We hope you don't forget these words, Mr. Secretary. We won't.
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 Wednesday Spotlight can be seen here. More than 20,290 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.
Daily Tck: Day 9 of the UN climate talks in Lima—by
Joshua Wiese: "History was made on Wednesday as the largest climate march ever in Latin America took place on the streets of Lima. Led by indigenous communities from across Peru and Latin America, an estimated 15,000 individuals took to the traffic-choked streets to call for climate justice. Our partners were also out in force, peacefully chanting, singing and carrying signs calling for an end of fossil fuels and a clean energy future, in what was described as a “carnival atmosphere.”The march took place just kilometers from where ministers continued hammering out the details of the new global climate agreement. It’s fitting that the march came on International Human Rights Day as climate change remains one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time. Inside the talks, our partners worked hard to ensure delegates heard the human rights message, and understood that the UNFCCC has a crucial role in protecting those rights for all. Nearly 250 organizations signed a letter demanding that human rights considerations be part of any climate change agreement that is crafted in the coming year, to take effect in 2020."
Obama Signals Keystone XL "No" on Colbert Report As Enbridge "KXL Clone" He Permitted Opens—by
Steve Horn: "In his December 8 “Colbert Report” appearance, President Barack Obama gave his strongest signal yet that he may reject a presidential permit authorizing the Alberta to Cushing, Oklahoma northern leg of TransCanada‘s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Yet just a week earlier, and little noticed by comparison, the pipeline giant Enbridge made an announcement that could take the sails out of some of the excitement displayed by Obama’s 'Colbert Report; remarks on Keystone XL North. That is, Enbridge’s 'Keystone XL Clone' is now officially open for business. 'Keystone XL Clone,' as first coined here on DeSmogBlog, consists of three parts: the U.S.-Canada border-crossing Alberta Clipper pipeline; the Flanagan, Illinois, to Cushing Flanagan South pipeline; and the Cushing to Freeport, Texas, Seaway Twin pipeline."
Devastation in the Oil Patch—by
xaxnar: "The oil industry is always susceptible to bust and boom cycles. As It Happens has interviews with people up in Canada looking at layoffs by the thousands now that oil prices have dropped thanks to the Saudis—and a world economy still staggering. Tar sands oil is expensive to produce as well as being especially dirty. From a carbon reduction viewpoint, seeing the industry shut down is a good thing. It is not a good thing for all the people who will be laid off, lose homes, or those whose living depends on them doing well as layoffs ripple through the economy. The story is here. Now, getting off of carbon and transforming to a sustainable energy economy just might reduce vulnerability to boom and bust cycles. Of course, another consequence of cheap oil is that it makes green energy less competitive, so it's a mixed bag. In any event, it makes the case for building Keystone XL even less justifiable. GOP insistence on it is becoming openly a matter of ideology, not anything that makes sense."
You can find more rescued green diaries below the orange garden layout.
Eco-Related Candidacies, DC & State Politics
Boxer, Warren, Sanders, and 8 Other Senators Tell EPA that Clean Power Plan Can Go Even Further—by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees : "Back in September, 10 Senate Democrats joined the Senate Republicans in trying to get the EPA to delay its carbon regulations. However, 11 other senators are taking a different approach: encouraging the EPA to go further. The senators argued that, if the menu of options the Clean Power Plan provides for how to achieve emissions reduction were modified to account for current market and technological conditions, then it could achieve far greater emissions reduction than initially suggested. The 11 senators were the following: Cory Booker (D-NJ); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Ben Cardin (D-MD); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Ed Markey (D-MA); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Brian Schatz (D-HI); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Ron Wyden (D-OR)."
Bad News for GOP Denier Congress: nearly 1/2 of Republicans believe in Man Made Global Warming!—by Lefty Coaster: "Bad news for James Inhofe the new Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton. Increasing numbers of Republicans no longer go along with their party's leaders rejection of climate science. Six in 10 Americans, including half of all Republicans, said they support regulation of carbon dioxide pollution, although they weren't asked how. Nearly half of Republicans said the U.S. should lead the global fight to curb climate change, even if it means taking action when other countries do not. And majorities across party lines said environmental protections "improve economic growth and provide new jobs" in the long run, a popular Obama administration talking point. […] 'This poll proves that Republicans here in Washington are disconnected from average Republicans across the country," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the current chairwoman of the Senate environment panel. 'Anyone with a pulse and a heartbeat — with the exception of Republicans in Congress — knows that climate change is upon us, and we must step up and reduce dangerous carbon pollution.'"
Western States Petroleum Association's Astroturf Campaign Exposed!—by Dan Bacher: "Leaked documents provided to Northwest Public Radio, Business Week and other media outlets have exposed a campaign by the Western States Petroleum Association to fund and coordinate a network of “Astroturf” groups to oppose environmental laws and local campaigns against fracking in California, Washington and Oregon. This network was revealed in a PowerPoint presentation from a Nov. 11 presentation to the Washington Research Council, given by Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and former Chair of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force to create so-called “marine protected areas” in Southern California. 'The Powerpoint deck details a plan to throttle AB 32 (also known as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) and steps to thwart low carbon fuel standards (known as LCFS) in California, Oregon, and Washington State,' revealed Stop Fooling California, an online and social media public education and awareness campaign that highlights oil companies’ efforts to mislead and confuse Californians. 'Northwest Public Radio appears to have been the first to confirm the authenticity of the deck, which Bloomberg Businessweek did as well, with WSPA spokesman Tupper Hull.'"
Environmental and nutritional standards on long list of losers in spending bill—by Laura Clawson: "Republicans obviously took the opportunity to weaken environmental enforcement where they could. This bill's immediate cuts to Environmental Protection Agency funding aren't so huge, but they continue an awful trend: The agency gets $8.1 billion, down $60 million from the last fiscal year. The agency's budget has been slashed by $2.2 billion, or 21 percent, since fiscal 2010, according to GOP aides. The cuts mean that EPA will have to reduce its staffing to the lowest levels since 1989. Also included: A provision that would bar the EPA from regulating methane emissions from livestock production. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and livestock, which release methane in their flatulence, account for about 10 percent of U.S. emissions, according to the EPA. […] Nutrition is clearly not a priority—schools will be able to feed kids fewer whole grains and more sodium than new standards would have called for. And white potatoes will be included in the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition assistance program, something the potato lobby had been fighting for."
Spending bill's attack on environment is just the beginning—by diligentbureaucrat: "The future of humanity is looking pretty grim. Last nights “bi-partisan” spending bill announcement revealed some unfortunate news for many liberal causes. These include some big bank deregulation, an attack on Obama’s immigration plans, enormous IRS budget cuts, and decreased nutrition standards for school children. But probably the most depressing part of this bill is the continued assault on the environment in this country. The Environmental Protection Agencies budget, which has been slashed by 21 percent since the Republicans took hold of the House in 2010, will be cut by another $60 million this year. The bill also has a provision that prevents the EPA from regulating methane emissions from livestock production (manure), which accounts for around nine percent of the total emissions. And this is only the beginning. With the Republican dominated congress coming to town, it will almost definitely get worse. Jim Inhofe, one of the nuttiest climate change deniers, will most likely become the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee."
Climate Chaos
A Video to share with Climate Denier Friends Acquaintances and Family Members—by Lefty Coaster: "Here is a video 'Climate Change What You Need To Know' that lays out the case for Human caused Global Warming in a clear and easily understandable way. Please share this widely with your undecided or denier, friends, family and acquaintances."
A Decade of Keeping it Real—by ClimateDenierRoundup : "December 10, 2014 marked the 10-year anniversary of one of our favorite websites: RealClimate.org. Back in 2004, the people behind RealClimate saw, with an impressive degree of insight, that the future of communications was online. They decided to create a website where real climate scientists could blog about the climate. They have a post up with some thoughts about the anniversary and another post featuring their impressive numbers, like their 19 million unique page visits. RealClimate quickly proved its worth by producing hard science explainers that have cleared up misinformation from deniers and clarified the science for reporters and other scientists on countless occasions. In the years since its creation, it has grown in prominence and respect; noted climate scientists frequently write guest posts (there have been over 100 so far), and newspapers regularly mention the site (LexisNexis puts the total number of mentions to date at 225). RealClimate has also become a great tool for furthering interdisciplinary learning by helping the various climate sub-specialties learn about other related fields."
COP-20: Lima
Pachamama Rumblings in Lima! (Photo essay of the March in defense of Mother Nature)—by citisven: "Yesterday the whole left brain greenhouse gas haggling exercise at the COP20 Climate Summit got a huge kick in the pants when 20,000 marching souls took to the streets of Lima for Latin America’s biggest ever climate march. Indigenous people from all over South America were calling attention to the disproportionately devastating effects climate change is already having on native lands, especially the Amazonian rainforests down here. On this International Day of Human Rights, they were joined by a diverse coalition of international allies, who not only understand that it is morally untenable to stand by while the people who did the least to cause the climate calamity have to bear the brunt of its burden, but who are keenly aware that as the Amazon goes, so go all of us."
Lima's Last Lap Amidst Mass Die-In for the Voices Ignored at COP20—by
boatsie: "As the talks continued, climate activists staged a 'die-in' for the voices of the ignored earlier today, to highlight how far governments were from addressing the needs and rights of people impacted by climate change. 'We are already suffering massive devastation, loss of lives, and displacement of communities, with just 0.8 degrees of warming,' said Gerry Arances of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice. 'Science is saying it still possible to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees which is the absolute limit we can accept. Even that will mean far worse consequences for our people than what they are already experiencing. But governments are no longer talking about a global goal. This outcome in Lima is unacceptable to the people of Asia.'"
Live from Lima: "No COP is an Island"—by
boatsie: "Fur flies in Lima this morning as talks resume and negotiators from the Arab Group side with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Africa Group, and Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) are rejecting the current negotiating text in their quest for equity in the UN Climate Talks. 'This text delivers basically nothing for the poor and vulnerable in developing countries. Rich countries are still failing to meet their obligations, even if they are making baby steps in the right direction,' said Harjeet Singh of Global lead for Resilience and Climate, ActionAid International. More exciting than the negotiations were the sheer number of impacted peoples marching in the streets in Lima and staging actions at the talks—the people who have the most to gain or lose from these talks. How long will governments continue to ignore people's demands? […] Seasoned observers, holding on to the hope that the UNFCCC process will eventually prevail in ironing out a solution acceptable to all parties, are blaming flaws in management for the current stalemate. […] The surreal frustration evidenced in Lima early this morning was perhaps best expressed by Agent350 Jamie Henn who, before catching a few hours sleep, wondered: 'If I put a copy of the text under my pillow will the #COP20 fairy turn it into a fair, ambitious and binding treaty?'"
The Other Side of the Mountain: Climate Change and the People of Peru—by ruby red shoes: "I fancy myself to be a not-too-shabby amateur photographer, and since I'm a relative new-comer to DK, I thought I'd share a little piece of myself here today. (Cue voice-over singing 'getting to know you, getting to know all about you…"') These are some of my favorite shots, but I also thought they were somewhat apropos to current events -- all shots were taken in the high Andes of Northern Peru. Since COP 20 just finished up in Lima, and since Dec. 11 was 'International Mountain Day' with the theme of "Mountain Farming," I thought it would be interesting to see some of the real-world mountain farmers who have been most affected by climate change."
Daily Tck: Day 10 of the UN climate talks in Lima—by
TierneySmith: "As negotiations rolled into their final hours on Thursday, it became clear that governments need to be reminded of the growing momentum for climate action being witnessed around the world. The Lima meeting began against a back-drop of a game-changing agreement between the world’s two largest emitters (the US and China); with a host of significant contributions toward the Green Climate Fund’s $10 billion goal for 2014; and unprecedented pressure from civil society and people everywhere for real political action for a fossil free future. If Thursday had a single focus, it was to serve as that reminder. The Peruvian government launched a new platform—The 'Nazca Climate Action portal'—to showcase the range of progressive actions being undertaken by non-state actors like cities, subnational regions and companies. US Secretary of State John Kerry also made a brief stop in Lima, giving a rousing speech in a press conference. He demanded that citizens in Lima and around the world step up, and challenge their leaders on climate issues."
Loss and damage due to climate change – an important theme at risk in the UN climate talks—by Mattias: "Climate change causes many challenges for poor and vulnerable people around the world. When the land which provides people with their daily bread is under constant flooding, or gets infertile due to continuous droughts, then they have experienced a heavy loss. It is no longer possible to adapt to the changes in the climate. The debate about 'loss and damage' due to climate change, has been discussed intensively at the ongoing COP20 in Lima. 'Loss and damage' is a term covering many topics and issues, including economic compensation, safe migration and how to deal with the risks of loss of cultures and traditions. Many governments are concerned about the future of their populations, who may be forced to migrate, or move their homes. Scientists have expressed the same concern. The 5th IPCC report highlighted the fact that climate change is increasingly causing economic, social and human security problems. For many developing countries it is therefore crucial to get 'Loss and damage' included in a future global climate change agreement."
Extreme Weather & Natural Phenomena
California Rains - The Bigger Picture—by xaxnar: "A big news story is the storm delivering large amounts of rain to California. SF Gate has pictures and more on the storm that is causing floods, power outages, and headaches for travelers. The National Weather Service is tweeting pictures of storm damage and weather info. NPR has a story on the storm with a lot of good links. What makes this news story of more than a little interest is not just rains coming in after years of severe drought. The question is, is this a repeat of a historic weather pattern that hits the West Coast roughly every 200 years? Scientific American has a report by Mark Fischetti that gets into the mechanics of the 'atmospheric river' that is delivering volumes of moisture-laden air in from the Pacific. An atmospheric river is a conveyor belt of vapor that extends thousands of miles from out at sea, carrying as much water as 15 Mississippi Rivers. It strikes as a series of storms that arrive for days or weeks on end. Each storm can dump inches of rain or feet of snow. Meteorologists sometimes call small occurrences “pineapple expresses,” because they tend to flow in a straight line from around Hawaii toward the U.S. West Coast..."
Energy & Conservation
Oil price collapse has claimed its first shale drilling company, and why this may not end well.—by dash888: "An Australian energy company, Red Fork Energy, has quietly fallen, a victim of the recent collapse in oil prices. While this company's home is an entire hemisphere away, its demise does indeed make a sound that will be heard in the United States. Red Fork is a shale driller in the US and produces oil and gas. It is completely exposed to the US shale industry, an industry that happens to be unviable with the price of oil under $100 per barrel. While the collapse of a foreign oil company may not unleash a river of tears from those who oppose shale drilling in the US, an examination of this company's finances, and many like it, deserves more than an uttered 'good riddance.'"
Fracking
Chemicals From Fracking Make Us Sick—by SarahCraig: "It is well-known that many of the chemicals used in fracking, acidizing, and gravel packing are harmful to our bodies. What hasn't been so clear is the evidence that highlights incidences where these chemicals have actually made people sick. There are two main factors why we still don't have a comprehensive overview of the health impacts of fracking: industry secrecy (there are laws that protect companies from disclosing the chemicals they use) and government inaction (for example, the EPA has backed off several studies to investigate the health impacts of fracking). Additional factors compound the problem: non-disclosure agreements, sealed court records, and legal settlements (all which prevent families and their doctors from talking about how they got sick). Nevertheless, the stack of evidence that tells us that fracking and similar techniques does make us ill is piling up."
Keystone XL & Other Fossil Fuel Transportation
Hundreds Loudly Object to Global Warming. Are They Correct?—by 6412093: "Hundreds of angry residents of west-central Oregon have packed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission local hearings this week, vocally objecting to a privately-proposed natural gas pipeline and LNG marine export terminal. The proposed development includes the 300-mile "Pacific-Connector" Pipeline which will move natural gas from Canada and Colorado to the deep water port of Coos Bay Oregon. There, the proposed Jordan Cove facility will convert the natural gas to liquefied (frozen) natural gas, and ship it to Asian markets. Everyone from college professors to old hippies stood in line to give their three minutes of testimony against the project. The vast majority objected to its potential to worsen climate change, which many characterized as threatening humankind with extinction. Meanwhile, I sat with dozens of my union brothers and sisters at those hearings. We spoke of our yearning for the project's creation of 4000 construction jobs at peak, a job lasting almost four years, and the 100-odd permanent jobs at the Jordan Cove liquefaction plant. That big a construction job means you could pay off the credit cards and loans, and sock some money away to send a kid to college, if FERC approves it. Below the fold, I explain, with heavy heart, why I must turn away from my environmental allies on this issue."
Transportation & Infrastructure
New Streetcars are Great But Wow Do They Ever Have Issues! How can this be fixed?—by terrypinder: "Philadelphia once had trolleys all over. When most were converted to bus, the city simply paved the tracks over. Sometimes they reappear when winters are rough. Philadelphia was lucky, though and today maintains the nation's largest network of trolleys (within North America, I believe only Toronto's is larger). Pittsburgh's formerly extensive streetcar network was all but gone by 1967. The Port Authority's T is all that remains. From the end of World War Two through the sixties, city after city decided to abandon important infrastructure. After an absence of a half-century, trolleys and their commuter rail counterparts are returning. That's great, right? Well, no, not really, in a good many cases. Some of these projects are seriously dumb. They're based on the nostalgia held by many urban planners, political vanity, and whatever happens to be trendy in transport and urban planning academia. There is a paradox in this. The American public is generally pretty supportive of transit, but that same American public overwhelmingly doesn't use it. Let's talk about that, and how we can we be better at this."
Sustainability & Extinction
Mich GOP doesn't do science, new law would reject biodiversity as criterion for managing state lands—by Eclectablog : "In a 2011 paper published in the journal Nature, Elsa Cleland studied the impact of biodiversity on ecosystems. Her study concluded with this summary: Evidence from multiple ecosystems at a variety of temporal and spatial scales, suggests that biological diversity acts to stabilize ecosystem functioning in the face of environmental fluctuation. Variation among species in their response to such fluctuation is an essential requirement for ecosystem stability, as is the presence of species that can compensate for the function of species that are lost. […] This is just one of countless scientific studies that have concluded that biodiversity is an essential component of healthy, sustainable ecosystems whether they are human-managed or not. This is what experts refer to as 'science.' Michigan Republicans, as part of a national trend, reject this 'science.' Clear evidence is on display in this year's painful lame duck session. A bill introduced by Senator Tom Casperson—S.B. 78—is speedily making its way through the legislature. It was passed by the Senate in March of 2013 and, yesterday, was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources and is headed for a full House vote."
Eco-Essays and Eco-Philosophy
The Energy New Deal - 2018 - Part 3 of 3—by John Crapper: "The Church forced economists to rethink their basic assumptions. The Milton Friedman school of thought and the Keynesian school of thought were challenged by a new way of economic analysis. The Ass-forward, waste-end first, Soft and Fluffy economic theory continuously gained momentum and increasingly challenged old assumptions. Constant economic growth based on increases in consumption and consumer spending was questioned. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was ridiculed as a misleading measure of a nation's wealth. The new concept of Gross Renewable Energy Product (GREP) emerged as the favored way to look at wealth generation. It postulated that wealth be measured in terms of the energy needed to do things: the ability to grow crops, to make products, to move goods, to improve efficiency, to pass on information, to help others. The goal of an economic system, according to this economic theory, was to create more wealth by creating more energy from non-polluting renewable sources to enable mankind to do more with fewer resources and less pollution."
Critters & the Great Outdoors
Horn Porn—by ban nock: "I took these photos last weekend. Some are fairly close up but I'm a voyeur. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder they say, we are interested in, and take photos of, that which interests us. I realize not everything is to everyone's taste, but there you have it. Yup, it's about elk antlers, horns as we say. There's actually a lot more to elk antlers than one might think. Notice how large the antlers of the elk are in proportion to his body? There are actually reasons for this that are more complicated than just impressing the ladies. Territorial deer have small horns. The antlers are used more to drive competition out of one's territory. Doe muntjac for instance stay with the buck because he has the best patch of forest, and drives others from it, not for his pretty rack. Elk are a herd animal, and an animal of the open spaces. Bull elk attract cows for mating and cows actually get to "choose" which bull they wish to become part of the harem of. But why big horns? Why not a good coat or large size or pretty eyes or macho bearing or any one of many other features? Over the entrails for answers."
Budget Rider for Sage Grouse?—by
ban nock: "I don't think endangered species listing is enough to keep President Obama from signing or Congress from voting on the must pass spending bill. […] So what's the big deal? This is congress making decisions on endangered species. The important part is what listing might do and who does and doesn't want it listed. Big Oil. Big Enviro. Listing could impede or stop every access road to do anything at all in the oil fields of most western states. Environmentalists have looked upon sage grouse as the holy grail of endangered species, the species occurs just about everywhere there is sage brush. Listing the sage grouse could justify lawsuits to stop everything from oil to ranching to condos to any sort of building at all. All the states have robust sage grouse conservation programs as do many private landowners etc. They are making every effort to appear to be trying like hell to save the prairie chickens (yes I know technically they aren't exactly the same bird, gimmee a break) The problem is populations have crashed already and no one is sure why or how to increase them or if it is even possible. The sage grouse is a spotted owl on steroids."
The Daily Bucket: Unseasonable Wildflowers and Fall Colors—by
PHScott: "
December 2014, Florida Panhandle. Been awhile, let's see if I remember how to do this. Theme for this bucket is Unseasonable Wildflowers. Here's a wildflower I've been letting go in my little grassy area at the top of the hill. Daisy Fleabane—it flowered a month ago and is now full of seeds that me and the wind will spread around. I think stands of these dead plants and seedheads are as pretty as the blooms. […] Another morning near freezing. Since I'm on a east-facing slope, as the temps fall right at sunrise, there may be enough early warmth to moderate the freezes. That and all the trees. As I write this, it's warmed to 40 and we may end up in the 50s. Sunny and no complaints!"
21st Century Arks: The History (and Future) of Zoos—by Lenny Flank: "Every major city in the US has a zoo. For most children, trips to the zoo are a highlight of childhood. Today, there is a small but vocal movement to eliminate zoos. But zoos actually have a long history--a history that tracks our changing ideas about nature and our relationship to it. The earliest "zoos" were menageries. These were simple collections of caged animals, especially exotic species from faraway provinces, gathered together by kings and emperors to show off their power and wealth. The earliest of these discovered so far is at Hierakonpolis, Egypt, where in 3500 BCE the Pharoahs kept a collection of hippos, elephants, baboons and hartebeests. King Nebuchednezzar kept a royal menagerie in Babylon, and the Chinese King Wen of Chou maintained a private animal collection called the "Garden of Intelligence". Alexander the Great sent back animal specimens from his Asian conquests, which were displayed in Athens. The Roman Emperors not only imported exotic animals from all over the known world for use in the arena games, but also for large private collections that showed off the extent of their exotic provinces as an example of Rome's power in bringing civilization to the barbarian world."
Forests, Wilderness & Public Lands
Defense bill with wilderness & parks plus land giveaways beats cloture 85-14. 3 Dems & Sanders no—by willyr: "Today the Senate voted 85-14 for cloture on the public lands deal that is part of the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act. Ten right-wing Republicans were joined by Democratic Senators Jeff Merkeley (OR), Ron Wyden (OR), and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Independent Bernie Sanders (VT) in opposing inclusion of the package. […] NDAA would designate nearly 250,000 acres of wilderness in Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington state and Montana; withdraw hundreds of thousands of acres from mineral development; establish or expand more than a dozen national park units; and protect about 140 miles of rivers. While the land package has been praised for its expansion of wilderness, rivers, and parks, it has also been severely criticized for its secret deals to give public land to mining companies in Arizona and Nevada, open up the Tongass National Forest to clearcutting, expedite grazing, oil and gas permits, and undermine the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act."
Hallelujah! First Wilderness bill in 31 years passes for Montana - in defense spending bill!—by Back Porch philosopher: "We have tremendous news for lovers of Montana's wild country!!!! We have just passed a bill designating new wilderness in Montana for the first time in 31 years!!!! The Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act has just passed the U.S. Congress as part of a larger bill, and will be sent to the President for his signature. Passage of the Heritage Act means that one of Montana’s most iconic landscapes is now permanently protected. This is a victory for all Montanans, an enormous boon to the state’s magnificent outdoor heritage, and a testament to nearly two decades of hard work and compromise by local people, businesses, and organizations who came together to craft the right bill for this special place."
The Heartwood of Koch Money—by ruby red shoes: "is TOILET PAPER. And that means logging. Georgia Pacific is gigantic. It purchases wood pulp products from a whole lot of contracting companies as well. Every time you (eh-hemm) wipe your ass you are giving a few cents to the Koch brothers. When I was in college taking environmental resource management classes, the head of the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) came to campus to give a talk at the university's forestry school. At the time, faculty there were working out the 'Sustainable Forestry Initiative' and basically writing legislation at both the state and federal level. The AF&PA chair was there to present that organization's idea of 'Sustainable Forestry': visual barriers. That was their premier solution, leaving a buffer of enough trees to hide clear-cut operations from road visibility so the public would not get upset about it. Now that is real respect, really respecting the intelligence of both the public and the forester employees who many times, keep their jobs and do what they're told but are stunned by the incompetence and unscientific decision-making of their 'environmental resource managers.'"
Agriculture, Food & Gardening
Saturday Morning Garden Blog Vol. 10.42: Dreaming of a White Christmas (not!)—by kishik: "I am not dreaming of a white Christmas!! It's too contrary to my gardening soul. And while I know the garden needs to sleep and rest, I'm dreaming of the days until Spring to move forward and quickly so I can get back to work in the soft brown earth of the garden."
Miscellany
Antibiotic resistance more dangerous than climate change in short term—by VL Baker: "The Guardian UK is reporting that antibiotic resistant 'superbugs' could cause at least 10 million deaths a year and cost global economy 100 trillion by 2050. That is the conclusion of a new study commissioned by UK Prime Minister David Cameron. UK economist Jim O’Neill says 'antimicrobial resistance is a more certain threat than climate change in the short term.' Reacting to this report, Nick Stern, President of the British Academy, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the LSE and former Chief Economist of the World Bank, said: 'Wise policy looks ahead and tries to manage risks, particularly the big ones. There can be no doubt now that antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest that we, all of us, face. The work of the group led by Jim O'Neill is of profound importance and this paper shows very convincingly the great scale of the risks, in terms of human lives and the economy, that are posed by this deeply worrying phenomenon.'"