, logging and drug trafficking. The loss of forests has fostered a drier climate and less photosynthesis to sequester carbon. Farmers in other parts of Peru have also reported colder than normal temperatures and that along with the drier climate threatens food supplies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/24/peru-uncontactedtribe.html</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/peru-evacuates-village-tribal-raid</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/10617</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356132014-12-26T03:43:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 725; Don't forget Divest & Re-Invest
<p>The fossil fuel divestment movement has been growing for years and the reasons become more and more compelling. Tim Buckley from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis talks about the financial risk of stranded assets rather than using words like climate change or carbon, but that’s the bottom line. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on December 26 one of the nation’s biggest investors, Australian Super, “has asked the chairmen of the nation's biggest banks how they are responding to carbon exposure risk, as lenders face growing pressure over their response to climate change”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>This follows announcements from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the White House and 20 private sector firms in the US that promised to move $1.5 billion to cleaner and more socially responsible investments. The executive director of the UN Green Climate Fund established to redistribute money from developed to developing nations and help them adapt to climate change recently announced fossil fuels will be excluded from funding and renewables will be prioritized. The draft plan for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change going forward to Paris in December 2015 includes an important provision to phase carbon emissions to net zero by the end of the century.</p>
<p><br>Other investment firms, pension funds, cities, churches and universities have seen the writing on the wall and gone fossil free. Don’t be left with stranded assets. Check with your investment advisor where that money goes to grow. If you need help, 350.org has developed targeted divestment strategies for colleges, governments, religious institutions and individuals with strong results.</p>
<p><br>http://gofossilfree.org/</p>
<p><br>http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/australian-super-calls-on-banks-to-assess-climate-change-risk-20141224-12d16q.html#ixzz3N1X17q8A <br><br><br>http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2014/12/conclusion-cop20-paves-way-paris<br><br><br>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/green-climate-fund_n_6300346.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000048</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356122014-12-25T00:46:09-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 724; Lumps of Coal
<p>Coal fired power plants have become the ultimate lumps of coal in our stockings.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356112014-12-24T01:06:28-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 723; The Greatest Gift
<p>Rational people everywhere protect and teach their children as best they can, so those children can go on to have even better lives than their parents and ancestors. The parents may do many things to that end. They may set up a trust, buy insurance or leave the children an estate to benefit their future.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The best estate one can leave is a healthy planet and atmosphere along with all its flora and fauna. A rich environment not squandered for convenience, greed or temporary riches is a truly great gift.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356102014-12-23T02:43:41-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 722; Throw Out Citizens United
<p>Corporations have been given individual rights formerly reserved for actual individuals - read that actual human beings. Individuals that are responsible for their actions. The corporate structure creates a handy tool to avoid accountability. That’s a huge pot of gold that can be used indiscriminately with “No head to put on a plate; no body to incarcerate”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>It raised its ugly unaccountable head high in the last midterm elections making them the most expensive in the republic’s history. The Citizens United and McCutcheon Supreme Court decisions have allowed corporations to give unlimited contributions to political parties that insure legislation in their favor. It’s a major reason a large number of climate change denying dim wits carried the day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Sixteen states and about 600 communities are on record formally demanding that Congress pass a constitutional amendment simply clarifying that corporations are not people and money is not free speech. There’s an organized push to deliver 5 million petition signatures to congress calling for a constitutional amendment that will overturn Citizens United and restore democracy. You can join the movement here:</p>
<p><br><br><br>http://act.credoaction.com/sign/cu_5th_anniversary?sp_ref=92231038.4.11044.o.1.2&referring_akid=.8343820.SFZNlI&source=clickcopy_sp</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356092014-12-22T03:57:02-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 721; Investing in Carbon Just Got Worse
<p>All that was hoped for from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Lima, Peru didn’t come about. There’s always the wrangling and compromises and forward looking and backwards pedaling. The draft plan going forward to Paris in December 2015 includes an important provision with significant support from delegates to phase out carbon emissions by 2050 and reach the lofty goal of net zero by the end of the century. It should wake investors to the fact that investing in a carbon intensive infrastructure is a bad investment freeing more capital for clean, renewable energy.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2014/12/conclusion-cop20-paves-way-paris</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356082014-12-21T03:11:06-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 720; Wind Turbines: Bigger Is Better
<p>Large wind turbines are the most efficient and they keep on growing. Difficulties with initial installation and then maintenance on offshore units makes their high efficiency even more important.</p>
<p><br><br>Currently, there are two large Siemans turbines one with a 465 foot height and 394 foot diameter blade path producing 3.6 megawatts, the other a bit taller at 588 feet and blades coming in at a 505 foot diameter produces 6 megawatts. The big one from Vestas is 728 feet tall with the blade diameter running at 538 feet.</p>
<p><br><br>A report from the European Commission says a 20-megawatt turbine with a blade diameter of 788 feet is “feasible”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: Sierra, Jan/Feb 2015</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356072014-12-20T03:08:11-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 719; Activist Tech Rally Protects Forests
<p>Latin America is reforesting and the clear cutting has slowed down there, but now Indonesia has become a hot spot. About 23,000 square miles of forests have been cut in the last 15 years for the palm oil and logging industries. A good 40% of the cleared territory has been in areas with official logging restrictions that have been ignored. It’s tough to keep tabs on huge forests, but conservationists are rallying to the rescue with high tech.</p>
<p><br>The World Resource Institute has a project called Global Forest Watch that uses US government satellites and sophisticated software to keep an eye on things from above. They can detect changes that can not be accounted for naturally and alert government officials and activists to take appropriate action.</p>
<p><br>Rainforest Connection members attach old solar-powered smartphones to trees to listen for tell tale cutting like the buzz of chainsaws. The microphones “hear” logging from up to a mile away. The phone sends a message to a remote server that notifies authorities with an exact GPS location. The surveillance was tested on Sumatra and will be deployed for the Amazon and equatorial Africa next. </p>
<p><br>(See InClimate 716 on photosynthesis and 7 Latin American countries agreeing to reforest along with an 8th expected to follow suit.)</p>
<p><br>Source: Sierra, Jan/Feb 2015 and</p>
<p><br>www.Rainforestconnection.org</p>
<p><br>You have to agree to terms of service for this one:</p>
<p><br>www.globalforestwatch.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356062014-12-19T02:21:45-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 718; We Won't be Fooled by ALEC
<p>We won’t be fooled again. The Koch brothers and their allies in big oil, gas, coal and politics often fund shill organizations with deceptively benign names like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) which sucked in Google, Yahoo and Facebook. But don’t toss the baby out with the bathwater. Thousands of users pushed the tech giants to wake-up and cut ties with ALEC. It was a big win for public health and the environment.</p>
<p><br>ALEC is still in business with its science challenged political puppets trying to block the good news of the Clean Power Plan that would greatly lower carbon pollution from its largest unchecked source. Among other things, Clean Power would make coal plants responsible to either close or cut emissions down to the Clean Air and Water Act standards that they’ve had a free pass on in the past. Eight million people wrote in or signed petitions in support of these pollution reductions. The last elections gave Alec and its ilk even more power. They’re even working on a state-by-state plan to take apart state legislation that assures clean air and water and increases renewable energy like solar and wind.</p>
<p><br>Don’t be fooled again.</p>
<p><br>Here’s a quick (about 60 seconds) primer on climate change with an impressive British accent you can send your science challenged representatives:</p>
<p><br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4e5UPu1co0&feature=youtu.be</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356052014-12-17T23:05:15-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 717; New York State Bans Fracking
<p>Concerns over public health, air and water contamination has led Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration to ban hydraulic fracturing in New York State. A long awaited health study has finally come to light and the acting state health commissioner found fracking to be a significant public health risk.</p>
<p><br><br>The decision may also have been aided by the dozens of communities that have enacted local ordinances to ban the practice. Moneyed interest fought the bans and moratoriums, but in a historic decision the state’s highest court, the New York State Court of Appeals, ruled towns could have local control to decide what they wanted in their communities and use zoning ordinances to ban unwanted practices like hydraulic fracturing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/nyregion/cuomo-to-ban-fracking-in-new-york-state-citing-health-risks.html?ref=nyregion&_r=1</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Health Dept. Report on Fracking in New York State:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/18/nyregion/new-york-state-fracking-report.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356042014-12-17T04:11:14-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 716; Latin America Reforests
<p>Photosynthesis is a complex process in which plants use electromagnetic energy from sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Put simply, plants inhale carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and exhale oxygen. Deforestation is among the human activities that has offset the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributing to climate change.</p>
<p><br>Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru have all agreed to reforest 20 million hectares of clear-cut land. The announcement came at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Lima, Peru. The large new forests will have the capacity to remove 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. Brazil is expected to join the effort with an even larger tract in the near future.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: The Week, December 19, 2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>More on Photosynthesis:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earth3.htm</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356032014-12-16T04:41:29-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 715; Gas Down; SUV's Up
<p>Gas prices are down with the world oil glut. It’s not only due to the new tech oil boom, but also better gas mileage, strides in alternative energy, conservation and downturns in major economies like China and the European Union.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>But when will we learn? As Fuel prices dropped, sales of SUV’s and other light duty trucks have risen 9.6% this year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Percentage from Slate.com</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356022014-12-15T02:20:15-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 714; Act Locally Don't Wait for UN 2020
<p>Geopolitics take time. Imagine the months of negotiations at your local school board or city council and multiply that by all the nations of the United Nations. Then, remember that the agreements they hammer out don’t take force unless they’re hammered again at the national and local levels. That’s why people across the globe are frustrated. That’s why people are demanding action, not just talk, as climate disruptions are already upon us. The latest round of international negotiations just ended with some results, but definitely more waiting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Lima’s 12-day United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol ended last Friday. There were196 parties more or less agreeing to get drafts of their “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs) to mitigate the consequences of climate change ready for another meeting this February. The hope is for a draft text of the commitments countries intend to make that will hold global temperature-rise below the 2º C level. That level has been internationally-agreed upon to avoid catastrophic consequences. The universal treaty would then be finalized and adopted at the 2015 Paris meeting and finally go into force in 2020.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>It all takes time, but how much time do we have? The Kyoto Protocol extended a 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) intended to commit State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases. It was adopted on December 11, 1997 and entered into force in 2005. Hopefully there will be something more substantial taking force by 2020, but that’s 28 years since the UNFCCC.</p>
<p> <br>In the meantime, let’s hope individuals, local governments, city-states and nations keep doing what they can to mitigate climate change on their own. Or as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon noted, “The more we delay the more we will pay.”</p>
<p> <br>http://bit.ly/1uHIMnW</p>
<p><br>http://unfccc.int/2860.php</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356012014-12-14T02:25:08-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 713; 2013 Spill Total Tops 40-Year Total
<p>Over 1.15 million gallons of crude oil were spilled in US rail accidents in 2013. That single year’s spillage topped the total rail oil spills for the last 40 years or about as long as the fed has been keeping track.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>That’s just in the USA. The figures don’t include spills in Canada or Mexico. The estimate for one Canadian spill in Lac-Megantic, Quebec was 1.5 million gallons of good old North Dakota crude. That went from a spill to an explosion and killed 47 people. Pipelines, tankers and railcars are all subject to spills. Solar power? Not so much.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/01/20/215143/more-oil-spilled-from-trains-in.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61356002014-12-13T00:40:05-06:002019-12-18T15:34:09-06:00InClimate 712; Don't Feel Sorry for Big Oil
<p>Don’t feel sorry for the fossil fuel energy giants as their energy bubble bursts. Oil prices rise and fall. People suffer at the pumps and economies take a hit, but the multinationals have a good day. In 2011, the top five oil companies made $137 billion in profits or $375 million each day.</p>
<p><br>The International Energy Agency (IEA) has calculated the fossil fuel industry has to leave about 80% of its known reserves of oil, gas and coal unburned to stay below the internationally agreed upon levels to avoid catastrophic consequences. Even with this knowledge, they spend about $647 billion each year finding more reserves.</p>
<p><br>Profit over all is the mantra. The divestment movement is intended to slow them down. Follow the example of 181 institutions and local governments that have divested $50 billion in investments from fossil fuel. Don’t be left holding the bag when the energy bubble bursts.</p>
<p><br>Source: Green American, Winter 2014</p>
<p><br>Divest from the old fossils and reinvest in modern clean energy:</p>
<p><br>www.GreenAmerica.org/fossilfree</p>
<p><br>http://gofossilfree.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355992014-12-12T01:13:09-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 711; Fossil Fuel Out of Fund
<p>Fossils fuels are out. The executive director of the Green Climate Fund announced fossil fuels will be excluded from funding and renewables will be prioritized. The Green Climate Fund was established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to redistribute money from developed nations to the developing world to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change. The new harder line policy comes after revelations that Japan had lent about $1 billion of its climate finance for three coal-fired power plants in Indonesia.</p>
<p><br><br>The fund’s board will focus on technology for clean energy solutions, efficient cities and industries and clean transport.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/green-climate-fund_n_6300346.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000048</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355982014-12-10T23:19:47-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 710; $4 Trillion & Climate Petitions
<p>The fossil fuel energy model is maintained in part through the astronomical profits of the industry. The 200 publicly-traded companies with the largest fossil fuel reserves had a market value of about $4 Trillion at the end of 2012. No wonder they fight the transition to clean energy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The negotiators at the United Nations climate talks proposed a draft that would force the companies in the fossil fuel industry to “cease to exist in their current forms” according to the Financial Times. Unfortunately, the industry is fighting to roll back the agreement. There is a petition to keep the lobbyists out of the climate talks and another to ask climate ministers to stand strong on carbon reduction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://act.350.org/sign/hagupit/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Petition to Climate Ministers:</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://secure.avaaz.org/en/lima_summit_100_clean_us/?fScGLab&pv=81</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Follow the Climate Talks:</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://twitter.com/UN_ClimateTalks</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sources: Green American, Winter 2014, Avaaz.org and 350.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355972014-12-10T00:46:34-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 709; Apache Land to MultiNationals
<p>Big chiefs in Washington still want to give-away Indian lands. The House and Senate Armed Services Committee attached a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act that would give 2,400 acres of Apache burial, medicinal and ceremonial grounds in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest to a foreign owned mining operation. The news of the “deal” was on page 1,105. Not exactly sure what that has to do with national defense, but since the measure was attached to annual legislation to fund the Defense Department and the multinationals assure a positive economic impact - it will probably slide right through.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The main player, Resolution Copper, is a subsidiary of BHP Billiton and the Australian-English mining company Rio Tinto which co-owns with Iran an African uranium mine which is 10% owned by China. It’s still all about the money. Rio Tinto claims the mining would generate $61 billion in economic activity and 3,700 jobs over 40 years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://rt.com/usa/211531-native-indian-lands-mining/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/ndaa-land-deals_n_6264362.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355962014-12-09T02:27:18-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 708; Pink Fracking
<p>Holy cancerous chemicals, it’s Pink Fracking. The color pink and its connection to breast cancer awareness has been co-opted - like so many other things - by that touch of greed that often haunts capitalism. Breast cancer pink turned to Corporate Pink when the ad guys realized people would buy, if a piece of the pie was charitized... oh me... oh my. More and more products go pink from chicken buckets to T-shirts, but “Pink Fracking”? Come on.</p>
<p><br><br>The toxic cocktail injected into Mother Earth during hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - for fossil fuel has a boatload of known carcinogens. For the second year, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer charity has entered into a devil’s partnership with the oil field services industry, Baker Hughes. The company will donate $100,000 to Komen while it sells 1,000 pinkly painted fracking drill bits. The $100,000 seems generous until you realize the deep coffers of the company and that it can cost $125,000 for one year of treatment for a single breast cancer patient.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s not the first time the charity has been taken to task. In 2012, there was massive outrage when the charity defunded Planned Parenthood. Buying pink probably won’t cure breast cancer and hydraulic fracturing will probably create more and more cancer patients.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mother Jones:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2014/10/fracking-susan-g-komen-drill-bits</p>
<p><br><br>Here’s the sad but funny Daily Show take:</p>
<p><br><br>http://grnpc.org/IgewP</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355952014-12-08T00:48:54-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 707; Internet Users Worldwide
<p>In 1994, there were about 25 million internet users worldwide. That figure rose to 910 million by 2004 and jumped to 2.9 billion - with a B - in 2014. In some ways, the web is great and can save energy, but the data centers that support all the electronic devices use more energy than many nations.</p>
<p><br><br>Being connected has become an obsession. Sixty-two percent of people use their cell phones as soon as they get up. The typical person checks their smartphone 150 times throughout the day.</p>
<p><br><br>In a paper published in 2013, the CEO of Digital Power Group, Mark Mills, calculated that more energy is burned streaming a high-def movie than to manufacture and ship a DVD of the same film. If the support for all that data was a nation, “it would rank fifth in electricity consumption. Reducing that number by even 50% would save the equivalent of the electricity consumption of the United Kingdom.”- HP.</p>
<p><br><br>Source Worldwide Internet users: The Week, Nov. 21, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355942014-12-07T01:00:50-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 706; Poop Power
<p>The Bath Bus company’s first poop powered bus made it’s debut on the Number 2 Line running between Bath and Bristol Airports in November. The 40-seater “Bio-Bus” is powered by sewage and food waste with a 186-mile range from one tank of gas that is produced by the annual average droppings of about five people. Perhaps “waste’ has become an outmoded term for garbage and sewage - one person’s waste may well be another's energy. The “Bio-Bus” runs along with fewer emissions than traditional diesel engines and its fuel is renewable and sustainable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>It’d be nice to imagine the poop being gathered on board, but the gas is actually generated from Bristol’s sewage treatment works by GENECO. Converting waste to gas in digesters is not new, but modern waste systems and toilets often “waste” a valuable byproduct from the cycle of life, nourishment and decay.</p>
<p><br><br>Speaking of waste, methane is often seen as a not-worth-the-bother byproduct during oil and gas drilling and refining. It’s frequently flared or burned off - rather than captured - in the profit driven rush to get the more valuable fuel to market.</p>
<p><br><br>Image courtesy Bath Bus Company</p>
<p><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/c1862e12c66da8af266b5eae75e84507f8061d6a/original/poobus-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="poobus_resized.jpg" height="450" width="800" /></p>
<p>http://grist.org/news/this-poo-powered-bus-runs-on-the-regular-as-long-as-you-do/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355932014-12-06T02:27:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 705; The Fossil Fuel Bubble
<p>When the housing bubble burst,</p>
<p><br>I didn’t think it could get much worse,</p>
<p><br>But here’s an end that ends this verse:</p>
<p><br>The fossil fuel bubble is bound to burst.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355922014-12-05T01:50:13-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 704; 16 Climate Action Communities
<p>City states -like Athen and Sparta- once ruled the roost. Recently, progressive communities have taken climate mitigation into their own hands to better position themselves for the future. They don’t want to be left holding the bag when the fossil fuel bubble bursts. The white house has recognized 16 of these communities as “Climate Action Champions for Leadership on Climate Change”. The idea is to identify local leadership and provide targeted federal funds to aid their efforts. It’s hoped the diverse projects and examples will inspire other communities. Here’s the sweet sixteen alphabetically.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, CA began a strategic action plan in 2008 and has reduced energy consumption by 35% and committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2018.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The City of Boston, MA has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. They’ve adopted green building codes and are working with utilities on a regional microgrid. <br><br>Broward County, FL belongs to a regional climate change partnership with three other counties. Broward has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 2% per year reaching 10% in 2020 and 80% by 2050.<br><br>City of Dubuque, IA plans to target its greenhouse gas emissions reductions at 50% of 2003 levels by 2030.<br><br>City of Knoxville, TN has a short term greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020.<br><br>Metropolitan Washington Council on Governments, D.C., MD and VA developed the National Capital Region Climate Change Report with a fully integrated approach to climate change mitigation. The goals include greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, transportation, land use, sustainability and resilience. The plan commits to 80% greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050.<br><br>Mid-America Regional Council, KS & MO is a nonprofit planning organization for the two-state Kansas City committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 2% per year.<br><br>City of Minnespolis, MN has an action plan and partnership with 2 utilities that reduces greenhouse gas emissions 15% by 2015, 30% by 2025 and 80% by 2050.<br><br>City of Montpelier, VT launched Net Zero Montpelier an ambitious project to make it the first carbon-neutral capital city in America by 2030 and a commitment to eliminate fossil fuel use across all sectors.<br><br>City of Oberlin, OH has a multi-layered plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2015, 75% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.<br><br>City of Portland, OR has 20 agency partners and a 2015 Climate Action Plan to establish a route with an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels.<br><br> Salt Lake City, UT has a comprehensive plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and then continue to drop 50% below the 2020 levels by 2040.<br><br>City of San Francisco, CA has a complete plan with goals to measure progress as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2017 and 40% by 2025.<br><br>Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has a holistic plan that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 4% per year to a net-zero goal.<br><br>City of Seattle, WA Climate Action Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2017 and 40% by 2025<br><br>Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) was the nation’s first local government agency created specifically to address climate change and is committed to a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels.<br> <br>Source - White House Fact Sheet:<br><br>http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/03/fact-sheet-16-us-communities-recognized-climate-action-champions-leaders</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355912014-12-04T02:48:58-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 703; It's Not Just the Pipeline
<p>Some common sense reasons environmental organizations are opposed to the development and shipment of Canadian tar sands oil - it’s not just about a pipeline.</p>
<p><br><br>1. Extraction: The region in Alberta, Canada where it’s extracted was a pristine boreal forest which is now trashed.</p>
<p><br><br>2. Transporting: Tar sands oil is thicker and more of a bitumen which makes it harder to transport. It is often thinned with other hazardous chemicals like benzene and forced through pipelines under pressure which increases the possibility of ruptures and spills - especially in older pipes and at connections.</p>
<p><br><br>3. Refining/burning: Tar sands oil is thicker and more of a bitumen which makes it a dirtier oil to refine and burn adding to its carbon footprint.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s not just the Keystone XL pipeline. There are other back-door pipelines, trains and tankers to move dirty Canadian Tar Sands oil. It’s time to transition off fossil fuel - not open the floodgates wider with a foul product.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355902014-12-03T02:47:07-06:002019-12-18T15:34:08-06:00InClimate 702; Birth Control
<p>It’s a good idea to think about energy consumption times billions - or 1 kW x 7.2 billion equals a lot of watts. Birth Control can play a big role in reducing environmental and economic problems, but it’s a touchy subject that is often left out of discussions on climate change. It’s seems to be a scary slope between voluntary family planning and a mandate like China’s one child policy. There is a working group of scientists and policy-makers that met at the Woodrow Wilson Center to bridge the gap, but unfortunately there is little funding for that approach even though:</p>
<p><br><br>The United Nations predicts population growth to hit 10.9 billion by the end of the century.</p>
<p><br><br>Population grows by 3 people per second every single day.</p>
<p><br><br>Average life-spans have gone from 51 years in 1960 to 69 years in 2010.</p>
<p><br><br>There are 1.43 million unplanned births in the US every year.</p>
<p><br><br>At the current growth rate, populations in the least developed countries are predicted to double within the next 31 years.<br><br>About a tenth of the world’s population doesn’t even have access to improved drinking water.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.populationconnection.org</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/the-climate-change-solution-no-one-will-talk-about/382197/<br><br><br>May 31, 2013 (InClimate 151) What we humans do on our planet is multiplied by a world population that is estimated at 7.1 billion. That’s a lot of zeros. In general, first worlders with more stuff do more damage than third worlders with less stuff. When you add just one puff of gas to the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like much, but remember to “Do the Math”. Maybe think in terms of times 7.1 billion. 1 puff X 7,100,000 = 7,100,000 puffs - or a lot of greenhouse gas.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355892014-12-02T03:12:53-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 701; A Feel-Good Cloud
<p>Buy what you need, but don’t empty out the store. Cyber Monday has grown to a cyber week for some retailers. Consumption and over-consumption is still just that even when it’s handled through cyberspace. The “cloud” is not a cloud - it’s a feel-good name for vast arrays of servers in climate controlled environments that use plenty of energy. The products still need to be shipped. The internet is great and handy, but... “there’s no free lunch” still applies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>From August 12, 2013 (InClimate 224): The scale of the internet and its “cloud” is growing exponentially. There are approximately 10 billion devices connected to the public cloud and the data centers that serve them. According to HP if that were a nation, “it would rank fifth in electricity consumption. Reducing that number by even 50% would save the equivalent of the electricity consumption of the United Kingdom.”</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355882014-12-01T05:00:40-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 700; Lima Climate Talks Begin
<p>The next round of United Nations Climate Talks starts today in Lima, Peru and runs to December 12, 2014. The negotiations will hopefully go beyond the old Kyoto Protocol which the United States never ratified and Canada dropped out of weakening its viability. Efforts on a new global climate pact with more impact is underway. All eyes are on Peru, but the results will probably not be finalized for another year when further negotiations are scheduled in Paris. The risks have grown incredibly since the Kyoto Protocol some seventeen years ago, so let’s hope the policymakers get on the ball and find something they and their governments can all live with.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.climatecentral.org/news/whats-at-stake-in-lima-climate-talks-18388</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Share YOUR concerns about climate during these days by uploading your photos with YOUR message to the UN Climate Negotiators tweeting to UN Climate Talks at @UN_ClimateTalks and using #EyesOnPeru.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://twitter.com/search?q=UN%20climate%20talks&src=tyah</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355872014-11-30T02:36:56-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 699; Let's Finally be Done
<p>Gas prices plummeting. It’s a boon to the economy and motorists smile... but at what cost. Savings to the pocketbook balanced by consequences for the planet and future generations.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s not one single factor dropping prices. The world market is glutted with oil. China and European economies have slowed. Conservation, CAFE standards (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) and the transition underway to alternative clean energy have all played their part. OPEC has lost its stranglehold on energy because of fracking virtually everywhere, the US oil boom and dirty Canadian tar sands oil.</p>
<p><br><br>Fossil fuel has run its course. Scientists agree, burning what’s already in reserve will take us past a tipping point for climate change with catastrophic consequences. Let’s finally be done with noxious fumes and poisons. Let’s finally be done with air, land and water pollution. Let’s finally be done with accidents, spills and astronomical profits for the fossil fuel giants.</p>
<p><br><br>Lets finally look to the sun, wind and waves.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355862014-11-29T02:58:49-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 698; On Heresy
<p>On Heresy: Common sense and modern thought are blasphemy to the antiquated dogma of fossil fuel energy.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355852014-11-28T03:15:36-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 697; Robber Baron PR
<p>Sometimes the wealthy among us try to give back with philanthropy.<br><br>Then again, sometimes robber barons discover people are getting wise to their shadowy dealings. They turn to PR to shore up their images or that of their industries. It shows they may be a little worried about the impact to their bottom lines. There’s a new batch of ads in various media extolling the virtues of fossil fuel and the Koch industries.</p>
<p><br><br>Jon Stewart offered a hilarious edit of the Koch Industries TV ad on Comedy Central:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://bit.ly/1xRGkvZ</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>And for the slightly more bookish - If you enjoy myths and a little longer read,(InClimate 495) “A Resolution from the Council” posted May 10, 2014:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.billyx.net/?section=blog/inclimate_495_a_resolution_from_the_council/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>It’s also on my Facebook Timeline from May 13, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355842014-11-27T02:53:59-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 696; Solar Impulse II
<p>In 100-days, Solar Impulse II is scheduled to begin it’s flight around the world using only solar power - emission free.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Transitioning off fossil fuel could help get us out of this climate jam. The technology to make it happen comes from a “can-do” pioneer spirit and pushing tech - sometimes to perceived limits.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Some said it couldn’t be done, but the Solar Impulse has flown continuously through both the bright of day and the darkness of night without fuel. The advanced experimental airplane flew coast to coast across the USA using only solar power. Energy from the sun. The strides in technology it pioneers brings hope for generations to come and with it a transition to a more sustainable future.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>I must be thankful for these breakthroughs because I get a lump in my throat whenever I watch the solar plane soar. Please watch this short video and see if it doesn’t do the same for you:</p>
<p><br><br>http://bit.ly/1xWmPWZ</p>
<p><br><br>Happy Trails!</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355832014-11-26T03:25:22-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 695; Solar Highways
<p>Solar collectors avoid the spills and air pollution of fossil fuels, but they do take up space to provide energy. Novel ideas have included covering canals in India, solar panels as decorative windows and high hopes for a clear glass array.</p>
<p><br><br>The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) has taken a cue from smaller highway installations, but upped the ante. They’ve issued a Request for Proposals for “Solar Array Installation and Lease” along the state’s roadway right of ways. The Minnesota Legislature enacted a statewide plan in 2007 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and MNDOT is looking to this unused land to help with that plan. The progressive state has ambitious goals to decrease emissions 15% below 2005 levels by next year and 30% by 2025.</p>
<p><br><br>The new solar highway pilot project could provide 5-megawatts and outdo the state’s 3-megawatts scheduled to go on-line next fall at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Oregon is the only other state working with sizable solar arrays in roadway right of ways. Minnesota will more than double Oregon’s current largest array along highway 5 south of Portland that generates 1.75 megawatts from nearly 7,000 panels.</p>
<p><br><br>Northern state climates are not usually thought of as ideal for solar power, but new policies and regulations have jump started things in both Minnesota’s public and private sector. The IKEA store near the MSP airport has a roof installation in progress that will provide 1-megawatt. Things are working so smoothly in Minnesota that the “2015 State Solar Power Rankings” placed Minnesota as number 8 out of all 50 states - a jump of 14 places in just one year. Surprisingly, a number of the top listed states aren’t in the “sun-belt”.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.dot.state.mn.us/consult/documents/rfps/solar-rfp.pdf</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/10/how-minnesota-s-highways-are-poised-become-renewable-energy-generators?utm_source=MinnPost-RSS&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+minnpost+(MinnPost.com+-+Minnesota+News+and+Analysis)</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/2015-solar-power-state-rankings/?utm_source=Our+solar+power+media+contacts&utm_campaign=f30e489b30-2015+Solar+Power+Report&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f534a5160c-f30e489b30-105991181</p>
<p><br> <br>http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/minnesota-gets-ready-launch-solar-highways/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355822014-11-25T05:17:19-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 694; Congress Gets a Rest
<p><br>The last major legislation to protect the American environment was passed with the economic stimulus package in 2009. It was primarily intended to put people back to work and included limited funding for common sense projects like energy efficiency, improvements and job training in that sector.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>That’s no major positive environmental legislation since 2009, none in:</p>
<p><br>2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 or 2010.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>“Everything’s alright... Oh, no... it’s not.”</p>
<p><br><br>Actually, we vote policymakers in to make policy. Funny, they don’t seem to know that. The current congress passed only 86 bills and among those there was a bunch of fluff like (HR-1071) a law to regulate the size of the Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins and (HR-2383) to rename an I-70 bridge the “Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge”. The climate denying, head in the sand policy wonks must have struggled with those because they followed the “86” with a nice five-week recess. Baseball and veterans are certainly important, but perhaps a nod to climate change and the catastrophic consequence of continuing business as usual is in order.</p>
<p><br><br>Source: Sierra Club Political Committee</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355812014-11-24T01:11:11-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 693; 33 Tons
<p>There are almost 500 coal-fired power plants belching 33 tons of mercury annually into America’s air. A single solitary gram of the toxin or just a 70th of a teaspoon is enough to poison a 25-acre lake, so that its fish are no longer safe to eat. There are fish consumption advisories posted in all 50 states. Advisory or not, people - especially those lacking other means - will fish and enjoy their catch when hunger calls.</p>
<p><br><br>Some of Mercury’s known maladies include, neurological damage, kidney damage, liver failure and fatal heart disease. It has been linked with autism, dyslexia, blindness and uncontrolled aggression. Exposure to tiny amounts during pregnancy can cause mental retardation and lower IQ’s in children.</p>
<p><br><br>That’s not even the whole story. The toxic brew of coal mining and its waste products includes a slew of other poisons and heavy metals. There’s arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, selenium and thallium making coal the largest source of water pollution in the United States based on toxicity. The coal industry causes more pollution than the other nine top polluting industries combined. In the past, coal has received a free pass from the clean air and water acts. The Environmental Protection Agency is poised with new enforcement power as big money and the fossil fuel industry are working to take it away.</p>
<p> <br><br>Coal - like other fossil fuels - played an important role in keeping people warm, moving them around and developing the modern world. Be thankful and remember those who have worked in those dangerous industries, but don’t let vested interests and big money cover up the devastation. Fossil time is over and clean renewables are on their way.</p>
<p><br><br>Source: Waterkeeper Alliance, www.waterkeeper.org<br><br></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355802014-11-23T01:58:07-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 692; US Pipeline Malfunctions
<p>Over just the last 16 months, there have been 372 pipeline malfunctions leading to 20 deaths, $256 million in damages and widespread environmental devastation in the United States.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Noah Greenwald in HuffingtonPost.com - The Week, November 28, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355792014-11-22T02:03:27-06:002019-12-18T15:34:07-06:00InClimate 691; Psychotic Individual/Psychotic Nation
<p>Multi-national corporations owe their allegiance to no one, save their investors. That often drives corporate greed which, through bad practices, drives climate change. In America, corporations began simply as government chartered institutions that have evolved to become institutions with individual rights in part through a reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment which was written to protect newly emancipated African-Americans. What kind of individuals? Some corporations have exhibited all the recognized indicators of psychosis.</p>
<p><br><br>But wait, there’s more! Now, the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP) has a clause “investor state dispute resolution” which would grant corporations the standing of nations to file lawsuits and challenge countries - if they felt the local laws impeded “expected future profits”. This ability for corporations to sue to protect their expected profits was first passed with the North American Free Trade Agreement and 500 cases have been filed since 1993.</p>
<p><br><br>There you have it. The corporation as both individual and nation... perhaps, as both psychotic individual and psychotic nation. I hereby declare the nation of me, but plan to retain my individual status as well.</p>
<p><br><br>* Everything’s alright... Oh, no, it’s not.<br>Everything’s alright... Oh, no, it’s not.<br>Everything’s alright... Oh, no, it’s not. No!<br><br>I’m in a preschizophrenic panic; I’m manic.<br>We’ve really got to save the planet, Janet.<br><br>Momma says, “Don’t forget to wear your bonnets”, honest.<br>C.D.C. says, “Don’t forget to wear your condoms , on ‘em.”<br><br>* “Preschizophrenic Panic” from “Billy X: Solo Set” available on CD<br><br>http://landstewardshipproject.org/posts/663<br><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Corporation_%28film%29</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355782014-11-21T04:07:36-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 690; Polar Outbreak Cold Snap
<p>Nothing seems to bolster the global warming deniers and oil barons like a good old fashioned cold snap, but the climate change brought on by the same - may well be responsible for the cold in some spots as well as the 2014 global temperatures poised to become the hottest ever recorded. The “Arctic Outbreak” a near relative to the “Polar Vortex” is back and freezing some butts off. Those are meteorological terms used to describe disturbances like cyclones at the north and south poles - not phrases made up by climate crazies.</p>
<p><br><br>High in the atmosphere the jet stream flows around the north pole creating a boundary between warm air to the south and cold air to the north. The warmer arctic region has less of a temperature differential and produces a weaker jet stream that moves around more easily impacting weather conditions. The arctic warming connected to frigid temperatures elsewhere is not proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, but there are reams of evidence in peer reviewed scientific journals that strongly suggest the link. In science, most everything is a theory until it can not be disproved*. There is still a theory of gravity.</p>
<p><br><br>According to NASA and the Japanese Meteorological Association - globally - this may well become the hottest year since record keeping began in 1880. The past year has seen the hottest May, June, August, September and October ever recorded. The changing climate has brought 356 months of above average temperatures globally.</p>
<p><br><br>*“A theory is simply the most elaborate form of consistent scientific knowledge not yet disproved by experiment. In experimental sciences, a theory can never be "proved", it can only be "disproved" by experiment. This is precisely what makes a theory scientific. A statement that cannot be disproved by experiment may still be highly respectable but it's simply not part of any experimental science (it could be mathematics, philosophy or religion, but it's not physics).” - Dr. Gerard* <br><br>*https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070807220925AAwEBXl<br><br>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/21/temperatures-have-been-above-average-for-355-straight-months/<br><br>http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/cold-truth?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=linkewire3&utm_campaign=email<br><br>http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/it-really-getting-hot-here?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=linkmain&utm_campaign=email<br><br>http://www.numericana.com/answer/physics.htm</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355772014-11-20T02:26:50-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 689; Carbon Footprint/Foodprint
<p>The foods we eat contribute to our carbon footprint. Here are some common protein sources followed by the kilograms of CO2 energy used per 1000 “food calories” (kcal) produced in order of the most carbon intensive to the least:</p>
<p><br><br>Lamb 13.3; Beef 10.8; Turkey 9.2; Pork 7.0; Cheese (shredded) 5.9; Farmed Salmon 5.7; 2% Milk 3.8; Canned Tuna 3.3; Chicken 3.2; Eggs 3.1; Yogurt 2.8; Tofu 2.6; Rice (Cooked) 2.4; Lentils (Cooked) 0.8; Beans (Cooked) 0.6; Peanut Butter 0.4 and Nuts 0.4.</p>
<p><br><br>Of course, with best practices the numbers change. Sustainably managed grass fed cows have less impact than feedlot and grain fed cattle. Pastures that are well maintained can become carbon sinks. The United Kingdom’s National Trust found small farms with grass fed cattle can reduce the emission’s impact by up to 94%.</p>
<p><br><br>There are also innovative programs in manure to methane conversion for energy. Dairyland Power Cooperative in Wisconsin is a national leader in animal waste to energy conversion from the small farm to the grid. Gundersen Health System and its whole network of hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and related facilities based in La Crosse, Wisconsin has become the first health system of its kind to become fully energy independent in part due to methane conversion from dairy farms.</p>
<p><br><br>Sources: “Green American”, Fall 2014 and<br>Environmental Working Group “Meat Eaters Guide”, USDA Additional research: Joe Garmin, Martha Van Gelder</p>
<p><br>http://www.dairynet.com/energy_resources/animal.php</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355762014-11-19T04:07:39-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 688; Senate Votes No On Keystone
<p>It’s time to transition away from fossil fuel as a primary energy source, so it was good to hear the Senate voted “No” to the boondoggle Keystone XL Pipeline, but... It’s too early to cheer. I was reminded of a sketch I made en-route or perhaps en-delay to New York City aboard the Peoples’ Climate Train. We were often held up on the way to the Climate March because of the heavy freight (read that oil) traffic. On my return trip, the delays were even longer - hours longer. A long line of oil cars end to end is just another dangerous set of pipes on steel wheels. And don’t forget, Enbridge has other pipelines in the works that could likely become Keystone’s backdoor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/618bd9545250ccedd9007f882cfe0ddfa9ad6f76/original/oilcarscomp.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTk5eDM4MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="OilCarsComp.jpg" height="383" width="599" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355752014-11-18T03:26:46-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 687; NASA's Watchful Eye
<p>The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) keeps a watchful eye on Mother Earth from space. Their instruments have recorded a troubling hot spot of the potent greenhouse gas methane over the four corners area of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah that spans about 2,400 square miles (6,500 square kilometers). The NASA and University of Michigan study of satellite data indicates the methane “hot spot” is more than triple the previous ground based estimates.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Hydraulic fracturing has been tied to methane releases, but not this release. The study period began before the widespread use of fracking. It’s actually more troubling in some ways because it shows the hard to detect odorless, colorless gas has been steadily leaking from natural gas production equipment in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Natural gas is mostly methane. Coalbed methane lines the pores and cracks in coal deposits. It’s a deadly gas responsible for fatal explosions in coal mines, but techniques have been developed to harvest it as fuel. Coal bed methane supplies a portion of American natural gas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The study’s lead author - Eric Kort, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - noted, “The results are indicative that emissions from established fossil fuel harvesting techniques are greater than inventoried. There’s been so much attention on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but we need to consider the industry as a whole.” Just one more reason to transition off fossil fuel as a primary energy source.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/09oct_methanehotspot/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355742014-11-17T01:39:32-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 686; Sao Paulo Dries Up?
<p>In another climate related story and case of "all things connect to all things", South America’s largest city, Sao Paulo, Brazil, is running out of water primarily due to human activity. Twenty million residents are getting-by through austere water rationing. The region is in a record drought. Dry season has followed dry season and left the city’s reservoirs at only 10% of capacity. The conditions can be directly linked to the deforestation of the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Scientists know that rain-forest vapor produces the clouds that have historically floated inland to settle on Sao Paulo and provide welcome rains. As the forests have been decimated, the rains have disappeared.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Climatologist Antonio Nobre was quoted in “The Week” as saying, “If deforestation in the Amazon continues, Sao Paulo will probably dry up.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Source: The Week, November 21, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355732014-11-16T01:59:36-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 685; Sunlight Travels
<p>Please, take note: Sunlight travels a whopping 93 million miles to give us its energy - Be best to use it.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355722014-11-15T00:40:30-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 684; How to Have a Cow
<p>Green American magazine (Fall 2014, Issue 99) points out beef and dairy cows contribute more than 9% of all the greenhouse gas emissions that are directly connected to human activity. It goes on to suggest the single most powerful thing you can do to minimize the environmental impact of your diet is to reduce beef and dairy consumption. That’s wise advice, but there are ways to have a cow and the dairy state of Wisconsin shows the world how.</p>
<p><br><br>Dairyland Power Cooperative in Wisconsin uses the potent greenhouse gas methane to power homes. In 2004, the electric co-op received the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program’s Energy Partner of the Year award for one of its three Landfill Gas to Energy plants. The garbage we all produce ends up in landfills producing methane which is captured by the plants and used to power generators that produce electricity. Going full circle, there is always more garbage to power the plants.</p>
<p> <br>Dairyland is also a national leader in animal waste to energy conversion. In 2012, it began purchasing renewable energy from a manure digester on a small 200 cow dairy farm. Manure is collected and heated and the natural byproduct methane is trapped and used to power generators that produce electricity. The technology was developed by another Wisconsin company, USEMCO. It was the first use of such a small scale manure digester to feed the grid in the region. It will very likely open the door for more animal waste to energy conversion on other family farms.</p>
<p><br><br>Gundersen Health System and its network of hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and related facilities based in La Crosse, Wisconsin has become the first health system of its kind to become fully energy independent and the landmark efficiency is in part due to methane conversion.</p>
<p><br><br>See also: Nov. 13 InClimate 682, Energy Efficiency in WI Healthcare, Gundersen Health System</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.dairynet.com/energy_resources/landfill.php</p>
<p><br><br><br>http://www.dairynet.com/energy_resources/animal.php</p>
<p><br><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/03/3575503/the-power-of-poo/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355712014-11-14T02:01:47-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 683; Solar Roadways
<p>The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research and the Dutch province of North Holland opened the world’s first stretch of roadway made of solar cells on November 12th. The 230-foot stretch is a bike path named SolaRoad. The short run is meant as a first step road test to see how well the solar panels with two layers of safety glass produce and hold-up to the daily grind of bicycles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The sun’s energy is abundant and doesn’t need to be mined or drilled, but collecting it in panels requires large spaces. Roof-top panels have been one solution, but roadways offer larger tracts. In the US, there is a Solar Roadways Indiegogo campaign that has raised more than $2 million, so far. The claims are for “Solar panels that you can drive, park, and walk on. They melt snow and... cut greenhouse gases by 75-percent.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/11/3591195/netherlands-solar-road/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355702014-11-13T02:19:05-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 682; Energy Efficiency in WI Healthcare
<p>Since October 14th, Gundersen Health System and its network of hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and related facilities based in La Crosse, Wisconsin has become the first health system of its kind to become fully energy independent. The project began six years ago when Gundersen set a goal to simply reduce consumption and rely more on renewable energy. The concept was intended to “make the air better for our patients to breathe, control our rising energy costs and help our local economy” according to CEO, Jeff Thompson. The moves have saved the system about $2 million every year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>There are solar panels on the parking garage, but it doesn’t stop there. The health system has helped build two wind farms with enough energy for 2,600 homes. The main campus has an 800-horsepower biomass boiler, methane capture from a local landfill as well as methane from 2,000 cows on three dairy farms for its generators. The system sells extra electricity as well as manure that can be used as compost, bedding and fertilizer.</p>
<p><br><br>Gundersen has also been able to reduce its hazardous and pharmaceutical waste by 40% since 2010. Other waste streams are capped with a kitchen staff trained to use most every part of vegetables in their cooking and donating left-overs to the Salvation Army. The energy independence and waste management is remarkable, but especially when considering hospitals frequently use two and a half times the energy of commercial buildings because of their 24-hour high tech operations.</p>
<p> <br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/11/3591150/green-hospital-system/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355692014-11-12T03:41:46-06:002019-12-18T15:34:06-06:00InClimate 681; US/China Emissions Commitment
<p><br>Last night, the White House announced a historic deal with China for both nations to reduce carbon emissions dramatically. It’s especially important since one of the excuses commonly used to continue business as usual goes something like: “If the US cuts carbon without the world following suit it won’t really help. It just injures American economic interests.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The United States and China are the world’s two biggest economies as well as greenhouse gas emitters. President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing and agreed to new commitments that could impact other nations before the climate treaty talks in Paris next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The US commitment is to reduce carbon emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 - which is about twice as big a cut as the current targets. The standard comes without any new restrictions on power plants or vehicles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>China may have a little tougher route since their economy is reliant on coal fired power plants at this time. China is the world’s biggest emissions emitter, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. For the first time, China has set a date at which it expects emissions to peak and taper downwards in 2030. Things could happen faster as the Chinese are addressing air pollution controls, economic reforms and a complete “energy revolution”. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Of course, some post election scuttlebutt around D.C. claims both houses will work to eliminate the existing emission standards on US coal plants.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2014/11/obama-just-announced-historic-climate-deal-china</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Senate on EPA Rule shutdown:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/09/3590628/gop-senate-epa-rule-shutdown/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355682014-11-11T00:09:14-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 680; Armistice and/or Veterans Day
<p>War is the failure of civilization and probably one of the single biggest drivers of climate change possible. It’s another Veteran’s Day and I come to it as a combat wounded veteran and witness to war on two continents. My dark thoughts often begin as I wonder why the cheery buy, buy, buy ads are tied to the day and thoroughly blanket the media. Of course, this is America and any reason for a sale will do.</p>
<p><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/489a2f3f0f6bfbbdfbef7995122f8fdd28e16550/original/1914-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDQ2eDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="1914_resized.jpg" height="600" width="446" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The darkness grows as images from the front permeate my little brain. I take some solace in a 100-year old Christmas lesson from World War I when the soldiers on both sides ignored the generals and set down their weapons. Christmas Eve - 1914, the warriors climbed out of the trenches, set aside their weapons, embraced, sang songs, shared cigarettes and even played soccer. What if they gave a war and everybody laid down their weapons and danced?</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355672014-11-10T00:57:08-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 679; Fracking Waste-Water & Aquifers
<p>Reminder, you can’t drink gas or oil. Nine of eleven hydraulic fracturing waste-water injection wells shut down by California state regulators were found to be dumping fracking fluids and other pollutants into aquifers protected by both state law and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Center for Biological Diversity obtained a copy of a letter from the California State Water Resources Board to the Environmental Protection Agency that revealed nearly 3 billion gallons of the waste water containing toxins like arsenic and thallium were dumped into the states central valley aquifers that are used for drinking water and irrigation. The final study is still out and warns as many as 19 other injection wells could have contaminated protected aquifers.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s bad news in general. Each fracking site uses huge amounts of water daily. The estimated 140,000 to 150,000 gallons of freshwater becomes waste-water unfit for consumption and when dumped spreads its dangerous toxins still further. The entire state is already in a drought of epic proportions. It’s not just California at risk. It’s all our drinking water.</p>
<p><br><br>“Today, more than 15 million Americans live a mile or less from a fracking well.” - Nature’s Voice, Fall 2014</p>
<p><br>http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/fracking-10-06-2014.html</p>
<p><br>http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/10/07/central-california-aquifers-contaminated-billions-gallons-fracking-wastewater</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355662014-11-09T03:36:37-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 678; Knock. Knock.
<p>Knock. Knock.</p>
<p><br>Who’s there?</p>
<p><br>Clyde.</p>
<p><br>Clyde who?</p>
<p><br>Clyde Mitt is changing, be prepared.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Groan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>How might a scientist make a policy-making climate change denier's eyes twinkle?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Shine a flashlight in his ear.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>A group of scientists under contract to a corporate oil giant were discussing the metaphysics of climate change, corporate policy and their supervisors. I should have known it wouldn’t work out between me and the boss. I respect him, but I spent years buried deep in research... and he’s a jerk.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The climate is changing and that’s no joke.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355652014-11-08T02:01:54-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 677; Ironic Senate Committee Chair?
<p>In yet another pitifully ironic policy-maker turn of events, one of the nations staunchest never-mind-the-science climate change deniers, Senator Jim Inhofe, is in line for chairman of the senate environment and public works committee, the body’s top environmental job. The Oklahoma Republican didn’t just come to the science blind camp when the Tea Partiers made it popular. He’s pooh-poohed what has grown to become the findings of 97% of the world’s scientists for a good 20 years. The senator published a book in 2012 that called global warming a hoax and has compared the Environmental protection Agency to the Gestapo. Not surprisingly, his major source of campaign funding has been the oil and gas industry.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The take-over of the Senate and majority of business-as-usual proponents in the House of Representatives will threaten the administration’s attempt to reel in policies that hasten climate disruptions. The fight is on and the president will have to choose his battles wisely. Pundits say he will probably fight hard to protect his power plant emissions rule and continue attempts to gain global cooperation on climate, but Keystone-XL could be the sacrificial lamb.</p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/06/climate-denier-jim-inhofe-in-line-for-senates-top-environmental-job</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2012/aug/02/climate-change-political-funding-us</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355642014-11-07T04:21:51-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 676; Melting Galciers Cost Money
<p>Climate change’s melting glaciers will cost money. In Peru, where the glaciers have melted by about 40% over the last 40 years the nation’s water authority predicts the remaining glaciers could disappear entirely in just a few more years. The loss would put pressure on freshwater supplies and knock-out the hydropower industry that provides much of the country’s electrical power. Rajendra K. Pachauri, the chair of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, puts the price tag on power loss due to melting glaciers at between $212 million and $1.5 billion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: The Week, October 31, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355632014-11-06T03:34:43-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 675; Don't Mourn; Organize
<p>It’s been well-established that transitioning from fossil fuel is the fast track to mitigating climate disruptions. The big coal, oil and gas industries know that, but they have never been good stewards of the planet and realize they are in a fight to save astronomical profits from common sense, science and environmentalists. They pumped hundreds of millions into ads and twisted information campaigns to support oily policy makers with great results on election night.</p>
<p><br><br>Don’t give up the ship. Grass roots organizing, local legislation, legal maneuvers, disseminating the climate facts and hitting the industry in the pocket-book have all proven successful in the good fight. Since 2012, more than 140 institutions representing over $50 billion have committed to divesting investments from the fossil fuel industry. The New York State Supreme Court ruled that towns can use local ordinances to ban hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. Denton, TX and two counties in California banned fracking with local ballot initiatives. In Wisconsin, two townships are suing a city for annexing a distant frac sand mine because of the sweet deal that would let it operate under city zoning. Local opposition blocked the permits for the Keystone-XL pipeline to run through Nebraska and South Dakota. Climate marchers around the world and 400,000 in New York City on September 21st demanded action on climate from policy makers. Don’t mourn; organize.</p>
<p><br><br>The fossil fuel divestment campaign:</p>
<p><br><br>http://gofossilfree.org/usa/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355622014-11-05T03:20:37-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 674; UNIPCC Summary Assessment
<p>Elections are over. It’s a sigh of relief for some and a woe is us for others, but at least all the campaigning, promises and half-truths are back on the back-burner. The new wave of policy-makers are very likely to breathe new life into Keystone XL and other pipeline projects. As constituents, it is up to us to educate them on the importance of transitioning to new clean energy and ending dependence on fossil fuel.</p>
<p><br><br>Over 100 governments have “signed off line by line” on the full scientific climate assessment released just Sunday by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC). The report draws on more than 30,000 studies on climate science, impacts and solutions. At this point findings show, the cost of taking aggressive action to mitigate impacts and limit global warming to a level below catastrophic consequences is so minimal it would barely affect the world economy.</p>
<p><br><br>No action will cost much more over the long run. Business as usual runs the risk of “substantial species extinction, global and regional food insecurity, consequential constraints on common human activities, and limited potential for adaptation in some cases.” The report goes on to emphasize those conditions could make large areas of arable populated lands nearly uninhabitable for most of the year. Global warming and climate changes don’t happen over night. The problems would be irreversible for hundreds of years.</p>
<p><br><br>UNIPCC summary assessment:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_SPM.pdf</p>
<p><br> <br>A Final Plea:</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/02/3587485/climate-panel-final-plea/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355612014-11-04T03:22:06-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 673; Katrina Facts & Sandy From Space
<p>Climate change promises more and more intense weather events and hard hitting storms. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans... and beyond. FEMA reported 1,183 fatalities directly or indirectly from the storm across five states and an estimated $108 billion in damages. When the levees and flood walls failed, 80% of New Orleans went underwater.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br>Just a little over two years ago, Hurricane Sandy earned the moniker Super Storm Sandy with more than an estimated $60 billion price tag as it hit New York, New Jersey... and beyond. Hurricane Sandy killed 117 people, wiped out or damaged 650,000 homes and cut power to 8 million households. Humans have been clever and adaptable. We can’t stop climate change completely, but wise decisions now could mitigate its impacts and offer more time to prepare the necessary infrastructure changes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>USA Midterm Elections today - vote the climate-blind, vested interest policymakers out.</p>
<p><br><br>Lest we forget, NASA time lapse images of Hurricane Sandy from space:</p>
<p><br><br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-g0eicaB40</p>
<p><br>Hurricane Sandy - New Jersey aftermath photos:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/29/hurricane-sandy-new-jersey-photos_n_6068170.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000048</p>
<p><br><br>Hurricane Katrina facts:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/us/hurricane-katrina-statistics-fast-facts/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355602014-11-03T01:07:49-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 672; The Logic of Clarity on Policy
<p>The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released another overview of global warming and its impacts. The message is clear. If we are to avoid catastrophic consequences, the level of political will and policy clarity must meet the level of scientific data and clarity on climate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The logic follows:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>A. Greenhouse gas emissions must be dramatically cut.</p>
<p><br>B. Cutting energy dependence on fossil fuels cuts those emissions the fastest.</p>
<p><br>C. Policy must be put in place to speed an energy transition to clean renewable sources.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/73834-france-united-states-climate-change-report</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355592014-11-02T02:07:40-06:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 671; The I'm Not A Scientist Excuse
<p>The vast majority of scientists around the world (at least 97%) agree human activity plays a significant role in the changing climate and that policies need to be placed in motion to at least mitigate what could well become catastrophic consequences. Yet, a great many politicians don’t do their homework and hide behind the “I’m not a scientist defense” to avoid the uncomfortable, but important policy decisions. <br>Perhaps, they should lose the privilege to make the other “I’m not a decisions” as well.</p>
<p>I can’t make a decision on roads, tunnels and bridges, I’m not an engineer.</p>
<p><br>I can’t make decisions on healthcare, I’m not a doctor.</p>
<p><br>I can’t make decisions on farm policy, I’m not a farmer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The responsible policy makers consult with those experts to arrive at reasonable positions. If they don’t... throw the bums out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Thanks to David Shiffman and Slate.com</p>
<p><br><br>See also: (April 29, 2013-InClimate 119) “For Dummies to Dummies Campaign”, a suggestion to send the beginners' book on the climate issue “Global Warming For Dummies” to climate disruption deniers.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355582014-11-01T02:59:03-05:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 670; A Dunce
<p>A dunce once searched and searched</p>
<p><br>for long dead fossils.</p>
<p><br>He dug and dug</p>
<p><br>pumped and pumped</p>
<p><br>Refined and processed</p>
<p><br>and shipped it all round</p>
<p><br>To power the machines</p>
<p><br>that belched and burped.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Then he searched some more.</p>
<p><br>He searched for many long days.</p>
<p><br>The sun provided him light and energy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Had he realized machines could</p>
<p><br>Use that energy</p>
<p><br>He needn’t have searched so long</p>
<p><br>nor dig nor dug</p>
<p><br>nor pumped</p>
<p><br>nor refined</p>
<p><br>nor processed</p>
<p><br>nor</p>
<p><br>shipped</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>But when he finally saw the light</p>
<p><br>The dunce became wise.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355572014-10-31T02:38:49-05:002019-12-18T15:34:05-06:00InClimate 669; Re-animate Inanimate
<p>Re-animate inanimate</p>
<p> </p>
<p>long-dead fossil fuel...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>for energy</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hydraulic Frackenstein...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Happy Halloween</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355562014-10-30T00:50:46-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 668; New Regs: Fracking/Earthquakes
<p>Texas has a history as an extremely friendly state for gas and oil production, but even there, the hydraulic fracturing boom has raised some eyebrows. Fracking waste disposal wells have been linked to an increase in earthquakes in several areas. Azle, TX had been pretty stable before fracking, but recorded 32 minor ones in just a few months of the fracking boom there. Another town, Cleburne, with a similar history had more than 50 quakes that Southern Methodist University linked to hydraulic fracturing waste disposal just a few years earlier. Those are not isolated incidents.</p>
<p><br><br>As of October 28, new regulations from the agency charged with setting rules for oil and gas activity in the state, the Texas Railroad Commission, now requires the oil and gas companies to include proof of research on seismic data for the areas they plan to drill - along with their permit applications.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The commission mandate forces applicants to have a “printed copy or screenshot” of seismic activity data that includes earthquakes within a 100-square mile area around the proposed drilling site. The commission can deem an area too risky to work. It also authorizes the agency to change, suspend or end permits for well disposal if the wells are “likely to be or determined to be contributing to seismic activity.”</p>
<p><br><br>http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/files/2014/10/Disposal-Well-Rule-Amendments-Oct-2014-1.pdf</p>
<p><br> <br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/28/3585530/texas-fracking-earthquake-rules/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355552014-10-29T04:42:28-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 667; Money for Energy Innovation
<p>A number of organizations have put their money where there mouth is when it comes to greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) newsroom lists some of the global sustainability awards available. The latest includes this year’s Energy Innovation Contest (IDEAS V 2014) with a $200,000 (US) prize. It’s focused on innovation and increased access to renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean. If you scroll down on the site, there are other opportunities listed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://newsroom.unfccc.int/clean-energy/energy-innovation-contest-with-us-200-000-prize-fund/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355542014-10-28T05:45:29-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 666; Mass Migration Buy Outs
<p>Staten Island is a burough of New York City and a barrier island protecting New York from the high seas. Not surprisingly, it felt the brunt of Hurricane Sandy’s wrath and suffered storm surges up to fourteen feet. Homes were lost and 23 people died on the island accounting for more than half of the New York state death toll.</p>
<p><br><br>Some folks finally decided “enough is enough” of living in a floodplain. There are more and more serious storms driving forced migrations and even climate refugees around the world. The changes and dire predictions impact sales and property values in disaster prone areas. Governor Cuomo decided to buy out the homeowners in three neighborhoods with the most vocal relief demands - Oakwood Beach, Ocean Breeze and Graham Beach - at pre-storm market value. The Governor wisely stated, “There are some places that Mother Nature owns. I want to give this parcel back.” But perhaps unwisely, the state paid an average of $400,000 per home from a $400 million state pilot program. The cost of those pre-storm buyouts are probably unrealistic and difficult to maintain for the remaining properties. It creates a contentious situation for those that “gets” and those that don’t.</p>
<p><br><br>New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is one of the opponents of the buyouts and said, “We cannot and will not abandon our waterfront. It’s one of our greatest assets.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) now has 400,000 New Yorkers and 70,000 buildings in areas designated at high risk for flooding. Public agencies probably do not have the resources to relocate these kinds of numbers.</p>
<p><br><br>Source: Playboy, November 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355532014-10-27T03:36:56-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 665; Ecosystem Or Barriers
<p>New York City is now taking a cue from the Dutch and choosing to let the water in. Hurricane Sandy was a powerful reminder of how vulnerable New York City is to the rising sea levels. Immediately after getting swallowed up and soaked by the super storm there were calls to build massive revetments and flood gates to control the angry waters. But the reality of costs and the amount of time it would take to fortify the city made the immense projects impractical and maybe even coming to fruition too late - for the next big disaster.</p>
<p><br><br>Henk Ovink, a Dutch water-management expert, has become the senior adviser on the Presidential Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force which is under the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He stated in a New York Times article, “We didn’t want to just build barriers; we wanted to build an ecosystem. For that to happen, we have to live with the water, to understand it, while still understanding our vulnerabilities.”</p>
<p><br><br>In Holland, they’ve created more channels and flood plains and identified where they can guide the waters with the least amount of damage. Not entirely a new idea - before levees became the answer - towns along the Mississippi River and other vulnerable places maintained buffers of public park space at the water’s edge. Spaces that could flood and then simply be re-groomed. Developers found the real estate too valuable to let be. The human desire to be near water coupled with flood insurance that subsidizes stupidity brought homes and businesses to the brink of land’s end. <br><br></p>
<p><br>http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/two-years-after-sandys-surge-new-york-city-shifts-toward-a-softer-relationship-with-the-sea/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=fb-share&_r=0</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355522014-10-26T03:33:57-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 664; Rising Sea Threatens States
<p>The National Climate Assessment released by the White House last May predicted a four to six-foot sea level rise by 2100. Here’s how those big seas pan out for four coastal states.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Florida is hit hardest. Currently there are 2,655,967 people with 1,444,827 homes and 14% of the state population living in the six-foot zone.</p>
<p><br>Louisiana follows with 1,127,633 people, 520,801 homes and 24.9% of the state’s population.</p>
<p><br>Then there is California with 603,305 people, 252,427 homes and 2% of the population threatened.</p>
<p><br>New York comes in with 480,807 people, 209,800 homes and 2% of the state population in the six-foot zone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>It’s not just South Sea islanders and third world nations that will have forced migrations and climate refugees. The changing climate and all its catastrophes will come home to roost even in the good old USA. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: www.Climatecentral.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355512014-10-25T03:02:35-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 663; Apologies to Aesop
<p>With apologies to Aesop, maybe the earth is a golden goose with life sustaining atmosphere and fossil fuel the golden egg energy that has powered our needs since the industrial revolution. Scientists agree using all the golden eggs in reserve kills that goose as we’ve known it.</p>
<p><br><br>The farmer killed his goose to see if there were more eggs inside.</p>
<p><br><br>“Foolish man!” cried his wife. “If only you had understood that those who are greedy for too much sometimes lose all.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>A hydraulically fractured Aesop’s Fable</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355502014-10-24T04:34:44-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 662; Campus Green Campaigns
<p>The Sierra Club has been working with student coalitions to green-up their schools with a Campuses Beyond Coal Campaign. Since 2009, students have been influential in getting their educational institutions to retire a third of the on-campus coal plants. The work goes further through the Fossil Free Movement as student activists have successfully urged administrations to divest university stock holdings in fossil fuel companies.</p>
<p><br><br>But how do you replace all that fossil fuel? The Sierra Student Coalition has launched a Campuses for Clean Energy Campaign where members will try to persuade universities to reinvest in 100 percent clean energy and demand that from their utilities. Universities are big energy consumers with a lot more power in the marketplace than an average customer and very likely able to help set a moral precedent. It’s not far fetched. The Minneapolis City Council Health, Environment and Community Engagement Committee voted to authorize a first in the nation clean energy partnership agreement with its utilities. Negotiations for change with big utilities can take time, so some students are also taking direct action by applying for grants to get solar, wind and other renewables on campus.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fossil Free Movement: www.gofossilfree.org</p>
<p><br>Campuses for Clean Energy: www.sc.org/CFCEnergy</p>
<p><br>Campuses Beyond Coal: www.sc.org/CampusesBeyondCoal</p>
<p><br>Minneapolis Energy - October 10 (InClimate 648):</p>
<p><br>http://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/WCMS1P-131857<br><br><br>http://www.minneapolismn.gov/energyfranchise/index.htm</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355492014-10-23T04:36:38-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 661; School Choices Green to Party
<p>Choices: The US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award recognizes environmental stewardship from individual elementary schools to whole districts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The Sierra Club continues the recognition at the college level with its annual “Cool Schools” rankings based on a 1,000 point score for “greening every level of their operation - from energy usage to recycling to food sourcing to curriculum”. The top schools have sustainability woven into their campus culture.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Top ten “Cool Schools” and Sierra Club scores: University of California, Irvine - Irvine, CA (813.5 points); American University - Washington D.C. (804.25); Dickinson College - Carlisle, PA (803.44); Loyola University - Chicago, IL (798.97); Lewis and Clark College - Portland, OR (759.18); Stanford University - Stanford, CA (750.13); University of South Florida - Tampa, FL (747.14); Green Mountain College - Poultney, VT (746.86); University of Connecticut - Storrs, CT (743.05) and Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA (740.93).</p>
<p><br><br>The full rankings of the top 100 schools are at www.SierraClub.org/CoolSchools</p>
<p><br><br>US News & World Report magazine has their top rankings of National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges. They also have information on community colleges, high schools, grad schools, online programs and world universities. <br>Their top 10 National Universities with full undergraduate, graduate and PH.D. programs (Several are tied for their position in rankings):</p>
<p><br><br>Princeton University - Princeton, NJ; Harvard University - Cambridge, MA; Yale University - New Haven, CT; Columbia University - New York City, NY; Stanford University - Stanford, CA; University of Chicago - Chicago, IL; Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA; Duke University - Durham, NC; University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA and California Institute of Technology.</p>
<p><br><br>Liberal Arts Colleges that specialize in undergraduate and liberal arts study also with a number of ties:</p>
<p><br><br>Williams Colleges - Williamstown, MA; Amherst College - Amherst, MA; Swarthmore College - Philadelphia, PA; Wellesley College - Wellesly, MA; Bowdoin College - Brunswick, ME; Pomona College - Claremont, CA; Middlebury College - Middlebury, VT; Carleton College - Northfield, MN; Claremont McKenna College - Claremont, CA and Haverford College - Haverford, PA</p>
<p><br><br>By contrast, Playboy magazine comes in with its annual “Top Party Schools”. “We’ve crunched the numbers and tallied the empties. Here are the top ten colleges for getting an advanced degree in good times.”</p>
<p><br><br>University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA; University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI; West Virginia University - Morgantown, WV; University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ; University of Iowa - Iowa City, Iowa; University of California Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA; University of Miami - Miami, FL; Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO; University of Texas - Austin, TX and Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY.</p>
<p><br><br>School selection often includes the pocketbook, but whatever a school gets recognized for - individual students can still make positive choices.</p>
<p><br><br>Sources: Minnesota Educator, September 2014; Sierra, September/October 2014, US News and World Report and Playboy, October 2014</p>
<p><br><br>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges</p>
<p><br><br>http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355482014-10-22T03:11:26-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 660; Green Ribbon Schools
<p>Several organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the US Green Building Council and the Center for Green Schools have teamed up to recognize environmental stewardship with the US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award. The 3-year old designation is meant to encourage sustainability in schools with high hopes of passing the good example on to children.</p>
<p><br><br>The support staff and teachers at these schools that range from elementary on to whole school districts maintain programs that include native landscapes, wildlife habitats and vegetable gardens; engineering and sustainable building systems; recycling, compost and trash collection while turning all their green practices into science, math and language arts lessons. The real world experience often brings food from the gardens into the cafeteria to be prepared nutritiously and with an eye for proper waste disposal. Those life lessons learned early are likely to carry over into adulthood for a healthier and more sustainable future.</p>
<p><br><br>Source: Minnesota Educator, September 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355472014-10-21T02:20:53-05:002019-12-18T15:34:04-06:00InClimate 659; CA Drought Idles Ag Region
<p>“The Week” magazine headline about California’s Central Valley screams out a warning: “From breadbasket to wasteland” - due to changing weather patterns. The formerly rich agricultural region is America’s primary source of dozens of products including tomatoes, almonds, grapes and cotton. In 2014, there are an estimated 400,000 to 800,000 acres or 1,250 square miles of farmland left idle because of the current 3-years of low rain. It has 58% of the state in “exceptional drought” conditions with record breaking heat.</p>
<p><br><br>Conditions are further exacerbated by the state’s complex water politics, but make no mistake the drought is the primary factor and prices will rise. People will go hungry. The snow melt usually collected in reservoirs was at 29% and the winter and spring rains didn’t materialize. In 2012, farmers only received 40% of water allotments from state and federal projects. The number dropped to 20% in 2013 and this year there was none - zero - nada - zilch. According to the article, “Before this year, receiving zero surface water was inconceivable to the valley farmer. But now it’s happened. Now anything’s possible.”</p>
<p><br><br>Sources: “The Week”, October 17, 2014 excerpted from “Matter” at Medium.com</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355462014-10-20T03:25:12-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 658; July's New Energy All Renewable
<p>The evolution to next generation energy continues as fossil fuels decay and renewables evolve. In July, 100% of new electrical energy generating capacity that was added in the USA came from renewables.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: Paul Rauber, “Sierra”, Nov/Dec 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355452014-10-19T05:15:49-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 657; A Change Is Gonna Come
<p>I swam from the source of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico as a performance and environmental statement - because I love the river. Frack sand isn’t just about the sand or air quality. When frack sand leaves Winona or any other facility, it goes to be mixed with hazardous chemicals in a toxic cocktail that is forced into the earth under high pressure to fracture rock and release gas and oil. Millions of gallons of water are contaminated. It enters our underground aquifers - rivers, lakes and streams that support all life. When you think of pure and clean spring water - that’s an underground stream surfacing. If those same chemicals were being pumped directly into the river, most reasonable people would probably be up in arms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>There’s an abundance of water on this prime planet</p>
<p><br>We’ve got so much we take it for granted</p>
<p><br>But we become the fool as we find</p>
<p><br>That salt water won’t get it for us most of the time</p>
<p><br>With surface and ground water that interconnect</p>
<p><br>They’re both sources of life, so let’s show some respect.*</p>
<p><br><br>I readily admit to using fossil fuel. I do not believe it makes one a hypocrite to use what is available within the parameters of the existing culture while still pressing for positive change. In my latest project, I have dedicated a daily blog to the changing climate with 657 posts so far, uninterrupted since January 1, 2013 because:</p>
<p><br><br>The multinational corporations behind the US oil boom sell to the highest bidder on the world market. Just because it’s extracted here does not mean it will stay here and insulate us from “foreign oil”.</p>
<p><br><br>The Pentagon has recognized climate change as an immediate national security threat. Scientists agree, the fossil fuel industry has more fuel in reserves than can ever be safely burned. Not tapping it leaves huge potential profits untouched. It becomes a moral dilemma that has been compared to slaveholders giving up their profit from human bondage. That case ignited the war between the states. Change causes bumps on the road.</p>
<p><br><br>This is a time of transition. Five years ago in the USA, there were no plug-in vehicles on the market. Last year, 96,000 were sold - about double what was sold the year before. The global investment bank HSBC says home solar energy in Germany will cost less than the grid’s energy within the decade. Michigan State University developed a transparent luminescent solar concentrator that could one day turn whole skyscrapers or any window into an energy source. The electric airplane, Solar Impulse, flew across the US using only solar power. The electric car company, Tesla, now employs more people in the California auto industry than Toyota.</p>
<p><br><br>There is no free lunch. Critics sometimes point to the threat to birds from renewable energy without including death tolls from other power sources. The “US News blog” estimated yearly avian death toll from energy production in the US. It put coal as the leading killer followed by oil and gas. Nuclear was next - wind and finally solar last. They all have significant body counts, but solar and wind kill fewer birds than coal, gas, oil and nuclear energy.</p>
<p><br><br>We are on the cusp of next-generation energy and the fossil fuels of coal, gas and oil are destined to gradually become an alternative rather than primary energy source. For the most part, the telegraph gave way to the telephone, gas light to electric light and horse and buggies were replaced by automobiles. There are winners and losers, but standing in the way of progress will not stop it.</p>
<p><br><br>*From: “The River Rap”, “Billy X: Solo Set” available on CD</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355442014-10-18T02:21:26-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 656; Do You Speak Greek?
<p>Major corporations can become psychotic outlaws when they place profit above all - demonstrating no regard for people, planet or any living things. There is no real fear of repercussions since just a slap-on-the-wrist-fine is the likely punishment. The corporate giants have been granted individual rights without individual responsibilities and virtually no head to put on a plate and no body to incarcerate. With apologies to the culture and nation, maybe the good Ol’ Greek Frat system plays a role in granting immunity for malfeasance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Here’s some stats on frats:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Only about 2% of men were frat boys and yet - Most United States presidents and vice-presidents, 85% of Fortune 500 Executives and Supreme Court Justices and 76% of members of congress were in a fraternity.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355432014-10-17T03:38:46-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 655; Globally It's A Hot One
<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) just reported that globally this September was the hottest since their record keeping began in 1880. This makes 2014 the third hottest year on record to date, but if the warming trends continue through December, it may well become the hottest year ever recorded in an era of increasingly hottest years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/13/3579242/nasa-hottest-september-on-record/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.nasa.gov/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355422014-10-16T03:00:05-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 654; Super Pedal Power
<p>The electric bicycle comes of age with super pedal power. You can change any bicycle into a smart electric hybrid by simply installing the Copenhagen Wheel. Your ride becomes a wireless e-bike that “learns” your bicycle pumping motion and increases the pedal power 3 to 10-times. You continue with a near normal, yet assisted bike ride. Regenerative braking captures power for the lithium battery when you stop or go downhill. Sensing and control algorithms happen automatically through the pedals, as the rider increases effort, the wheel pushes with increased power. It’s all self-contained, so it’s a simple matter of changing out one wheel.</p>
<p><br><br>Steep hills flatten out and speeds of up to about 20 miles per hour are reported. It solves the problem for commuters that would otherwise work up a sweat on the way to the job. Nobody wants that.</p>
<p> <br><br>www.superpedestrian.com</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355412014-10-15T02:38:46-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 653; Newtown Creek Cleansing Video
<p>Newtown Creek (Mespaethes - Great Brook with Tide) is an Environmental Protection Agency Super Fund Site in recovery. The sign read, Caution Boaters! Avoid contact with water or sediment, Wash hands and clothing if contact with water or sediment occurs, but I touched it and the waters sang out. I once swam from the source of the Mississippi River (Misi - Ziibi) to the Gulf of Mexico as a performance and environmental statement. Sometimes, I bring Mississippi waters from the first day of that swim to mix with troubled waters from around the planet in cleansing ceremonies. While in New York City for the Peoples Climate March, I brought “Greetings from the Misi-Ziibi to Mespaethes” and recorded the ritual for you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Cause all things connect to all things</p>
<p><br>Nothing stands by itself all alone</p>
<p><br>Our actions and reactions circulate in rings</p>
<p><br>With consequences often unknown*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>At billyx.net - Click “Links” - click “Newest Videos from Billy on You Tube</p>
<p> </p>
<p>OR: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrlHJn-BPNC3H6q2_DmCrg</p>
<p> </p>
<p>From: “I Think on These Things” free download available at billyx.net, Music</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355402014-10-14T04:38:56-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 652; Pentagon Says Climate Change An Immediate Threat
<p>The Pentagon changed its tune and now recognizes climate change as a current security risk. The military machine wasn’t really in denial, but it simply usually referred to climate disruptions as a future risk.</p>
<p><br><br>In Monday’s report, the Pentagon asserted in no uncertain terms that climate change poses an immediate threat to national security. It went on to list an increased risk for terrorism, infectious disease, global poverty, food and water shortages that could drive people to action. It predicted a bigger demand for military disaster responses as the increase in weather extremes ravishes people around the planet. Even at home, American military sites have experienced repeated flooding from rising ocean levels. The dangers have triggered a vulnerability survey of over 7,000 US facilities world wide.</p>
<p><br><br>Rising sea levels and changing weather patterns are bound to cause mass migrations and climate refugees. If steps are taken to mitigate change, there is more time to prepare for at least a migration with dignity.</p>
<p><br><br>The new environmental conditions have even been tied to recent violent upheavals. The extremely brutal ISIS (The Islamic State) has taken over precious water resources to gain strength and influence. Marcus D. King, a recognized expert on climate change and international affairs at George Washington University, stated in a “NY Times” article, “Climate change and water shortages may have triggered the drought that caused farmers to relocate to Syrian cities and triggered situations where youth were more susceptible to joining groups.”</p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/us/pentagon-says-global-warming-presents-immediate-security-threat.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355392014-10-13T03:18:39-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 651; Greenpeace Ends Shell Lego Marketing
<p>Small victories can be important. The fossil fuel industry has been running new public relations and propaganda campaigns as divestment and public sentiment grow ever more suspect of them. The strategy isn’t new. It’s been used to tie cigarettes and sugar laden cereals to cute cartoon characters that can win young hearts and minds.</p>
<p><br><br>Shell Oil had a global marketing partnership with the much loved creative toy corporation Lego. It lasted ten years and sources say 16 million shell-branded Lego sets have been given away or sold at gas stations in 26 countries. That is, until Greenpeace launched a video with a lovely Lego Arctic environment slowly enveloped in a black oily ooze set to music. It included an online petition that collected over a million signatures. Three months later Lego dropped the partnership.</p>
<p><br><br>Scientists agree there is already too much oil in known reserves to ever be burned without catastrophic climatic changes. Drilling in the fragile Arctic is extremely dangerous to the environment and spills would be difficult to clean up. Shell Oil stopped its Arctic drilling plans in the summer of 2014, then turned around and submitted a proposal in August to start drilling in 2015.</p>
<p><br>Greenpeace video & story:</p>
<p><br>http://www.takepart.com/video/2014/10/09/video-that-ended-legos-relationship-with-big-oil?cmpid=tp-san</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355382014-10-12T03:01:32-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 650; Tesla Innovates Electric Tech Again
<p>Still pricey, but Tesla made another innovation with electric car technology. The new 4-wheel drive Model-S or “The D” is bound to move the whole industry forward. The latest model is claimed to be capable of a range of 275 miles on a single charge with the acceleration of a sports car (0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds) and a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The 4-wheel drive feature makes the car more likely to break into markets in the snowy East and Midwest.</p>
<p><br><br>The car has all the bells and whistles of future tech with 360 degree “awareness” to obstacles and a front facing camera that recognizes speed, stop signs and stop lights. It allows some limited self-driving. The owner is said to be able to get out of the car and let it self-park in the garage. In any event, it may make the modern world one step closer to ending dependence on fossil fuels.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/11/3578698/new-tesla-speed-awd-efficient-range-self-drive/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355372014-10-11T02:05:51-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 649; Is Your State Preparing for Change?
<p>The Georgetown Climate Center produced an interactive map that shows state-by-state climate change preparedness along with local community data. The seaboard states seem to have the most to lose and not surprisingly California, Massachusetts and New York have the most comprehensive plans - so far. Only 14 states have finalized any kind of action plan at all. Every state is required to file a State Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that takes into account the risks and ways of dealing with its catastrophes, but Columbia University’s Center for Climate Change Law discovered many of the plans don’t include increased risks from a changing climate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Georgetown Law’s Georgetown Climate Center interactive map:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.georgetownclimate.org/adaptation/state-and-local-plans</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Grist Article:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://grist.org/news/california-is-no-1-in-prepping-for-climate-change/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>FEMA:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.fema.gov/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355362014-10-10T03:27:13-05:002019-12-18T15:34:03-06:00InClimate 648; 1st City Utility Clean Energy Partnership
<p>The Minneapolis City Council Health, Environment and Community Engagement Committee voted to authorize a first in the nation clean energy partnership agreement with its utilities. The city of Minneapolis has franchise agreements with Xcel Energy for electricity and CenterPoint Energy for natural gas. The long-term agreements allow the energy providers to access city owned right-of-ways to deliver services for a fee. The current agreement expires at the end of 2014 which allowed re-negotiations. The city - with participation from active community organizations - explored options to achieve specific goals for sustainable clean energy, clean air, equity and green jobs through a partnership agreement with the utilities. The clean energy partnership between the city and its utilities could become a new model for municipal climate action in communities across the USA.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/WCMS1P-131857</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.minneapolismn.gov/energyfranchise/index.htm</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355352014-10-09T03:11:05-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 647; Climate as Social Movement
<p>What’s going on with climate has moved from wherever it’s been to an actual social movement with the Peoples Climate March - 400,000 strong in NYC and solidarity actions in 166 countries. It takes time to sink in and time to be ignored, but the fact of the matter is the very next day the oil soaked Rockefeller family announced that its $860 million philanthropic fund would divest from fossil fuel and re-invest in clean energy. A small, but meaningful victory.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>It's a legitimate movement, but not without stubborn nay-sayers. The Wall Street Journal carried just-go-on-with-business-as-usual sentiments arguing climate computer models have proven to be crude and there’s no idea how much global temperature changes are caused by human activity. It warns the world’s leading emitters like China and India will never sign agreements that impede their economic growth - so our attempts to curb emissions will only stymie our own economy.</p>
<p><br><br>China and India most likely have similar concerns and probably won’t sign an agreement before the West is on board. The truth of the matter is the U.S. and the rest of the developed world are responsible for bringing about the Industrial Age along with its emissions and should set the example to bring about climate change mitigation. China and India will follow. If two faucets drip, but only one could be fixed - wouldn’t it be wise to fix it? Fix what you can. Even if one doesn’t believe - as the overwhelming majority of the world’s scientist believe - that human activity is a major cause of climate change or that other nations won’t act, doing nothing is a huge gamble on the future of life on the planet.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355342014-10-08T06:22:39-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 646; Venezuelan PreCOP 20
<p>The next United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, UN Lima Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP20) is set for Dec 1 - 12, 2014 in Lima, Peru.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Venezuelan Government is hosting a Social PreCOP on Climate Change between November 4-7 on Margarita, Island, Venezuela to prepare for the UN Conference. It’s meant to begin an alliance between people and governments to address climate change and is believed to be the first world call for government and social movement leaders to work together at this level. Venezuelan and International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and social government groups will meet to develop proposals that will be presented to Environmental Ministers from 40 countries.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.precopsocial.org/en</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Margarita Declaration will also be presented. It was written by over 130 international organizations to elaborate on themes including inter-generational equality and the rights of future generations, climate ethics, social participation in decision making and North-South responsibilities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.precopsocial.org/sites/default/files/archivos/margarita_declaration_on_climate_change.pdf</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355332014-10-07T06:21:39-05:002023-12-10T12:10:02-06:00InClimate 645; HSBC Says Home Solar Will Trump Grid
<p>The global investment bank HSBC released an analysis that predicts the dropping cost of solar arrays and home battery storage will disrupt traditional fossil fuel and nuclear energy generation. The report looked at Germany and concludes that comprehensive costs for home solar power generation and batteries will drop below the comparative cost of residential electricity from power plants within the decade. One more sign that the fossil fuel and nuclear industries are a bad investment risk. The transition is happening, now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/03/3575371/hsbc-solar-battery-germany/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355322014-10-06T04:57:03-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 644; Shot Gun at Proposed Pipeline
<p>The gas and oil boom in the USA has increased delivery demands. Oil trains and pipelines are crisscrossing the nation. Anger has been growing over spills, traffic delays and individual property rights threatened by the fossil fuel industry and its rush to market.</p>
<p><br><br>In Genesee County, Michigan, some residents have taken direct action to block Energy Transfer Partners proposed 800-mile ET Rover natural gas pipeline. The company’s survey crews have met with the cold shoulder. In one tense incident, "The Flint Journal" reported the police were called as a shot gun wielding man drove one crew off of his neighbors land. Prosecutors are looking into the incident.</p>
<p><br><br>An Atlas Township resident called the sheriff’s department to report a pipeline survey crew was on her property without permission. The alleged trespassers left without being issued a citation, but a police report was filed. Another couple refused the crew access and said they wouldn’t allow them on their property without a court order.</p>
<p><br> <br>Sometimes the high-minded claim of American Energy Independence has allowed the corporate giants to run rough shod over all, but those claims turn hollow when the fuel ends up on the world market and environmental degradation ends up here. The time to transition from nuclear and fossil fuel is past due. Actions like these along with local communities banning fracking, limiting sand trucks and just saying “No” to big oil and gas indicates America is waking up.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/10/tensions_mounting_between_home.html</p>
<p><br> <br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/03/3575593/et-rover-pipeline-surveying/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355312014-10-05T04:57:16-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 643; I Didn't See
<p>I didn’t see the signs of change</p>
<p><br>the climate it’s been re-arranged.</p>
<p><br>Oh, I wished I had -</p>
<p><br>But it’s not too late</p>
<p><br>It’s not too bad</p>
<p><br>There’s still some time to change a tad.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355302014-10-04T01:57:30-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 642; Evolution and Decay
<p>Climate change mitigation is a story of evolution and decay. Fossil fuel and nuclear energy are in decay as renewable energy continues to evolve and solve.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355292014-10-03T03:05:42-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 641; Inflatable Hospitals
<p>Climate change is real and is sure to bring about more extreme weather events along with the accompanying disasters*. Emergency and relief workers have been preparing. Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres took a cue from the Italian Army’s inflatable tents used during the 2004 tsunami disaster response in Southeast Asia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The doctors took the idea a step further, contacted the manufacturer and developed a state-of-the-art inflatable hospital with full surgical facilities that can be up and running in 48 hours. The first inflatable hospital went into action 10 months later with 120 beds, 4 operating theaters, an emergency room and intensive care unit in response to the earthquake in Pakistani Kashmir. Thousands were injured and the district’s only hospital was destroyed. The new inflatable allowed the doctors to treat 700 of the critically injured. The hospitals and health care workers have gone on to save lives in natural disasters and armed conflicts around the globe in nearly 70 countries including the Philippines, Haiti, South Sudan and Syria.</p>
<p><br>“National boundaries and political circumstances or sympathies must have no influence on who is to receive humanitarian help.” - Nobel Peace Prize Release, Oslo, Norway, Oct. 15, 1999 </p>
<p> <br>*The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has determined more than half of those events in 2013 were due to human activities role in global warming.</p>
<p><br>www.doctorswithoutborders.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355282014-10-02T03:05:24-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 640; Wave Power Innovations
<p>People are often reluctant to change and fear transitioning from nuclear and fossil fuels will leave them in the dark. Besides solar and wind, other greener technologies have been making great strides including harnessing the power of the seas.</p>
<p><br><br>A huge new tidal power generator with less environmental impact than previous designs is being tested in Ramsey Sound off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales. Tidal Energy’s “Ysbryd y Mor” or Spirit of the Sea will provide 400 kilowatts of energy to the national grid. The new technology is in a year long trial period. If all goes well, Tidal Energy plans to install nine more units adding 10 megawatts of energy or enough power for 10,000 homes. Unlike older units, the Spirit is on a freestanding platform secured by weights eliminating the need for expensive and destructive sea floor drilling.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s one of the world’s first grid connected tidal wave energy projects and the first to have the turbine and foundation installed simultaneously. Others looking to the sea for power include, Halcyon Tidal Power which has proposed an installation in the American waters of Cobscook Bay, Maine with enough power for 13,000 homes. The “tidal Barrage” technology uses falling and rising tides to create power. The barrage model is already in use in Canada, France and South Korea, but the Halcyon version goes further to minimize environmental impacts. </p>
<p><br>Tidal Energy’s Delta Stream Technology:</p>
<p><br>http://www.tidalenergyltd.com/?page_id=1373</p>
<p><br>Halcyon Tidal Power Barrage Technology in Portland Press Herald:</p>
<p><br>http://www.pressherald.com/2014/08/05/tidal-power-venture-seeks-public-support-investors/</p>
<p><br>Climate Progress:</p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/07/3468583/major-milestone-tidal-power-wales/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355272014-10-01T04:20:17-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 639; Bulletin Reports on 2013 Extreme Weather
<p>The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 22 studies on 2013 climate extremes in a special edition of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Research has shown more than half of the extreme weather events around the world are directly linked to global warming caused by human activity. Out of the sixteen studied, the scientists found climate change increased the odds for the big nine that included: Extreme heat waves in Australia, Europe, China, Japan and Korea; Abnormally intense rain in parts of the United States and India and severe droughts in New Zealand. The extreme drought in California is also likely linked to climate change, but not yet positively tied to it. New technology has allowed the researchers to more accurately determine the odds of the connection between climate disruption and single weather events.</p>
<p><br><br>Sources: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 30, 2014 and The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society</p>
<p><br><br>Download the full report here:</p>
<p><br>http://www2.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/bulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bams/explaining-extreme-events-of-2013-from-a-climate-perspective/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355262014-09-30T02:29:26-05:002019-12-18T15:34:02-06:00InClimate 638; Great Indigenous Video & Amtrak Delays
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Makes no difference if you do or don’t care about anything I’ve posted, so far - Please at least watch this short Indigenous Voices video from Idle No More:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://www.idlenomore.ca/idle_no_more_at_the_peoples_climate_march" data-imported="1">http://www.idlenomore.ca/idle_no_more_at_the_peoples_climate_march</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">And in another example of:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Cause all things connect to all things</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Nothing stands by itself all alone</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Our actions and reactions circulate in rings</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">With consequences often unknown*</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Trains are one of the most energy efficient means of transportation. Air travel in comparison is very energy inefficient with a large carbon footprint per passenger mile. In America, freight took precedent over people moving. Some rail buffs have claimed US freight capabilities have been the envy of the world. On the other hand, that put people moving on the back burner. Infrastructure upgrades and new technology that give people better choices for travel are part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">We traveled east on the Peoples Climate Train from Chicago to New York City with about a 3-hour delay. The return trip west included a 6.5-hour delay. Amtrak shares the rails between those cities with freight and the oil boom trains.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">*From “I Think on These Things” free download available in Music</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Milwaukee, WI</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355252014-09-28T21:30:29-05:002019-12-18T15:34:01-06:00InClimate 637; Great March for Climate Action
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Besides the Peoples Climate March, there is another longer distance Great March for Climate Action (GMCA) anyone can join. The marchers left Los Angeles on March 1, 2014 and are walking across the USA with a planned arrival In Washington, D.C. on November 1 where there is a week of nonviolent direct action against extreme energy planned. So far, they’ve been able to stay pretty much on schedule.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">We met some GMCA marchers that had taken a break from their walk in Ohio to attend the New York City Peoples Climate March. They have built a community including a mayor and other trappings of civilization. Cooks, wagons and other support vehicles are traveling along with the people as they collect stories to share on how climate change is impacting folks they meet along the way.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">They issued an invitation to join them anywhere along the route. March for a day, a week or all the way to D.C. You can locate them at:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://climatemarch.org/join-the-march-2" data-imported="1">http://climatemarch.org/join-the-march-2</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">or donate funds at:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://climatemarch.org/donate" data-imported="1">http://climatemarch.org/donate</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Amtrak #49, Lakeshore Limited, en-route to Chicago</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355242014-09-28T00:08:03-05:002019-12-18T15:34:01-06:00InClimate 636; Greetings Misi-ziibi to Mespaethes
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">In the performance and environmental statement, “Swimmin’ the River”, I swam 2,367.4 miles from the source of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. My support crews and I became Ambassadors for Clean Water as we reclaimed the waterways for life affirming pursuits.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Cause all things connect to all things</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Nothing stands by itself all alone</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Our actions and reactions circulate in rings</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">With consequences often unknown*</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Since that time, I have done water cleansing rituals mixing waters from day 1 of The Swim with waters around the globe. “Greetings from the Mississippi to the World’s Waterways” included the most distant one, “Greetings from the Mississippi to the Arctic Sea”. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">I slipped over the fence and performed Greetings to the East River late night September 25 near the India Street Ferry Landing, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York. On September 26 we continued with a special case. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Mespaethes - Great Brook with Tide - Newtown Creek is an Environmental Protection Agency Super Fund Site in recovery. Warnings are still abundant. No swimming, recommended only for experienced boaters and do not touch the water. If you do, wash as soon as possible. Sculptor George Trakas designed a nature walk there and several native species have returned. Earlier, we had witnessed small fish, a crab and a gull bathing in the water.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">I bring “Greetings from Misi-ziibi to Mespaethes” because waters unite to flow with waters because all are subject to the same laws.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">*From “I Think on These Things” free download available at <a href="http://www.billyx.net" data-imported="1"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; color:#2600ac">www.billyx.net</span></a> Music</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. Photo Credit: Margarita Baumann</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/592d85f25c86cc8b333ce52c27793f38caabdc6b/original/cautionboaters-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="CautionBoaters_resized.jpg" height="600" width="450" /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/e650b8ecb56371dc16764c3a0456821d47745494/original/greetnew2-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="GreetNew2_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/624d506579f5a926289eab521afed65742538ba5/original/greetnew3-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="GreetNew3_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/6578ece36c8487f6c4e1f9e5650b2eb6bb9bd444/original/greetnew1-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="GreetNew1_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355232014-09-27T03:18:52-05:002019-12-18T15:34:01-06:00InClimate 635; Polar Bear Thawed Out
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Frostpaw, the polar bear from the Peoples Climate March was arrested during the Flood Wall Street protest. He has been thawed out. Peter Galvin from the Center for Biological Diversity was revealed on a Chris Hayes segment of MSNBC. People had worn blue to demonstrate the rising waters from climate change and gathered to Flood Wall Street and demonstrate anger over the capital greed that drives bad policy. Along with Frostpaw, 103 other protesters were arrested the evening of September 22 and held for about 8 hours. Frostpaw has an October court date.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">After the usual kidding that makes serious issues more accessible, the intelligent bear spoke about the whats and whys that are really needed to address the climate issue. He spoke of needing a specific binding agreement between nations that the US has yet to ratify. Politicians that argue against ratification fear it will become unilateral carbon reduction for the US and other nations will go on with business as usual. The fact of the matter is there have been lots of signs and actual reductions in other nations already, but they have the same fears.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">America has led the world on a lot of very important issues, but so far not on this critical one. The US has to step up to the plate and retake its place as a world leader.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Here’s the link for a great interview:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/arrested-polar-bear-talks-to-chris-hayes-333148739929" data-imported="1">http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/arrested-polar-bear-talks-to-chris-hayes-333148739929</a></span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355222014-09-26T02:02:20-05:002019-12-18T15:34:01-06:00InClimate 634; Cities Could Trump National Efforts
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Think global act local. Cities could trump national efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Why wait for slow moving national leadership to do the right thing? For the first time, a new report in partnership with C40 and the Stockholm Environment Institute quantifies how cities’ collective efforts to curb emissions impacts the global picture. It shows how aggressive efforts to cut building, transportation and energy waste use could cut carbon significantly. Cumulatively, cities could potentially cut greenhouse gas emissions by the following amounts over what national policies and actions are on track to achieve by these target dates:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">By 2030, cities could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions an additional 3.7 Gigatons (Gt) CO2e over national policies.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">By 2050, cities could reduce (GHG) emissions an additional 8.0 Gt CO2e over national policies.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Plenty of charts and graphs here:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://www.c40.org/blog_posts/new-research-cities-have-the-potential-to-help-close-the-emissions-gap" data-imported="1">http://www.c40.org/blog_posts/new-research-cities-have-the-potential-to-help-close-the-emissions-gap</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/25/3571894/c40-cities-climate-report/" data-imported="1">http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/25/3571894/c40-cities-climate-report/</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355212014-09-25T03:10:44-05:002019-12-18T15:34:00-06:00InClimate 633; World Leaders Noticed
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The atmosphere wasn’t carbon loaded overnight. It took time to take us to this point, it will take time to make corrections. Unfortunately, geopolitics add to the stagnation. The 125 world leaders meeting at the United Nations in New York City this week were not ready to sign agreements, but at the opening remarks everyone of them referenced the activities in the streets world-wide. President Obama said, “We can not pretend not to hear them.”</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The next levels of important United Nations negotiations are scheduled for Lima, Peru in December this year and in Paris, France in December 2015. We do not have to sit back and do nothing until then. Fossil fuel - oil, gas and coal - need to be phased out. Science agrees that burning the existing reserves are enough to take us past the turning point of catastrophic climate change. It’s become an Unburnable fuel. The industry is sitting on a carbon bubble, like the housing bubble, it will burst. Those invested will be high and dry.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Organize. Throw the politicians out of office that are heavily financed by the fossil fuel and nuclear energy industries. Divest from fossil fuel and reinvest in renewable energy. Work in your local community to ban hydraulic fracturing. Spread the paradigm shift to a better world for future generations. Here’s how:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://gofossilfree.org" data-imported="1">http://gofossilfree.org</a></span><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px; color:#000000">/</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Here’s a very short video wrap-up of the climate march that ends with some hopeful words from President Obama and links to better coverage of the Flood Wall Street action:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://peoplesclimate.org/wrap-up/" data-imported="1">http://peoplesclimate.org/wrap-up/</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">And some additions: Reports have been coming in that there were closer to 400,000 marchers in the Peoples Climate March.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Secondly, there were easily 1,000 people at Flood Wall Street and 104 arrests. From my personal interactions at Flood Wall Street, the New York Police Department acted calmly and professionally. However, it was difficult to see it all from a single point perspective. The NYPD stabbed and burst the very large carbon bubble prop that was playfully passed around the crowd. They brought down and arrested a man that had climbed up a pole. Sometime after the closing bell they demanded people disperse - they used tear gas and pepper spray on those that remained.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355202014-09-24T03:00:30-05:002019-12-18T15:34:00-06:00InClimate 632; Flood Arrests & Bungled News
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">So, why am I still spending time and energy writing, talking, thinking, performing and marching about human activity and climate change? It’s something most reasonable people have by this moment in time found to be obvious. Monday’s “New York Post” coverage included a side bar by Sophia Rosenbaum that accused marchers of being hypocrites because trash cans were overflowing after over 300,000 people passed by. Trash cans overflowing? Have you ever been to New York? Of course, there was also the concern about all the buses that came in - buses, not the most comfortable, but a fairly efficient way to move people around - and the congested traffic, but again - have you been to New York?</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Then, there is also the bungled news coverage for the largest climate action in history with 2,646 events in 156 countries world wide. And finally, some very important policy makers in America are still insisting climate change is up for discussion even though the world body of scientists overwhelming agrees that Climate Change is real. The discussion is long over. The US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology held hearings that proved there was very little understanding of science on the committee. Don’t take my word for it. Watch them on cable or better yet watch John Stewart lampoon them on the Daily Show.These are policy wonks that make rules that impact all of us.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://grist.org/climate-energy/to-watch-jon-stewart-burn-house-climate-deniers-is-to-fall-in-love-all-over-again/" data-imported="1">http://grist.org/climate-energy/to-watch-jon-stewart-burn-house-climate-deniers-is-to-fall-in-love-all-over-again/</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The Flood Wall Street protest was in response to the financial capitals role in perpetrating climate change. People were asked to wear blue to symbolize flood waters rising while they occupied Wall Street. It began at 9 a.m. in Battery Park with speakers and then moved into the financial district. The organizers put the numbers as high as 3,000 demonstrators in the street at its peak. It was obvious the police were re-routing traffic to avoid confrontations. We decided to move on to another rally nearer the UN and left before 104 protesters were arrested. There were some exchanges earlier, but the police pretty much left people alone and routed traffic around them until about 7:45 p.m. when they formally asked them to disperse. Some left; some stayed and according to witnesses orderly arrests followed. Sadly, the Peoples Climate March “polar bear” was busted.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/after-historic-climate-march-supporters-flood-wall-street" data-imported="1">http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/after-historic-climate-march-supporters-flood-wall-street</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/after-historic-climate-march-supporters-flood-wall-street" data-imported="1"></a><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/f4c2322a8f28214406c605dfe522f52de28255fd/original/polarbearbust-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDUweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="PolarBearBust_resized.jpg" height="600" width="450" /></span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355192014-09-23T00:00:00-05:002021-01-19T15:43:10-06:00InClimate 631; UN Summit and Flood Wall Street<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The Peoples Climate March came and went, but we are still here. This is why we came: The United Nations Emergency Summit on Climate Change. Yes, it’s real. You can watch a live feed from the United Nations web TV at the link below. You can click on the bottom right of the screen for a translation and watch world leaders talk about their issues with climate disruption in real time. It may move slower than an action movie, but THIS IS what’s happening globally. United Nations LIVE:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><a data-imported="1" href="http://webtv.un.org"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; color:#2600ac">http://webtv.un.org</span></a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">And now for a Wall Street Flood Report:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">We wore blue and joined with at least 1,000 demonstrators to Flood Wall Street in a symbolic show of the waters rising as climate change surrounds us. The mission statement read in part:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">“Flood, blockade, sit-in, and shut down the institutions that are profiting from the climate crisis. Wear Blue.”</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">People gathered in Battery Park at 9 a.m. for rallies and speakers to get fired up. I’ve been fired up for a long time, so we spent the morning recovering from yesterday’s march and got to Wall Street in time for the sit-in.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Salon.com posted an article where Naomi Klein, author of “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate” was quoted as saying, “The fact is, if we’re going to respond to this crisis, we need to break a whole bunch of the free market rules that these guys hold very dear. We need to regulate. We need to get in the way of the fossil fuel companies.”</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Ironically, or maybe regularly, the quote was followed by a Citi bank ad. Even more ironically, the CBS news clip I posted below opens with a car ad, but than again this is America where everything seems to get a commercial.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Reuters reported at least 200 people had expressed a willingness to be arrested at Flood Wall Street. The demonstration was loud and impressive with some trappings left over from the huge Climate March. A large inflatable carbon bubble was passed along over the heads of protestors to their delight and cheers. The police presence was also large and somewhat foreboding, but very professional.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">When it appeared the police had routed traffic around the sit-in and decided to just let the demonstrators stay indefinitely, we decided to attend a proposed demonstration nearer the United Nations where 125 World Heads of State were scheduled to hold an emergency climate summit on Tuesday. Security was very tight. Blocks were cordoned off and we could not get near the United Nations. A rally was scheduled for one of the accessible plazas, but we found the plaza and did not find a rally.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">CBS News Peoples Climate March Clip:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/climate-change-demonstrations-around-the-world-urge-action-on-new-global-treaty/">http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/climate-change-demonstrations-around-the-world-urge-action-on-new-global-treaty/</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Salon.com article:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.salon.com/2014/09/22/hundreds_of_protesters_risk_arrest_for_flood_wall_street_demonstration/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow">http://www.salon.com/2014/09/22/hundreds_of_protesters_risk_arrest_for_flood_wall_street_demonstration/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/c3575b1665c1d03b41e70d6596178fc40ece29bb/original/gedc0050.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Photo: Margarita Baumann. Billy X on left carrying banner. </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY</span></p>Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355182014-09-22T01:36:49-05:002019-12-18T15:33:59-06:00InClimate 630; 310,000 Climate Marchers & Flood Wall Street
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Sometimes when I research these issues and write these words I feel all alone, but just yesterday, I stood and walked and waited and marched with thousands of people concerned about the future of the planet and all its inhabitants. If you are concerned, you are not alone. The initial count for the Peoples Climate March came in at 310,000.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">It’s difficult to explain the feeling of community and wonder as marchers just kept coming. A moment of silence was called for those that were already impacted by climate disruption. It was eerie among all those people on the streets of Manhattan, but even eerier still in the midst of quiet a powerful sonic wave came from behind and through the skyscraper canyon at first startling and then carrying my own voice multiplied by the 310,000 voices from back to front.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">There were slogans and signs like the youth group with “Don’t Steal Our Future”. Others included “Don’t Worry Learn How to Swim”; “Listen to the Farmer Within”; “Another Teamster For Climate Action”; “She’s A Good Host Not One To Consume”; “Lets Build Community Not Corporations”; “Corporations Are Not People”; “Money Is Not Free Speech”; “Climate Justice” and countless more. My white lab coat read “World Leaders Do The Right Thing Act on Climate”. And of course, there was a small child on an adults shoulders with the words “ How can I make a snowman with water?” scrawled across her shirt.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">I marched with the Peoples Climate Train contingent that had ridden Amtrak from California to the New York Island in a coast to coast climate statement. My burden - well in all honesty my great joy - was to carry half of a very large banner, with “Protect What You Love” in front of an approximately 12 foot diameter inflatable earth. The planet needed a crew of determined activists to carry it. There were giant heads, a polar bear costume, marching bands, labor, political community, indigenous and spiritual groups. There was even a large ark that had to be towed behind a truck.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">There were an additional 2,646 events in 156 countries world wide.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">On September 20 and 21 people around the world demanded climate action from our policy makers. Today, more activists wearing blue go to “Flood Wall Street” and disrupt business as usual with civil disobedience. Tuesday, 125 heads of state will meet in New York City at the United Nations for an emergency climate summit. Let them know their jobs are at stake. People are tired of talk and we want action now. <a href="http://www.350.org" data-imported="1"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; color:#2600ac">www.350.org</span></a> has a climate letter on-line that will be delivered to the United Nations. You can sign it to join the voices of common sense:</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://act.350.org/letter/ready-for-action/?t=1&akid=5297.1211274.03VsmY" data-imported="1">http://act.350.org/letter/ready-for-action/?t=1&akid=5297.1211274.03VsmY</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355172014-09-20T23:56:49-05:002019-12-18T15:33:59-06:00InClimate 629; Climate March & Flood Wall Street
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The historic Peoples Climate March in NYC is TODAY, but there are images from solidarity actions around the world that you may want to see here: <a href="http://peoplesclimate.org/global/" data-imported="1"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; color:#2600ac">http://peoplesclimate.org/global/</span></a> and beginning 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time Sunday you can watch the NYC march live by clicking play on the video player at <a href="http://peoplesclimate.org/?r=350" data-imported="1"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; color:#2600ac">http://peoplesclimate.org/?r=350</span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">You can follow on social networks by looking for posts with the hashtag #PeoplesClimate where people will be posting from the march and other actions around the world. There will also be a March page on Monday below the video stream for posts.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">I have no children, but I march for them anyway. I am an adult. Climate change means very little to me personally, but I march for all the children and their children, so they may see at least a portion of the beauty that I have been privileged to experience in my lifetime. It’s really not fair that the greed of the current generation destroys their futures. It may have been acceptable in the past when we did not realize the consequences of our actions, but now as we know we are at a tipping point for catastrophic disruptions - it would be unforgivable to travel down this path of greed and profit at all cost. Wake up! Wake up!</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Tomorrow is another day and our work continues. The Climate Justice Alliance has issued a call to action: Wear Blue to symbolize floodwaters wherever you are. If you are in New York City join us to flood Wall Street. A root cause of environmental degradation, climate disruption and countless other problems comes as greed puts profit above all other concerns. Wall Street in America serves as a major center of global capitalism. We call for a paradigm shift and system change to mitigate climate change. Join with us to alter the flow of Wall Street’s everyday activities with civil disobedience, a sit in and general disruption. Gather in Battery Park in lower Manhattan at 9 a.m. September 22 and rise to the steps of the NY Stock Exchange at high noon in civil disobedience. Remember you have choices and can carry the action to the extremes of arrest or merely to its edges. A disruption occurs even if you are willing to disband at the last command - or warning. The choice is yours.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#2600ac; letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://floodwallstreet.net" data-imported="1">http://floodwallstreet.net</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="letter-spacing:0px; text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://www.ourpowercampaign.org/peoplesclimatemarch/" data-imported="1">http://www.ourpowercampaign.org/peoplesclimatemarch/</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY preparing to march.</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355162014-09-20T03:44:32-05:002019-12-18T15:33:59-06:00InClimate 628; March/Demo Advice
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The New York Police Department approved route for the Peoples Climate March starts at Columbus Circle on Sunday at 11:30 am and continues on 59th Street then down 6th Avenue to 42nd Street and on to 11th Avenue. The staging area will continue north on the west side of central park. It is suggested you get there early since some streets will get closed off.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Remember in large gatherings of people things can go wrong - so please be careful out there. Wherever you are - in NYC or solidarity actions - remember to be respectful of others, wear comfortable clothes, bring some water and a snack. Do not bring things that can be conceived as weapons. It is a good idea to travel with some sort of affinity group that will watch out for each other. Don’t be swept into a bad situation by a crowd. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the walk. Enjoy the friendship and community we are building.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">If a police officer asks you to stop or leave in an individual situation - there are choices. You can stay or leave; stop or continue your action. You may get a warning or a command to stop or leave, if you continue the officer might arrest you. That’s always an inconvenience at best, so think it through. If you want to take a stand to make a point, just be sure the point you are making is not frivolous or prideful or just something between you and an authority figure. If it is, lay back and save your resources for another day.</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355152014-09-19T05:21:20-05:002019-12-18T15:33:59-06:00InClimate 627; Climate Train/Convergence
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">The Peoples Climate Train demonstrated a coast to coast climate concern as it rolled into New York City’s Penn Station around 9:30 pm last night marking the end of its epic journey from California. It already had 170 activists on board in Chicago and continued building along the way. I met riders from as far off as Alaska and Venezuela onboard. Delays - often due to freight and oil tankers clogging the tracks - had the odyssey pull in a full three hours late, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the activists. We entered Penn Station chanting in unison “The People United - Will Never Be Defeated” and singing songs that had been learned and practiced en-route. The California crew had printed the lyrics to a Coast-to-Coast Climate Action song on illustration board held high, so everyone could join in.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">I was honored to be included in the Peoples Climate Train closing ceremonies. Several of the spiritual, logistical and inspirational leaders of the group offered a bit of wisdom and bonding rites that traveled one after the other through all three train cars. People held on to each other and shared experiences, hopes and feelings in turn. Waters were sprinkled, Buddhist bells chimed, Indigenous words spoke out and a collective Om - the sound of the universe -sounded out. I was asked to provide a meditative Mbira line through my trusty Pig Nose amp where appropriate. That ceremony, the bonding and rousing display in Penn Station that brought tears to my eyes are the highlights of this adventure, so far.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">On another note, writing and researching for my “InClimate Blog” at times leaves me depressed. Especially when I realize many people still don’t even care about what is probably the most important single issue facing our species. Not that they are uncaring, often simply too busy trying to make ends meet. Walking from the rally at Penn Station it was nice to be reminded we are not alone. The Climate Convergence begins today and builds around a Climate March on Sunday where I will see many more allies. I have high hopes we can eventually reach the system change that mitigates climate change.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://globalclimateconvergence.org" data-imported="1">http://globalclimateconvergence.org</a></span><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px; color:#000000">/</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://convergeforclimate.org" data-imported="1">http://convergeforclimate.org</a></span><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px; color:#000000">/</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #2600ac;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; letter-spacing:0.0px"><a href="http://www.onearth.org/articles/2014/09/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-climate-change-events-coming-to-nyc?utm_campaign=socialmedia&utm_source=tw&utm_medium=tweet" data-imported="1">http://www.onearth.org/articles/2014/09/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-climate-change-events-coming-to-nyc?utm_campaign=socialmedia&utm_source=tw&utm_medium=tweet</a></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted from GreenPoint Brooklyn, NY</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355142014-09-18T03:52:58-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 626; Onboard the Climate Train
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">We are onboard the Peoples Climate Train with about 200 climate activists heading to New York City. Spirits are high. There have been workshops, dialogs and meditations on the planet, social justice and where we are headed as responsible human beings. At this point - just outside Cleveland, OH - we have been delayed for two hours because of freight - read that oil train traffic. Fortunately, we are scheduled to arrive in NYC on Thursday evening - even with delays - well ahead of the Peoples Climate March Sunday, September 21.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing:0.0px">Submitted on the roll: Peoples Climate Train</span></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355132014-09-17T01:15:10-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 625; Tanker Trains and Amtrak
<p>The new North American oil & gas boom has kept the rail systems loaded with lots of long tanker trains. The heavier tar sands oil is a highly volatile thick bitumen more difficult to clean up than traditional oil. A number of serious spills, accidents and loss of life have prompted regulations that call for safety upgrades to the tanker cars, but the volume of shipments is so large that even as safer cars come on line the older cars are not retired.</p>
<p><br>Besides the dangerous safety concerns, passenger service has seen long delays in some areas. In terms of carbon footprint to travel payload, passenger rail is very efficient. Hopefully, my partner and I will be traveling to NYC on the Climate Train. Our concerns over connection delays made us abandon a portion of the journey on Amtrak in favor of a drive to Milwaukee where a commuter train can easily connect us with the Climate Train at Chicago’s Union Station. We will still wonder if the New York City bound train will come in on time - but at least we will be traveling with other climate activists and welcome the journey. I wonder how many other concerned travelers abandon Amtrak plans for fear of missing connections?</p>
<p><br>Submitted from Milwaukee en-route to Chicago to join the Peoples Climate Train.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355122014-09-16T02:45:23-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 624; Energy's Toll on Birds
<p>There is no free lunch. Critics of solar and wind power - often with fossil fuel agendas - sometimes point to the threat to birds from renewable energy facilities. They conveniently fail to include the death toll comparisons from their favored power sources. The US News blog published a rundown on the estimated yearly avian death toll from energy production in the US.</p>
<p><br><br>The estimates put coal as the leading killer of birds followed by oil and gas. Nuclear comes in behind those three. Wind and then solar follow. They all have significant body counts, but solar and wind kill fewer birds than coal, gas & oil and nuclear energy.</p>
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<p>http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/08/22/pecking-order-energys-toll-on-birds</p>
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<p>Submitted from Milwaukee en-route to Chicago to join the Peoples Climate Train.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355112014-09-15T02:22:07-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 623; Solidarity Climate Actions
<p>If you are not able to get to NYC for Climate Week and the Peoples Climate March September 21, there are solidarity gatherings all around the world. Just go to this interactive web site and click on your area.</p>
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<p>http://peoplesclimate.org/join-an-event/?</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355102014-09-14T03:40:13-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 622; Call and Response
<p>Here’s an inquiry from my Facebook page that may be worrisome to some that are on the fence about the Peoples Climate March. Call and Response:</p>
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<p>Inquiry: Is this going to be a pot smoking anarchist playing drums in the park kind of protest or will it actually feel like the people that represent all of us? Just wondering because it can give the wrong message -- that those fighting against global warming are on the fringe of mainstream society.</p>
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<p><br><br>Response: The Peoples Climate March, Climate Week in NYC as well as solidarity events world wide have been put together with great thought and care by concerned people. The marchers are taking time and energy from their daily lives to address a problem that impacts future generations more than even today's. There are 1,500 solidarity actions planned in 130 countries around the world for the weekend.</p>
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<p><br><br>And from September 10 (InClimate 618): In the USA, all 50 states will be represented. Over 1,100 community, labor, environmental justice, faith and progressive groups have endorsed the march - so far - including 28 different religious faiths and denominations. There are 374 buses and trains listed online to facilitate travel to NYC. Over 300 college campuses are involved in the mobilization and more than 20 marching bands are expected to keep it lively.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The New York Police Department has reserved 26 City blocks for the Peoples Climate March to assemble before stepping out. The approved route starts at Columbus Circle on Sunday at 11:30 am and continues on 59th Street then down 6th Avenue to 42nd Street and on to 11th Avenue winding its way past iconic NYC landmarks.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355092014-09-13T02:54:42-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 621; Do the Right Thing
<p>World leaders and policy makers are often torn between - special interest, personal gain, bribes - and doing the right thing. When it comes to the health of the planet and all living things, it shouldn’t be so hard to DO THE RIGHT THING.</p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/435155/11616a1538c744695988f47f62734f3135c3b455/original/acton-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTg5eDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="ActOn_resized.jpg" height="600" width="589" /></p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355082014-09-12T03:40:49-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 620; Another Good Quarter for Solar
<p>The road away from fossil fuel stretches on. The transition continues with the second quarter’s installation of 1,133 megawatts of solar photovoltaics in the USA. It’s the third consecutive quarter with more than 1 gigawatt of solar power installed. That brings the new total to nearly 16 gigawatts of capacity in the US or enough power for about 3.2 million homes.</p>
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<p><br><br>Those numbers are sure to grow since new capital, design and engineering innovations have been bringing solar prices down. Solar is no longer considered just an alternative. It continues to grow as a primary source of energy world wide.</p>
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<p> <br>http://ecowatch.com/2014/09/05/u-s-solar-energy-milestone-growth/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355072014-09-11T03:24:05-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 619; Solar Collector Clear As Glass
<p>Great news out of Michigan State University. Researchers announced a breakthrough in transparent luminescent solar concentrator technology. The new material is so clear that it could be placed over windows without obstructing the view and even on devices like cell phones to keep them charged. The new material absorbs light from the invisible spectrum and re-emits it as infrared light channeled through the clear surface to thin photovoltaic cells on the edges.</p>
<p><br><br>The new technology doesn’t emit light in the visible spectrum like in previous generations that caused a detrimental stained-glass effect. The clear glass is far more promising for wider usage. There is even the possibility of future sky scrapers becoming giant solar collectors without blocking sunlight or panoramic views.</p>
<p><br><br>Of course, there’s no free lunch. Typical solar panels on roof tops have an efficiency of around 15% and this new tech only comes in at about 1%, but it’s still in its infancy and shows great promise for improvements. Besides, one of the drawbacks of solar energy is finding enough room for an array of panels, but if they can be incorporated into the architecture itself - problem solved.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/transparent-solar-concentrator_n_5700544.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000048</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adom.201400103/abstract</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355062014-09-10T02:18:57-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 618; Climate Action Numbers
<p>Scientists agree, greenhouse gases like carbon are a leading factor in climate disruption. This spring, the peak concentration of carbon in the atmosphere was 401 parts per million and higher than at any time in human history.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>If you find this troubling, you are not alone. Concerned people are gathering in NYC September 21st and in cities around the world to speak out before the United Nations Emergency Summit on Climate. Talk is cheap. The people want action from policy makers on climate change.</p>
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<p><br><br>Here are some recent numbers from www.350.org on the Peoples Climate March:</p>
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<p><br><br>There are 1,500 solidarity actions planned in 130 countries around the world for the weekend.</p>
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<p><br><br>In the USA, all 50 states will be represented. Over 1,100 community, labor, environmental justice, faith and progressive groups have endorsed the march - so far - including 28 different religious faiths and denominations. There are 374 buses and trains listed online to facilitate travel to NYC. Over 300 college campuses are involved in the mobilization and more than 20 marching bands are expected to keep it lively.</p>
<p><br><br>The New York Police Department has reserved 26 City blocks for the Peoples Climate March to assemble before stepping out. The approved route starts at Columbus Circle on Sunday at 11:30 am and continues on 59th Street then down 6th Avenue to 42nd Street and on to 11th Avenue winding its way past iconic NYC landmarks.</p>
<p><br><br>There’s still time to join in. Here’s the transportation link:</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/transportation/?r=350</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355052014-09-09T04:37:10-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 617; Sneaky New Tar Sands Back Door
<p>The US border may spring a leak in the latest attempt to get that very dirty, thick tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to refineries on the US Gulf Coast. It’s the Keystone Back Door knocking again with a plan that could blow a loophole in Federal Law that provides oversight for border crossing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The company behind it already has oily hands. Enbridge has the distinction of being responsible for the biggest inland oil spill in US history. They have been expanding the Clipper pipelines on both sides of the US/Canadian border with the potential to double the amount of tar sands that can then be switched to existing pipes that cross the border for delivery into Wisconsin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The plan is a sneaky new strategy to avoid the presidential permitting process that has held the Keystone XL Pipeline at bay. To shed light on it, Act.350.org has a petition demanding Enbridge’s plan to expand the Alberta Clipper pipeline be submitted for a full review.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Source: http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060004824</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Sign Petition:</p>
<p><br><br>http://act.350.org/letter/enbridge-switcheroo/?t=1&akid=5068.1211274.xV2FSs</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355042014-09-08T01:53:43-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 616; Climate Film "Disruption" Released
<p>“Disruption” is a new 52 minute film released just yesterday and available on line for free streaming. It speaks to the science, overwhelming evidence and warnings about climate disruption and the lack of action, ignorance and greed that has the world dragging its feet and for a large part continuing business as usual regardless of dire consequences. It includes interviews and an inside story on the Peoples Climate March and world-wide solidarity activities. September 21 is a date to remember as the largest climate action in history unfolds around the movement prior to the United Nations Emergency Summit on Climate Change.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>From the producers news release:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>"This is the story of our unique moment in history. We are living through an age of tipping points and rapid social and planetary change. We’re the first generation to feel the impacts of climate disruption, and the last generation that can do something about it. The film enlarges the issue beyond climate impacts and makes a compelling call for bold action that is strong enough to tip the balance to build a clean energy future."</p>
<p><br><br>http://watchdisruption.com/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355032014-09-07T05:08:33-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 615; Find Your Allies
<p>Selling oneself for the baubles and bangles of these times can shortchange the spirit. A shorted spirit can grow so small as to value baubles and bangles over the health of the planet and all it’s life forms. That in a nutshell is what we face. In simple terms: mass migrations, climate refugees and extinction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>That is why we march. Find your allies. Find your brothers and sisters. Find them in New York City or in any of the solidarity actions around the dates, around the planet, around the Peoples Climate March, around the United Nations Emergency Summit on Climate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>During SEPTEMBER 2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://350.org/about/media/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://convergeforclimate.org/home</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/arts/</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://inclimate.org/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355022014-09-06T01:30:58-05:002019-12-18T15:33:58-06:00InClimate 614; Sun Outshines Energy Needs
<p>The whole world energy usage has been estimated at 17 TWy (Terrawatt-years) per year. An atmospheric scientist at the University of Albany in New York, Dr. Richard Perez, did the math in 2009 to compare energy resources. One thing he found about solar energy, its available energy at 23,000 TWy per year exceeds the world’s energy consumption by a factor of 1,200.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The finite energies Total Reserves come in at:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Coal 900 TWy, Uranium 90-300 TWy, Petroleum 240 TWy and Natural Gas 215 TWy</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Some of the other renewables per year:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Wind 60-120 TWy, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion 3-11 TWy, Biomass 2-6 TWy, Hydro 3-4 TWy, Geothermal 0.3-2 TWy, Wave 0.2-2 TWy and Tides 0.3 TWy</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The sun doesn’t spill or leak. It just shines on with energy to spare.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355012014-09-05T03:46:52-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 613; US Pipeline Spills
<p>The Center for Biological Diversity produced a disturbing time-lapse video that shows the history of pipeline spills using data collected from the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. It includes an ever-expanding list of incidents, injuries, fatalities and property damage. If a picture is worth a thousand words...</p>
<p><br><br>There are already thousands of miles of pipelines crisscrossing the planet. They’re aging and becoming more susceptible to leaks and spills. Adding more just encourages the fossil fuel industry to keep pumping out more and more of the energies of the past. It’s time to transition off nuclear, gas, coal and oil for a cleaner future. The technology is there. The time is now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://www.upworthy.com/watch-this-is-one-time-lapse-big-oil-doesnt-want-you-to-see</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://www.biologicaldiversity.org</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61355002014-09-04T03:15:53-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 612; Mega-Droughts the New Dust Bowl
<p>The five-point US Drought Monitor weekly report has placed nearly 82% of California in “extreme” drought - the fourth worst of five drought designations - and about 58% of the state fares even worse at “exceptional” the most severe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>A new dust bowl could be developing with long term droughts. Climate change and its impact on weather patterns has raised the odds of mega-droughts through-out the American Southwest. A study by Cornell University, the University of Arizona and the U.S. Geological Survey raises the likelihood of future 10-year mega-droughts to 80% and 30-year mega-droughts to 50%. While the Southwest dries out, other parts of the US can anticipate more rain and often too much rain much too quickly with resultant flooding and crop damage.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-megadrought-forecast-20140829-story.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354992014-09-03T04:01:21-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 611; More Climate Migrations
<p>All the consequences and costs of climate change are not known, but one thing is certain, some populations will have to move. It’s certain because the migration has already begun. The Island Nation of Kirbati purchased 20 square kilometers of higher ground on Fiji. Flooding and shore erosion in the Carteret Atoll of Papua New Guinea has forced about 2,000 people to move to the Bougainville mainland. The capital of Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands is the first provincial capital in the Pacific Islands to be re-located because of climate change. The Taro Islanders will start from scratch and build an entirely new town on a larger island higher above sea level.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The $32 million Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning program is aimed at helping Pacific Islanders understand and respond to the impacts of climate change. That $32 million could turn out to be just a drop in the ocean, if the compounding factors of climate change speed up. The climate future with extreme weather events will cause mass migration and climate refugees unless preparations are made for a more orderly migration with dignity.</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/18/3472645/pacific-island-town-relocate-climate-change/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354982014-09-02T04:05:32-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 610; E Motor Tech Leaps Forward
<p>Some people need to go fast and innovations in technology often come from competitive events and challenges. That may be why NASCAR auto racing has become one of the fastest growing spectator sports. There’s a lot of dust, fumes, noise, the roar of the track and low mileage vehicles pushing their limits, but a quieter more eco-friendly motor racing style is on the horizon.</p>
<p><br><br>On September 13, Formula E Electric Racing begins on city streets in Beijing, China. The circuit continues in Miami, Long Beach, Monte Carlo, London and five other cities. Formula E has become a fully sanctioned motor sport and with the increasing popularity of auto racing it’s bound to grow. The developments may translate to the rest of the auto industry.</p>
<p><br><br>The race cars will run entirely on electricity and are capable of speeds over 130 miles an hour. Ten teams with professional drivers - some previously from Formula One racing - should keep the races exciting. The bottom line is all about green technology and increasing efficiency and speed.</p>
<p><br><br>Other positive turns in electric technology came as Tesla Motors recently released patents to the rest of the car manufacturers and a solar-powered car in Australia broke a 26-year land speed record for electric vehicles. The zero-discharge Sunswift eVe was designed and built by students at the University of New South Wales. Electric vehicles often sacrifice speed for distance or distance for speed. The Sunswift eVe design team has been working on the whole package and came out with an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62.1371 mph) over a 500 Kilometer (310.686 mile) course. The Sunswift eVe has a top speed of 140 km per hour (87 mph) and can cover 800 km (497.097 miles) on a single charge.</p>
<p><br><br>Multiple sources including:</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/24/3463899/solar-car-speed-record/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354972014-09-01T03:23:34-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 609; Labor Day
<p>Happy Labor Day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Data released as part of “AFL-CIO PayWatch 2014” has CEO’s earning 331 times as much as average workers and 774 times as much as minimum wage workers in 2013. About 1/2 (49.6%) of the workers at or below minimum wage are 25 years of age or older.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Labor has always asked for an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. The polite asking failed. Workers changed to demands. Demands for better pay, better working conditions and so on. The changing climate will exacerbate all the world’s problems and in turn all the workers problems. Climate disruption cries out for another demand:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>We demand - Stewardship over Profit - for planet earth.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://edit.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/Paywatch-2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354962014-08-31T01:41:55-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 608; Renewable Energy Progress
<p>Signs of the times - signs of a change-over as emission spewing, mountain-top removing, black lung breeding coal power is replaced by renewable energy. America now has more solar workers than coal miners.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>In another sign of progress, the highly innovative electric car company, Tesla Motors, has passed up Toyota to become the largest auto industry employer in California. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has opened the companies patents to other auto manufacturers to help speed the widespread adoption of electric cars.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>Source: Sierra magazine, September/October 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354952014-08-30T02:43:14-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 607; EPA CO2 Emission Serial Graphic
<p>Remember the wonderful tradition of Saturday morning cartoons? Andy Warner created a great serial graphic for KQED Broadcasting and Media Production that explains the Environmental Protection Agency’s new regulations to control carbon emissions. The USA produces more carbon emissions per person than any other nation. A third of the emissions come from power plants. The new EPA plan focuses primarily on reducing the power plant emissions over the next 15 years by 30% of what they were in 2005.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Advances in renewable technology like wind and solar make this a very reasonable goal, but - of course - the mighty fossil fuel industry and their allies will fight it tooth and nail. Arm yourself with the graphic facts to defend the EPA regulations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.upworthy.com/this-is-actually-easier-than-it-sounds-most-shocking-statement-ive-ever-heard-on-climate-change?c=cr1</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>https://www.facebook.com/KQED</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354942014-08-29T05:49:46-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 606; Disruption/Climate as Social Movement
<p>Climate change has already begun and some of its consequences are already apparent. And yet, for the most part - business as usual continues. World leaders and policy makers debate what is no longer debatable and drag their feet about taking serious action. People are rising.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The Peoples Climate March September 21 and related actions are anticipated to represent 100 million people world-wide. It has become the social movement of the time. Poor people will undoubtedly be the most impacted as shortages in food, water and other resources cause prices to rise. Extreme weather and rising sea levels will cause forced migrations along with climate refugees. The wealthy will have far more resources to insulate them from the catastrophe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <br><br>“Disruption” a new film on the peoples response to climate change premieres September 7th on-line and at house parties around the country. You can see a trailer and sign up to get a reminder or find local screenings here:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>http://act.350.org/signup/disruption_pledge/?t=3&akid=5012.1211274.GzYIzN</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354932014-08-28T02:40:38-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 605; InClimate & Peoples Climate Actions
<p>Art Works USA NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Franklin Furnace Alum and InClimate artist, Billy X. Curmano, joins with more than 100 organizations and thousands of people taking part in the People’s Climate March September 21st in New York City. The permit allows the climate marchers to take to the main thoroughfares of Manhattan just two days before President Obama and world leaders gather for an emergency Climate Summit at the United Nations. The NYPD approved route starts at Columbus Circle on Sunday at 11:30 am and continues on 59th Street then down 6th Avenue to 42nd Street and on to 11th Avenue.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Two dedicated trains and hundreds of buses will bring activists to New York from all over the country. There’s a site to aid with travel and housing in NYC: http://peoplesclimate.org/transportation</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Over 750 organizations world-wide are participating both in and out of NYC with major marches and solidarity events that will make this the largest climate action in history. Talk is cheap. The people are united in a common theme that demands bold action, not just rhetoric, on climate change. In New Delhi, demonstrations begin the day before New York. Australia has marches across the continent with the biggest in Melbourne. Berlin, London and Paris all have major marches scheduled. The list goes on and includes Kathmandu, Rio, Sao Paulo, Jakarta, Dublin, Manila, Seoul, Mumbai and Istanbul. The climate action is anticipated to represent roughly 100 million people around the world.<br><br>In New York, participating organizations include the largest transit workers union, art, student, environmental and religious groups, indigenous peoples and a coalition of buddhist monks. A Peoples Climate Convergence runs from September 19-21 with speakers and teach-ins and a group of artists, Peoples Climate Art, occupied a Brooklyn warehouse to build objects and signage for the march.<br><br>InClimate artist, Billy X. Curmano, intends to blend with other activists and climate specialists at Chicago’s Union Station for a relatively low carbon footprint journey to NY aboard the San Francisco Peoples Climate Train. His daily climate thoughts posted continuously since January 1, 2013 to the blog at www.billyx.net will reach #624 in Chicago. The thoughts range with both good and bad climate news, innovations, what can be done, parables, fables and poetry which are then re-posted to the InClimate Facebook page. From within the Peoples Climate Actions, he will continue the posts along with pop-up live art performances and water rituals. <br><br>Water resources are changing along with the climate from too much - with sea level rise, storms and floods - to - too little with prolonged droughts and contamination. The abundance, absence and changing states of water are apparent in Billy X’s extreme environmental art trilogy. He fasted on only juice and water for 42 days in Death Valley as a comment on overconsumption and the absence of water. He traveled to the Arctic Circle on public transportation to experience its changing states. In aqua abundance, he swam 2,367.4-miles of the Mississippi River from its Minnesota Headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico as a performance and environmental statement. Signed and numbered vials with the “Father of Waters” will accompany the artist in rituals that honor water as the source of life.<br><br>InClimate: Climate Change Solutions, Awareness and Action confronts global warming through art by calling upon artists, in collaboration with climate change specialists, to find solutions and antidotes for mitigating or adapting to our world’s most catastrophic problem. Because of the complexity of the subject, each artist or artist team is consulting or collaborating with a climate change specialist from one of the sciences, law, economics, or another appropriate field. Partnering with community organizations, InClimate is going directly to underserved neighborhoods in three boroughs of New York City—including areas most vulnerable. Curator Regina Cornwell conceived and is organizing InClimate under the auspices of Franklin Furnace.<br><br>http://www.billyx.net<br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/<br><br>http://350.org/about/media/<br><br>http://convergeforclimate.org/home<br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/arts/<br><br>http://inclimate.org/<br><br>http://www.franklinfurnace.org/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354922014-08-27T03:30:23-05:002019-12-18T15:33:57-06:00InClimate 604; Travel Aid or Solidarity Event
<p>The biggest climate action in history is centering around the United Nations as world leaders meet for an emergency climate summit in New York City. An agreement with the New York Police Department allows the September 21st Peoples Climate March to wind its way through the streets of Manhattan, but repercussions travel far beyond the city. Climate change is a global issue, which is absolutely apparent by the solidarity marches and events coinciding with the Climate March in New York City.</p>
<p><br><br>Climate activities have been planned in cities around the world and around the date including in Kathmandu, New Delhi, London, Paris, Berlin, Melbourne, Rio, Sao Paulo, Jakarta, Dublin, Manila, Seoul, Mumbai and Istanbul. New York anticipates thousands, but world-wide the climate action is estimated to represent about 100 million people.</p>
<p><br>Will you join us?</p>
<p><br><br>Organizers have done what they can to ease travel and housing expenses for the New York event with a dedicated web site. It lists chartered buses coming from all over and two special trains. There is also a listing and support for housing from free floor space to hotels and home shares through environmental, community, civic, and religious groups.</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/transportation/</p>
<p><br>If you can’t come to New York, please consider being involved in a solidarity event in your city. If there isn’t one planned, you can start one. There is plenty of information on the web and as the date comes closer more people and the news media will be on board. Get the permits and make a statement - nothing is too large and nothing is too small.</p>
<p><br><br>“Many of ask what can I as one person do, but history shows us that everything good or bad starts because somebody does something or does not do something.” - Sylvia Earle</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354912014-08-26T04:52:19-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 603; Which Way Forward Forum Brooklyn
<p>The lead-up to the September 21st People’s Climate March in NYC and events in solidarity around the world keep building. A forum, “Which Way Forward: Climate Chaos or Climate Justice?”, will be presented by Brooklyn for Peace - Climate Action to explore the issues before the United Nations Summit on Climate Change. The speakers will examine how the United States and its allies have ignored their own 250-years of industrial development to put the blame on developing nations. They will address how Western Powers have relied on “voluntary” emissions while diverting funds for poor countries into schemes that profit corporations.</p>
<p><br><br>Most scientists agree, time is running out before the tipping point for catastrophic climate disruption occurs impacting the planet and all its people, plants and animals. The forum will look for answers and what can be done to create real change. Find your own local experts, a church or hall and help build the movement for bold action on climate change.</p>
<p><br><br>Which Way Forward:</p>
<p>Climate Chaos or Climate Justice?</p>
<p><br><br>September 5th at 7:00 pm<br>Memorial Presbyterian Church<br>186 St. John’s Place/7th Ave.<br>Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY</p>
<p><br>Speakers include:<br>Sean Sweeney, Director, Global Labor Institute and Cornell University Organizer, Peoples Climate March<br>Michael Klare, Author, “The Race for What’s Left: The Global Scramble for the World’s Last Resources”<br>Janet Redman, Director, Climate Policy, Institute for Policy Studies<br>JJ Johnson, former Editior, “Our Life and Times”</p>
<p><br><br>http://brooklynpeace.org/brooklynforpeace/committees/climate-action/?attachment_id=288</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354902014-08-25T01:45:52-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 602; Kids, The Young & Climate
<p>In terms of climate change, those with the most power have the least to lose. Policy makers, politicians and world leaders that make decisions are generally quite mature - older - but sometimes not necessarily any the wiser. Their time on the planet and consequently concerns for it have become more limited. Children and the young comprise 30% of the world’s population. The young and future generations will be the most affected by a changing climate, but they have little say in decision making.</p>
<p><br><br>The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Oxfam have both found children in developing nations to be malnourished by - and the most affected by - climate change. Especially in third world and developing nations, children are often tasked with jobs like getting water for the family and even scavenging for food and other useful items. They can become intimately knowledgeable and resourceful about water, shelter, sewage, and basic human needs that are changing with the changing conditions. They become problem solvers through necessity.</p>
<p><br><br>In the USA after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation in NY, the Rockaway Youth Task Force in Queens collected food and distributed it door-to-door to seniors and disabled residents. They quickly became the most visible aid group with cool thinking and a valuable service that garnered international attention.</p>
<p><br><br>Education about environmental processes and the dangers and changes expected with a changing climate should be introduced at an early age. Children should have access to the beauty of the natural world early on with their families, friends, schooling and just plain play. That way, they will develop an affinity to it and work to protect it. Then adults and other policy makers should learn to listen to them.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/aug/15/children-climate-change-talks-unicef-report-2014</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_74647.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354892014-08-24T04:10:39-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 601; Soylent
<p>The changing climate with extreme weather events, droughts, floods and increased insect pest populations will be a challenge for agriculture and food production. A Silicon Valley engineer developed a super-food powdered meal replacement with 35 essential ingredients including protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals all in a 1500-calorie pouch. Some users have reported Soylent tastes like unsweetened cake, that’s UNSWEETENED cake, and lets you cruise through the day feeling fine. It can be made cheaply in bulk at about a dollar a pouch. It might have all the nutrition we need, but then again maybe not.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>Maybe one day soon we’ll all be closing our eyes, sucking up Soylent slop and remembering the last great dinner party.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354882014-08-23T04:27:43-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 600; Collateral Damage = Negative Externality
<p>Economists have crunched the numbers. Business as usual and ignoring climate change will ultimately cost world economies more than acting to mitigate it. But on an individual basis, there are those corporations that stand to gain in the short term as they stick it to the rest of the world. The wealthy and powerful don’t really mean to destroy the environment or mess up the climate, but sustainability often takes a back burner to profit. The barons have always lined their pockets while trickling down some jobs. According to the Associated Press as of June 2014, a CEO earns about 257 times the salary of an average employee. Don’t forget - before unions and government regulations, workers were often sucked dry with long hours in dangerous dead end jobs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Negative externality and externalizing costs are capitalism’s terms that translate to the military’s term collateral damage - or more precisely: Oops! We blew up the wrong target - followed sometimes with an apology, sometimes with a cash settlement, but oftentimes - Oops! is all you get.</p>
<p><br><br>Oops! We contaminated your water supply. Oops! We made the air unfit to breathe. Oops! We contaminated the soil. Don’t worry, the shareholders are happy. The fines are far lower than profits. A government program will attempt to clean it all up, if that’s even possible. It’s all good. You - as a taxpayer - will fund the attempted clean-up and we’ll have dinner on the yacht. Cheers!</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354872014-08-22T02:31:17-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 599; Future Temp Map & Climate Responses
<p>The Climate Reality Project put together some quick points for reasoning with climate change deniers and Climate Central has an interactive map with projected summer in the city high temp comparisons between cities now and in the future. There are 1,001 US cities listed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Some example temperatures our children and grandchildren could experience if current emission trends continue to the end of the century. In 2100, climate models show the current summer highs in the following cities will increase to that of the current high in the city they are compared to:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>New York, NY 82.38º F. compares with Lehigh Acres, FL 91.76º F.</p>
<p><br>Chicago, IL 81.73º & St. Paul, MN 81.14º F. compare with Mesquite, TX 93.11º F.</p>
<p><br>Boston, MA 78.98º F. compares with N. Miami Beach, FL 89.11º F.</p>
<p><br>Los Angeles, CA 82.81º F. compares with Fountainbleau, FL 89.83º F.</p>
<p><br>Austin, TX 94.39º F. compares with Gilbert, AZ 103.91º F.</p>
<p><br>Las Vegas, NV 100.94º F. compares with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 111.02º F.</p>
<p><br>Miami, FL 88.56º F. compares with Harlingen, TX 94.87º F.</p>
<p> <br>Helena, MT 79.59º F. compares with Riverside,CA 91.53.11º F.</p>
<p><br>Seattle, WA 73º F. compares with Placentia, CA 83.75º F.</p>
<p><br><br>What if they say:</p>
<p><br><br>It’s only a few degrees warmer, so why bother? - A few degrees can raise sea levels, impact weather events, change comfort levels, even cause death. Disease carrying insects are expanding their range, while some more favored plant and animal species are losing theirs. More hot weather and fast growing economies like China and India are already increasing air conditioning which ups energy demands and in turn snowballs emissions and climate disruption.</p>
<p><br><br>There’s been a cold snap, so there’s no global warming. - So what, there will always be variations in weather, but hot streaks and droughts are happening far more frequently and lasting longer impacting agriculture, water and food supplies.</p>
<p><br><br>Setting carbon limits will destroy the economy. - Economists have calculated doing nothing and continuing business as usual under the changing conditions will cost economies more. The growth in the renewable energy sector and making changes to mitigate climate disruption will grow the economy.</p>
<p><br><br>It’s too late to do anything. - It’s true climate change is already happening, but with cautionary action we can slow it down and have time to get ready for it’s impacts. Some populations will be forced to move especially from low lying coastal areas and pacific islands. Adequate time and warning will allow a migration with dignity rather than just some sort of climate refugee camps.</p>
<p><br><br>It is too difficult to change our energy infrastructure. - It’s never too late. Times change, technology leaps ahead and it’s time to go with it or stay stuck in the mud. Just as some thought humans would never fly or go to the moon or eradicate diseases, some have missed the great strides in delivery and development of the clean renewable energy sector.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.climatecentral.org/news/summer-temperatures-co2-emissions-1001-cities-16583</p>
<p><br><br>http://climaterealityproject.org/blog/five-reasons-why-naysayers-are-wrong?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=WWN&source=Facebook</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354862014-08-21T02:29:10-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 598; Climate March - Over 1400 From NRDC
<p>The Peoples Climate March (September 21/NYC) will let world leaders know we don’t just want talk about climate change - we know it’s real - we want action to slow and mitigate its impacts. Plenty of organizations are behind it. One sponsor, The National Resources Defense Council, reported today they have over 1,400 activists pledged to be there. Its expected to be the largest climate action ever.</p>
<p><br><br>Climate change is real. It is the single biggest threat to life on the planet as we’ve known it and is already causing damage with extreme weather events and forced migrations. It may not be possible to go back, but a paradigm shift in energy policy and human activity can slow it down and offer time to adjust to the changing conditions. Don’t be left behind.</p>
<p><br><br>This massive climate action includes activities before, during and after the march. The Peoples Climate Train departs from California (9/15) and picks up activists along its route to NYC and a Peoples Climate Convergence summit with speakers and workshops runs the 19th -23rd.</p>
<p><br><br>Short NRDC (33 sec.) video:</p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.demandcleanpower.org/peoples-climate-march/video.html?src=EMOCLIINVBGD0714ONY3FU&utm_source=link&utm_medium=alert&utm_campaign=email</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354852014-08-20T05:50:43-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 597; Oops! Duke Energy Has Another Spill
<p>Duke Energy is at it again. Last February, the company spilled 39,000 gallons of coal ash sludge into North Carolina’s Dan River contaminating water supplies. While a federal grand jury is still investigating that spill, the company had a 5,000 to 8,000 gallon diesel spill into the Ohio River during a routine transfer. The spill threatened the Greater Cincinnati Water Works and the Northern Kentucky Water District. Water is essential to life itself and ultimately more precious than oil.</p>
<p><br><br>Duke Energy has had troubles in North Carolina before. They were cited for intentionally dumping 61 million gallons of coal ash waste into the Cape Fear River. There are documents suggesting the company was warned numerous times about the integrity of the drainage pipe that caused the February coal ash spill. In March, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources cited 5 other Duke Energy coal plants for improperly storing coal ash waste.</p>
<p> <br><br>Duke is not the only energy company that has shown irresponsibility. Profit over all drives carbon loading the atmosphere, dangerous spills and transport. It’s past time to transition off of fossil fuels.</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/20/3473479/duke-energy-ohio-diesel-spill/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354842014-08-19T04:15:09-05:002019-12-18T15:33:56-06:00InClimate 596; Peoples Climate Train
<p>All aboard! The Peoples Climate Train departs the San Francisco Area (Emeryville, CA) September 15 en route to New York City (Penn Station) via Chicago (Union Station) filled with climate activists on their way to the Peoples Climate Convergence and Peoples Climate March. If climate disruption is getting you down, maybe you can be uplifted as the numbers grow and you witness thousands of activists working to mitigate the impact NOW. The March coincides with a United Nations summit on climate change.</p>
<p> <br><br>You can join the route at stops as listed on the Peoples Climate Train web site. It begins the journey as the California Zephyr at 9:10 am September 15 and arrives in Chicago September 17 at 2:50 pm where there’s a train change to #48 the Lake Shore Limited departing at 9:30 pm and arriving at Penn Station September 18 at 6:23 pm. There are workshops and networking opportunities planned on board.</p>
<p><br><br>InClimate artist, Billy X. Curmano (that’s me), joins the activists in Chicago with pop-up performances and his InClimate blog. Click the sound file for a sample.</p>
<p><br><br>You can book your ticket directly with Amtrak by calling 800.872.7245 and receive a 10% discount on the fare with the Convention Discount Code X22T-908. If you are a senior activist, there is a little better 15% discount.</p>
<p><br>The Peoples Climate Train September 15-18, 2014<br><br>http://peoplesclimatetrain.weebly.com/</p>
<p><br>The Peoples Climate Convergence September 19-23, 2014<br><br>http://convergeforclimate.org/home</p>
<p><br>The Peoples Climate March September 21, 2014<br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
<p><br> Peoples Climate Art:<br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/arts/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354832014-08-18T04:13:45-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 595; CO Fed Land Coal Ruling
<p>The Federal Government has allowed coal mining on federal lands without acknowledging the huge contribution the mining, transportation and burning of coal plays in climate change. A recent court ruling could change all that.</p>
<p><br><br>The second largest US coal producer, Arch Coal, had received the okay to build roads for exploration through Colorado’s Gunnison National Forest. It would lead to the eventual expansion of their West Elk Mine and 10 million tons of the dirty fossil fuel. The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management had looked only at benefits in terms of jobs and taxes. They ignored environmental factors like climate change - even though federal agencies have developed methods to assess these costs and have been doing just that for years.</p>
<p><br><br>The court action was brought against the project by Earthjustice, High Country Conservation Advocates, Wildearth Guardians and the Sierra Club. U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson stopped the incursion into the forest’s 5,800 acre Sunset Roadless Area with a 36-page order. The ruling may have a far reaching impact on other federal lands.</p>
<p><br><br>The Earth Justice Blog:</p>
<p><br><br>http://earthjustice.org/blog/2014-july/a-win-for-roadless-forest-climate?utm_source=crm&utm_content=button</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>The Court Ruling:</p>
<p><br><br>http://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/files/91%20-%20Order%20on%20Merits%20%282%29.pdf</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354822014-08-17T04:52:41-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 594; Atlantic Wind Connection
<p>The transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy will include innovation. The Atlantic Wind Connection is a proposal that would use 350 miles of undersea cable to link groups of wind farms situated about 12 to 15 miles off the coast between New Jersey and Virginia. The wide dispersion would allow power to be captured where and when the wind blows at any given moment eliminating electric grid destabilization caused by the intermittent calms. The turbines clustered out to sea in federally designated areas would increase their productivity with the stronger off-shore wind and reduce what some folks consider sight pollution associated with the large machines. New technology would allow each unit to generate 12-megawatts per turbine. That’s an increase of 2-megawatts per tower more than the last generation. Politicians aren’t on board, yet - but Google has already offered financial backing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Source: Eliza Strickland, Sierra magazine, September-October, 2014</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354812014-08-16T02:06:48-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 593; Bird Watchers Watch This
<p>Birdwatchers watch this. Birds don’t necessarily read the climate change reports - from legitimate science or vested interests. They just move on. Birdwatchers in the US will have to run across the border, if they want to keep tabs on a favorite. The Baird’s sparrow is packing up and heading north from North Dakota and Montana to the presumably friendlier Canadian skies - along with a too rapidly changing climate.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354802014-08-15T05:18:39-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 592; Ambitious French Energy Bill
<p>A progressive energy bill has already passed the French Cabinet and is on its way to Parliament as France looks to reduce nuclear, oil and gas power sources while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. It calls for 10 Billion Euros - or about $13.4 billion - for tax breaks, low cost loans and other incentives to meet the country’s energy needs with clean renewable power. It has been called the most ambitious switch to clean energy in the entire European Union.</p>
<p><br><br>France is now the world’s biggest producer and consumer of nuclear power and the goal is to reduce that atomic energy dependence from 75% to 50%, but the bill goes even further. It strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 75% by 2050. It has components that will more than double renewable energy by encouraging zero emission vehicles, home charging stations and thermal insulation for homes. Subsidies will also be made available for “zero-waste” and “energy-plus” areas that produce more energy than they consume.</p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.energydigital.com/renewables/3483/France-Allocates-10-Billion-for-Renewable-Energy-Projects</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354792014-08-14T03:09:34-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 591; National Forest Foundation & Carbon
<p>There are 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in the USA sequestering carbon. In 1933, the nonprofit National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress to help the U.S. Forest Service “maintain the health, diversity and productivity of the nations forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations”. The foundation has programs with volunteer opportunities and targeted fund raising to help with this important work. There are even ways to offset individual carbon footprints.</p>
<p><br><br>Plants and especially trees sequester carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and produce oxygen as a byproduct. It is an important process for the health of all living things. Carbon loading the atmosphere is one way human activity is impacting the climate. The problem is intensified as trees and vegetation are cleared to make room for cities, roads and ever increasing populations. In turn, the altered climate with extreme weather events, changing conditions and long days of drought intensifies the wildfires and flooding that damage the forests and wild lands.</p>
<p><br><br>The National Forest Foundation web site has more information and a free newsletter. If there is no time to volunteer, you can send a donation and plant a tree by proxy.</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nationalforests.org/#</p>
<p><br><br>Wild Fire Restoration Projects:</p>
<p><br><br>https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/NationalForestFoundation/SPECIAL_OFFERS.html</p>
<p><br><br>Carbon Capital Fund:</p>
<p><br>http://www.nationalforests.org/conserve/carbon/carboncapitalfund</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354782014-08-13T01:28:24-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 590; The International Disaster Data Base
<p>The International Disaster Data Base was established in 1988 to help policy makers and the international community make rational decisions about vulnerabilities, preparedness and priorities concerning disasters. It is especially useful in distributing humanitarian aid. Their EM-DAT is a global data base drawn from various sources including the United Nations, the international Red Cross and Red Crescent, government reporting, news sources, insurance companies and other agencies. At least one of the following criteria must exist before an event is classified as a disaster:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>10 or more people are killed</p>
<p><br>100 or more people are affected</p>
<p><br>Declaration of a state of emergency</p>
<p><br>Call for international assistance</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The EM-DAT has prime data on over 18,000 of the world’s mass disasters since 1900. Be Prepared! The information can be used to prepare for and adapt to an uncertain future with new threats from a changing climate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://www.emdat.be</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354772014-08-12T03:54:49-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 589; Jobs in Clean Energy
<p>The fossil fuel industry, politicians and conservative think tanks use the economy and jobs as a reason to block clean air regulations that would cut pollution from power plants. They turn a blind eye to the return of American manufacturing in green energy technology like solar and wind. Industries producing products that are good for the planet, US consumption and export to international markets. Products that are much cleaner and safer solutions than oil, gas or coal for China, India and the developing world’s growing energy demands.</p>
<p><br><br>Recently, Vesta Wind Systems in Colorado announced it was hiring 800 new workers as part of a goal to fill 1,500 jobs this year. They are mostly full-time, high skilled manufacturing jobs, not minimum wage, service sector work that often requires a second job or a government safety net for families to just get by.</p>
<p><br><br>Vesta Wind Systems has wind turbine orders from Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico and North Dakota. Farmers and other land owners that host turbines receive land lease payments that bring in another source of revenue and add to local tax bases. Colorado’s 2013 wind energy production cut about seven million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere which translates to that of about 1.1 million cars. Likewise, solar panels have been going up in efficiency and coming down in price and have a similar clean energy story.</p>
<p> <br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/21/3462155/wind-power-hiring-colorado-vestas/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354762014-08-11T04:45:18-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 588; Water, Water Everywhere, But...
<p>Arthur C. Clarke once said, “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br><br>Water, water everywhere, but what if there’s not a drop to drink? Climate change and a disregard for the environment threaten the world’s freshwater supply. Severe weather and historically long and widespread droughts are already happening.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br><br>Recently, 1.3 billion gallons of mining waste - that often contains among other things arsenic, mercury and sulphur - escaped from a tailings pond at the Mount Polley open-pit copper and gold mine in Canada. It contaminated drinking water for hundreds of people in British Columbia.<br><br>Hydraulic fracturing for gas and oil has become widespread. Besides using great quantities of unrecoverable freshwater in the process, it injects a toxic cocktail deep into the earth threatening groundwater.<br><br>A toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie caused by fertilizer run-off, leaking septic tanks and livestock waste contaminated drinking water for about a half million Ohio residents.<br><br>The United Nations calls water a basic human right, but delivery systems for good, clean potable water are costly. In Detroit Michigan, the water works is in financial trouble. The bankrupt city has a lot of people simply unable to pay their water bills. In response, the water department shut off some service in an attempt to collect payments. But just like the city, many of the citizens are broke. People have risen up in protest. Others ask, “How do we pay for it?” The utility has become a burden for the mayor. He wants to get out from under it with talks of privatization. But Beware!<br><br>Beware! Privatization is a dangerous route. Nestle is one of the companies working to control water supplies. At the 2000 World Water Forum, the multinational corporate giant lobbied successfully to stop water from being declared a human right.<br><br>Peter Brabeck, the chairman of the board, was quoted as saying, “The opinion which I think is extreme, is represented by the NGOs, who bang on about declaring water as a public right. That means as a human being you should have a right to water. That’s an extreme solution.”<br><br>He’s tried to distance himself from the statement. It’s gotten a lot of attention, but the corporation - with no head to put on a plate and no body to incarcerate - doesn’t have to be concerned.<br><br>In Cochabomba, Bolivia, water supply privatization lead to such high prices that its citizens revolted. Tens of thousands marched and battled the police. The struggle became known as the Cochabamba Water War with injuries and at least one civilian death. Water resources, essential to life itself, are likely to be held hostage when they become just another part of a conscience free corporate bottom line.</p>
<p><br><br>Multiple sources including:</p>
<p> <br><br>http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/nestle_water_privatization_push<br><br><br>http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bolivia/thestory.html<br><br><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Cochabamba_protests<br><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/05/3467611/bc-water-tailings-pond-breach/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354752014-08-10T02:16:50-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 587; Climate Change & Favorite Places
<p>Climate disruption impacts local pocket books and economies as favorite destinations become less welcoming because of bad weather and other changes. Wild fires sparked by droughts out west are covering more acreage. The Indian Canyons of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla were closed after the fires made them more susceptible to flash flooding. High waters along rivers, lakes and the coasts can make them less accessible for both transportation and recreation.</p>
<p><br><br>Puerto Rico’s famous Mosquito Bay isn’t glowing brightly these nights. The bioluminescence comes from microorganisms that scientists believe have been impacted by climate changes and pollution. The popular tourist attraction has been closed the last couple of months for further study.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354742014-08-09T00:45:39-05:002019-12-18T15:33:55-06:00InClimate 586; Talk Is Cheap
<p>On an especially warm spring day, a young boy was tempted to jump in the flowing river. He doffed his duds and jumped in. The cold water and fast current grabbed him and he cried out for help. A passing stranger scolded him for being so foolish. The boy called back, “Help me now and scold me later!” The advice without action was useless.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>With apologies to Aesop and then to all the world’s policy makers - talk is cheap - we want action.</p>
<p><br><br>To everyone else, remember to do right and don’t forget the Peoples Climate March September 21 - New York City.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354732014-08-08T01:41:23-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 585; Tribal Communities & Climate Change
<p>Tribal communities are being especially hard hit by climate change. “Indian Country Today” recently posted a list of some of the indigenous peoples most impacted. The Hoh tribe along the Hoh River have reported they face constant threats of flooding. Their beach road has washed away and homes have been destroyed. The Quinault Indian Nation declared a state of emergency after a sea wall was breached near their headquarters. Rising sea levels have threatened villages up and down the Pacific Coast. The Quileute have moved to higher ground from their small bit of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic National Forest because of rising waters. In Shishmaref and Kivalina, Alaska - along the northwest coast - melting sea ice has forced native villages to relocate. Further south, the Navajo Nation declared a drought emergency with a dry period even longer than the California Drought. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla experienced wild fires that have made their Indian Canyons more susceptible to flash flooding. The Biloxi-Chitimacha Tribe has been on an island off the coast of Louisiana since the 1840‘s, but now it’s washing away along with much of the rest of the state’s coastline. The Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation are two more societies that were forced to declare drought emergencies. The disruptions have been linked to a changing climate.<br><br>In a Press Release, “Climate Change Is Real Lets Fight It Together”, from the Quinault Nation, President Fawn Sharp said:<br><br>Quinault Nation established a comprehensive set of climate change policies in 2009, before congress considered introducing its national policies. We have advocated and advanced our climate change-related interests locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. “We have asked the President and Congress to understand the connection between climate change and such impacts as the decline of our Blueback salmon run and the destruction that is now occurring with shellfish and other species in the ocean due to acidification and hypoxia. Other tribes have worked alongside us, pushing for action by the state of Washington, the United States and the United Nations. It is our heritage, and right, to do so,” said Sharp.<br><br>“We believe it’s time to call to end the nonsensical debate in the legislature and in Congress about whether it exists. It does, and it is very serious.<br><br>Year in and Year out we are all facing the deadly consequences of a century of environmental contempt, and ignoring that fact will not make the challenge go away. It is time for people to treat our natural environment with the respect it deserves,” she said.</p>
<p><br><br>http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/05/01/climate-change-real-lets-fight-it-together-154682</p>
<p><br><br>http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/05/06/9-tribal-nations-taking-direct-hit-extreme-weather-154746</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/17/3461386/obama-announces-millions-for-tribes-rural-power-grids/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354722014-08-07T03:06:15-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 584; Solar Panels Top Canals
<p>We’re slowly drying out and detoxing from fossil fuel with solar power and other clean and green energies helping with the transition. On India’s coast, the state of Gurjarat has a plan to cover it’s long stretches of canals with solar panels. Besides producing electricity, the panels will block sun light from the water’s surface and reduce evaporation leaving more of the precious water for drinking and irrigation. The utilitarian canals snake along over 11,000 miles making the possibilities for expansion massive.</p>
<p><br><br>The immediate goal is to cover 10% of the canals with panels which will produce 2.2 gigawatts of electricity. That translates to enough power for over a million and a half American homes. Indian homes use far less electricity than American homes, so the numbers are even more impressive there. The project is far from completed and other problems may arise, but dual purposing the canals eliminates the common stumbling block of obtaining enough land for large scale solar installations.</p>
<p><br><br>http://motherboard.vice.com/read/indias-ingenious-plan-to-cover-1000-miles-of-canals-with-solar-power-plants?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_term=solar,Energy%20Revolution&utm_campaign=Ig0oZ&__surl__=Ig0oZ&__ots__=1403080647024&__step__=1&&__surl__=Ig0oC&__ots__=1407334682358&__step__=1</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354712014-08-06T02:45:46-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 583; We Are Not Deaf, Dumb & Blind
<p>The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is composed of leading scientists from around the world. It is a peer reviewed body using the scientific method to study the world’s climate and help predict what is to come. Because their analysis is filtered by hundreds of people only the most indisputable facts make it to final review. Then, findings are often filtered further by reviewers and politicians that let even less of the disturbing information find its way to the public at large. It may well be the tightest review process ever.<br>The latest report shows what has been shown before. It is and always has been a dire warning that the climate learned and adapted to is breaking down. That a new climate is already starting to disrupt the whole of the biosphere, the entire planet and all life as it has been known.</p>
<p><br><br>Exploration, exploitation and the burning of fossil fuel is a major contributor to climate change. Scientists have done the math for us. They are in agreement that most of the remaining reserves of oil, gas and coal must remain in the ground to avoid climatic catastrophe, but vested economic interests and tainted policy makers continue business as usual. It goes beyond reason that even those that privately admit to the long term dangers continue on for short term economic gain. It is incomprehensible.</p>
<p><br><br>Demand action. Join the Peoples Climate March in NYC this September 21 and let the vested interests know we are not deaf, dumb and blind.</p>
<p><br><br>Peoples Climate March:</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
<p><br><br>Divest from fossil fuel:</p>
<p><br><br>http://gofossilfree.org/</p>
<p><br><br><br>http://350.org/guide-personal-divestment/</p>
<p><br><br><br>IPCC and Climate Break Down:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/sep/27/ipcc-climate-change-report-global-warming</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354702014-08-05T05:47:47-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 582; Peoples Climate Art
<p>New technologies and energy sources alone are not enough to insure life will continue or a biosphere will remain in a state like the one we’ve become comfortable with and learned to live within. Short term profit over all - kind of like Geld Uber Alles - is an outdated mantra. We don’t just need patches. We need fundamental shifts and a paradigm change to keep catastrophic climate disruptions from threatening our children and grandchildren.</p>
<p><br><br>A major call to address this most important issue is the Peoples Climate March (Sept. 20-21 plus) in New York City. It coincides with a United Nations meeting to discuss the climate. Talk is cheap, the march will urge policy makers to take action. The march is expected to be the biggest climate rally ever.</p>
<p><br><br>Change is difficult and often resisted. The vanguard at the forefront of change must inspire others to act by winning their hearts and minds. Music, art and culture are tools that have pushed boundaries before. Deep in Brooklyn, NY, People’s Climate Art has already begun building costumes and props. They are also building a network of artists (inclusive of all forms) to illuminate the exploitive injustices of climate change and challenge those who profit from it. Their web site has more information, ways to participate and national calls.</p>
<p><br><br>Peoples Climate Art:</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/arts/</p>
<p><br> <br>Peoples Climate March:</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354692014-08-04T01:41:10-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 581; Beef's Bigger Footprint
<p>Results of a study recently published finds raising beef cattle to be ten times more damaging to the environment than chicken, eggs or pork. The US Department of Agriculture, Energy and the Interior analyzed land usage, water consumption, the use of nitrogen fertilizers and the greenhouse gases - like methane coming from the animals digestion and the nitrous oxide from their manure. They simply calculated the resources expended to produce a single calorie from the different food sources.</p>
<p><br><br>The results of the 2000 to 2010 study have shown chicken, eggs, pork and dairy to come out about the same, but raising beef cattle is far more inefficient. The animals require 28 times more land, 11 times more water and beef cattle up the carbon footprint with 5 times more greenhouse gases than other agricultural products.</p>
<p><br><br>The demand for the red meat continues to climb, especially in the developing world. Another study looked at world wide consumption and estimated the greenhouse gas emissions from all livestock in 237 countries increased by 51% over about the last 50 years. The developed world’s livestock emissions peaked in the 1970‘s and have been in decline ever since - probably due in part to better agricultural practices and in part to reductions in consumption due to health concerns and in part simply vegetarianism for any reason. Unfortunately, that decline is not enough to off-set emissions caused by the increased demands of the developing world. Less meat in the diet is a good idea - especially with world-wide population growth and always more mouths to feed and stomachs to fill.</p>
<p><br> <br><br>https://carnegiescience.edu/news/climate_meat_turns_heat</p>
<p><br> <br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/22/3462537/meat-greenhouse-gases-study-high-emissions-beef/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354682014-08-03T02:25:55-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 580; Drone On and On
<p>The changing climate is producing more severe weather events, but monitoring with drones is helping keep tabs on everything from tornadoes to wildfires and even the energy fluxes involved in climate change. A drone from Columbia University dropped buoys to keep watch over the temperature and salinity of the Arctic Ocean. The U.S. Forest service is experimenting with controlled burns and overhead drone flights to try and determine how wildfires will react under different conditions. Drones are being developed to fly into tornadoes to help meteorologists more accurately predict a storm’s path and where it will set down.</p>
<p><br><br>Commercially available inexpensive drones are capable of streaming images and video in real time. The accessibility and ease of use makes average citizens able to relay important information about conditions in emergencies and progress on rescues to authorities. A drone was used in Arkansas to shoot important footage of an EF4 tornado, Colorado’s major flooding and a New York City building collapse all were recorded with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAV’s - or maybe that was Unwomaned Aerial Vehicles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Source: The Week</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354672014-08-02T02:39:14-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 579; Local Decisions Impact Globally
<p>The federal government is big, often clumsy and slow to make change. When it drags its feet, thinking globally and acting locally may well be part of the solution. Some states, cities and even towns have led the way with steps for carbon reduction. Some have set important examples. The town of Dryden, NY banned fracking within town limits. The ban was challenged by the fossil fuel industry. The legal wrangling went all the way to the New York Supreme Court where Dryden won out and set an important precedent through out the state.</p>
<p><br><br>On a far larger scale, the state of California has been reducing emissions in part with a cap-and-trade program started in 2012 for the state’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters. Linking economies with agreements that include environmental safeguards can help reduce world wide emissions. California’s economy fluctuates some, but it is always ranked globally. The 2013 rankings have it as the 8th largest in the world, slightly ahead of both Russia and Italy.</p>
<p><br><br>Recently, California Governor Brown signed an agreement with Mexican officials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and address other environmental issues. The governor has also been in discussions on these same issues regionally with officials from British Columbia, Canada and the states of Washington and Oregon. California’s droughts and wildfires have helped the governor realize climate change is not only real, but that his state is already suffering from it. Initiatives at all levels play a role in mitigating climate change - like a snowball rolling down the side of a snow covered hill - solutions keep growing.</p>
<p><br>California:</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/29/3465239/california-mexico-climate-pact-signing/<br><br></p>
<p>New York:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/01/nyregion/towns-may-ban-fracking-new-york-state-high-court-rules.html?_r=0</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354662014-08-01T05:16:36-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 578; A Paradigm Shift & A Nap
<p>A fundamental paradigm shift in human activity would do wonders to slow climate change. We move too fast, do too much - human activity and over-activity is tough on us and the biosphere - slow down, take a break, rest meditate take a nap. Do Less... Save the Planet...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbshb-Y4CU</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>It’s not EZ.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354652014-07-31T03:28:43-05:002019-12-18T15:33:54-06:00InClimate 577; $150 Billion A Year
<p>It’s not just about doing the right thing or even saving life on the planet as we’ve come to know it. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will save big money - or at least that’s the conclusion of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Failure to address climate change and reduce carbon pollution could cost the American economy $150 billion dollars a year and those costs would continue to increase by 40% every decade if nations do nothing to reduce emissions.</p>
<p><br><br>Coal fired power plants are the nations biggest source of carbon pollution. The Economic Advisers’ analysis was released in time to bolster support for the Clean Power Plan at the Environmental Protection Agency public hearings on the president’s proposal that would basically shutter coal plants and create a fundamental shift in US energy policy. There’s a deep divide between the reality and need for change that most of science has agreed upon and the Pollyanna business as usual of the climate change deniers. Money pours in on both sides trying to tip the scales, but even bipartisan studies, like the recent one titled “Risky Business”, conclude that the long-term costs of the carbon pollution is greater than the short term expense associated with cutting emissions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>“Because the Earth needs a good lawyer”, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is one of the organizations testifying at the EPA Hearings. They have an on-line petition to reduce carbon emissions - be advised after signing they may ask for a donation and add you to their mailing list:</p>
<p><br><br>https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3447&s_src=sbcacesps&utm_source=sbcacesps&utm_medium=switchboard&utm_campaign=cleanair</p>
<p><br>New York Times Article:</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/us/politics/white-house-report-presses-economic-case-for-carbon-rule.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0</p>
<p><br><br>NRDC Testimony:</p>
<p><br><br>http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ddoniger/epas_holds_clean_power_plan_he.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354642014-07-30T01:09:21-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 576; Love Water Not Oil at All-Star Game
<p>A banner with “Love Water Not Oil” boldly painted on it was unfurled for national broadcast television from baseball’s all-star game at Target Field in Minneapolis. The large banner hung next to an image of Derek Jeeter for a good ten minutes before being removed.</p>
<p><br><br>“Love Water Not Oil” is a slogan about keeping all waters clean, but the immediate focus is on the proposed Alberta Canada based Enbridge pipeline. It is intended to carry oil from the Baaken fracking fields in North Dakota to Superior, Wisconsin, a Great Lake port with access to the world market. It would travel across sensitive and historic northern wet lands including near the source of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Enbridge has a less than stellar accident record. They already have six pipelines running through Minnesota that are less in the public eye than Keystone XL, but with plans to expand capacity, they become a kind of backdoor for the thick and dirty Alberta tar sand crude. For comparison, the proposed Keystone XL pipeline could carry 830,000 barrels per day. Enbridge’s expansion plans would increase capacity in Line 3 from 400,000 barrels of oil a day to 760,000 and the Alberta Clipper line would carry 800,000.</p>
<p><br><br>The slogan “Love Water Not Oil” was the theme of a benefit concert put on by “Honor the Earth” an organization spearheaded by indigenous people, Winona LaDuke and the Indigo Girls. It was established to defend waters, land and communities from pipelines and practices of dangerous resource extraction. Obviously, the slogan is catching on since spokespeople for “Honor the Earth” said they weren’t behind the banner.<br><br>They - we - united against pipelines, have allies. A Cowboy and Indian Alliance rode into Washington D.C. in April to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Other tribes have taken actions along pipeline routes and even legal actions demanding treaties that give them final say over their lands are honored. The indigenous in the USA aren’t alone. About 500 members of an Amazon tribe in Peru occupied an oil field there. Up north in British Columbia Canada, One Nation tribal members from clans within the Wet’suwet’en Nation united against pipelines and the Unist’ot’en clan camped in front of another proposed pipe - or river - for tar sands oil, the Northern Gateway Pipeline. <br><br>Incidentally, Henry Schoolcraft named the source of the Mississippi River Itasca after an indigenous Anishinaabe guide, Ozawindib, showed it to him in 1832. (Itasca Combines the latin veritas and caput - truth and head) The area became a state park in 1891 and is the second oldest state park in the US. The colorful history includes an early example of environmental activism and perhaps feminism as the 24-year-old park commissioner, Mary Gibbs, was willing to risk her life to successfully defend the park from gun wielding loggers. <br><br><br>http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/content/enbridge-protest-makes-national-game</p>
<p><br>http://www.honorearth.org/love_water_not_oil</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354632014-07-29T05:03:28-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 575; Fracking Produces Salty Brine
<p>Saltwater between 10 to 30 times saltier than sea water is an unwanted byproduct of oil and natural gas production and obviously a threat to the environment. A pipeline owned by Aero Pipeline LLC a subsidiary of Crestwood Midstream Partners out of Houston, TX leaked about a million gallons of the salty brine which sometimes contains petroleum and fracking residue near North Dakota’s Bear Den Bay, which feeds Lake Sakakawea, which feeds a Missouri River Reservoir which provides drinking water to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. When you look at nature everything is connected to everything.</p>
<p><br><br>Unfortunately, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes are located on the reservation in the heart of the North Dakota oil boom. A patch of dead vegetation runs a good 200 yards from the source of the spill, but the brine continues for at least 2 miles down a ravine. The company had no spill warning indicators on the line at the spill point. The latest figures available for this briny byproduct produced in North Dakota with oil and gas extraction is 25.5 million barrels in 2012. So far, the EPA and tribal officials think their water supply is unaffected.</p>
<p> <br> <br>http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/million-gallons-saltwater-leaks-north-dakota-pipeline-n152451</p>
<p><br><br>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/10/nd-pipeline-leaks_n_5573114.html</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354622014-07-28T03:24:00-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 574; Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2
<p>NASA has a new satellite up that monitors the levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) is the first ever one of it’s kind to reach orbit. It can measure CO2 levels every 24 seconds and send data back with an accuracy down to 1 part per million. It comes by its numeric designation honestly as a second attempt. Five years back, the first Orbiting Carbon Observatory never made it into orbit. OCO-1 crashed shortly after take-off.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>The new mission is expected to help scientists discover how or where carbon dioxide absorption occurs on land. It enables them to measure the affects of changing seasons, droughts and floods. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration collects average daily readings of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354612014-07-27T03:51:16-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 573; Ice Cream U Scream to Limit CO2
<p>The climate is changing and the world’s getting hot, but you can keep your cool and help slow those changes with a scoop of ice cream at one of the Clean Power Hearings. Between July 29 and July 31, the Environmental Protection Agency is holding public hearings that address carbon emissions from power plants. It is the largest source of this greenhouse gas pollution in the USA.</p>
<p><br><br>This is the first time limits have been attempted on CO2 emissions from power plants. It’s a historic moment in time. The Climate Reality Project and Ben & Jerry’s have teamed up with an action plan that puts “I’m Too Hot” trucks with FREE ice cream around those hearings. They will be in all four of the host cities before, during and after the hearings with educational information, fun and a message of popular support to the EPA.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>“I’m Too Hot” actions:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br>ATLANTA, GA</p>
<p><br>July 28, 11:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Peachtree and 7th<br>July 29, 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m. EPA Hearings at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, North Tower, Level M4, 190 Marietta St. NW<br>July 29, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Broad St. and Walton</p>
<p><br>DENVER, CO<br>July 28, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 16th Street Mall<br>July 29, 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m., EPA Hearings Region 8 Building, 1595 Wynkoop Street<br>July 29, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Union Station</p>
<p><br>WASHINGTON, DC<br>July 28, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Capital South Station and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Union Station<br>July 29, 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m., EPA Headquarters, William Jefferson Clinton East Building, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW<br>July 29, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Freedom Plaza</p>
<p><br>PITTSBURGH, PA<br>July 30, 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m., Market Square<br>July 31, 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m., William S. Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave.<br>July 31, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Carnegie Mellon University</p>
<p> <br>http://climaterealityproject.org/blog/cool-free-ice-cream?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=imtoohot</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354602014-07-26T03:07:43-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 572; Feds Cut Emissions 17%
<p>It’s not just talk - a new report shows US Federal agencies walk the walk. They have a kind of scorecard to show how well they are doing on cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, improving their energy efficiency and reducing pollution and waste. The card shows them ahead of schedule with greenhouse gas emissions down 17% since 2008 - which equates roughly with taking 1.8 million cars off the road. Another leg of the program expects the agencies to get 20% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. They beat their 2013 progress mark by 1.5% and are well on the way to meet or beat that energy goal. There’s even a plan for cutting indirect energy usage like agency travel and employee commutes.</p>
<p><br><br>The US has pledged a 17% reduction of American carbon emissions from 2005 levels by the year 2020. The goals are expected to be met in part from initiatives in President Obama’s Climate Action Plan. It shows the world the US is serious about mitigating climate change and sets a good example to share at the next climate conference.</p>
<p><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/25/3464450/government-ghg-cuts/</p>
<p><br>Climate Action Plan Fact Sheet:</p>
<p><br>http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/25/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-climate-action-plan<br><br>Full 21 page PDF of the Climate Action Plan</p>
<p><br>http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354592014-07-25T02:12:41-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 571; Ruling Allows US Oil Exports
<p>There is more American energy destined to head overseas for the world market and highest bidder. Hydraulic fracturing and a slew of proposed new export terminals have put gas in the spotlight. But now, oil is back as well. US oil exports were banned in 1975 after the gas lines of the Arab Oil Embargo. The Commerce Department recently issued a ruling that changes the definition of what oil can be sent abroad. It allows for a type of oil known as condensate to be exported. The ruling is probably a first step in opening the floodgates for American oil to be burned around the world. It’s kind of climatically counter-productive. No matter where fossil fuels burn, the climate disrupting greenhouse gases follow... even as we work to cut those same emissions here.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354582014-07-24T05:12:06-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 570; Emissions Know No Boundaries
<p>Don’t think regional elections and politics are not important. Pollution, water contamination, bad air, greenhouse gases do not recognize borders - not town, city, county, state or nation. Energy policy goes well beyond federal regulations. Governors, state and lower level legislative bodies play an important role in regional policies that impact greenhouse gas emissions and subsequently climate change beyond those regions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>In Pennsylvania, the governor and legislature made it more difficult to update and modernize building codes and chose to opt-out of automatic efficiency measures established by the International Code Council (ICC). Buildings consumed over 40% of the state’s energy demands in 2011 and yet, as the 2012 measures came and went Pennsylvania stuck with lower efficiency codes from 2009. It appears the legislative body may also be positioning to pass on the updates anticipated for 2015.</p>
<p><br>There’s a petition from the Clean Air Council here:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>http://66.11.154.25/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1764&ea.campaign.id=25159</p>
<p><br><br>The Ohio state legislature and governor signed into law a bill with the most restrictive set-backs for wind turbines of any state. The bill threatens $2.5 billion of wind energy projects and makes Ohio the first state to slow down clean energy progress and freeze its renewable electricity standard for two years. Ohio has been a leader in wind energy manufacturing with over 60 plants in the state.</p>
<p><br><br>American Wind Energy Association news:</p>
<p> <br><br>http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/pressrelease.aspx?ItemNumber=6523</p>
<p><br><br>In a welcomed success story, the Dryden, NY town council was able to ban the environmentally disastrous drilling process, hydraulic fracturing or fracking, from within their community. A ban that was challenged by the fossil fuel industry but upheld by the New York State high court.</p>
<p><br><br>Images from Earth Justice:</p>
<p><br><br>http://earthjustice.org/features/photos-dryden?utm_source=crm</p>
<p><br><br>Wonder how your governor is doing? An analysis from the CAP action War Room showed that half of the Republican governors in the USA are right in step with the climate change deniers in Congress. Here’s an interactive map that shows where they stand:</p>
<p><br><br>http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/01/3454502/is-your-governor-a-climate-denier/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354572014-07-23T01:59:40-05:002022-03-16T09:08:33-05:00InClimate 569; Censorship & Oil Greed
<p>Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa passed a Draconian Communications Law quashing the free press. The new law mandates fines and jail time for journalists that are deemed biased against the government. The editor of the independent newspaper “Hoy” had already received a prison sentence and the paper was facing huge fines before it was recently shuttered. Greed and big oil played their role. The people were led to believe the Correa administration was seeking alternatives to drilling in a protected rain forest, while the British paper “The Guardian” reported an end run. The government had been planning the move under raps. Only the foreign press - difficult for average Ecuadorians to get a hold of - can report the corruption.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354562014-07-22T03:50:18-05:002023-12-10T12:10:00-06:00InClimate 568; Days of Unity & Climate March
<p>The Peoples Climate March and the Alternative Summit on Climate Change will bring thousands of activists to NYC in September. Another leg will come from The Shift Network with a free on-line project “Summer of Peace 2014”. It includes “11 Days of Global Unity” (Sept. 11-21) and overlaps the Peoples Climate March. “We, The World” created the 11-day event intended to celebrate peace, justice and environmental stewardship. It builds more each day to a finale on the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 21. War is the most destructive of human practices and besides the damage to people, animals and the environment it’s a major contributor to climate change.</p>
<p><br><br>The 10th Anniversary activities include over 700 concerts, festivals and web casts in more than 60 countries. Some of the big names include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Daniel Ellsberg, Eckhart Toll, Amy Goodman and Bill McKibben. One of the organizations leading the charge against climate change and organizing the Peoples Climate March is 350.org founded by Bill McKibben. The WE Network is encouraging its members to address questions and comments for the summit to him and some of the other participants. </p>
<p><br>http://we.net/<br><br><br>http://summit.summerofpeace.net/feature/Rick-Ulfik</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354552014-07-21T05:45:53-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 567; Peoples Climate March Expands
<p>The Peoples Climate March in New York City is still building momentum. It will coincide with the United Nations International Peace Day and the UN Climate Summit. It is meant to be the biggest climate statement ever demanding action - not just talk - from our policy makers around the globe. Save the dates that seem to be expanding - September 19-23, 2014.</p>
<p><br><br>This Tuesday’s segment of EcoLogic (July 22) from radio WBAI 99.5 is a two-hour special devoted to climate change and preparations for the September Climate Actions in New York City. Some long-time activists from Occupy Wall Street and System Change Not Climate Change are pessimistic about possibilities for action coming out of the United Nations Summit and have an alternative summit planned expanding from the Friday and Saturday before the Climate March through the Monday and Tuesday after.</p>
<p><br><br>To listen to the broadcast, tune radios to 99.5 FM or listen online:</p>
<p><br><br>http://wbai.org/playernew.html</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><br>Not all actions to try and solve climate change are created equal. As always, greed, moneyed interests and profit before people and the planet will come up with technological fixes to continue business as usual when a paradigm shift is called for. Some proposed solutions like bioengineering could exacerbate other problems and manipulate things in disastrous ways. The alternative summits propose ethical and sustainable solutions and goes beyond marching. Why?Much more here:</p>
<p><br><br>http://climate-connections.org/2014/07/17/on-bill-mckibbens-call-to-arms-for-the-new-york-climate-summit/</p>
<p><br><br>The New York City Climate Convergence site:</p>
<p><br><br>http://convergeforclimate.org/home</p>
<p><br><br>Peoples Climate March site:</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354542014-07-20T03:40:21-05:002019-12-18T15:33:53-06:00InClimate 566; 71 Million US Homes at Risk
<p>According to the US Geological Survey, approximately 71 million housing units or over 50 percent of American homes are threatened by natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. A good 10.6 million are at a very high risk.</p>
<p><br><br>Mother Jones magazine reports the size of fires on federal lands has quadrupled since 1985 according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Nine of those really big years for fire have occurred since 2000.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These kinds of numbers will undoubtedly continue to climb as the climate continues to change.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sources: Mother Jones and The Week</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354532014-07-19T05:03:23-05:002019-12-18T15:33:52-06:00InClimate 565; Solar Like A Bee
<p>The fossil fuel industry in its never ending search for oil, gas and coal, drills deep into the earth, injects toxic chemicals and blows the tops off mountains scarring the planet wherever it goes. From the scarred over sites to the point of consumption, the ancient fossils leave a trail of toxic spills. And finally - at the point of combustion - oil, gas and coal spew greenhouse gases into the atmosphere threatening the climate and life as we’ve come to know it.</p>
<p><br><br>Clean and green renewable energy - like solar power - draws energy from the sun more like a honey bee draws pollen from a flower. The pollinator travels from one to another. It alights lightly on each flower drawing off such a small amount from each that the flower barely notices it. The worker causes no harm, doesn’t alter the flower’s beauty or steal its sweet scent.</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354522014-07-18T01:34:17-05:002019-12-18T15:33:52-06:00InClimate 564; Coal Rolling Lash Out
<p>Some folks think the battle for winning hearts and minds and acknowledging the human activities role in global warming, climate change, climate disruption or whatever name it goes by is over... think again. A new movement from anti-environmentalist conservatives is intended to make a statement about President Obama and his attempts to over-ride Congressional roadblocks to his environmental policies.</p>
<p><br><br>An add-on device, “Coal Rolling”, is designed to spit out ugly, thick, black smoke from oversized smokestacks on trucks. On Wisconsin... In a report from the badger state - where extremes can be the norm from progressive politics and the likes of “fighting Bob” La Follette and Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson to the birth of McCarthyism’s commie witch hunts and the current ultra-conservative Republican Governor with an eye on the White House - climate change deniers are lashing out. “The Week” magazine reports one Wisconsin “Coal Rolling” seller said it’s a way of giving liberals the finger. He continued with, “You want clean air and a tiny carbon footprint? Well, screw you.”</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354512014-07-17T03:18:25-05:002019-12-18T15:33:52-06:00InClimate 563; 1st Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Sit-in
<p>This just in, Sunday’s Washington demonstrations (See: InClimate 561) against port terminal expansion to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) took a serious turn Monday as 24 protestors were arrested during a sit-in at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The protest centers around the Commission’s conditional approval for Dominion Energy to build a terminal at Cove Point, Lusby Maryland about 50 miles from D.C. and their future plans for 14 more terminals. The American gas will leave it’s environmentally disastrous hydraulic fracturing scars on the USA before being shipped and then burned overseas - where it will add to world-wide climate disruption. It’s the first ever sit-in at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and attests to peoples’ anger and passion against regulatory decisions that put corporate profit over the environment, climate and health of the planet.</p>
<p><br><br>The comment period ended in June with 150,000 comments against the Cove Point facility. It's a port that could ship 0.77 billion (that’s billion with a b) cubic feet of fracked American natural gas daily for combustion in Japan and India. People are serious. People are willing to be jailed. Save the dates - the Peoples Climate March in NYC, September 20-21.</p>
<p><br><br>http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/14/arrest-anti-fracking-ferc/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c598540c32-Top_News_7_14_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c598540c32-85936941</p>
<p><br><br>Don’t forget the People’s Climate March, September 20-21, 2014, NYC</p>
<p><br><br>http://peoplesclimate.org/march/</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354502014-07-16T04:46:51-05:002019-12-18T15:33:52-06:00InClimate 562; Positive Impact Investing
<p>Divesting from fossil fuel and investing in clean energy is not only good for the planet, but good for the pocketbook. Big names in government, education, philanthropy, religion, wealth and money management have jumped on the band wagon. The White House has been promoting the investing side and held a roundtable on positive impact investing in June with some important players.</p>
<p> <br><br>The Rockefeller Brothers Fund confirmed their support by announcing the fund would dedicate 10% of its $840 million endowment to investments that generate both financial return and social or environmental impact. They’ve stated the “criteria for their investments will initially prioritize support for clean energy, in an effort to identify businesses positioned to become a part of the worldwide shift to improve energy efficiency, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Investments supporting the balance of the Fund’s programmatic priorities of democratic practice, peace building, and those areas designated as RBF pivotal places, will also be incorporated with this proactive commitment”. They join with the administration and 20 new private sector promises to move $1.5 billion into these types of investments.</p>
<p><br><br>Divesting from fossil fuel is the other half of the equation. As 350.org puts it, “It’s wrong to profit from wrecking the climate. It’s time to divest from fossil fuels.” They’ve developed targeted divestment strategies for colleges, city or state governments, religious institutions and individuals with strong results. There is even an “other” category. Go fossil free!</p>
<p><br><br>http://gofossilfree.org/</p>
<p><br><br><br>http://www.rbf.org/post/rockefeller-brothers-fund-joins-white-house-impact-investment-efforts</p>
Billy X. Curmanotag:billyx.net,2005:Post/61354492014-07-15T04:01:50-05:002019-12-18T15:33:52-06:00InClimate 561; Energy Exports
<p>The big energy boom in the USA is driven by large deposits of oil and gas previously too difficult to harvest. Newer more dangerous methods like hydraulic fracturing have made the energy available. Fracking forces toxic chemicals, great amounts of precious freshwater and sand into the earth contaminating groundwater, causing earthquakes and releasing the potent greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere. Where will the new American gas and oil go? It won’t help create US energy independence or lower prices at home as it heads to the international market where it goes to the highest bidder. Burning fossil fuel exacerbates climate change wherever in the world it is used.</p>
<p><br><br>Dominion Energy has already received conditional approval to build a terminal 50 miles south of Washington D.C. at Cove Point, Lusby, MD to export American gas. The Federal Energy Regulations Committee is considering proposals for 14 other gas terminals. It’s big money and secret handshakes that slow pathways to clean and renewable energy and prolong a dependence on the bound to become obsolete fossil fuel. People are angry. People are protesting.<br><br>http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/13/gas-export-protest.html</p>
<p><br><br>Don’t forget the People’s Climate March, September 20-21, 2014, NYC</p>
<p> </p>
<p>http://act.350.org/signup/acalltoarms?t=1&akid=4622.1211274.f5bQnV</p>
Billy X. Curmano