Many environmentally related posts appearing at Daily Kos each week don't attract the attention they deserve. To help get more eyeballs, Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue) normally appears twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The most recent Spotlight can be seen here. More than 23,140 environmentally oriented diaries have been rescued for inclusion in this weekly collection since 2006. Inclusion of a diary in the Spotlight does not necessarily indicate my agreement with or endorsement of it.
Greenland is Experiencing a Sudden and Rapid Melt Season Onset—by
Pakalolo: "Greenland had experienced a cool spring and a higher than average snowfall which has left the ice sheet relatively solid. The reduced melting and fresh snow had led to a whiter ice sheet, then what has been seen recently, reflecting sunlight back into space. In June and especially July, the albedo effect caused by warming temperatures, soot and melt water has turned half the Greenland ice sheet surface to liquid. This is well beyond normal for this time of the year. Climate Central reports:
Persistent high pressure has been camping over Greenland since mid-June. More recently, the weather pattern driving the European heat wave, dubbed an atmospheric shruggie— ¯(ツ)/¯ — by Mashable’s Andrew Freedman (and an omega block by stodgy, old weather watchers), is also responsible for continuing to help keep Greenland warmer than normal.The high temperatures in Europe have been more eye-popping, clearing 100°F from Spain to the Netherlands and setting an all-time July temperature record at London’s Heathrow Airport. But temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s are still doing a number on Greenland’s ice sheet. Estimates from the National Snow and Ice Data Center indicate that roughly half the ice sheet’s surface is melting, well above the average of around 25 percent for this time of year."
Exxon Busted: knew climate change was a threat since 1981—by
JesseC: "Turns out ExxonMobil, one of the world's worst climate polluters, has known about the dangers of climate change since 1981.Yet the oil giant continues to be a major funder of climate change denial today. The new evidence comes from reports and emails written by Lenny Bernstein, ExxonMobil's top climate scientist, who worked for Exxon for 30 years. The documents, which speak directly about the dangers of global warming from CO2 emissions were released by The Union of Concerned Scientists, in a report called 'The Climate Deception Dossier.' Exxon has spent well over $30 million attacking climate change science since Bernstein's first warning."
My Ten Point Plan to Stop Fracking and Ocean/Estuary Destruction In California—by
Dan Bacher: "In response to one of my articles about offshore fracking, a reader asked, "What can we do here right now?" So here's my ten point plan to fight fracking and the destruction of the oceans by fracking and other harmful activities by ocean industrialists.
1. People should support a complete ban on fracking in California, as called for by Californians Against Fracking and other groups. This can be done through local bans, as well as by putting pressure on Governor Brown to ban fracking statewide. Unfortunately, Brown has rejected the call for a statewide plan to date.
You can find more excerpts from green diaries below the orange spill.
Climate Chaos
Exxon has known Global Warming was real since 1981 but spread denial for 27 years—by Lefty Coaster: "34 years ago Exxon-Mobile made a decision not to tap an enormous offshore gas field off of Indonesia because it would have involved venting huge amounts of pure CO2 gas into the atmosphere. [...] ExxonMobil, the world’s biggest oil company, knew as early as 1981 of climate change – seven years before it became a public issue, according to a newly discovered email from one of the firm’s own scientists. Despite this the firm spent millions over the next 27 years to promote climate denial. The email from Exxon’s in-house climate expert provides evidence the company was aware of the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, and the potential for carbon-cutting regulations that could hurt its bottom line, over a generation ago—factoring that knowledge into its decision about an enormous gas field in south-east Asia. The field, off the coast of Indonesia, would have been the single largest source of global warming pollution at the time."
Former Exxon scientist says Exxon knew about climate change and fossil fuels in 1981—by
Walter Einenkel: "Those are the claims made by Exxon's former in-house climate expert, Lenny Bernstein, in an email recently unearthed and reported by the Guardian:
The email from Exxon’s in-house climate expert provides evidence the company was aware of the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, and the potential for carbon-cutting regulations that could hurt its bottom line, over a generation ago – factoring that knowledge into its decision about an enormous gas field in south-east Asia. The field, off the coast of Indonesia, would have been the single largest source of global warming pollution at the time. 'Exxon first got interested in climate change in 1981 because it was seeking to develop the Natuna gas field off Indonesia,' Lenny Bernstein, a 30-year industry veteran and Exxon’s former in-house climate expert, wrote in the email. 'This is an immense reserve of natural gas, but it is 70% CO2,' or carbon dioxide, the main driver of climate change."
Study on Conspiracy Theories About a Study of Conspiracy Theories—by ClimateDenierRoundup: "The Union of Concerned Scientists released a report with a treasure trove of primary documents from fossil fuel companies and their lobbying efforts and front groups. Here's a glimpse of what we're dealing with: industry front group astroturf campaigns, forged letters to Congress, and bought off scientists. While those fluent in denial tactics won't be surprised by most of the revelations, there are still new outrages to get your heart rate going. The coverage has largely focused on Exxon's knowledge of the climate-carbon relationship as early as 1981 and subsequent neglect, but The Climate Deception Dossiers reveal even more sinister tactics employed by fossil fuel companies, as well as their front groups and PR hires. The primary documents reveal how companies secretly funded Willie Soon for his climate denial science, how fossil fuel lobby groups planned their campaigns of climate deceit after internal memos acknowledged in 1995 that the link between climate change and carbon emissions "cannot be denied," and perhaps most shockingly, how a PR firm sent out forged letters to Congress before crucial votes."
New study says we should expect up to a 20 Ft. Rise in Sea Levels—by Lefty Coaster: "A new study published in the Journal Science is predicting big rises in sea level of up to 20 feet as ice melts in the Arctic and Antarctic over the coming centuries or perhaps millennia. The dire projections are based on a look back at the climate record, with scientists finding that increases of 20 feet have happened at least twice over the past 3 million years when temperatures were very similar to what they are today. If similar increases were seen across the globe, that could put tens of millions of people living in coastal communities from New York to Miami to Bangkok at risk of storm surges and increased flooding. Even NASA is fearing its launch pads could be threatened by climate change."
Climate Help in the 2030s?—by enhydra lutris: "Now, a new model of solar behavior which is producing shockingly accurate predictions with respect to the sun's 11 year sctivity cycle predicts an extreme decrease in solar activity during the 2030s. Solar activity predicted to fall 60% in 2030s, to 'mini ice age' levels: Sun driven by double dynamo -- ScienceDaily. Less incoming solar radiation equals less heating of the earth and its oceans, hence a period of cooling. The greenhouse effect really changes none of that, except that the effect both amplifies and prolongs the heating caused by incident solar radiation. (The radiative cooling of the Little Ice Age might today only result in a decrease in the rate of heat gain instead of actual net cooling.) The new model, which involves adding a second 'dynamo' to the existing model, suggests a 60% decrease in solar activity during the 2030s. The discoverers are predicting another 'Maunder minimum' which, should it happen, just might give us a little breathing room, which we will probably desperately need by then."
PTSD for Climate Scientists: Must Read Article in Esquire—by Bethesda 1971: "Today Charlie Pierce clued me in to a must-read piece in his magazine, Esquire, by John H. Richardson. The article, When the End of Human Civilization Is Your Day Job profiles many leading climate scientists and describes their frustration, anger and sometimes, despair at the growing evidence of disastrous climate change and the furious barrage of lies and personal attacks directed against them by the climate deniers. As Pierce puts it, This really should be the only issue in 2016—that the planet is dying and half of our political process is being paid to pretend that it's not happening at all. Global warming denial may be the most serious symptom of the larger disease infecting the political and media world—denying that half of the political process not only is fighting climate change (and established progressive programs), but the media's refusing to point out this 'radical derangement' of the Republican Party, as Driftglass puts it. Richardson's article profiles Jason Box, who moved from the US to Denmark, and though he is relieved to have escaped the denial barrage here, he 'is still amazed how few climatologists have taken an advocacy message to the streets, demonstrating for some policy action.'"
Climate Change is happening faster than most people realize.—by prettymeadow: "I read an article today that confirms what I have been thinking is happening to our world, and it is concerning. Not because I didn't know this was happening, or even how fast, but because I know many out there have no idea how dire our situation is. I will leave it up to you to read the article and come to your own conclusions. 'We need the deniers to get out of the way. They are risking everyone's future. ... The Koch Brothers are criminals. ... They should be charged with criminal activity because they're putting the profits of their business ahead of the livelihoods of millions of people, and even life on earth.' Like Parmesan, Box was hugely relieved to be out of the toxic atmosphere of the U. S. 'I remember thinking, What a relief, I don't have to bother with this bullshit anymore.' In Denmark, his research is supported through the efforts of conservative politicians. 'But Danish conservatives are not climate-change deniers,' he says."
Nobel Laureate comes out as climate change denier—by Canid Micturate: "Ivar Giaever, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 for work on superconductors, said people warning about the coming global dangers of climate change are 'dead wrong'— including President Barack Obama, who stated it being the greatest threat to future generations—at a speech given at a recent Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting. 'First: nothing in science is incontrovertible. Second: the “measured” average temperature increase in 100 years or so, is 0.8 Kelvin. Third: since the Physical Society claim it has become warmer, why is everything better than before? Fourth: the maximum average temperature ever measured was in 1998, 17 years ago. When will we stop wasting money on alternative energy?' he reportedly told the audience. 'I think the temperature has been amazingly stable.' I only wish he will live long enough to regret his addled statements."
Critters & the Great Outdoors
The Daily Bucket: If a Tornado Blows thru the Forest,—by
PHScott: "Does anyone know it? I sure do, I had to walk thru the mess.
Early July 2015. Last November there was a sizable tornado that blew thru the Florida Panhandle. Sizable for Florida anyways, NOAA says it was an EF2 and ran for 22 miles starting at the Calhoun Correctional Institution and ending in Sycamore where I hang out a lot. This NOAA page on the tornado has maps and photos. Last Monday I was driving down Sycamore Rd on my way to Torreya State Park to continue a research project surveying the rare Ashe Magnolia, a deciduous tree endemic to the western Panhandle. Loggers are now clearing the acreage where the tornado died, it's last hit was the Live Oaks by a mobile home (amazingly undamaged) and the mature pines next door. Our task Monday was to survey a ravine that suffered thru the tornado. It looked like this."
The world's seabird populations have dropped 70% since the 1950s—by Walter Einenkel: "The world's monitored seabird populations have diminished 70 percent between 1950 and 2010, say findings being reported by the Sea Around Us project. In a paper published one month ago in PLoS ONE: We found the monitored portion of the global seabird population to have declined overall by 69.7% between 1950 and 2010. This declining trend may reflect the global seabird population trend, given the large and apparently representative sample. Furthermore, the largest declines were observed in families containing wide-ranging pelagic species, suggesting that pan-global populations may be more at risk than shorter-ranging coastal populations."
The Daily Bucket - Rain in Castro Valley, CA—by enhydra lutris : "Today's forecast predicted 'drizzle' and earlier today we had wet pavement and sidewalks, but not the portion of the patio covered by shadecloth. Rain that can be stopped by shadecloth is pretty feeble, but the open areas are getting at least damp."
Energy
Renewables & Conservation
Denmark's wind power just exceeded their energy demand—by Walter Einenkel: "Yesterday, Denmark's wind farms were able to produce 116% of the nation's electricity needs. By 3am on Friday, when electricity demand dropped, that figure had risen to 140%. Interconnectors allowed 80% of the power surplus to be shared equally between Germany and Norway, which can store it in hydropower systems for use later. Sweden took the remaining fifth of excess power. 'It shows that a world powered 100% by renewable energy is no fantasy,' said Oliver Joy, a spokesman for trade body the European Wind Energy Association. 'Wind energy and renewables can be a solution to decarbonisation—and also security of supply at times of high demand.'"
Candidates, DC, State & Local Eco-Politics
Which 19 Democrats Voted to Weaken Environmental Oversight of the Nation's Forests?—by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees: "After pulling the polluter-friendly Interior/EPA appropriations bill after a backlash from Republicans against Democratic amendments on the Confederate flag, the House moved forward with another anti-environment bill: the so-called Resilient Federal Forests Act. Is this act about forest resilience? Of course not: This bill modifies federal forest management practices to increase timber production on forest lands as a means of promoting greater forest health and reducing wildfires. The bill seeks to end the Forest Service's and Interior Department's "borrowing" of fire prevention funding for fire suppression efforts by providing funding to fight certain catastrophic wildfires from FEMA's disaster relief fund. The bill also establishes five new categories of categorical exclusions (CE) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that could result in timber harvesting with limited environmental review."
Jeb Bush says "What Me Worry?" on Climate Change—by Lefty Coaster: "Bush still lamely tries to reject the scientific consensus that human activity is the dominant driver of climate change and equivocates to muddy the issue and shield his Big Oil donors from any accountability. I think its appropriate to recognize that the climate is changing, and invest in the proper research to find solutions over the long haul. But not be alarmist about it, not to say end is near, not de-industrialize the country, not create barriers to higher growth, not just totally obliterate family budgets which some on the left advocate by saying we need to raise the price of energy so high that renewables then become viable. Ultimately there's going to be a person in a garage somewhere who comes up with a disruptive technology that will solve these problems. And I think markets need to be respected in this regard."
Challenge to Hillary Clinton: Say ‘No’ to Fossil Fuel Funding, your primary opponents have—by VL Baker: "The Nation and 350.org have issued a challenge to presidential candidates to stand up to the fossil fuel industry by not accepting any campaign contributions from any oil, gas or coal company. To affirm their commitment to taking on the climate crisis and 'standing up to the corrupting influence of fossil-fuel companies,' the campaign, launched on Monday by The Nation and 350 Action, is calling on 2016 presidential and congressional candidates to sign a pledge committing to 'neither solicit nor accept campaign contributions from any oil, gas or coal company.' [...] Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley, as well as Green Party candidate Jill Stein, have agreed to do so. Democratic candidate Lincoln Chafee said he supported strong climate action but would not sign the pledge. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, along with the 14 Republican candidates contacted—13 of which deny mankind’s influence on climate change—did not reply."
Which Dems Helped GOP Kill Pro-Environment Amendments to the Interior/EPA Approps Bill?—by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees: "Today, the House cast a series of 17 roll call votes on amendments for the FY 2016 appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior and the EPA. As one can easily guess, the Republicans used the appropriations bill to attempt to gut environmental regulations and slash environmental programs. Democrats (well, most of them) attempted to undo them, but without success. Six Democrats joined Republicans at least 25% of the time: Collin Peterson (MN-07): 11/17; Henry Cuellar (TX-28): 9/17; Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01): 6/17; Kurt Schrader (OR-05): 6/17; Kyrsten Sinem (AZ-09): 6/17; Brad Ashford (NE-02): 5/17."
Eco-Action & Eco Justice
We could learn from the folks up north—by boriskamite : "And I am not just talking about Naomi Klein, a major She-roe...not only because of her writings on 'disaster capitalism,' but she was invited to hang with Pope Frankie on climate change. I have been observing for some time that the progressives (or whatever they be called) in Canada seem to have assembled a coalition that includes native peoples, environmentalists, labor and justice/civil rights advocates. Can it happen here?"
Petition Marriott Hotels to Stop Using Down Pillows and Duvets—by Elizabetta: "A change.org petition is circulating requesting that Marriott remove down pillows from their hotels. The petition currently has over 85,000 supporters, including several Marriott Rewards members. Marriott owns thousands of hotels and purchases millions of down pillows and duvets each year. Down pillows were once considered a desirable luxury item by guests. Today, public sentiment has changed. Opposition to the cruel practice of ripping down from live ducks and geese has caused many consumers to reject down, and caused companies to consider alternatives or face a public relations nightmare. In addition to animal cruelty concerns, some guests have hypersensitivity, asthma and allergies triggered by the dusts, molds and bird dander in feather pillows."
Agriculture, Food & Gardening
Saturday Morning Garden Blogging, Vol. 11.20: Drought!—by rb137: "Vegetable garden is doing well. Zucchini glut? Check. Tomatoes? Check. Lettuce getting overwrought? A little... The thing is, I'm in the Seattle area. Summer doesn't usually start until July 1. In fact, I remember wearing a winter coat to work on the Summer Solstice more than once. But the recent summer temperatures aren't what bother me—it's the winter ones that give me pause. My yard is in a state of transition. I am converting it to something more drought resistant, in case the winters become warmer. If it looks good, I'll post pictures next spring when it's finished. In the meantime, I will yammer about the dryness. That, and I am sad because I will give up a bunch of my beautiful lilies and irises, in order to save water. The current dry weather in the Pacific Northwest is something that will get waved away by climate deniers. The integrated amount of rain we get from year to year is probably about the same. How could there possibly be a drought emergency??? Well, how indeed?"
Eco-Essays and Eco-Philosophy
Kjersten, 18 wheels, and a dozen roses—by SninkyPoo: "Or maybe she’ll remember going fishing. There are yet a few bluegill and crappie and sunfish in the Wapsipinicon River. The old bamboo poles from when I was a kid still rest along the rafters of the garage, waiting to be dusted off, fitted with fresh line and shiny new brass spinners, and plopped into the water where it runs beneath the old Red Bridge Road. The freshwater fish climate change report linked to above notes: Changing climate poses new risks for our treasured freshwater fish resources. Warming waters mean lost habitat for cold-water species, the likely encroachment of species typically found in warmer areas, and exacerbation of existing stressors such as habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and disease. More extreme weather events—especially longer and more intense droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and floods mean increased likelihood of fish mortality. Shorter winters with less snow and ice cover mean shifts in stream flow and water availability through the spring and summer months, as well as lost opportunities for ice fishing."
Two Stories: Why America is Screwed—by xaxnar: "There are two stories in the New York Times today that would be interesting enough by themselves, but taken together, have a larger impact. One is The Case For New Hudson River Rail Tunnels. The other is Betting on the New York Ferris Wheel to Elevate Staten Island's Fortunes. What they say about the nation's priorities and what actually gets accomplished in this country speaks volumes.... if anyone is listening."
Why I'm writing more political diaries than environmental diaries, lately—by VL Baker: "I think by now, that people who are paying attention understand that climate change is an existential threat. We are living through humanities greatest crisis. The bad climate news daily is overwhelming. I don't think we need to know the exact details of the catastrophe, we need to know what to do about it. There are many solutions and we are working on most of them, such as transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels, new technologies to make our severely stressed natural resources go farther, etc. But, we have let the issue of rising greenhouse gas emissions go on too long, and we find ourselves with an emergency situation where the only action to avoid the worst effects of climate change and save a livable planet for our species (and others) is complete systemic change. The fossil fuel industry is the most powerful industry our world has ever known and they are not going quietly. The fossil fuel industries tentacles have wrapped around enabling governments globally. They have permeated every area of the world and our existence for the past century. Removing them is like trying to pull a vampire squid away from its only source of food."
Oceans, Water & Drought
Jerry Brown's 'New' Delta Tunnels Plan Is Same Old Water Grab—by Dan Bacher: "The state and federal governments released the EIR/EIS for the revised Delta Tunnels project, formerly known as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), on Thursday, July 9, a day earlier than environmentalists, fishermen and Tribal leaders had anticipated. The Brown and Obama administrations touted the revised documents as "describing the changes and refinements made since last summer to the plant that seeks to secure California’s water supplies and improve ecosystem conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.' Continuing the lack of transparency and accountability to the public that the Brown and Obama administrations have become notorious for, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources announced that they will host a 'media-only conference call' on Monday, July 13, 2015, to discuss the release of the revised document."
Forests, Wilderness & Public Lands
Obama's Legacy of Protection—by Michael Brune: "During last year's State of the Union address, President Obama had very little to say about public lands protection, but what he did say got right to the point: "I'll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations." During this year's speech, he said nothing about it at all. He didn't need to. His actions are speaking for themselves. His latest announcement—three new national monuments—almost doubles the amount of public land that he has protected this way. One of the new monuments, Waco Mammoth, is a relatively small site that has the largest known concentration of fossil mammoths in the U.S. About half of Obama's designations so far have been primarily of historic or cultural interest and don't include large tracts of land. The other two new monuments, though, total more than one million new acres of protected lands."
Three hurrahs for Obama's latest designation of more national monuments to protect public land—by Meteor Blades: "In a move certain to irk right wingers who have made no secret of their opposition to the federal protection of more public land, the Obama administration announced Friday that it has designated more than a million acres in Nevada, California and Texas as national monuments: Using his authority under the Antiquities Act, the president created a protected area spanning roughly 704,000 acres in central Nevada’s Basin and Range, as well as smaller ones in California’s Berryessa Snow Mountain and Texas’ Waco Mammoth. With the new designations, Obama has established or expanded 19 national monuments for a total of more than 260 million acres of public lands and waters, more than any previous president. The Basin and Range monument alone, at more than 1,000 square miles, is nearly the size of Rhode Island. The move pleased environmental advocates. 'By creating these three new national monuments, President Obama is continuing his commitment to preserving America’s treasured places and cementing his well-deserved place in conservation history,' said Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters."
In Massive Expansion of Lands Legacy, POTUS Creates 3 New National Monuments in NV, CA & TX—by ericlewis0: "The Nevada site is a big win for Sen. Harry Reid, who personally lobbied President Obama for the designation. The California Monument protects more than 300,000 acres of Northern California's Inner Coast Range. And Texas' Waco Mammoth is a major paleontological site, home to two dozen well-preserved Mammoth skeletons, including an extremely rare nursery herd. This is not only a great victory for the environment but will also likely cause widespread Goposaur head explosions."
Miscellany
The Ongoing Battle over Rails in the Adirondacks—by xaxnar: "If it weren't for a heads-up from NARP, I wouldn't have gotten the word about hearings that could well change forever access to the Adirondack Mountains. There's a rail line currently run by the Adirondack Scenic Railroad out of Utica, NY all the way up to Lake Placid and the High Peaks—at least it could. That possibility might be about to be eliminated forever. [...] The fate of the rail corridor has been hotly debated for years. Trail advocates pressed the state to rip up the rails while train buffs want the dilapidated tracks restored. At last month's Adirondack Park Agency meeting, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Rob Davies said public opinion is 'fairly evenly split.' 'The rail is favored in communities south of Tupper Lake,' Davies said. 'The trail is favored in communities north of Tupper Lake. This obviously is not unanimous throughout those communities. There are people who have differing opinions, but the communities seem to break that way.' I'm not going to try for nuance here; I think removing the rails would be a huge mistake. I've been following this for decades (that's how long the debate has been going on), and the basics haven't shifted all that much."