Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue) appears twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Here is the most recent previous Green Spotlight. More than 25,725 environmentally oriented stories have been rescued to appear in 464 editions of this series since 2006. Inclusion of a story in the Spotlight does not necessarily indicate my agreement with or endorsement of it.
OUTSTANDING GREEN STORIES
xaxnar writes—It's Raining Today: “It’s raining where I am this morning, as I sit typing this and looking out into my backyard. The picture above is from the Adirondacks; I borrowed it from the image library at Kos because it comes closest to capturing the mood. There may be a foot or more of snow on the High Peaks this weekend. The pines are green as ever, but the hardwoods are all changing color and soon will be dropping their leaves. Even as the days get shorter, what light there is will soon have less clutter to get through at the end of its 8 minute journey from the sun. [...] It’s been a dry summer just past. People have had wells go dry. The swamp around the corner on my road is as low as I’ve ever seen it. The rain now is welcome — save where it’s coming down so hard people are getting flooded out. It would have been appreciated more this summer past when crops were drying in the fields. [...] It’s been a little disheartening to see how little attention climate change has gotten in the presidential campaign, though at least one candidate isn’t afraid to say the words and talk about it even if the media doesn’t dare. Today is a day I can appreciate how quickly the weather could affect my life, perhaps fatally, if not for the circumstances I currently enjoy.
CRITTERS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
imsodizzy writes—A Southwestern Maine Nature Photo Diary: “My wife and I were always avid birders, and we tried to attract as many to our feeders as possible. When we lived in Alfred, we were going through some 750 pounds of black-oil sunflower seed a year. We had collected a daily flock of 30 Mourning Doves, and over our 19 years in that place, we catalogued 75 species of bird from inside the house. Some birds for y’all: The Scarlet Tanagers, although rarely seen, are always such a delight when they arrive, they light up the scene with their intense color. We had put out oranges to attract the Baltimore Orioles, who were a no-show that year.”
Besame writes—Daily Bucket: a confusion of blues: “The few blue wildlife in my yard these days are dramatically obvious against evergreen conifers and not-yet-deciduous oaks. Others might appear in spring if I plant seed now. Some of their names tell us about the species, give us clues about their appearances. But for others, common names and sometimes even scientific names don’t make sense. The Stellar’s jay above is not my photo but his cousins visit my California yard to enjoy the sunflower seeds I offer. When Stellar’s jay arrives, the other birds bail out, even California scrub jay. Their names suggest a relationship (both are jays), and California tells us where one bird lives. Stellar’s tells us nothing useful about the bird as the name is in honor of Georg Wilhelm Steller (10 March 1709 – 14 November 1746). But it does tell us that Stellar was the first white man to see them. Part of Bering’s exploration of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Alaska in the 1740’s, Stellar might be the first non-native person to walk on Alaskan soil.”
e2247 writes—Strong south winds stall the Monarchs' fall migration near Llano River, TX: “As in 2012, Strong south winds shown in this animation are stalling the Monarchs near Llano River. October 22, 2012 details here: Winds from the South Stall Migrating Monarch Butterflies on the Llano River in the Texas Hill Country. Warm Fall, Late Sightings : Temperatures across the north have been unusually warm this fall. This has extended the growing season for monarchs. Some were laying eggs through September as far north as New York. — learner.org/...”
Lenny Flank writes—Study: Wild Capuchin Monkeys Make and Use Stone Flake Tools: “Perhaps we humans are not that special after all. Our understanding of the emergence of technology shapes how we view the origins of humanity. Sharp-edged stone flakes, struck from larger cores, are the primary evidence for the earliest stone technology. Here we show that wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Brazil deliberately break stones, unintentionally producing recurrent, conchoidally fractured, sharp-edged flakes and cores that have the characteristics and morphology of intentionally produced hominin tools. The production of archaeologically visible cores and flakes is therefore no longer unique to the human lineage, providing a comparative perspective on the emergence of lithic technology.”
owktree writes—The Daily Bucket: Allegheny Mountain Autumn: “A trip into central Pennsylvania over the weekend. Autumn colors in progress. Things getting a little cold at night. And crossing the interesting geography as one transits the ridges and mountains of this area. The place I was staying at is a hunting camp belonging to a friend’s family. It is located in a creek valley, and the lower and marshy side varies depending on where you are on it. An old railroad right-of-way runs along one side and serves as a common road for 4-wheelers. The creek itself is contaminated with mine run-off, and the hills to the south that are currently a mix of private property and state game lands was strip-mined over twenty years ago. Lots of up-and-down around spill piles, some steep drop-offs, and a relatively flat top. (There was still strip-mining going on nearby twenty years ago, but I don’t know what the current status is.)”
CLIMATE CHAOS
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—China Driving Climate Action Forward: “After yesterday, we thought you might need something upbeat, so here’s some good news on global climate action (that deniers are, unsurprisingly, choosing to ignore). Despite the bilateral agreement to reduce emissions between China and the US and China’s early sign-on to the Paris Agreement, deniers have yet to update their talking points about the developing country’s emissions justifying complacency here in the US. What’s the point of the US sacrificing, they ask rhetorically, if China continues to use coal in increasing quantities? This is a nonsense argument even if true, because even if our emission reductions were cancelled out by China’s growth, that would still mean less carbon pollution than if both nations continued unabated. But it is increasingly looking like China isn’t going to be the cause of climate catastrophe at all. In fact, it is quickly staking out a position of climate leadership, in part perhaps due to strong public support for renewables, which they are cutting down on coal plants to make more room for. But the cleanest megawatt is the one that isn’t used, making energy efficiency a key component of climate action. As a new IEA report shows, China poured $370 billion dollars into energy efficiency programs between 2006 and 2014. In total, it’s efforts have saved nearly 500 gigawatts, about the same amount as the renewable energy it has installed.”
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—What if The Donald read up on climate change? #TrumpBookReport: “#TrumpBookReport was trending on Twitter yesterday, as people lampooned Donald Trump's ignorant answers to basic questions in the last U.S. presidential debate. We imagined how The Donald might react if he tried reading some of the best books about climate change, the environment, and mobilizing for the WWII-scale effort we need against this emergency … This is as good a hook as any to check out The Climate Mobilization's list of all the reading that's moved and guided us along the way! And of course, a reminder to all the climate-alarmed to get out the vote in the few weeks we have left. “
Glaisne writes—If it's 80 degrees in mid-October then global warming is true, right? ”Is it just me? Sometimes I just feel that progressives, liberals, the left in general just really suck at memes, propaganda, or messaging. Take this October warm spell for example. Just two weeks before Halloween, and it’s hitting 80 degrees, in NY. It hit 100 degrees in Dodge City, KS today. Warm temperature records are breaking throughout the country. So where are all the snarky tweets, posts, comments from liberals about how “Global Warming must be true!”. Yet you can bet your bottom dollar that the first big snowfall we have this winter in January or February or earlier will bring out all the right wing trolls exclaiming how Global Warming is a hoax! [...] We need to do better at beating the right at their own game to spread the truth more effectively.”
Marty Essen writes—Why Americans think Benghazi and gun shows are more important than Global Warming: “Basically, a large segment of the American populous must be told how to think, as they are incapable of coming up with politically-oriented opinions on their own. That’s why Barack Obama’s poll numbers tanked, despite easily being the best president we’ve had in the last 50 years. That’s why Hillary Clinton went from being the most admired woman in America for 14 years straight (Gallup poll) to being one of the least popular presidential candidates in modern history. Over and over, the legitimate media adopted—or at least didn’t contradict—the right wing media’s negative stories about Obama and Clinton. When it comes to global warming, it’s the same thing. No issue facing the world is more important than global warming, as it will eventually affect everyone—either directly or indirectly through wars, famine, and mass extinctions. Nevertheless, if you poll Americans on the issues, global warming doesn’t even crack the top 12 (Gallup poll). The reason again is that the right wing media denies that global warming exists, and the legitimate media only talks about it occasionally.”
OCEANS, WATER, DROUGHT
Dan Bacher writes—State Water Board Releases Draft Science Report for Sacramento River & Delta Flows: “The State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento on October 18 announced that it is seeking public comment on the newly-released draft science report for Sacramento River and Delta flow requirements. The 388-page report recommends keeping more water in the Sacramento River most of the year to help restore struggling Chinook salmon, steelhead, Delta smelt and other fish species that are currently threatened with extinction. It also says ‘greater quantities’ of Delta outflow are needed during the winter and spring to support estuarine processes, habitat, and the species that depend upon them. In addition, the report includes recommendations to consider new reverse Old and Middle flow and water export limits for the protection of salmonids, Delta smelt and longfin smelt.”
Dan Bacher writes—Fitch Ratings Downgrades Westlands Water District's Next Bond Sale: It looks like the politically powerful Westlands Water District, one of the main backers of Governor Jerry Brown's Delta Tunnels and Congressional legislation to eviscerate protections for Sacramento River Chinook salmon and Delta smelt, is in more financial trouble. Fitch Ratings downgraded the scheduled October 26 bond sale by Westlands from 'AA-' to 'A+'. Among the issues facing Westlands Water District, Fitch cites shrinking irrigated acreage, previous financial obligations, and the potential for increased ‘leveraging’ to pay for the Delta Tunnels, according to Restore the Delta (RTD). ‘The downgrade reflects Fitch's view that district operations face increased pressure over time,’ reported Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, on October 17.
CANDIDATES, STATE AND DC ECO-RELATED POLITICS
Pakalolo writes—Scylla and Charybdis: Legal experts warn that the US Senate could block landmark HFC climate treaty: “United Nation diplomats finalized a deal Saturday in Rwanda to phase out the use of most HFCs. HfC’s are the chemicals that we use in our refrigerators to keep our food cold and air condition our homes. Hope for the agreement is that it will ‘accelerate a shift to safer substitutes for some of the world’s fastest growing and worst greenhouse gases.’ Climate Central reports on the good news in the agreement: The bad news is that the GOP never misses an opportunity to obstruct and sabotage the world in it’s efforts to tackle global warming. Climate Central notes that unlike the voluntary Paris Climate Agreement, international environmental law requires that countries will have to ratify the new HFC agreement. Unfortunately that will require a two-thirds vote from the Senate. ‘This is different from Paris, in that it requires ratification — and that’s concerning to me,” said Michael Wara, and expert on energy and environmental law at Stanford. “This is going to require getting Republicans to vote for it.’”
m2c4 writes—Clinton's "Open Borders" Comment And Supergrids: “Donald Trump has tried mightily to make Hillary Clinton pay for the excerpt of a speech she gave to a Brazilian bank that was released by WikiLeaks where she mentioned the phrase "open trade and open borders". Chris Wallace actually carried the water for Trump on this issue in the last debate where he specifically asked Hillary, "Secretary Clinton, I want to clear up your position on this issue, because in a speech you gave to a Brazilian bank, for which you were paid $225,000, we’ve learned from the WikiLeaks, that you said this, and I want to quote. 'My dream is a hemispheric common market with open trade and open borders.' So that’s the question...Is that your dream, open borders?". In fact the full text of the Wikileak document is, "My dream is a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders, some time in the future with energy that is as green and sustainable as we can get it, powering growth and opportunity for every person in the hemisphere." Clinton responded to Wallace's question by pointing out the true context of the remark pertained to energy, as it most assuredly does. In any case, open borders does not necessarily equate to open immigration, which is the point that Trump and Wallace were clearly trying to make.”
ENERGY
Hydraulic Fracturing
Walter Einenkel writes—Colorado fracking ban battle is on the ballot this November and it's important: “Folks in Colorado will be voting on a few things this November, including Amendment 71. The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution making it more difficult to amend the Colorado constitution by requiring that any petition for a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment be signed by at least two percent of the registered electors who reside in each state senate district for the amendment to be placed on the ballot and increasing the percentage of votes needed to pass any proposed constitutional amendment from a majority to at least fifty-five percent of the votes cast, unless the proposed constitutional amendment only repeals, in whole or in part, any provision of the constitution? The Amendment has been backed and created by very big money interests. But it has bipartisan support. It promises to make the process of getting citizen-backed state constitutional amendments onto Election Day ballots much more difficult.”
Renewables, Efficiency & Conservation
Mary Anne Hitt writes—North Star State, Indeed: Minnesota Announcement is Coal to Clean Energy Game Changer: “After more than five years of tireless work by Sierra Club supporters and our many allies, last week the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a truly transformational 15-year energy plan for Xcel Energy. More than 10,000 Minnesotans had called for the retirement of the Sherco 1&2 coal plants, and this MPUC - Xcel Energy plan does that while also maximizing wind, solar, and energy efficiency, and adding no new gas without a deeper analysis into other options. Overall the plan will double the state’s amount of renewables and is anticipated to achieve 60 percent carbon reductions - that’s good for the economy and especially good for public health. And it allows for a decade to plan with workers and the local community for a just transition. ‘This decision is huge for our health and Minnesota’s clean air and water, climate and economy,’ said Rose Thelen, a Sierra Club community leader, from Clearwater, MN. ‘Our goal moving forward will be to make sure there is a racially and economically just transition for impacted workers, communities, and others impacted by these announcements; ensuring no one is left behind as we move toward a 100 percent renewable energy system.’”
ECO-ACTION & ECO JUSTICE
navajo writes—Stand with the Standing Rock Sioux: Call the White House today! “The Redford Center has a short message for you, full transcript: All Americans deserve the right to clean water and in North Dakota, a brave group of Americans are fighting to protect that right. The Standing Rock Sioux are fighting to prevent a giant pipeline from being built that would cut through the Missouri River, their clean water source. Now, they're not just fighting for their right, they're also fighting for 17 million Americans who depend on the Missouri River for their clean water. If this pipeline gets completed, what happens? An energy company makes a bunch of money. And what else happens? An oil spill is all but guaranteed. And we lose one more chance to protect public good over private profit. Now the Sioux aren't going anywhere. They're staying put. But they need our support. So please, wherever you are, take out your phone, call the White House and ask President Obama to protect clean water for 17 million Americans. For now, and for future generations, Stand with the Standing Rock Sioux. Call the White House today at 202-456-1111 or send a message to whitehouse.gov/contact. Ask President Obama to support the peaceful protest and act on behalf of the 17 million Americans who depend on the Missouri River for their clean water.”
AGRICULTURE, FOOD & GARDENING
OceanDiver writes—Saturday Morning Gardening Blogging: Tiny Backyard Food and Joy Garden: “When I bought my place up here in the northwest corner of Washington state in 1989 there was a house, a driveway, some brambly brush and a lawn on my half-acre. I left the shrubs and small trees to provide a visual shield along the road. That meant I had about 100’ x 50’ of lawn where I could create a garden. To start with I planted half a dozen fruit trees, and carved out curved beds where I planted herbs like lavender, rosemary, mint, sage, thyme and annuals, and some landscaping shrubbery. The north-eastern edge of my property has the longest light because of trees belonging to my neighbors, so that’s where I placed my vegetable garden. Over the years, a degenerative spinal condition has limited me more and more from doing physical labor. It’s been frustrating, but facing the reality of it, I’ve gradually given up all the landscaping and let them go wild. Mr O mows the remaining sections of lawn and I trim once or twice a year. My gardening now is focused on food. I love to eat well, and it’s important to me to know where my food comes from. Plus, I LOVE to handle dirt and growing things, and to see how new things develop. The seed packet may say one thing but in my experience, plants have a mind of their own.”
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
Walter Einenkel writes—Germany's federal council calls for the end to gas-powered cars by 2030: “The future will be zero-emissions vehicles. That’s a fact. Germany is working on getting them into the present sooner rather than later. Germany isn't content with relying on financial incentives to usher in an era of pollution-free cars. The country's Bundesrat (federal council) has passed a resolution calling for a ban on new internal combustion engine cars by 2030. From then on, you'd have to buy a zero-emissions vehicle, whether it's electric or running on a hydrogen fuel cell. This isn't legally binding, but the Bundesrat is asking the European Commission to implement the ban across the European Union... and when German regulations tend to shape EU policy, there's a chance that might happen. Will consumers get bent out of shape by these movements? Not necessarily.”