Welcome 🌻 to Friday’s Roundup of Good News!
Dear Gnusies, last week my nose was running and my feet were smelling and I was too upside-down and jet-lagged to attempt anything in this introduction. This week, however, my brain seems to be functioning so I will share thoughts on two different topics. I will try to keep those thoughts short.
The first is about schismogenesis. This word’s definition is “creation of division” (we’ve sure seen a lot of that). One aspect of schismogenesis is that a group tends to define itself as having opposite qualities of the group it opposes. For example: Ds tend to vax, so Rs have decided they won’t vax. This is an extreme example but we have seen a lot of it.
Schismogenesis can lead to bad decisions, but it is the way many human brains function. In many respects it’s not so bad; you can’t go through the data to decide on every point, so you accept what your group values (or reject what the other group values).
At any rate, it may be easier to take advantage of this feature than to try to work against it.
The second has to do with every little bit counting. The world’s problems may seem overwhelming, because, well, they are. That’s if we try to take on those problems as individuals.
But if each of us — or rather, enough of us — does a part, focusing on where our strengths, our concerns, whatever our circumstances permit, we do make a difference. Please, review the “Actions You Can Take” section this time, because I have updated some of the entries.
None of us can do it alone! But the good news is that we’re not alone.
Now come on in, my friends, and feast on the good news before carrying on.
Regular Scheduled Programming
No one here is naïve; we are aware of the many who are fighting to destroy our country. Some of us expected it: the cheating, the lying, the chaos, and yes, even the attempts to cling to power despite the clear will of the people. But we are here to read the efforts and the positive results of those (including us and our fellow gnus) who are working so hard to save our country from those very bad people. We are furious with them for what they are doing and we are letting them know. Remember:
💙 There are more of us than there are of them.
💛 They are terrified when we organize. THERE IS LOTS OF EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE TERRIFIED!
💔 They want us to be demoralized. The best way to keep up your spirits is to fight. So, take the time to recharge your batteries, but find ways to contribute to the well-being of our country and our world.
🗽 Biden as President!🗽
Biden, Harris and their administration have been hard at work. Here are the last week’s posts at the White House briefing room.
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at the Presentation of the Shamrocks
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 17, 2022
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: President Biden Announces Key Regional Appointments for USDA, FEMA, and HUD
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at the Annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Martin of Ireland Before Virtual Bilateral Meeting
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Launches Effort to Improve Ventilation and Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Buildings
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Biden’s Call with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China
- Thursday, March 17, 2022: Statement by President Joe Biden on the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at the Ireland Funds 30th National Gala
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 16, 2022
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Remarks by President Biden Celebrating the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s call with National Security Advisor Thanos Dokos of Greece
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Remarks by President Biden on the Assistance the United States is Providing to Ukraine
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 552(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Fact Sheet: Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Resources for Historically Black Colleges and Universities that Have Recently Experienced Bomb Threats
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at an Event on Equal Pay Day to Celebrate Women’s History Month
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at Signing of H.R. 2471, “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022”
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Statement by Deputy Press Secretary to the Vice President Sabrina Singh
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Celebrate the First Anniversary of the American Rescue Plan
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Maine Disaster Declaration
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Equal Pay Day Summit
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Executive Order on Advancing Economy, Efficiency, and Effectiveness in Federal Contracting by Promoting Pay Equity and Transparency
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Readout of Supply Chain Event Launching Data Initiative for Greater Supply Chain Resilience
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Statement from President Biden on the Withdrawal of Sarah Bloom Raskin’s Nomination to Serve as Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Bill Signed: H.R. 2471
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meetings with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy and Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Luigi Mattiolo
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the President’s Travel to Belgium
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on COVID Response and Funding Needs
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: The White House Announces 2022 Public Tours
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: FACT SHEET: Consequences of Lack of Funding for Efforts to Combat COVID-19 if Congress Does Not Act
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Readout of the March National Climate Task Force Meeting
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Bills Signed: S. 1543, S. 1662, S. 3706
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: FACT SHEET: Biden Harris Administration Announces Commitments to Advance Pay Equity and Support Women’s Economic Security
- Wednesday, March 15, 2022: Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Initiative to Improve Supply Chain Data Flow
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at a Democratic National Committee Fundraiser
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 14, 2022
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on China
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Bills Signed: H.R. 3665 and S. 854
- Monday, March 14, 2022: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Alaska Disaster Declaration
- Monday, March 14, 2022: A Proclamation on National Equal Pay Day, 2022
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with Politburo Member Yang Jiechi
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Bills Signed: H.R. 2545 and S. 321
- Monday, March 14, 2022: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the 2022 International Women of Courage Award Ceremony
- Sunday, March 13: 2022: Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Iran Missile Attack on Kurdistan Region of Iraq
- Sunday, March 13: 2022: Readout of President Biden’s Call with President Macron of France
- Sunday, March 13: 2022: Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Bilateral Meeting between President Joe Biden and Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland
- Saturday, March 12, 2022: Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Remarks by Vice President Harris to U.S. and Polish Troops
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Bill Signed: H.J. Res. 75
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Tennessee Disaster Declaration
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Remarks by President Biden at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Virginia Disaster Declaration
- Friday, March 11, 2022: November 2021 Visitor Log Records Posted
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Biden Announces Key Appointments to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Biden Announces Key Appointments to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Biden Announces Key Nominees
- Friday, March 11, 2022: President Biden Announces Key Nominees
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Meeting with U.K. Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates En Route Philadelphia, PA
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Iohannis of Romania in Joint Press Conference
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Remarks by President Biden Announcing Actions to Continue to Hold Russia Accountable
- Friday, March 11, 2022: FACT SHEET: United States Partnership with the African Union – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Bills Signed: H.R. 960 and H.R. 3419
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Readout of President Biden’s Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Joint Statement by the G7 Announcing Further Economic Costs on Russia
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Executive Order on Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment with Respect to Continued Russian Federation Aggression
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate on Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment with Respect to Continued Russian Federation Aggression
- Friday, March 11, 2022: FACT SHEET: United States, European Union, and G7 to Announce Further Economic Costs on Russia
- Friday, March 11, 2022: Joint Statement on U.S.-UK Consultations on the Indo-Pacific
- Friday, March 11, 2022: FACT SHEET: New Data Show Progress on Biden-Harris Commitment to Equity in Emergency Small Business Relief
- Friday, March 11, 2022: FACT SHEET: How The American Rescue Plan Is Keeping America’s Schools Open Safely, Combating Learning Loss, And Addressing Student Mental Health
- Friday, March 11, 2022: The American Rescue Plan People Difference
👎 Out with the Bad, In with the Good 👍
The Ukrainians are mounting a counteroffensive:
What happens when you use insecure phones… Note that even though is the GNR, I consider the deaths of those carrying out mass murder to be good news. If you object to this policy, put your objections in the comments and I will consider.
And some good news:
💣 Republicans in Disarray 💣
tfdg is still nuts about the 2020 election
tfdg is still mad at Mike Pence Summer Concepcion Talking Points Memo
Former President Trump hasn’t confirmed whether he’s going to run again in 2024, but if he does, don’t expect to see his former VP Mike Pence on the ticket.
“I don’t think the people would accept it,” Trump told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview Tuesday evening from Mar-a-Lago.
The former president reportedly complained about Pence’s refusal to play along with his election fraud falsehoods. Pence, who presided over the Senate on the day of the joint session of Congress certifying Joe Biden’s electoral victory, refused to cave to Trump’s pressure campaign to toss electoral votes from battleground states.
tfdg is even disappointed in Mo Brooks Summer Concepcion Talking Points Memo
Former President Trump is reportedly considering revoking his endorsement of Rep. Mo Brooks’ (R-AL) for Senate and backing one his primary rivals instead as the incumbent GOP congressman struggles in the polls.
Lackluster polling is one thing — but Trump also said he was not thrilled with Brooks for telling voters it’s time to move on from the 2020 presidential election, a hill Trump will likely die on.
“Mo Brooks is disappointing,” Trump told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening. “I’m determining right now, has Mo Brooks — has he changed?”
Rs who challenged Biden’s win are coming up short with corporate cash Jason Lange and Andy Sullivan Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In the days after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, dozens of companies said they would suspend political donations to Republican lawmakers who had backed then-President Donald Trump's baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
More than one year later, Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted to challenge the election results have so far collected about half as much corporate cash as they did at this point in the previous election cycle, a Reuters analysis of campaign finance records shows.
By contrast, corporate donations are up about 10% to House Republicans who voted to certify President Joe Biden's victory over Trump.
The results indicate that the corporate boycott is not just limited to the dozens of companies that announced a halt to donations after the attack. Hundreds more have also scaled back their support, the Reuters analysis shows.
Note we have to keep the pressure on. It’s not easy for some of these companies to refuse to donate, because lawmakers can punish companies with nasty regulations. Anyway, in the Actions You Can Take section, please review the bit on Defund the Seditionists. (Note that if you helped here before, your little action mattered! 👍 )
💙 Democrats Being Cool 💙
Despite the war, work on other fronts continues. Democrats Deliver! Democrats work on real problems.
You know, even though things are better, covid is still a problem. So the Dems in California have decided that Governor Newsom should keep his emergency powers. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee
California lawmakers won’t end Gov. Gavin Newsom’s two-year-old COVID-19 state of emergency, despite the objections of Republicans who say it gives him too much power.
The Senate Governmental Organization Committee on Tuesday rejected a resolution by Sen. Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, that would have terminated Newsom’s emergency declaration from March 2020.
Eight Democrats on the committee voted against the resolution while four Republicans voted for it. A number of senators abstained from the vote.
Governor Kelly (Kansas) continues to push to end the sales tax on food in her state Shawn Loging KWCH
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Kansas legislature is coming up to a hard deadline as this session nears an end. It’s as one of the governor’s key priorities this year - eliminating the state’s food sales tax - has yet to reach her desk.
Gov. Laura Kelly visited the Kansas Food Bank in Wichita on Tuesday to discuss her proposal. She has been calling on lawmakers to eliminate the state’s food sales since last year, saying it will help Kansans as prices at the grocery store continue to rise. She says [it will] save families more than $500 every year.
On Tuesday, a House committee worked on its own version of a food sales tax bill that would lower the food sales tax to 3.5% in July of this year. It would then reduce the sales tax on food by 1.2% every year until it reaches zero, if the budget stabilization fund, each year, has a balance of $100 million or greater.
🧀 Governor Evers (Wisconsin) working on the substance use/overdose problem Press Release
LA CROSSE — Gov. Tony Evers today signed three bills in La Crosse to help address substance use and overdose deaths in Wisconsin.
“Substance misuse has ravaged families and communities across our state, which has affected not only many Wisconsinites’ own health and safety but the well-being of their families and loved ones, too. Unfortunately, the pandemic has only further underscored challenges for folks working to overcome mental health crises and substance use disorders,” said Gov. Evers. “Tragically, fentanyl has played a serious role in overdose deaths across the country, and these bills are an important step toward reducing substance misuse and overdose deaths here in our state. We have to keep working to invest in getting folks and families the treatment and support they need to overcome these challenges.”
Preliminary data of 2020 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year in U.S. history; more than 93,000 people died, representing a 30 percent increase from the previous 12-month period. CDC data also shows that 75 percent of these overdose deaths were opioid-related, and that synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are the main driver of drug overdose deaths. In Wisconsin, the CDC estimates that in 2020 alone, there were more than 1,200 opioid-related overdose deaths, underscoring the importance of the governor’s action today.
💜 Unity? 💜
putin is now among Americans’ most hated men Aaron Blake Washington Post
As recently as a decade ago, about half of Americans had a positive view of Russia. And even after Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election, 22 percent of Americans — including 37 percent of Republicans — said they still had a favorable view of President Vladimir Putin.
Times have certainly changed.
That’s down from a 75-to-13 split last week in another poll. And both polls show negative views of Putin are exceedingly bipartisan now.
Remember the introduction, when I wrote about schismogenesis? (You get a ⭐️ if you do.) Anyway, even Fox news has had to back off from putin praising. There are a few nasty Rs we can tie to putin. Like RoJo. And tRump. I think it’s an opportunity.
I like this photo, in black and white!
Here’s some near-unity from the House:
Bravery! Not in a bunker!
Then there’s this:
Yes, I’m well aware that Ernst did not vote to impeach tRump for violating the law and withholding arms from the very Ukraine she now wants to defend. Still, if we can encourage a little more of this, our country will be better off.
📥 Actions You Can Take 📤
These are here every week, but this week I decided it was time to review them. So there are a few tweaks, with more information on “defund the seditionists” and “run for something.”
Voting rights. This may be the biggest issue threatening our democracy right now. Besides contacting your representatives at the state and federal level to do the right thing (depending on who they are), you can support and contact these organizations:
ACLU — American Civil Liberties Union
Democracy Docket — founded by Marc Elias, so important in fighting the challenges after the last election.
Fair Fight — founded by Stacey Abrams
🌱Grass roots. Biden and Harris can do the top-down stuff, but we have to support from the bottom. I don’t know how to deprogram 75 million people, but some things have been written about, such as deep canvassing, and lots of people are talking about this. If you know someone (who did not storm the Capitol), then see if you can be pleasant. Instead of trying to reason with them (logic is obviously not their strong point) distract them with something else. We need to remove the sources of lies and to take down the temperature. If we get more of the Rs to wear masks and to get vaccinated and to vote for Ds, the country will be a better place. We need to coax some of them out of the rabbit holes and diffuse the anger and the crazy.
🏃 Run for something. If you want to run for something, but have no idea what to do, these people will help you. They also like money and volunteers to help those people who are running, so even if you’re not in a position to stand for office, you can still help.
New: Here’s what they said about 2021:
That brought us to year five, 2021 — which somehow, in spite of the odds and everything going on in the world, was Run for Something’s best year yet.
- Our candidate pipeline grew from 67,000 to more than 90,000–2021 was our best recruitment year yet.
This might feel surprising — but we know (and have been saying since day one) that it’s never been about Trump. Young people have been interested in running for office in order to make change, to stand up for their communities, and fight for their values. A few particular points that spurred recruitment this year:
- The combination of the wins in Georgia on January 5th and the insurrection on January 6th were the 1–2 punch of hope + rage that inspired thousands to raise their hands
👎 Defund the seditionists. This is a list with companies that sometimes have donated to the seditionists, and their current approach to supporting or not supporting the seditionists. The list is long. You will recognize many of the corporations, and you probably have a relationship with some — either you are a customer, a shareholder, or maybe even an employee. Contact them and compliment or complain, but let them know you are watching. Forward it to others.
New: The worst are those who have broken their promises, and include: AT&T, Cigna, Ford, Intel, Pfizer, T-Mobile/Sprint. Name, shame and blame, and don’t do business with them if you can help it. Also praise those who are on the good side: American Express, Charles Schwab, Eli Lilly, Eversource, Exelon, Hallmark, Holland & Hart, Nike, S&P Global, Sony Music Entertainment, State Street, Structured Finance Association, Universal Music Group, Viacom/CBS, Warner Music Group, Zillow.
🐍 Schadenfreude 😈
Russia is having a hard time of it now:
I feel a wee bit sorry for the regular Russian people, who are between a rock and a hard place.
But I don’t feel sorry for their intelligence:
I am also gleeful about putin, who has been making the fatal mistake of clutching tRump. Remember Rick Wilson, who has predicted that everything tRump touches dies.
Federal court rejects Exxon’s attempt to halt climate change investigations Paige Bennett EcoWatch
On Tuesday, a federal appeals court denied ExxonMobil’s attempt to stop the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts from investigating whether the company lied about its knowledge of climate change.
The decision was handed down by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, which said Exxon couldn’t sue Massachusetts’ Attorney General Maura Healey because it was already doing so in the state court system, as reported by Reuters. ✂️
This is just one of many lawsuits Exxon has been facing, as it has tried to minimize how its fossil fuel products impact climate change to boost profits and assure investors.
📣 Let’s Honor Truth ☀️️
This time I want to highlight a diary by our very own arhpdx.
She received an email from Mother Jones to their supporters.
We have a chance to save the largest independent news site still operating in Russia, Meduza, that Putin is trying to shut down.
Really. We do. ✂️
Read Meduza's letter to international supporters and become their newest member. I did, and countless people like you, here and abroad, are learning about this effort today and will hopefully do the same.
Meduza is a crowd-funded investigative newsroom that goes after abuses of power and corruption in Russia... Wisely, they have been preparing for a crackdown for years—packing their go bags, getting set up on servers outside Russia, and so on.
When Putin brought the hammer down, they all left the country and are now scattered across Europe, but they are determined to keep their reporting going. Their readers were prepared too, so despite the fact it's been blocked, millions of Russians continue to access their independent journalism to find out what the Kremlin and state-run media will not tell them.
However, because of the sanctions and because it is now essentially a crime to support them as part of Putin's clampdown on truth-tellers, they have lost virtually all their 30,000 supporters in Russia—their revenue dried up overnight, right at a time when their reporting is as essential as it ever will be. ...
So right now, along with dozens of other independent newsrooms, our hope is to replace Meduza's cut-off supporters in Russia with new supporters in Europe and the US. You can hear from Meduza and sign up as a supporter on their special page for US and European allies that just went live. ✂️
Learn more about what's happening with Meduza and step in for a Russian reader who can no longer support them today. They literally are the only big Russian news organization that can report truthfully about the war right now—and be read by Russians in Russia.
Marina Ovsyannikova from Russia, who held up a sign…
.
Russian state TV sees wave of resignations over Putin’s invasion Rebecca Falconer Axios
- Ovsyannikova's actions on Monday have also brought into focus the resignations of foreign reporters for state-run Russian outlets around the world, who resigned following the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.
The big picture: Maria Baronova, who quit as chief editor of RT, formerly known as Russia Today, told the BBC after resigning earlier this month that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "destroyed Russia's reputation" and killed the country's economy.
- Other journalists to recently resign from RT include former London correspondent Shadia Edwards-Dashti; Jonny Tickle, who was based in Moscow, and; Frédéric Taddeï, a TV host in France, the BBC notes.
And even Arnold is trying to reach these people
🌹 Let’s Celebrate Love ❤️
Cultural mentors help refugees in Germany Peter Yeung Reasons to Be Cheerful
Ali Qorbani first moved into his house in Hamburg in February 2021, more than two years after the 26-year-old Afghan arrived in Germany’s second largest city. [note he fled the Taliban]✂️
Qorbani himself struggled initially, being forced to share a place with a roommate who, he says, had criminal tendencies and once physically beat him, leading to police intervention. “It was difficult to work and sleep,” he says. “It’s difficult for refugees to find apartments. There are a lot of hurdles.”
But Qorbani benefited from the initiative Wohnbrücke Hamburg, which launched in November 2015, and takes a pioneering approach to helping refugees integrate and find their own homes.
The nonprofit organization does not rent apartments itself but mediates between landlords or housing companies and refugees — a role that they see as important but often entirely lacking from the official asylum process. Each refugee must pair up with a chosen volunteer — who receives workshop training — to help them search for a house, deal with paperwork, physically move in and more generally acts as a “cultural mediator” and friend in a country and city that is completely new and largely alien to them.
As we’re thinking of all the Ukrainian refugees, this article provides a source of practical inspiration.
📎Odds & Ends 📎
Algae — biofuel instead of fossil fuel? Andy Corbley Good News Network
Europe’s first large-scale biorefinery for turning algae into fuels and feedstocks has been completed on the Black Sea shore of Istanbul.
Set to head up a new “bio-economy,” the refinery, powered entirely by wind energy, will turn microalgae and macroalgae species into carbon-negative jet fuel, feedstocks, supplements, and fertilizers.
They are carbon negative because algae absorbs CO2 as plants do, but far faster and in much greater amounts than woody plants like trees. Once processed into products, more of that carbon pulled from the atmosphere remains imprisoned than is released during production, hence it being carbon negative.
The project was funded in partnership by the government of Turkey and the European Union, and is just one of a number of initiatives dubbed Project INDEPENDENT. The biorefinery, located at Boğaziçi University’s Sarıtepe Campus, can process 1,200 tons of algae per year.
Starbucks moves toward reusable cups Olivia Rosane EcoWatch
The company announced Tuesday that it would make it possible for coffee drinkers to use their own reusable cups for all café, drive-thru and mobile orders in the U.S. and Canada by the end of next year.
“Our goal, by 2025, is to create a cultural movement towards reusables by giving customers easy access to a personal or Starbucks provided reusable to-go cup for every visit, making it convenient and delightful to reuse wherever customers are enjoying their Starbucks Experience,” the company said.
The announcement is part of a company push to cut its waste in half by 2030. Currently, the chain tosses around seven billion disposable cups every year, CNBC reported. The cups and their lids account for 40 percent of the company’s packaging waste and 20 percent of its global waste footprint, chief sustainability officer Michael Kobori told CNBC. But they also have important symbolic value.
White House considering sending heat pumps to Europe Maxine Joselow with research from Vanessa Montalbano Washington Post
Last month, author and climate activist Bill McKibben proposed an unusual way that President Biden could simultaneously combat climate change and the war in Ukraine.
It all came down to heat pumps.
At the time, McKibben's musings largely flew under the radar. But today, the White House is seriously considering his plan, which would involve scaling up U.S. manufacturing of heat pumps and sending them overseas to counter Europe's reliance on Russian gas.
It's the latest instance of climate advocates and the Biden administration floating creative ways to curb dependence on fossil fuels, a leading cause of both climate change and Russian President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe.
Note that all the bolding is theirs, not mine!
Three common coral species could survive climate change much better than expected Cristen Hemingway Jaynes EcoWatch
The new study, “Physiological acclimatization in Hawaiian corals following a 22-month shift in baseline seawater temperature and pH,” conducted by researchers at
The Ohio State University, was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The study simulated ocean temperatures and acidity that are expected to be seen in the future and, while the researchers found that as many as half of some of the species didn’t survive, none of the species disappeared. By the end of the study, some of the corals were even thriving.
Rowan McLachlan, who was the leader of the study as a doctoral student in earth sciences at The Ohio State University, said the results are cause for optimism about the future survival of corals.
“We found surprisingly positive outcomes in our study. We don’t get a lot of that in the coral research field when it comes to the effects of warming oceans,” said McLachlan, who is now doing postdoctoral research at Oregon State University, as reported by Ohio State News.
🐦 I do a lot of other writing. A recent offering: Hunters of the Feather, a story about a thinker-linker crow who wants to save birdkind from extinction, and the sequel, Scavengers of Mind. (They’re really good! They’re really cheap! Buy and review or rate positively! And Hunters is also available on Audible!) Other stories, based on Jane Austen novels — including a new one for lovers of Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s Advice to Young Ladies — and others on Greek mythology, can be found here.
💙 What You Can Do to Rescue Democracy 💙
It turns out that participation in democracy is not just an every-four-years event but requires active participation, like, whenever you can find time.
Current projects:
Look in the comments for Progressive Muse’s report on Postcards to Voters
And some other ideas:
You can relax and recharge.
You can join protests and freeway blog.
You can help register new voters.
You can smile.
You can get out the vote for special elections.
You can reach out to upset Republicans. We need to win some back.
You can share your ideas below.
🌻
💙 “Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all are created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial, and victory is never assured.” 💙
President Joseph R. Biden
🌹 🌹 🌹
TRUTH MATTERS. LOVE MATTERS.