This is the 522nd edition of the Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue) usually appears twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Here is the Aug. 26 Green Spotlight. More than 27,600 environmentally oriented stories have been rescued to appear in 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
FishOutofWater writes—Why the strongest storms are getting stronger (It's Climate Change but not what you think): “The oceans have an extraordinary heat capacity. Therefore, although there is a rapid climate response to events such as El Niño, the sudden release of heat stored near the surface of the equatorial Pacific ocean, there is also much slower climate response that may take several hundreds of years. Thus the climate warming we have seen to date is like the part of the iceberg that is above water. The warming that is locked in for present greenhouse gas levels is larger than the warming we have seen to date because cool upper ocean waters have mixed to the surface, slowing the rise in sea surface temperatures and air temperatures. The researchers found that the low range of temperature increase — between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius — offered by historical observations did not take into account long-term warming patterns. When these patterns are introduced, the researchers found that not only do temperatures fall within the canonical range of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius but that even higher ranges, perhaps up to 6 degrees, may also be possible. Surprisingly, however, it isn’t the increasing ocean heat content that has made the largest contribution to the increasing intensity of Atlantic hurricanes. The excellent article in the Guardian by Dr. Michael Mann on how climate change made Hurricane Harvey more destructive did not discuss this important effect. It turns out that the small fraction of heat that has gone into warming the atmosphere is very important to the maximum potential tropical storm intensity.”
Besame writes—Hurricane Harvey and critters: bats swim home, fire ants float in rafts, and a hawk catches a cab: “Neither humans nor wildlife plan for a 500-1,000 year flood. An event with a 1 in 500 (1,000) chance of occurring isn’t worth the investment for either humans or wildlife, although people in Houston now are wondering if that risk assessment is still valid (maybe it’s 1 in 10). Wildlife populations have taken hurricane hits in the past and recovered as a population, although individual animals don’t survive. But wildlife is now living among human developments and in an environment tweaked by human actions that create unnatural circumstances. Bats live under bridges humans designed without anticipating that flood waters would rise to bridge level. Now some bats are swimming trying to get back to their roosts (I hope there’s not a maternity colony under there). Some of the largest bat colonies in the U.S. are found under bridges. [...] ’ve written before about ants self-assembling into rafts to ride out floods. This time people would be happier if these ants weren’t so resourceful! (Helpful Hint — the floating fire ants are real. Photos of sharks in downtown Houston flood waters are fake.)”
CRITTERS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
owktree writes—Daily Bucket: Mirror Alphabet - "P": “The Mirror Alphabet returns to its regular course and passes by ‘P’ today. For a representative “wasp” we have selected a large species native to eastern North America.”
Wood Gas writes—The Daily Bucket - Ragtail: “Please forgive me breaking the longstanding format here. Current phenology is only useful if recorded and I’ve become historical. I will date what I include here as close as I can.The title picture comes from June of last year, Two Humpbacks were cooperatively lunge feeding by Lincoln Rock. Neither were large as Humpbacks grow, but the smaller one was still a few times larger than my skiff. Whitetail is larger, possibly the mother, but Humpbacks are social and make and break temporary associations as the mood strikes. Friends, I think (Whales can be in intimate contact, when they are miles apart.) [,,,] Ragtail has been injured, by orcas I think. This picture, from August of last year, shows some of the damage done, and she has healed considerably from the first time I saw her. Parasite loading has decreased over the winter and she generally looks much better. I chose the healthier of the tail flukes to crop below. During the season the two whales were always together.”
enhydra lutris writes—The Daily Bucket - August 2017 Yard Report: “We've done a lot of pruning, clean-up, some harvesting (the pears and original bean plantings, plus about 2 dozen blackberries on the 26th). I'm just going to cover new plantings, stuff with flowers or fruit, and similar highlights. This is all as of the 15th.”
Angmar writes—The Daily Bucket: Summer storm- Lake Ontario area August 2017: Photo Diary.
CLIMATE CHAOS
Chicagobama writes—Climate Change is real, but Houston's problems are partly self-inflicted: “The pictures and stories coming from Houston and other areas affected by Harvey are heart-breaking. Even more upsetting is the awareness that Houston and the surrounding area have ignored warnings from scientists and urban planners that the nearly uncontrolled development and lack of regulations have contributed to this disaster. Last December, the Texas Tribune published an excellent article about how Houston and Harris County officials have turned a blind eye to the consequences of relaxed building regulations which allowed developers to pave over acres of native prairie land that once absorbed massive amounts of rainwater. Flooding is now a common event in many areas of Houston, but officials continue to deny that there’s anything they can do. I encourage you to read the entire article, but here’s a particularly chilling section: Scientists also worry that local officials are ignoring another crucial reason Houston is flooding more: what [Katherine] Hayhoe calls ‘the paving of Houston.’”
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—On Harvey and Climate, Curry Casts Doubt as Experts Explain: “The National Weather Service has called Hurricane Harvey ‘unprecedented’ with impacts ‘beyond anything experienced.’ Experts expect several more days of extreme rainfall in the area this week, which could compound the impacts of an already deadly and destructive storm. (Here’s a great list of ways to help the region, if you’re so inclined.) Unfortunately, this climate-fueled extreme weather event provides, along with plenty of internet hoaxes, scams and one Very Good Boy, an opportunity for deniers to use the past as supposed proof that climate change isn’t driving extreme weather.Case in point: Judith Curry’s blog post on Harvey. She mostly praises the models that accurately predicted Harvey’s path but towards the end trots out the most overblown statistic in meteorology, implying that because we’ve haven’t seen many Category 4 and 5 storms recently, ‘Anyone blaming Harvey on global warming doesn’t have a leg to stand on.’ It seems to us that this is like saying that because auto accidents happen all the time, drunk drivers must be blameless for their crashes.”
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—Multiple Industry-Funded Nominations to EPA’s Clean Air Advisory Committee: “Back in March, and then again in May, we flagged efforts by Pruitt and the GOP to bend the knee to the tobacco and fossil fuel industries and grant pro-pollution voices even more of a say on science advisory panels. One such panel is the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), which according to its website, ‘provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards.’ The nominations for new members of the CASAC are in, and while most of the names look like solid scientists (.pdf list here), there are a few with affiliations and funding that might raise some eyebrows. (Fortunately, the public comment period is open, so interested persons have until September 18th to email their concerns to Mr. Aaron Yeow, designated federal officer, at yeow.aaron@epa.gov.) A quick scan of the list shows that a handful of nominees disclose funding from the Health Effects Institute, a public/private project funded half by the auto industry and half by the EPA. There is also an ExxonMobil scientist, Jeffrey Lewis. These affiliations aren’t necessarily bad by default, or make a nominee immediately untrustworthy: there is, after all, some utility in hearing from some honest industry voices.”
mlarson59 writes—Harvey didn't come out of the blue. Now is the time to talk about climate change: “Naomi Klein, at The Intercept, proposes that the time to talk about climate change and other injustices — from economic austerity to systemic racism and underfunding of social services — that turn disasters like Harvey into human catastrophes is right now, when the costs of inaction are on full public display. If we hesitate, Klein advises, out of out of a desire to not “politicize” a still unfolding human tragedy, we leave the door wide open for further exploitation. …every time we act as if an unprecedented weather event is hitting us out of the blue, as some sort of Act of God that no one foresaw, reporters are making a highly political decision. It’s a decision to spare feelings and avoid controversy at the expense of telling the truth, however difficult. Because the truth is that these events have long been predicted by climate scientists. Warmer oceans throw up more powerful storms. Higher sea levels mean those storms surge into places they never reached before. Hotter weather leads to extremes of precipitation: long dry periods interrupted by massive snow or rain dumps, rather than the steadier predictable patterns most of us grew up with. The records being broken year after year — whether for drought, storm surges, wildfires or just heat — are happening because the planet is markedly warmer than it has been since record-keeping began. In an ideal world, Klein concedes, we could put politics on hold until the immediate emergency has passed. Then, when rescue efforts were no longer underway and everyone was safe, we could have a thoughtful public debate about the policy implications of the crisis we just witnessed. But that is not our reality.”
graemer writes—As Trump Responds To Harvey, He Ignores The Climate Change It Represents: “Trump wants to pretend this natural disaster means there’s no enemy, cause or policy discussion other than response and recovery. But the reality is Hurricane Harvey is part of a bigger conversation - one Trump doesn’t want to have. It’s part of a conversation on climate change. Scientists are already agreeing that Harvey’s severity is a sign of significantly changing weather. The National Weather Service had to update the color coding on its rain graphs while tracking Harvey because too much rain fell to accurately represent it in the existing color code.”
OCEANS, WATER, DROUGHT
Dan Bacher writes—Central Basin Water Board Delays Vote on Delta Tunnels: “On August 28, the Central Basin Water Agency board in Compton voted 5 to 2 to postpone a decision supporting the controversial Delta Tunnels plan, a joint public works project between the Governor Jerry Brown and President Donald Trump administration. Brenna Norton, senior Southern California organizer for Food & Water Watch, said, ‘Citing the many unknowns regarding the rate impacts of the project, estimated to cost $25 billion, the Central Basin board members said they needed more information on how it would affect ratepayers in southeast Los Angeles County.’ The board plans to meet again in late September about the project that could cost up to $68 billion in total. ‘This delay provides temporary relief for ratepayers in Lynwood, South Gate, Florence-Graham, Willowbrook, Compton, and Carson,” said Norton. “The Central Basin board recognizes that there are many crucial unanswered questions about who will pay for the Delta Tunnels.’”
ENERGY
Dan Bacher writes—Senate leader says Brown's utilities commissioners must face more questions before a floor vote: “The California Senate Rules Committee voted 3 to 0 on August 23 to confirm Governor Jerry Brown’s nomination of Clifford Rechtschaffen and Martha Guzman Aceves as commissioners on the California Public Utilities Commission, but Senate leaders said the two have serious questions to answer before the confirmation is put to a floor vote. Consumer advocates speaking at the hearing strongly opposed Rechtschaffen because of his history of coziness with Big Oil and Big Gas interests under the Brown administration. Nobody at the hearing voiced specific opposition to Aceves’ confirmation. Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog noted in a blog post (www.capitolwatchdog.org/) that Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon ‘took the unusual step of withholding his support for Governor Brown’s nominees to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), arguing that they have many questions to answer before de Leon agrees to give them a vote by the full Senate.’ After questioning Rechtschaffen and Guzman, de Leon said he didn’t vote on the confirmation because he still had questions about how the appointees will rebuild public confidence in an agency that has been enmeshed in numerous scandals in recent years.”
Fossil Fuels
SARBill writes—Oil price hike Harvey? -> Better get real information "Oil GLUT" about excess storage of oil- MSM: “Oil has been in Contango since 2014 with 17% over production to consumption. Massive — millions of barrels — are sitting in oil tankers and barges around the world without buyers. Simple example— June 13, 2017: Across the world, the plight of the Saiq, now idling off the coast of Mauritania, reflects a broader trend in the physical oil market. After six months of oil-production cuts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and 11 non-OPEC nations led by Russia, crude supply is surprisingly still plentiful, according to traders. ‘It’s a buyer’s market,’ said Olivier Jakob, managing director of Swiss-based consultant Petromatrix GmbH, echoing a widely held view in the physical market.”
jmbar2 writes—Hurricanes and Houston's Petrochemical Complex: Why we need effective government: “Houston is home to one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the nation. The complex is at risk from catastrophic flooding , making it, potentially, one of the largest environmental disasters in US history. The understand the scope of the complex, and its risks, check out an outstanding presentation, Hell and High Water, by the Texas Tribune and partners, published in 2016. www.texastribune.org/… Scott Pruitt has been effectively trying to drown the EPA in the bathtub. Note the mostly blank website for the EPA’s Hurricane Harvey site (above). The only response so far is that they have relaxed regulations on gasoline formulations designed to reduce pollution (below). As they say, never let a disaster go to waste… Lessons we are about to learn. The total impact of Harvey on human lives, property and the environment is yet to be comprehended. One thing we do know is that recovery will take years of coordinated government action, from an administration unwilling to govern, or even acknowledge the benefits of government.”
rebel ga writes—
Appalachia-Mountaintop Removal (MTR), One Of America’s Worst Environmental Crimes! Updated: “Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining is one of America’s worst environmental crimes! Every day, across
Appalachia, the coal industry literally blows the tops off the mountains: clear-cutting forests, wiping out natural habitats and poisoning rivers and drinking water. Not only are these mountains lost forever, but the heritage and the health of families across the region are being sacrificed. For a mere 7 percent of the nation’s coal, the tradeoff does not add up. Just because the US coal companies have already totally gutted the
Appalachia's, doesn't mean they're stopping. How do they all sleep at night,
Blowing the Tops Off Mountains?”
REGULATIONS & PROTECTIONS
Mark Sumner writes—Scott Pruitt to be investigated for turning EPA into his personal travel agency: “As Attorney General of Oklahoma, Scott Pruitt took millions from oil and gas companies to put their letters on official state letterhead. As head of Trump’s bizarro world EPA, Pruitt has found an easier source of personal funds—your wallet. He’s working hard at turning the EPA into the PEA—the Pruitt Expense Account. The Environmental Protection Agency’s office of inspector general plans to look into whether Administrator Scott Pruitt adhered to agency policies when he traveled to Oklahoma dozens of times during his first six months as administrator. Everyone likes to be home, but if it’s this vital to be 1,500 miles from Washington, perhaps taking a job in Washington is simply not the right choice. Pruitt reportedly traveled to Oklahoma 43 days, or nearly half of all days during March, April, and May 2017, at a cost of more than $15,000. But of course, Pruitt wasn’t just visiting his house so he could down some beans and BBQ.”
WILDERNESS, NATIONAL FORESTS AND PARKS, OTHER PUBLIC LANDS
Jen Hayden writes—The Trump administration quietly added an NRA executive to the National Park Foundation Board: “With no announcement from the Department of the Interior, Susan LaPierre, the wife of National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre, was quietly given a role in shaping our national parks. From the National Parks Traveler: Susan LaPierre, co-chair of the National Rifle Association's Women's Leadership Forum and wife of NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre, has landed a seat on the National Park Foundation's board of directors. Mrs. LaPierre was one of four appointments to the board made earlier this year. None of the appointments was announced in a release by either the Interior Department or Park Foundation. Mrs. LaPierre's appointment by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke leaked out this past week in connection with a story detailing the National Park Service's opposition to a handful of sections in the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, or SHARE Act, that would impact the Park Service's management of fishing and hunting within the National Park System. This is such a Swamp giveaway that the news had to leak out rather than be announced. Donald Trump and Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke seem to be giving special interest groups whatever they want, at the expense of our national treasures.”
ECO-ACTION & ECO JUSTICE
freewayblogger writes—Ecopocalypse Now, Patriotism & Obama as President of the Nation We Were Supposed To Be...: “It’s getting late and I still haven’t finished my letter. The mailing list has about 2,000 people - I call them the mighty Freewayblogger Nation—my vast but reluctant army… It’s funny because all of this happened pretty much by accident. It’s kind of hard to explain, but maybe someday I’ll try. But for now I just want to say that as much as I love my country and hate the all fascists and racists I see tearing it apart, and as much as I love the First Amendment and all of its power and potential and ache knowing how much more we could be using it… and even as much as I love my children and want to save this planet for them and their children’s children to come - none of that is why I keep putting signs up on freeways. The reason I keep doing it is because it’s such a great game, and even after all these years I’m still not tired of playing it.”
throughaglassdarkly writes—On Sept. 6 in DC, Show Up for Climate and Clean Cars: “EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has signaled that he intends to roll back clean car standards that help reduce harmful climate pollution and save you money at the pump--standards that are *already in place* and that *already have a demonstrated record of success.* Background on this especially harm rollback effort — among the most damaging in the entire Trump/Pruitt litany — and on why this is such a key moment in the fight against their assault on the environment is available here. EPA is having a public hearing on the rollback effort on Sept. 6 in Washington, D.C. at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 Ninth St., NW, starting at 9 AM. Members of the public can speak at the hearing to voice concern about this reckless and senseless backwards step! Or just attend the hearing to show you support common sense clean car standards. Note that tomorrow — August 30 — is the last day to RSVP to testify (but you don’t need to register to attend). You can register to speak at the hearing by filling out this simple form.”
MISCELLANY
ban nock writes—The Cajun Navy are Sportsmen: “I’ve been reading elsewhere about the flood in Houston and I came across something I hadn’t considered before. Those people coming to help from Louisiana, they are hunters and fishermen. When things go south, as they have in Houston, and you are in the midst of a large natural disaster, there is one group of people that are used to being in places cold and rainy and wet without roads or rules. They’re descending on Houston in their fleets of flat-bottomed aluminum boats, the sport fishermen and duck hunters outnumbering the government rescuers by the hundreds, their skiffs sitting low in the floodwaters with their human catch in the back, clutching plastic-wrapped possessions.”
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—50 Ways to Censor Science (And Trump's Trying 'em all!) “There are a lot of ways that former presidents have allegedly censored science or the public in the past. Usually, though, they spread it out a little so as not to be obvious. Not Trump. You can explore the different shades of censorship during his eight-month tenure using just examples from last week.Last Sunday, we learned that Trump disbanded an advisory group charged with helping policymakers and the private sector incorporate the findings of the National Climate Assessment. The group pledged to keep meeting without official White House blessing, giving us hope that the public won’t be cut off from vital climate info. This is the third scientific advisory board to be disbanded by the Trump administration. The next day, it was reported that Trump halted funding for a study on the health impacts of mountaintop removal mining, killing an attempt to understand the threats facing those coal miners he loves so much.”