OUTSTANDING GREEN STORIES
In the USA, Over 200 Million People Will Suffer Serious 'Psychological Distress' From Climate Change written by Pakalolo: “As our world begins to unravel, the American people are becoming increasingly alarmed as more overwhelming evidence linking our use of fossil fuels to climate change disasters becomes obvious. Almost daily, we read news stories and watch video of horrific worldwide weather events that have been fueled by climate change (for some inexplicable reason the press will not mention the word climate change anymore then my Governor Rick Scott does). Greenhouses gases, have already provided us 14 of the 15 hottest years since 2000. For comparison purposes the last time we set a global record cold temperature for the year was in 1911. Severe drought, catastrophic melt in the arctic, forest fires, tundra fires, flooding rains, dying tropical rainforests, bleaching of our corals, heat waves, disease, pestilence, stronger and stronger storms and elevated storm surge is what we have witnessed with our own two eyes. And let’s not forget that winter is here. President Obama nails it: ‘We're the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.’ ‘There is such a thing as being too late when it comes to climate change.’”
Seattle judge praises climate change activists convicted of trespassing written by Walter Einenkel: “Five activists lost their civil disobedience case in a Seattle courtroom today. The environmental activists, who blocked railway tracks used by oil trains, were convicted of misdemeanor trespassing. But the ‘Delta 5,’ as they have been called, were given praise by Judge Anthony E. Howard during his ruling. ‘Frankly the court is convinced that the defendants are far from the problem and are part of the solution to the problem of climate change,’ Howard said from the bench. But, he added: ‘I am bound by legal precedent, no matter what my personal beliefs might be.’ The case is an important one as climate change activists have been attempting, unsuccessfully for years now, to defend these types of charges under the umbrella of civil disobedience with something called the ‘necessity defense.’ The idea is that, while stopping one train or two will not reverse the ill effects of climate change, we are in such dire straits that any attempts to thwart these dangers are justifiable. In most cases these court proceedings end pretty quickly, with judges refusing to even entertain the witnesses defendants want to call to the stand (i.e. climate scientists).”
CRITTERS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Daily Bucket: Florida's Invaders—Melaleuca written by Lenny Flank: “Today, Florida spends large amounts of money and resources each year to protect and preserve our wild wetland habitat. One of our most prominent plant invaders, however, was originally introduced to Florida in a deliberate attempt to destroy swamp habitat. [...] The Melaleuca Tree is a member of the myrtle family, Latin name Myrtacea. There are about 200 species in theMelaleuca genus, found mostly in Australia but also extending into Malaysia and some of the Solomon Islands. The species that concerns us is Melaleuca quinquenervia. In its native Australia, it is known as the paperbark, the tea tree, or the punk tree. In appearance, it is a smallish tree, about 50-60 feet high, with lance-shaped evergreen leaves, bottle-brush clusters of flowers, and its most prominent feature--a light-colored bark that peels extensively from the trunk, making it look something like an American birch tree. The leaves contain camphor and smell like medicine when crushed. (The oil from a closely related tree, M. alternifolia, is commercially extracted and used as an antibiotic and fungicide.)”
Daily Bucket: A Walk at the Naples Botanical Garden written by Lenny Flank: “Some photos of native critters encountered at the Botanical Garden in Naples FL.”
Avenging Cecil: New Protections for African Lions written by FrustratedProgressive: “Welcome to a much-needed edition of Good News Thursday. It's been a tough time for fans of David Bowie, and the news of Alan Rickman's passing only makes it worse. But I would direct your attention to another death, that of Cecil the lion. You will recall that Cecil was killed last year by an American dentist after being lured outside the protected area in which he lived. But the good news, reported by the BBC is that new US protections for lions will come into force on January 22 and that the body which regulates trade in endangered species, called the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) will likely move African lions from Appendix II to Appendix I. This would completely ban trade in lions and lion parts. Unfortunately, this isn't expected to happen until Cites meets in September, and in any case it is likely to be controversial. Lion population sizes and the stability of those populations vary significantly in different parts of the African continent, and those countries where populations are fairly large and stable, including South Africa, may seek to limit protections for economic reasons.”
Mass Deaths of Seabirds in Alaska from Starvation - Other Species at Risk from Climate Change written by Steven D: “Alaska has seen mass deaths of wildlife before, but the evidence is this year is literally on the ground, where the dead bodies of seabirds such as Murres dotting the snow leaves many wondering how big a role climate change is playing in the decimation of Arctic species. Seabird biologist David Irons drove recently to the Prince William Sound community of Whittier to check on a friend's boat and spotted white blobs along the tide line of the rocky Alaska beach. He thought they were patches of snow. A closer look revealed that the white patches were emaciated common murres, one of North America's most abundant seabirds, washed ashore after apparently starving to death. ‘It was pretty horrifying,’ Irons said. ‘The live ones standing along the dead ones were even worse.’ Murre die-offs have occurred in previous winters but not in the numbers Alaska is seeing. Federal researchers won't estimate the number, and are trying to gauge the scope and cause of the die-off while acknowledging there's little they can do.”
CLIMATE CHAOS
World Economic Forum: Top Economic Risk of 2016 Is Global Warming written by Lefty Coaster: “The stock market took a tumble over the last couple of days, but that may look like a hiccup compared to what may be in store. World elites are starting to wake up to the unpleasant reality that their present business models relying on fossil fuels are not only unsustainable, but they are increasingly damaging the world economy. Top Economic Risk of 2016 Is Global Warming. Climate change is the most severe global economic risk of 2016, the World Economic Forum said yesterday. The nonprofit economic analysis institution, set to convene next week in Davos, Switzerland, for its yearly meeting, has labeled climate change or related environmental phenomena—extreme weather, major natural catastrophes, mounting greenhouse gas levels, water scarcity, flooding, storms and cyclones—among the top five most likely and significant economic threats the world faced in each of its annual reports since 2011.”
The Satellite that Fell to Earth: Debunking Christy et al. written by ClimateDenierRoundup: “At Ted Cruz's denial hearing last month, the main (and perhaps only) piece of evidence he used to support his claim that temperatures haven’t risen is the satellite record. By way of an argument, Cruz asserted the satellite data is the most reliable, and because it shows a pause, the alarmists must be wrong. While it’s obvious this ignores the many other lines of evidence showing the Earth has warmed, it also falsely inflates the reliability of the satellites. To explain why, Peter Sinclair at Yale Climate Connections interviewed a number of climate 'Heroes' who discuss some of the backstory and nuance of the satellite record. The result of Sinclair's efforts is a nine minute video, accompanied by a written summary that teases some of the video's best quotes. One of the most important points the experts in the video make is that the record kept by Spencer and Christy has, over the years, been forced to make a number of 'ch-ch-ch-ch-changes' such that the data went from showing cooling, to stable, to warming temperatures. The biggest and most easily understood error is that Spencer and Christy failed to account for the fact that the friction between the satellites and atmosphere meant the satellites gradually 'Fell to Earth.' With an annual drop of about a kilometer a year, what Spencer and Christy thought were measurements taken at 2pm were actually taken at 6pm. This error led to Spencer and Christy’s mistaken assessment that temperatures were cooling, because clearly temperatures in the evening are cooler than those in the afternoon.”
State of Denial: Lonely written by ClimateDenialRoundup: “Climate and clean energy policy was one of President Obama's major focuses in his final State of the Union, with references to deniers both overt and subtle. First he pointed out that when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik, the US response wasn’t denial but determination that led us to the moon. Obama later pointed out that those still in denial will be rather lonely, as they’re up against the military, and most businesses, and most Americans. Those lonely deniers are obviously not pleased at the state in which they’ve found themselves after Obama's big speech. At Breitbart, James Delingpole makes acharacteristically weak attempt to debunk the speech. Delingpole's response relies heavily on rhetoric rather than fact, as well as references from the deniersphere that provide further proof of just how little mainstream pick-up denial has gotten lately. At the other lonely bastion of denial, the Daily Caller's Andrew Follet takes a shot at green energy with the standard attack that it’s too costly. ”
Extreme Weather & Natural Phenomena
Bizarre & Disturbing. Hurricane Alex Forms in Atlantic, Hurricane Pali in Pacific in January written FishOutofWater: “Hurricane Pali is heading where no hurricane has gone before, within 5 degrees of the equator in the north central Pacific. Forecasters have been stunned by Pali. Tropical storms generally don’t form near the equator because they can’t develop enough spin there but a phenomenal atmospheric wave moved eastward along the equator all the way from the Indian ocean to the eastern Pacific over the last month. That massive wave of thunderstorms on both sides of the equator built a strong surge of westerly winds on the equator as it moved east. When those west winds reached the central Pacific where the Northeasterly trade reach deep into the tropics, the thunderstorms developed spin and tropical storm Pali formed “impossibly” close to the equator. Pali is the earliest tropical storm ever in the central and east north Pacific. Only one other hurricane has ever formed in January in that region. Moreover, Pali has been closer to the equator than any storm in the region. The super El Nino and the very warm equatorial water temperatures played a role, but Pali’s behavior is still hard to explain.”
A Subtropical Storm in the Atlantic. In January written by tampaedski: “Today I get done with work, open Facebook, and see posted on FaceBook an announcement from the Central Florida Hurricane center (a rather geeky website dedicated to non-hyped discussions of tropical weather) that we have a subtropical storm in the eastern Atlantic. Didn’t hurricane season just end? The caption I wrote comes from caution I learned in grad school studying atmospheric science — data is not perfect, does not cover the globe. That crazy season where the storm names had to go deep into the Greek alphabet (2005) certainly looks like an outlier, and probably was, but at least one storm from that season was discovered after the fact via data analysis. Decades earlier that storm probably would never have been noticed.”
ENERGY
Nuclear, Coal, Oil and Gas
In partial victory for keeping fossil fuels in the ground, Obama will halt new federal coal leases written by Meteor Blades: “Climate activists get to celebrate a victory in the war on coal Friday. Not the final victory by a long shot, but progress nonetheless. President Obama will announce that there will be no new coal leasing on public lands until the government completes an overhaul of the program. That could produce anything from simply mandating higher royalties for energy companies to ending public land leasing altogether. Of course, short of congressional legislation, what one administration can put into place its successors can take away. [...] The leasing moratorium will, to be sure, represent a coal-industry setback. But mining under current coal leases will not be ended. And there are enough of those to keep up the current pace of production on federal lands for 20 years or so. The leasing program fees of $3 an acre plus a 12.5 percent royalty on the market price of strip-mined coal brought $1.2 billion into the federal Treasury in 2014. Critics, including the Government Accountability Office, say these payments are far too low.”
GREAT NEWS! President Obama halts leasing federal public lands for Coal Mining Lefty Coaster written by Lefty Coaster: “This is the best news I’ve seen recently. In Climate Move, Obama to Halt New Coal Mining Leases on Public Lands [...] The Obama administration will announce on Friday a halt to new coal mining leases on public lands as it considers an overhaul of the program that could lead to increased costs for energy companies and a slowdown in extraction, according to an administration official. The move would represent a significant setback for the coal industry, effectively freezing new coal production on federal lands and sending a signal to energy markets that could turn investors away from an already flailing industry.”
The End of an Error written by Michael Brune: “During his State of the Union address, Barack Obama alluded, not for the first time during his presidency, to John Muir's old camping buddy, Theodore Roosevelt, whom he clearly admires. But the president also paid tribute to T.R. in another way: by following the admonition to ‘speak softly and carry a big stick.’ Here are the words the president spoke: "I'm going to push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet.’ Sounds sensible, right? Sitting right behind the president, House Speaker Paul Ryan didn't even flinch, although I think I saw him squeeze his eyes shut like someone in Star Wars who just felt a disturbance in the Dark Side of the Force. Today the president followed through on those sensible words in a big way, with Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell's announcement that the U.S. would stop issuing new coal leases on public lands while it conducts the first major review of the country's coal-leasing program since Barack Obama was a freshman in college. You could say it's about time.”
2016 Beyond Coal Outlook - A Big Year Ahead written by Mary Anne Hitt: “If the first two weeks of 2016 are any indication, 2016 is shaping up to be a very big year for the US to make the shift beyond coal, to clean energy. From Oregon to New York, and from Wall Street to Main Street, it feels like there has been big news breaking almost every day, and it all points in the same direction - a nation moving closer to being powered by 100 percent clean energy. Just today, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that the Obama administration will be compiling a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on coal leasing on public lands and putting an immediate suspension on all future and modified coal leases. This is major news that deserves to be praised: The federal coal leasing program is broken, outdated, and does not consider the threat of climate change in our communities. And that’s only what happened today! Earlier this week in New York, after a three-year campaign by the Sierra Club and our allies, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in his state of the state address that thestate will move entirely off coal by 2020 coupled with a transition glide path for coal affected communities and a commitment to mandate 50 percent of New York’s energy is sourced from renewables by 2030.”
Renewables, Efficiency & Conservation
Top Comments: Solar Array Update Edition written by gizmo59: “Last July, we had an array of 27 photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of our house. I wrote about their installation and early performance back in August. That was back before I had gotten any electric bills, or had witnessed seasonal variation in its performance. Now that we’re in the depths of winter, I think it’s time for an update. [...] Among the issues that we were concerned about was how would our photovoltaic system affect our electric bills? Predictably, they have been much lower. In fact, since the system has gone on-line, I have not paid a cent to our utility for electricity. The utility does charge a minimum monthly fee of $26, but there has been no net transfer of electricity from them to us during that period.”
Here comes the Sun ... written by jamess: “Here's some very welcome news ... forecasting a 'sunnier future' for us all. • Solar energy is booming, with IEA predicting 16% of global electricity to come from solar energy by 2050 from less than 1% now. • Solar Panel prices should fall by another 40% in the next 10 years based on the current technology roadmap. • Energy Industry will see a massive paradigm change, Investors needs to position themselves accordingly. • Solar Energy is growing at a tremendous pace globally, with the demand growth surprising even the most optimistic analyst. The biggest reason behind the growth has been the sharp reduction in costs and prices (75% in the 5 years).”
Will Molten Salt Save Us All? written by Little Lulu: “The solar-powered answer may have already been discovered and it may be something that will not only pay for itself, but it may remove CO2 from the atmosphere to pre-industrial levels within 10 years of its being put into operation! Let’s make this viral so the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates invest and get this going, since it's doubtful there will be a national investment anytime soon.”
OCEANS, WATER, DROUGHT
The Friday Night Dump: Draft biological assessment for Delta Tunnels released written by Dan Bacher: “Governor Jerry Brown yesterday claimed the Delta Tunnels are “absolutely necessary” for the future of California in remarks made to reporters after he spoke at the ACWA conference in Sacramento. You can read my report about the ‘Water 2.0 event.’ Today, in the classic way that government agencies release controversial environmental and scientific documents, the Friday evening ‘dump,’ the California Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released a ‘working draft” of the biological assessment for the California WaterFix. I will post comments and analyses from scientists and organizations as I receive them.”
Governor Claims Tunnels Are 'Absolutely Necessary' At California Water Agency Event written by Don Bacher: “In comments after his address at the ‘CA Water 2.0 event’ sponsored by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today in Sacramento, Governor Jerry Brown described the controversial Delta Tunnels plan as ‘absolutely necessary’ for California’s future and dismissed the growing number of project critics as a ‘small group of people who absolutely hate it.’ On his way out of the Sacramento Convention Center after he made his presentation, Brown dismissed the notion that the project is being built as part of his ‘legacy’ as Governor. ‘Some of the people, particularly some of the press, think this is some kind of legacy or pet project. It has nothing to do with that,’ Brown said. ‘The only reason I'm working on this is I believe — and the scientists and engineers that I've spoken to say — it's absolutely necessary for California's future. And that's why I'm working on it,’ said Brown.”
WILDERNESS, NATIONAL FORESTS AND PARKS & OTHER PUBLIC LANDS
US Navy Seals to Train at Washington State Parks and Throughout Puget Sound. Public Not Notified written by VeganMilitia: “I have just had a phone conversation with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official for all of Washington State Parks. He himself was personally unaware of his agency’s determination of SEPA exemption and prior permit(s) issued. Many have argued, so-what, the Navy has to train somewhere. Be that as it may, that is a separate issue from the State of Washington’s responsibilities under SEPA to adequately review proposed activities and to involve the public in that review process. It appears that in the 2012-2014 period the SEPA exemption indicates this was not done. In 2016, we may have the opportunity to revisit the determination of exemption and bring this discussion before the public.”
Time for We the People to March on Bundyville, i.e. the Malheur Wildlife Refuge written by Steven D: “It’s clear that neither the Federal government, nor the state and local authorities plan to do anything to remove the armed and dangerous criminals and terrorists who have trespassed and vandalized our collective property, the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, while also threatening the safety of law enforcement and federal employees. Why this is so is a mystery to me, but it seems clear that after the standoff at the Cliven Bundy Ranch between domestic terrorist militias and the Bundy family resulted in few if any criminal charges being brought against the active criminal participants at that fiasco, the current crop of violent and unhinged creeps now occupying the wildlife reserve in Oregon felt emboldened enough to actively plan a repeat performance for months. In the absence of any real leadership from Federal, State and elected officials, perhaps it is time for the rest of us to take a stand by taking a page out of the nonviolent playbook playbook of Civil Rights heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, et alia. ”
Malheur Yeehawdists Aim to Give Grand Junction, CO Back to Mexico written by PKolbenschlag: “The Oregonian is reporting: Protesters holding the bird sanctuary southeast of here want every county in the U.S. to start a process giving back federal land to the previous owners. The public lands in western Colorado and New Mexico, a corner of Wyoming, and all of Utah, California and Nevada--prior to being part of the ‘federal estate’ (or shrinking treaty lands) within the United States--were part of Mexico.”
Public Lands Land Grab Group in Hot Water written by PKolbenschlag: “The standoff is part of a dubious legacy that lacks Constitutional merit, and which often appears more about self-enrichment and self-aggrandizement than about commitment to principles. WESTERN SLOPE, COLO. — Montrose County is not a rich county. Mesa County is currently concerned that the latest bust in the chain of boom-and-bust that is its self-fulfilling economic legacy will leave it unable to fund all its commitments. But that did not stop both from spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on a hare-brained scheme from the Utah-based American Lands Council that most legal scholars note is based on fiction and wishful thinking to seize control of millions of acres of America's public lands.”
What Happens When Unarmed Black People Occupy A Wildlife Refuge? They Get Arrested. Promptly written by Phoenix Woman: “In 1979, 40 members of People Organized for Equal Rights set up camp on a federal nature preserve south of Savannah, Georgia — where their ancestors had lived for generations. A white plantation owner had deeded the land to a former slave after the Civil War, and other freed slaves and their descendant moved to the area — known as Harris Neck — to live, work, fish and farm for decades. That all came to an abrupt end in 1942, when the U.S. military took over Harris Neck through eminent domain and gave residents three weeks to leave.”
Oregon militia shows off fan mail written by gjohnsit: “It seems that Real ‘Muricans are sending the Oregon Militia supplies that they need, including ‘a bag o' dicks.’”
Ryan Bundy: Native Americans have lost their claim to the Land written by xxdr zombiexx: “There is a variety of enraging things to read at that news article, I am focusing on this issue largely due to fair-use limitations and to highlight the utter vandalism these cretins stand ready to commit. They have happily done it before: these assholes have vandalized Native American sites before. [...] This is no different than the Taliban blowing up the Buddhas, or ISIS trying to find antiquities to destroy. No different whatsoever. While these faux-militia assholes are technically entitled to their opinions, however fucking stupid those opinions are, they are using these “opinions” (delusions) to make real-world decisions that affect all sorts of people who have JUST AS MUCH RIGHT to these public spaces. And they are set to damage irreplaceable artifacts because they are so delusional about their white supremacy.”
Oregon standoff protestor arrested after driving federal vehicle into town for more snacks written by Jen Hayden: “Although the militia men and women occupying the Malheur Wildlife Refuge have been given a free pass to come and go as they please, law enforcement are drawing the line at them driving stolen federally-owned vehicles into the local Safeway for supplies. From the Harney County Sheriff's office: An individual is in custody in connection with stolen Malheur National Wildlife Refuge vehicles. Shortly after noon on Friday, January 15, 2016, Oregon State Police arrested Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent, Oregon, at the Safeway in Burns, Oregon. He was arrested on probable cause for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Law enforcement officers recovered two vehicles stolen from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had previously reported the vehicles stolen to the Harney County Sheriff's Office.”
Oregon militia supporter calls for locals and outsiders to surround the FBI compound on Saturday written by Jen Hayden: “LaVoy Finicum (also known as blue tarp man) hosted the Oregon militia’s daily press conference at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Ammon Bundy was noticeably absent, perhaps off meeting with "constitutional" sheriffs trying to rally them to his cause. Finicum was asked by a man in attendance (not sure if he was a reporter or a supporter, they mingle together at these daily gatherings and lob their own militia-friendly questions) what his feelings were about Harney County residents reportedly feeling intimidated by the FBI, being pressured to not show support for the occupiers because of the FBI presence. Finicum responded by exclaiming it was ‘time for the FBI to go home!’ That’s rich, right? The man from Arizona occupying a federal wildlife preserve in Oregon telling the FBI to go home.”
BundyBunch bunch built a road at the refuge yesterday written by cany: “Apparently, the road was built between the kitchen and some other buildings farther away. Not only is this a wildlife refuge, those familiar with the property have indicated there are sensitive archaeological sites, including both Native American burial AND reburial sites, on the lands. I do, however, remain of the opinion that we must wait these folks out. I do not agree that food and other supplies, mail etc. should enter. But I believe strongly that a heavy hand will cause all kinds of other problems. I also recognize that while I have read a lot on this, I cannot possibly know what LE knows. I think there have been a few very worth articles at Vox in regard to this and I’d like to recommend them as reading. They are thoughtfully written and taken together, make clear the potential price of action and likewise the benefit of not doing so. They also help to explain the motivation of the federal government in not provoking a fight.”
Inside the Refuge with the Occupiers: A Photo Diary written by Max Udargo: “I was sitting in a leather armchair inside the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge late last Saturday night, watching three guys play with “optics,” when I was informed I was no longer welcome. Optics, in this case, are scopes and laser sights that can be attached to a rifle. One of the men sitting on the floor in front of me had brought out a box full of optics and was showing his collection to two younger men. The younger men were delighted by the box of expensive accessories, and one of them started attaching redundant optics to his AR-15 just to see how cool he could make it look. I was laughing along with them when the door to the outside opened and a tall man dressed head to toe in snow camo entered and looked at me. He slipped the hood off his head and walked over to stand in front of me as I sat looking up at him from the chair. I had seen him coming and going throughout the evening, but I hadn’t yet made his acquaintance, and I assumed he had decided it was time to introduce himself to the newcomer. He extended his hand, told me his name, and asked for mine. Then he asked whom I was with. ‘Nobody. I’m just here for myself.’ He nodded, then said, ‘I’ve been instructed to ask you to leave.’”
Oregon militia damage refuge with new road, have been traveling to rally 'constitutional' sheriffs written by Jen Hayden: “The Ammon Bundy-led militants at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge wanted to make it easier to get between the federal buildings so they used federal equipment to build a new road, causing severe damage to the delicate ecosystem of the refuge in the process [...] U.S. Fish and Wildlife representatives have also confirmed the Oregon militants are now in control of approximately 4,000 archaeological artifacts and archeologists are concerned about their fate.”
BREAKING: Malheur Occupier ARRESTED, updated written by mamabigdog: “Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent, OR has been arrested in the Safeway parking lot in Burns, OR for driving a stolen federal truck belonging to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. A second federal vehicle was also found in the Safeway lot, but the driver has not yet been located. Medenbach was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and is the first person to be arrested connected to the wildlife refuge takeover. Think he’ll get the full term in the federal penitentiary?”
To the armed morons at Malheur NWR: Thank you! written by walk2live: “I’m a birder, photographer, and Oregonian… which means I've not only heard of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge prior to Jan 2, 2016, but I love the place & have been there many times. Over the years, I’ve had many conversations with people about Malheur, and the response is usually “Huh? I've never heard of it". So, I have to try to explain what and where it is, and why it matters so much... with mixed results. Now, thanks to the actions of a bunch of doofuses with guns, everyone has heard of it. Better still, they’re learning why this place and others like it are important to our present and future. My ‘pet issue’ is land use policy. To most people, this exudes a big yawn, and at best I get 30 seconds before the reply is ‘that's nice’ and the subject changes. Now? there are actual serious conversations about all manner of land use policy — the history of it, the future, the why, how, who... and it's clear that ‘our side’ is winning hands-down.”
Rally for Malheur & Public Lands - Jan 19th multiple locations written by walk2live: “Do you live in Oregon or nearby? Are you fed-up with the situation in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge? Do you want to make your voice heard? The Portland Audubon Society just sent out an invite to a number of rallies to be held at multiple locations on Tuesday Jan 19th at noon: Portland, Bend, Eugene, LaGrande, and a couple more TBD.”
What's the hold up with the Oregon situation? written by Edward C M: “Currently in Oregon, a group of dissenters of the policies of the BLM have, through threat of arms, taken physical control of U.S. controlled buildings and preserve. Our nation has sent FBI agents to monitor the situation. Excuse me, what? Monitor…? What ever happened to ‘Put your arms up, you are under arrest’? If I were to walk out my front door with a rifle slung over my shoulder, and I tried to take over my local city hall, you can bet every dime you have I would either be dead by nightfall, or in jail waiting to see the judge the next morning. What are we paying these FBI agents for? Are they not charged with, and have they not sworn to perform their duties necessary to enforce and carry out our laws? Why is this still on going, at a terrible waste of our tax dollars? ”
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers members shred militia signage at refuge, say 'get the flock out' written by Jen Hayden: “The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers are taking a stand FOR federal lands and wildlife preserves. They’ve posted an op-ed in Outdoor Life magazine roasting the militia and politicians for their reluctance to condemn the takeover of the reserve. [...] Backcountry members say this is nothing more than an attempted land grab by Bundy and his supporters for their own private gain. Watch Backcountry Hunters and Anglers shred the militia signage covering the original Malheur Wildlife Refuge sign and explain why that particular refuge is so critical, not only to migrating birds, but for the entire ecosystem in North America.”
Rancher is 'very upset' Bundy and crew tore out fence, warns them to stay off his property written by Jen Hayden: “On Monday, Ammon Bundy dragged reporters out to remote section of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge so they could witness his militia tear out an 80-foot section of fence that bordered Tim Puckett’s ranch. Ammon Bundy said the rancher had asked them to help remove the fence so his cattle could graze on federal land. The Oregonian reached Tim Puckett and he said not only did he not give them permission to tear out the fence, he’s ‘very upset’: ‘They're not coming onto my place no more,’ he said of the militants. "If they do, I'm gonna have to do something about it. I don't want them going across my ground.’”
Frontier Justice arrives in the E. Oregon Bundystan, fluffy kangaroos bring their court written by annieli: “Peoples’ Justice now comes to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge bantustan as the fluffy unicornists now have decided that their own judges, juries, and presumably executioners come with their sovereign takeover. Their own self-appointed US Superior Court judge is now making his moot circuit round, having graced High Noon and Blazing Saddles and found wanting. It raises an important question about hard is the III% and Sovereign Citizen Bar Exam. Given their tendency to the antisemitic, they probably do not subscribe to Judge Judyism.”
BYPRODUCTS, TRASH, TOXIC & RADIOACTIVE WASTE
Hillary Clinton aides met with Flint mayor over crisis written by northanger: “Hillary Clinton dispatched two top campaign aides to Flint on Wednesday to meet with Mayor Karen Weaver about the city’s water contamination crisis. Clinton’s national political director, Amanda Renteria, and policy adviser Mike Schmidt met with the mayor at City Hall on Wednesday. On Monday, the Democratic presidential frontrunner also criticized state officials for allowing Flint River water to continue flowing to city homes after General Motors Co. deemed it too corrosive for engine parts.”
Hillary 'chastises' Snyder; Bernie calls for his RESIGNATION over Flint written by The Bernster: “This is the difference between the two democratic presidential candidates in a nutshell.”
Why is Gov. Snyder not facing Criminal Charges? written by RantingRooster: “People are dying from his and his appointees decisions, which should be viewed as criminal negligence. They knew in 2013 about the potential for lead poisoning! From the Detroit Free Press. State and local officials knew in 2013 that without proper treatment of water drawn from the Flint River, they risked subjecting the people of Flint to lead-contaminated drinking water.”
Dr. Mona uncovers #FlintWaterCrisis using Medicaid screening data written by northanger: “Just learned about the “hero doctor” who helped expose the #FlintWaterCrisis, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha (Director, Pediatric Residency Program, Hurley Medical Center) — interviewed January 15th by Democracy Now! What’s striking (bolded text) was the readily available medical data of young children, which helped verify what was going on with Flint’s water supply and that city’s children. DR. MONA HANNA-ATTISHA: Yeah. So, in late August, we were hearing reports from the Virginia Tech group that there was lead in the water. And when pediatricians hear about lead anywhere, we freak out. We know lead. Lead, as you said, is a known potent, irreversible neurotoxin. So we wanted to see if that lead in the water was getting into the bodies of children. So that’s when we started doing our research.”
Now They're Rationing Lead Testing Kits in Flint written by jpmassar: “Who could have predicted that if you have lead-poisoned water and offer people lead testing kits, that people might want them? As the New York Times notes: Since Monday, when officials began distributing emergency supplies at fire stations, thousands of people have streamed in, and aid workers have rationed lead testing kits, one per person, for fear of running out. ‘The volume of people that have been coming here, it's a nonstop deal for 12 hours a day,’ said David Cox Jr., the city fire chief. "We weren't ready for it.’ These people are clowns. Deadly clowns/”
10 Dead in Flint: Did Republican Cuts Kill Yet Again? written by ealtieri: “The city of Flint, Michigan is facing a dire public health crisis thanks to the budget cuts implemented by Republican Governor Rick Snyder. We brought this to your attention last week with the third installment of our ‘Republican Cuts...’ campaign, Republican Cuts Poison. Unfortunately, things have severely escalated since then. A Legionnaires' disease outbreak has spiked in Genesee County, the same county that has been served lead contaminated water for the past two years. Experts say the correlation between the contaminated water and the spike of disease is ‘very likely.’ So far, 87 cases have been found and ten have led to death. Now we have to ask, did Republican cuts kill yet again?”
Michigan Gov Snyder Cut Taxes for the Rich, Poisons Thousands of Children in Flint to Save Money written by Doctor Jazz: “Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, who ousted former mayor , Dayne Walling, in the last election, said the broke city might need to come up with as much $1.5 billion to fix its water system. How’s that for saving money? If only they could have won Wednesday night’s Lottery. And on top of the infrastructure costs, the human toll is likely to be nothing less than catastrophic. The young children who have been poisoned will face long term if not life long complications requiring costly health care and educational services. In response to this catastrophe Michael Moore has called for Snyder to resign and be jailed.”
Snyder Administration Defends Flint Water Crisis Handling - TMFS Sketch Comedy written by Matthew Filipowicz.
Flint, MI Water Switch Also Likely Cause of 10 Deaths from Legionnaire's Disease written by ericlewis0: “This was breaking news on the Rachel Maddow Show earlier this evening. From the Detroit Free Press: Since Flint switched its water source to the Flint River, officials have seen a spike in the number of cases of a severe form of pneumonia, called Legionnaires' disease — but officials say they're still looking for the cause. There have been 87 cases in Genesee County from June 2014 to November 2015 — and 10 of those cases resulted in death, said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS. That number is a jump from previous few years, when the county saw between 6 and 13 cases. It’s not clear how many were fatal.”
What Did the Governor Know About Flint's Water, and When Did He Know It? written by Mike Taylor: “Michigan has finally declared a state of emergency over the city’s lead poisoning, but there are questions about why it’s taken so long to respond.”
ECO-ESSAYS & PROPOSALS
Smiling as the Growth Train Hurtles into the Abyss written by veritas curat: “And if the Great Unravelling tears the dominant economic growth paradigm into flaming pieces and physical reality blows apart the fantasy world of money and markets I rest content in the knowledge that the planet will survive and the laws of nature will continue to drive the natural, sustainable cycles that have operated for hundreds of millions of years. And I do believe that whatever remnants of human civilization manage to survive the collapse of that unsustainable economic growth paradigm, it will have taught us desperately needed humility and wisdom, the lack of which caused the collapse.”
Is there such thing as "enough"? Can we live in harmony with the planet? written by don mikulecky: “Jim Coffman, coauthor of our book, Global Insanity: How Homo sapiens Lost Touch with Reality while Transforming the World, posted this on Facebook: ENOUGHNESS: Restoring Balance to the Economy in the Most Awesome Way Ever. How we see the world determines how we act. Western thought sees us at war with each other over resources. In Indigenous philosophy, we are all related as individuals in balance with nature. Enoughness juxtaposes these two world views and delivers some startling facts. It is pointed out that "Indigenous peoples territory spans 24% of the earths land surface but is home to 80% of it's total biodiversity. This is not a coincidence." Well illustrated throughout, this short film is a powerful testament to living in harmony rather than in competition with each other and the earth.”
AGRICULTURE, FOOD & GARDENING
Just Say No to Farmed Salmon written by Robocop: “I have long eschewed eating farmed salmon, most of which is Atlantic salmon, for a variety of health reasons. Among them are that farmed salmon have seven times the levels of PCB’s as wild salmon, 30 times the number of sea lice, are given chemicals to make the fish red, are given antibiotics at levels higher than any other livestock, and contain half the amount of omega-3’s, which lower the risk of heart disease, dementia and arthritis, among other things. And farming salmon necessitates the over fishing of wild sardines, anchovies, mackerel and herring for feed. Atlantic salmon are the fish of choice for farms because they are less aggressive than Pacific salmon and grow faster. As Pacific salmon are apparently more prone to disease, production costs would also be affected.”
CANDIDATES, STATE AND DC ECO-RELATED POLITICS
Environmental Group to Air Ads for Sanders in Iowa and New Hampshire written by VL Baker: Friends of The Earth, an environmental advocacy group has announced that they will begin airing an ad supporting the election of Bernie Sanders for president. Friends of The Earth endorsed Sanders last summer. The ad, which touts Sanders' positions on the Keystone XL pipeline and trade and does not mention Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, will start airing on Tuesday in the Des Moines, Iowa and Manchester, New Hampshire media markets and will run for a week, according to Erich Pica, the group's president. "Bernie Sanders had the courage to stand up against the Keystone pipeline from day one. He introduced the bill to keep fossil fuels in the ground on federal land and he opposes unjust trade agreements that damage our planet," says a narrator during the 30-second spot. "It is why Friends of the Earth Action urges you to support Bernie Sanders for president." A Friends of The Earth spokesman said that the ad was paid for by small dollar donations and no super pac money was used to run the ad.”
MISCELLANY
Daily Bucket: Out out damn dams. written by Besame: “While some groups are fighting to keep new dams from being built and prevent raising existing dams, others are removing dams to return the watercourses’ natural flows and enhance fisheries. In California, two dams on the Central Coast are finally gone and biologists are assessing the early responses to hydrology and improved access to spawning habitat. [...] The Carmel River in Monterey County is flowing in its natural course for the first time in 95 years after the dam removal in November 2015. The dam which was built in 1920, no longer served a purpose. It was full of silt, structurally unstable, and was an environmental roadblock for the threatened Steelhead trout trying to get up river to spawn. ‘We're hoping that will be able to get somewhere near about four or five thousand adults in the river over next few years and be able to restore the population and get it to equilibrium again,’ Lorin Letendre of the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy said.”