Every week Daily Kos diarists write dozens of environmentally related posts. Many don't get the readership they deserve. Helping improve the odds is the motivation behind the Green Diary Rescue. In the past seven years, there have been 255 of these spotlighting more than 15,539 eco-diaries. Below are categorized links and excerpts to 39 more that appeared in the past seven days. That makes for lots of good reading during the spare moments of your weekend. [Disclaimer: Inclusion of a diary in the rescue does not necessarily indicate my agreement with or endorsement of it.] |
Mary Landrieu as Energy Chair: An Environmentalist's Nightmare—by
Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees: "Earlier in the week, we found out that Obama will likely soon nominate Senator Max Baucus to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Baucus is currently the Chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. West Virginia's Jay Rockefeller, the #2 on the Committee, is retiring next year. That would pave the way for Oregon's Ron Wyden to become the new Chair. A game of musical chairs would follow. Since Ron Wyden currently holds the Chair in the Senate Energy Committee, that spot would then be open. South Dakota's Tim Johnson, the #2 on the Energy Committee, is retiring next year. That leaves Louisiana's Mary Landrieu next in line. A Landrieu Energy chair would be an environmentalist's nightmare—especially because she could end up holding it at least through the end of the decade, making any effort to address climate change through energy policy in Congress even more stillborn than it already is."
The Dark Money Funding Climate Change Denial—by
jamess: "Scientists are fighting back, with a Scientific Study of the funding devoted to the denial of human-caused Climate Change. This is significant, that this has happened. Perhaps they are trying to tell us something? Those dang Scientists! Always explaining stuff. [...] The amount of money being devoted to the Climate Change Counter-Movement (CCCM) is truly phenomenal. This is what free speech has come to: If you have enough funds, you can turn even the established findings of Science upside down. Worse yet, this funding study has concluded that as much as 75% of this Denial Funding, has made itself 'untraceable'—aka—It's 'Dark Money' ... buying itself a 'dismal future' for humanity, in exchange for their own status quo."
ALEC Conspires to Tax Private Solar Panel "Freeriders"—by
SemDem: "Besides a few blogs, only the British media has covered this story. Not even the local Florida press bothered to pick this up. Although ALEC's influence over Florida GOP legislators is very well-known, it is rare that they are covered in the press. Based on private documents obtained by the UK's Guardian newspaper, ALEC is conspiring with utility companies to tax homeowners who dare to use solar panels on their private homes. This comes after conservatives screamed about keeping the government out of our lives and such..."
Below the sustainable squiggle, you can find more excerpts from the week's green diaries.
Climate Chaos
This should come as no surprise to anyone: Anonymous Dark Money funding Climate Denial—by Lefty Coaster: "As if we clouldn't tell what was going on: Climate Change ‘Countermovement’ Funded By ‘Dark Money,’ Conservative Donors Spend Billions To Derail Regulation Efforts. Conservative donors are driving the climate change 'countermovement' by pumping billions of dollars into organizations that actively try to derail efforts to curb global warming, according to new analysis of the financial structure that maintains the denial effort. The study, conducted by Robert Brulle, an environmental sociologist at Drexel University in Philadelphia, was published Friday in the journal Climate Change. His investigation exposed the vast network of conservative think tanks, foundations, trade associations and advocacy groups that work to undermine public faith in climate change. He found that donors spend $1 billion a year to fight climate change policy, including U.S. government regulations that would limit carbon emissions. So we have counter movement funded by the Koch Brothers and their ultra-greedy oligarchical ilk. Why am I not surprised?"
Tracking funders of climate-change denial—by CompaniaHill : "Robert J. Brulle, PhD, a professor of sociology and environmental science at Drexel University, is leading a massive three-part project to study and understand the climate-change movement in the U.S at a national level. The first stage of Brulle's project gathered and analyzed information on supporters of climate-change denial, including uncovering, tracking and analyzing the sources and flows of funding for climate-change countermovement organizations. Some of Brulle's findings clearly confirm what we already know. Conservatives have long supported organized, coordinated efforts to deny climate change. Corporations such as Koch Industries and ExxonMobil have, unsurprisingly, been some of the largest supporters of climate-change denial, donating tens of millions of dollars over the years."
A solstice message from ancient roots—by citisven: "As the planet's finite resources are shrinking and the effluents of our material consumption are rapidly altering the Earth's atmosphere, I'm at once perplexed at why we would want to keep speeding up our daily trans- and interactions, yet also eternally optimistic about our capacity to be more aligned with the natural ecosystems of this little round ball we all share and depend on. The mere act of looking and listening is often all it takes to reclaim a healthy realignment with the rhythms of the natural world, and just this week some old friends of mine appeared on my cosmic radar to remind me of those simple beads of wisdom."
The Australian one of country's big newspapers continues to promote Climate Charlatans' distortions—by Lefty Coaster: "One of Australia's most widely read papers continues to give a forum to Climate Charlatans like James Delingpole who makes the preposterous claim that Climate Change is 'just weather doing what weather does—changing all the time.' Growing evidence of great climate change scams.
Yes, the latest evidence suggests that the 'warmists' are losing this debate too: sunspot activity is proving to be the weakest in 100 years, suggesting we are probably entering a prolonged period of global cooling, redolent of the era of frost fairs on London's River Thames. Really, though, it doesn't matter which side of the scientific argument you sit on—whether you're an ardent true believer like Tim Flannery or an arch-sceptic like Ian Plimer. What should concern every one of us far more, surely, is the way that in the name of saving the planet so much corruption has been embedded, so much money wasted and so much public trust abused—all of it at our expense. The Australian continues to pander to the country's powerful Coal Industry who continue to promote Climate Denial through some of Australia's most widely read "Newspapers" and media outlets. That in turn lends cover to Australia's new Prime Minister Tony Abbott the country's top Climate Charlatan, and his cabinet staffed with Coal Industry hacks."
Extreme Weather
Another Global Warming Day—by hungeski: "One day past the Winter Solstice, after 34 hours of rain melted last week's half-foot of snow, the flooding Vermilion River rushes on its winding way to Lake Erie. This seems to be another global warming-type day—heavy rain, instead of snow at solstice time. Now, I understand that you can't for sure peg any one unusual weather event to global warming. It's the overall increase in number and severity of such events that you can, with certainty, peg to global warming. 300 years ago, before the Industrial Revolution and the keeping of weather records, who can say a very rainy solstice did not occur? And, by the same token, if the Industrial Revolution had never occurred, or if 20 years ago we had begun to steeply ramp down fossil fuel burning, who can say we would not have a flooding river today? But, leaving aside conjecture, the truth is that every day is a global warming day —because that is the world we live in. And every weather event is a product of our warmer and still-warming planet, as it ruthlessly seeks a new balance."
Critters
Daily Bucket: Wild Florida -- The American Alligator—by
Lenny Flank: "Nothing symbolizes "Florida" more than the American Alligator. Once seriously endangered and on the brink of extinction, the Alligator has now made a remarkable comeback, and of the 5 million or so gators currently in the Southeastern US, about one-fourth of them live in Florida. It is by far our most famous resident. When the Spanish explorers reached Florida in the 16th century, they encountered huge lizardlike reptiles inhabiting the swamps and rivers, and called it "el lagarto"--"the lizard". This was anglicized into "alligator". Although ancient alligators were spread across most of the world, today only two species remain, on opposite sides of the globe--the critically endangered Chinese Alligator, which inhabits the Yangtze River, and the American Alligator, found from North Carolina to Texas. Central and South America are also home to the closely related Caimans and to the American Crocodile. The American Crocodile barely reaches the southern tip of Florida--the only place in the world where Alligators and Crocodiles live together. [...] As the human population of Florida grew rapidly in the 1940's and 1950's, the Alligators suffered a severe loss of habitat as well as increased hunting for the leather trade. By the 1960's, populations had dropped to dangerously low levels, and it was feared the species might go extinct. When the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, the American Alligator was one of the first species listed. Efforts were made to preserve and expand their wetlands habitat, and gators began to be farm-raised. By 1987, the species had recovered enough that it was removed from the endangered list, and the American Alligator is today one of the best-known success stories of the conservation movement."
Last Remaining Large Mammal of the Great Plains—by
ban nock: "I put a few hundred miles on the soles of my boots in the late 70s up on the high plains between the Bighorns in Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota at a place called the Powder River Basin. One of those places on the map where they just don't have much to say. No towns, no mountains, and the Powder River is hardly worth mentioning. Lots of fairly flat ground broken by widely spaced gullies. I remember towns that were actually just cross roads with no stores and maybe two houses called things like Recluse or Bitter Creek. [...] Now our great plains, once savannas, are vast farmlands. In those places too dry or unproductive to grow domestic crops one of those prehistoric animals still exists in the wild, unfenced and free roaming. Built for a different time and different conditions, the pronghorn is the last of the large mammals of the plains, and they have adapted to the age of the Anthropocene."
The Daily Bucket: no Lords-a-Leaping, but...—by OceanDiver: "...how's about a few other verses of this lively song in celebration of nature as we close out the year 2013? Feel free to sing along! And join in with your own nature observations. All in the spirit of inclusiveness and tolerance, peace and life, family and friends..."
Four calling birds (Mergansers, to be exact)
Field of Geese—by
AntonBursch: "My wife Melissa and I were out driving around the country side today to enjoy one of the few days with snow that we get around here. We're right off of a bay, so, the weather stays pretty moderate all year. If we get snow for a day it often doesn't even make it through the day before melting away. Which is fine by us, we both grew up with enough snow to last many lifetimes. But, when it does snow around here, it's a beautiful treat for us, so, we get out into the country to enjoy it. It never looks as incredible as it would in the mountains of Montana where my wife grew up, where it would literally feel like some kind of magical winter wonderland, but it's still very pretty. So, we went for a drive in the country and as we passed by a field my wife exclaimed that we had to stop, because the white field wasn't just because of snow fall. The field was FILLED with hundreds of white geese. So, we stopped and opened the window and recorded with my iphone. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop myself from saying things like 'holy shit' over and over, so, that recording was no good and a couple of cars were coming down the road, so, we drove away. But then we couldn't stand not having a a clear recording, so, we we drove until we could circle back and get another recording. Which took forever, because we were in the country and there weren't any places to turn around. We weren't keen on sliding into a ditch because of the snow and slush on the country road. But we finally got back to the field and took a few different videos and this one is the best. Although, it only shows a very small portion of this field. Even in HD, the recording isn't nearly clear enough to show what it was like to look across the field and see hundreds of white geese. But at least you can hear a bit what it sounded like. It was an incredible experience."
The Daily Bucket - Hayward Shoreline—by enhydra lutris: "My wife and I haven't been down to the Hayward shoreline in ages, so we decided it was time to get in at least a quick visit. It is a wildlife preserve based around reclaimed salt ponds connected to each other and the San Francisco Bay by channels and is also partly salt marsh. We couldn't stay long and hurried along, but still saw a decent number of birds.
Sunday, December 22, 2013, Hayward Shoreline: Yellowlegs sp., Northern harrier, Turkey Vultures( x 4), Red Tailed Hawk, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, American Avocet, Long-Billed Curlew, peeps (both Western & Least Sandpipers plus others), Black Phoebe, Mallards, Common Goldeneyes, Green Winged Teal, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow (local "race"), Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Canvasback, Greater Scaup, Double Crested Cormorant, Dowitcher sp., White Crowned Sparrows, Misc. Sparrows, Brown Pelican, possible American Pipit, Herring Gull, Western Meadowlark, Common Yellowthroat, Eared Grebe, American Widgeon, Willet, Common Raven."
Poacher—by ban nock: "Last fall Marv Hoyt shot three elk, taking the meat from one and leaving the other two to rot covering one with branches to make it less visible. That much we know. Marv was not just some poacher, he was the Idaho Director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) a large and influential environmental org representing the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Audubon, and some ten or fifteen other groups. Marv sat on the board of directors for years. But all that, the poaching, the leadership position on probably 'The' most influential environmental association in the Yellowstone area, is not what makes this incident confounding. [...] What confounds me is where is the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC)? Their director gave a tepid statement at best, 'GYC deeply regrets this incident and in no way either condones or excuses Marv Hoyt’s judgment,' said Caroline Byrd, GYC’s executive director.' JUDGEMENT???? Please the guy is a dog gone poacher! That's not a bad decision, not a lack of good judgement, that's about one of the lowest descriptions you can add to someone's name, oh, he lied to the Fish and Game Officers for half an hour. So I'd guess he's a lying poacher."
Belted kingfisher
Dawn Chorus: A Solstice Walk in the Park—by
realalaskan: "We are a day past Solstice and at this latitude the sun will rise this morning at 8:39 a.m. and will set at 3:21 p.m. for a total of 6 hours, 42 minutes and 1 second of sun above the horizon. That is a gain of 5 seconds of daylight since the Solstice yesterday and it won't be long before we are gaining nearly five minutes of daylight a day. At its highest today the sun will be 9.6 degrees above the horizon. We are rocketing towards longer days and looking forward to spring migration. But for now we will have to deal with short days and long nights and be satisfied with the hardy winter residents that make their home in coastal southeast Alaska. [...] come with Mrs. RealAlaskan and me as we take a Solstice bird walk from our home on a hill overlooking downtown to Sitka National Historical Park, locally known as Totem Park, on the waterfront. [...]First stop is the small boat harbor and the neighboring salmon hatchery. There is often a belted kingfisher hanging out and today is no exception. These guys are particularly skittish and this one gave me several shots before it flew off to another perch."
The Daily Bucket - Xmas Miscellany—by enhydra lutris: Photos.
E.Z. economical fresh suet bird feeder (Photo Diary)—by
jbob: "If you live in an area with cold winters this is an idea you might want to try. It does not require much money and the birds like it. I learned this from my Mom who grew up during the great depression. [...] The cost to make this was less than $1.50. It took about 20 minutes to make and hang up in the tree. Again, this fresh beef suet feeder can only be used when it will be cold outside as the suet will spoil. Do not put one of these outside if you live in Bear country. If you live where it gets cold, I hope you will consider putting one of these feeders up for the birds. Thanks for looking."
Food, Agriculture & Gardening
Macca's Meatless Monday: Holiday help from me to you—by VL Baker: "Macca's Meatless Monday/Meatless Advocates is a solution oriented activist group, with solutions for some of the most pressing issues of our time including: climate change, global food/water insecurity and public health. Here we don't just talk about the severity of the crisis. Armed with knowledge about how our actions can contribute we become part of the solution. [...] Your guests will appreciate the thought and care that goes into this healthy, Earth friendly, spectacular holiday feast."
Saturday Morning Garden Blogging Vol. 9.45—by Frankenoid: Gardenening New Year's Resolutions from Saturday Morning Garden Bloggers Franki, Blue Jersey Mom, Merry Light, Jayden and Missy's Brother.
Energy
Renewables
This graph shows why solar power will take over the world—by VL Baker: "More than 100x cheaper in 35 years! The graph shows the price per watt, starting in 1977 at over $76/watt all the way down to $0.74/watt in 2013. While already competitive with dirty energy in many areas of the world, just a few more years will show solar taking over the world!"
Fracking
Finally, we can regulate fracking!—by santas: "Here in Pennsylvania, Governor Corbett not only embraced the gas industry, he kissed their feet. Act 13 of 2012 pre-empted almost all local regulation of oil and gas operations—or tried. That portion of the law was struck down as unconstitutional by a lower court, but Corbett appealed even as, according to the Associated Press, Pennsylvania Democrats called it out as 'corporate eminent domain.' Corbett has lost his appeal! The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed with the lower court and upheld the right of Pennsylvania municipalities to protect residents and plan their communities."
PA Supreme Court Decision - A Thing of Beauty!—by santas: "Fracking for natural gas in Pennsylvania is alive and well, even with slumping prices. Thanks to Democrat Justices Todd, McCaffery and Baer we are no longer burdened with important portions of a state law that attempted to preempt most local, municipal regulation of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in PA. The 162-page decision is a thing of beauty on many levels. First, it doesn't really question the potential for environmental and human health damage associated with oil and gas operations. While the decision cites testimony about the dangers posed by these activities from the Delaware River Basin Commission, and cites the testimony of some affected property owners, the fact of these perils is largely left as a gimme (as in, 'duh'). Second, the Justices used a little known amendment to the Commonwealth Constitution called the Environmental Rights Amendment to overturn a variety of components to Act 13 (the first major amendment to the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act in nearly three decades). Act 13 lays out who gets what money from the tax on gas extraction, and tries to prohibit local municipalities from applying their own zoning ordinances on a local level."
The California Frack Wars: Episode 2 Attack of The Hubris—by FractivistForce: "There was silence among the crowd. One by one they voted. A pleasant atmosphere filled the room. They would call this the strongest regulations in the nation. California would lead the way, yet again. Inside the hearts of many, however, there was doubt. Endless calls from constituents, uneasy feelings concerning the most recent amendments. Still, it was the best they could do wasn't it? It was this or nothing at all. An environmental bill with hardly any provisions for environmental safety—but this was the only politically possible path they could take. Surely it was best to take what they could get and move on. Certainly it was most prudent to take the first step to solve this issue. Environmentalists were clear from the start of the legislative session. The message was unequivocal. Anti-fracking activists longed for an outright ban, and all of the proposed moratorium bills would suffice for the time being. What we got, however, was a watered down regulation with a green light for a fracking expansion. 'Despite the public’s desire for a fracking moratorium, our elected officials have yet to take action.'"
Breaking! Inspector General report justifies EPA in Parker County fracking intervention—by TXsharon : "Hoping no one would notice, Obama picked noon on Christmas Eve to release the Inspector General (IG) report that justified the EPA's Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Order in the Range Resources' Parker County water contamination case. The IG's in-depth investigation findings: EPA was right to issue the order. Withdrawal reasons are unclear and questionable. Recommends monitoring of Range Resources' testing because the quality is questionable.I just want to gloat for a moment and say: I told you so!"
Merry Fracking Christmas, Governor Quinn—by Willinois: "Elves erected a fracking well on Governor Pat Quinn's lawn earlier today in recognition of his enthusiastic advocacy for launching an Illinois fracking boom. No more artificial green for Quinn this Christmas. The public are finding out his promise to make fracking safe is a con."
Keystone and Other Fossil Fuel Transportation
XL, Koch Brothers, & Third Way—by dkmich: "Because Third Way Democrats don't suck enough... TransCanada has two of Hillary's friends working for them. Misters Elliot and Goldwyn worked intimately with Hillary's people to guide them on selecting a petroleum industry contractor to prepare the required environmental impact statement for this proposed pipeline. Secretary Clinton's State Department thus allowed the environmental impact statement on the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline to be performed by a petroleum industry contractor that was chosen by the company that was proposing to build and own the pipeline, TransCanada. That contractor had no climatologist, and their resulting report failed even at its basic job of estimating the number of degrees by which the Earth's climate would be additionally heated if this pipeline is built and operated. Their report ignored that question, and instead evaluated the impact that climate change would have on the pipeline, which was estimated to be none. [...] President Obama himself is now trying to force the European Union to relax their anti-global-warming regulations so as to permit them to import the Kochs' dirty oil. His agent in this effort is his new U.S. Trade Representative, Michael Froman, from Wall Street."
Obama taking ultimate out on Keystone XL decision?—by VL Baker: "The Obama Administration has been delaying a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline for five years. They have been taking every bump in the road (and there have been plenty) as an excuse to further delay the decision. Ben Wolfgang writing at The Washington Times is now accusing the Obama administration of delaying the decision until it no longer has to be made."
The Great Outdoors
Questionable stropharia (Stropharia ambigua)
The Daily Bucket - Best of 2013—by
Milly Watt: "At this time of the year, one can hardly turn around without bumping into another "Best of 2013" list. So, in that spirit, here's my list of the most exciting discoveries and observations of nature that I was fortunate to experience this year. I'm looking forward to hearing about your highlights of the year too. [...]
9) Solving the mystery of the fringed mushroom (November) I found this mushroom while roaming my fall woods. This mystery mushroom became a highlight for me because my son got very engaged in the effort to ID it which was fun and I love its name."
The Daily Bucket - a year from the stump—by bwren: "Back in April I spoke about The Stump, my convenient natural tripod for an ongoing series of seasonal Forest portraits. I wish I had a better picture, but The Stump has been elusive so far. Perhaps I need to haul in a real tripod. I am about 5'6". If I lean my body into the stump with my feet on the place where two of the first yellowed Big-leaf Maple leaves have fallen to rest, the top of the predominant flattened slab holds me at mid ribcage. To the right of this are three little vertical projections; my camera rests perfectly on the other side of them."
The Stump. September 28, 2013
Water
Karuk Tribe and Klamath Riverkeeper Settle ESA Suit with Montague Water Conservation District—by Dan Bacher: "Today the Karuk Tribe and Klamath Riverkeeper announced that they have reached a settlement with Montague Water Conservation District (MWCD) that will dismiss litigation the groups filed in August 2012. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, alleged that MWCD’s dams and diversions on the Shasta River lead to the illegal killing of endangered coho salmon populations in the Shasta River. According the complaint, MWCD is violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) by killing ESA listed coho salmon without a take permit. The Agreement focuses on a new management strategy for Dwinnell Reservoir as opposed to cutting flows to irrigators so MWCD should not see a big difference in the volumes of water it diverts. 'We worked hard to find a solution that would start the fisheries restoration process but keep our neighbors in agriculture whole,” said Karuk Chairman Buster Attebery.'"
Cost of twin tunnels could be as high as $67 billion—by Dan Bacher: "The total cost of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build the peripheral tunnels could be as high as $67 billion, according to new figures revealed at a Westlands Water District board meeting last month by a Westlands staff member and a Citigroup bond consultant. This new figure, with construction bond costs included in the total, counters the claims by Brown administration officials over the past two years that the plan would cost $24.5 billion during its 50-year implementation period."
Eco-Activism & Eco-Justice
Kicking Back at Kochs et al Over Keystone XL—by divineorder: "It was through our several years of involvement with WildEarth Guardians planting trees, taking down fences in Valles Caldera National Preserve, and other less glamorous projects like posting flyers and helping with fundraising mailings that we happened get to meet Bill Mckibben. Bill was speaking at an event where we were outside in costume posing as the Governor of NM and head of the private Utility. A WildEarth Guardians Power Past Coal activist introduced us. [...] When you are being characterized as a radical enviro it might just make you wonder what is going to happen when you have two protests at the same time, might kind of raise your level of concern. Thus far we two old hippies have stopped short of getting arrested. We each have to make our own decision about this, but he fact that there is a concerted effort to describe dissent as terrorism just makes me want to do more."
Pollution, Hazardous Wastes & Trash
BP Oil Spill: Macondo Well Could Have Been Shut in Within 24 Days—by Brian J Donovan: "There is no question that it was foreseeable to BP that a deepwater well in the Gulf of Mexico could experience a blowout. Indeed, BP Management had identified the risk of a deepwater blowout as one of the highest risks worldwide, and the number one risk in the Gulf of Mexico. And both BP and the industry generally knew, beginning in 1991, that it was necessary to engage in deepwater source control planning and to develop deepwater source control capping equipment and techniques. Yet, BP Management admittedly spent no time or money preparing for a deepwater source control effort. BP Management did not direct or provide for any training in deepwater source control. Nor did BP Management develop or acquire any capping equipment. It is clear, in sum, that BP’s pre-spill preparation was nothing more than a plan to make a plan."
Mining
Require a damage deposit from sulfide mining—by ericf: "Since the proposed sulfide mines in Minnesota's Iron Range are estimated to be worked out in 20 years, and then the mining companies are gone, it's sort of like the mining companies are renting a piece of wilderness and potentially leaving the place trashed like a spiteful tenant leaving an apartment with no expectation of recovering the damage deposit. At least the landlord gets the damage deposit to cover cleaning and repair costs. Would it be such an imposition to demand a damage deposit before approving sulfide mining? The mining companies are supposed to make some sort of assurances under existing law, which feels a bit like a landlord just accepting some assurances that damage will be paid for."
Eco-Philosophy, Essays and Storytelling
Science Fiction: On earth climate and sustainability—by David Satterlee: "Eating Seed Corn. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.At the end of this shift, we’re going to space two of the crew. This will be our first “culling.” Everybody understands why this is necessary. It’s a matter of optimizing the chances of survival for the others. I just found out who we’re going to lose and I need to take a few minutes for myself before I make the announcement to the crew that is gathering in the Commons Hall. I never imagined I might have to make decisions like this. I am Chairman of the 'Deallocation Methodology Committee' that designed the selection algorithm. The calculation includes a dynamic model of functional and social interactions and involves factors such as individual resource loads and contributory potential. [...] Humans never quite caught on to limits. They behaved as if they could always harvest from limitless abundance and then move on. When abundance no longer sufficed, they learned how to manage crops for improved production. Mankind invented technology to protect themselves from hostile environments and then they began to change their environment itself—always with unexpected consequences."
Reality Toast for the Holidays—by mrollando : "With news media owned by Wall Street corporations, we rarely get the truth that would set us free: China already having to pollinate its crops by hand, 20% of Arizona & New Mexico forest gone; industry chemically changing the air we breathe—We remain a programmed nation predisposed with every inhalation, to presume flick of switch, turn of tap and flush of toilet convenience."
Products & Miscellany
WARNING !! LED lightbulbs cause head injuries—by RumsfeldResign : "LED lightbulbs may cause head injuries. Yes, it's true. Today I went out to buy some incandescent lightbulbs before the liberal fascist communist gay agenda bans them forever. Incandescent lightbulbs, as you probably know, are generally over 95% efficient if you want to turn electricity into heat. As a bonus they generate a small amount of visible light to conveniently let you know that they are turned on. [...] So my advice to all of you is....go out and buy some new LED bulbs—just don't think about how cool they are until you're safely back at home."
2013: A Year to Remember—by Michael Brune: "Although 2013 had its share of tragedies (Typhoon Haiyan), portents (reaching the 400 ppm mark for atmospheric CO2), and absurdities (the shutdown of the federal government), it also was in many ways a landmark year for the Sierra Club and the issues we work on. So in this last post of the year, I want to highlight some of the very good things that happened: In February, the largest climate march and rally in American history filled the National Mall. More than 50,000 people braved one of the coldest days of the year to let President Obama know that we expect him to lead on climate—starting with a rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline. Not so long ago, the conventional wisdom was that the pipeline was a foregone conclusion. Thousands of grassroots activists have both turned that around and raised national awareness of the dangers of extreme fuels like tar sands. Earlier that week at the White House, I joined with Sierra Club Board members Allison Chin and Jim Dougherty and several dozen other grassroots environmental leaders in the Sierra Club’s first-ever civil disobedience."
Universal Energy Access: IAP at MIT with e4Dev—by gmoke: "e4Dev, a student group at MIT interested in Energy for Development, is organizing a four day course on 'Exploring the intersection of energy and human development'—Racing Towards Universal Energy Access: Why the Next 2 Billion Users Matter (more than you think). I wonder if they'll use Buckminster Fuller's World Game design criteria, 'How can we make the world work for 100 percent of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological damage or disadvantage to anyone?' or one of Bill McDonough's Ecological Design Principles, Use only available solar income."