This is the 554th edition of the Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue). Here is the April 11 Spotlight. Inclusion of a story in the Spotlight does not necessarily indicate my agreement with or endorsement of it.
WITH THIS EDITION THE GREEN SPOTLIGHT GOES ON HIATUS UNTIL MAY 19
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OUTSTANDING GREEN STORIES
Desert Scientist writes—More Rattlesnakes! “Although I now live in a state with only one rattlesnake species, and in a part of that state with none at all, I have had a few more adventures with these feisty reptiles since I wrote my diary on them (See: www.dailykos.com/...). All were in Southwest. Among these were a couple of direct confrontations with western diamondback rattlers in the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park (the riparian woodland along the Rio Grande in New Mexico), the discovery of a Mojave rattler near Chiricahua National Monument (Mentioned in my diary www.dailykos.com/...), and a visit to a friend who was care taking several diamondbacks and a black-tailed rattler near Tucson, Arizona. These creatures never seem to cease fascinating me and so I thought that I would revisit the subject in a short photo essay. Of the rattlesnakes found in the Southwest United States, the diamondback is the most feared, although the Mojave, which has a venom with nasty neurotoxic elements, is probably more dangerous. Pit-viper venoms are largely tissue-destroying and tissue damage can be quite extensive in such pit vipers as cottonmouth moccasins and some rattlesnakes. Neurotoxins interfere with nerve functions and can kill by paralyzing the diaphragm muscles. It is wise to avoid being bitten by any venomous snake, or indeed any snake (even harmless bites can become infected!) I generally avoid rattlers by being observant and never putting my hands or feet where I cannot see them. Again it is very important if bitten by a venomous snake for the victim to seek immediate medical aid.”
CRITTERS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Besame writes—Daily Bucket: DIY Scientists Explore the Universe: “Amateurs have contributed remarkable scientific discoveries: a lost spacecraft, a system of exoplanets, and a new kind of purple aurora named STEVE (‘an extraordinary puzzle piece in our understanding of how Earth's magnetic fields interact with charged particles in space’). They map milkweed that determines where to focus monarch habitat enhancement. People tag and monitor monarchs and uncover essential information on monarch natural history. Community science data on bioinvasion tailors species control planning and often means more effective control because the species was spotted before reaching critical biomass. Sitting at home you can contribute to NASA studies of other planets and explore space beyond the solar system. An Antarctic scientist needs help finding Weddell seals on satellite images. If nature and space don’t thrill you, projects are available to gather public input on weather, auroras, historical documents and myriad other topics. Using the links in this story, you can join citizen science projects, including some you’d never expect. Map the vibrations of Caribbean steel drum. Analyze movies of brains to speed up Alzheimer’s research. Report roadkill to help scientists understand the dangers of highways. Help align DNA sequences for genetic disease research. Special projects are scheduled for today, while later this month a competitive week long event occurs in 60 cities around the world.”
Dan Bacher writes—CA Fish & Game Commission Approves Klamath, Sacramento Salmon Seasons: ”On April 12, the California Fish and Game Commission at a teleconference meeting approved full recreational fishing seasons on the Klamath/Trinity and Sacramento River systems, but the bag limit on the Sacramento has been reduced from two to one fish. In contrast with last fall when recreational salmon fishing was closed on the Klamath and Trinity rivers, the Commission approved a season of August 15 to December 31 on the Klamath River and September 1 to December 31 on the Trinity River. The Klamath Basin quota this season is 3,409 fish 22 inches and over. The bag limit is 2 fish, with not more than one adult over 22 inches. The possession limit will be 6 fish, with not more than 3 adults over 22 inches.”
CLIMATE CHAOS
Pakalolo writes—World May Hit 2 Degrees of Warming in 10-15 Years Thanks to Fracking, Says Cornell Scientist: “Recent climate data suggests that the world is on track to cross the two degrees of warming threshold set in the Paris accord in just 10 to 15 years according to Ingraffea in a 13-minute lecture titled “Shale Gas: The Technological Gamble That Should Not Have Been Taken,” posted online in April 2018. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, ‘expects 1 million natural gas wells will be producing gas in the U.S. in 2050, up from roughly 100,000 today.’ Cornell University argues that if we had pursued wind energy in the late 90’s and early 2000’s instead of fracking as an alternative to coal, we may have had time to avoid and/or delay some of the worst climate impacts that are now predicted to occur.”
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—Spotting Faults in Sunspot-Spotting Climate Denial: “When they’re not saying warming would be good, or that it isn’t warming at all, deniers really want to blame the Sun for climate change. So while we wait for the Sun to set on Pruitt’s tenure as EPA admin (the impending confirmation of coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler would serve as convenient timing…) let’s take a look at some solar-based climate denial. For example, the other day WUWT had a post, based on a 2014 paper which doesn’t appear to ever have gone through peer review, claiming that ‘solar-driven global cooling is in our future.’ Which, perhaps in the absence of greenhouse gases, might just be true. But we live in a world with greenhouse gas emissions, so the imminent global cooling warning was just as bogus in 2014 as it was in 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005. And here in 2018, it’s still unlikely. Even though, according to a post from the obscure space-focused blog ‘Behind the Black’ crossposted to WUWT and Climate Depot, sunspot activity crashed in March. Which supposedly suggests an exceptional new solar minimum, and therefore a new cooling trend in global temperatures.”
Angmar writes—From climate warming: rising sea levels, and changes in the gulf stream: “Avoid Gulf stream disruption at all costs, scientists warn. How close the world is to a catastrophic collapse of giant ocean currents is unknown, making halting global warming more critical than ever, scientists say. theguardian.com/... Gulf Stream current at its weakest in 1,600 years, studies show.theguardian.com/… Warm current that has historically caused dramatic changes in climate is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown and may be less stable than thought - with potentially severe consequences. Hansen et al. 2015 found, that the shutdown or substantial slowdown of the AMOC, besides possibly contributing to extreme end-Eemian events, will cause a more general increase of severe weather.”
OCEANS, WATER, DROUGHT
RonK writes—The Daily Bucket: Ocean and Beach Plastic Pollution Locally and Globally: “We are all acutely aware that our oceans and lakes are becoming contaminated by discarded plastics among other toxins and debris. This problem is world-wide and like all politics, the solution must start locally. In this diary I will highlight the state of our local beaches that I frequent often along Bellingham Bay. Our Bay is part of the Salish Sea lying between the northern edge of Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia which lies largely in Canada. Our local trash is a small but important part of the larger global plastics debris problem that is predicted to triple in just the next decade. The global issue of plastics pollution is monumental. I recognize that I can only touch on it here and as many know this issue is important enough that it is the focus of 2018 Earth Day. Much of the trash afloat in our oceans congregates within oceanic gyres, or large scale currents creating an enormous vortex like those shown below in the Pacific Ocean. An ocean gyre is a system of circulating ocean currents formed by the Earth’s wind patterns and the forces created by the rotation of the planet. The centers of these gyres are areas of calm where the material accumulates. There are five such garbage patches around the globe but the Pacific remains the largest.”
CANDIDATES, STATE AND DC ECO-RELATED POLITICS
NoAprilFool writes—Olsen v Roe for Congress: On the Environment, Who Stands for Our Children? “Based on his attitudes toward the environment, as I previously discussed here and here, Tennessee Congressman Phil Roe might as well be a defendant in the children’s lawsuit. Not only has Roe been identified as a climate change denier, in his view, business freedom and money routinely outweigh important environmental protection measures. In contrast, Dr. Marty Olsen stands with the children. As the unopposed Democratic candidate who will face Roe in November’s election, Olsen’s values on the environment are straightforward and consistent with his campaign theme of Responsible Change. [...] The Earth is neither Republican nor Democrat. Respect and care for our environment cannot be a partisan issue, because protecting our planet is not a choice — it is a moral, even sacred, duty. The people of East Tennessee’s First Congressional District will have a clear choice in November: elect a fresh candidate who stands for Mother Earth and for assuring a livable planet for our children and grandchildren, or vote once again for a sad incumbent whose misguided and short-sighted attitudes threaten to sacrifice our children’s right to inherit a livable planet on an altar built from corporate balance sheets and billionaire bank accounts.”
BYPRODUCTS, TRASH, TOXIC & RADIOACTIVE WASTE
WJHamilton29464 writes—A Challenge to SC State Senator Chip Campsen, One Word, "plastics": “To SC State Senator Chip Campsen: As your constituent and former Law School Classmate, I owe you the service of absolute clarity on the pending bill (H-3529) which would strip local governments of their capacity to regulate and limit plastics waste. I have attempted to reach you by phone and used your online comment page to send you a message. I find no evidence that you have heard me. I must resort to a public challenge and raise its magnitude to whatever level necessary to command your attention. If I get no response, I intend to appear at your home and ring your doorbell, with friends, at 6 am this Sunday morning. If this law passes, I will end all of my personal participation any litter collection programs including Adopt-A-Highway and the CARTA bus stop clean up program. I currently clean up the West bound #40 bustop near the intersection of Shelmore Blvd. and the frontage road of Johnnie Dodds Blvd.”
ENERGY
Denise Oliver-Velez writes—Another massive power outage in Puerto Rico: “ This is unconscionable. The silence from the White House is deafening. Was on the phone with Chef Bobby (newpioneer) this morning when he told me the power was out in his part of San Juan. Turns out it was more than just his sector. Mayor Cruz points to the culprit.”
Fossil Fuels
Pakalolo writes—Huge area of Texas oil patch is heaving and sinking: “’Our analysis looked at just this 4000-square-mile area. We’re fairly certain that when we look further, and we are, that we’ll find there’s ground movement even beyond that. This region of Texas has been punctured like a pin cushion with oil wells and injection wells since the 1940s and our findings associate that activity with ground movement.”’ Jin-Woo Kim, a research scientist in the SMU Department of Earth Sciences. According to geophysicists from Southern Methodist University, oil and gas activity is contributing to alarming land movements and a rising threat of sinkholes across a huge swath of W Texas. The authors of the study reported that there are approximately 297,000 oil wells many of which are in the Permian Basin, the hottest oil patch in the world.” Tom Dart of the The Guardian writes: Injection of wastewater and carbon dioxide increases pore pressure in rocks, a likely cause of uplift. Lu told the Guardian that cracks and corrosion from aging wells may help explain the sinking.”
Boojum2 writes—Former Coal Lobbyist Confirmed as Deputy EPA Administrator: “Andrew Wheeler was confirmed (PN1426) as the Deputy Administrator of the EPA by the Senate in a 53-45 vote today (4/12/18). Wheeler was a lobbyist whose clients included Murray Energy, the largest coal company in the country. He also worked for Sen. Inhofe, who commented that Wheeler would help Pruitt and Trump make the EPA ‘subject to the rule of law.’ (Inhofe lacks a sense of irony.) Three Democrats, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted with the Republicans. Two of them explained their votes: • Heidi Heitkamp said, ‘Going forward, I’ll continue to press him about changing the Waters of the U.S. rule that doesn’t work for our state, supporting a strong Renewable Fuel Standard which is critical for North Dakota’s farmers and biofuels workers, and reversing the one-size-fits-all Clean Power Plan. I also want to work with him and the EPA to support policies that advance a viable future for coal while reducing emissions, just as my FUTURE Act which became law will do. And I’ll hold Mr. Wheeler accountable to make sure he implements the mission of the EPA in a way that works for my state.’ • Joe Manchin said, ‘Every West Virginian wants clean air and clean water and I intend to be vigilant in working with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that our fundamental environmental protections are implemented in a sound, fair and effective way. I believe that the economy and the environment can and must be balanced. After meeting with Andrew Wheeler, I believe that he will work with states like West Virginia, not against us.’”
Walter Einenkel writes—Former coal lobbyist is one step closer to becoming the No. 2 at EPA under Scott Pruitt: “As EPA chief Scott Pruitt reaches deeper and deeper into the deadly sins of vanity and avarice, the fossil fuel industry continues to make sure that it places the most compromised individuals into positions of regulatory power in our government. Right now, Andrew Wheeler—a former coal industry lobbyist—is set to become the second-ranking official, behind Scott Pruitt, at the Environmental Protection Agency. Inside Climate News reports that the Senate voted to cut off debate on Wheeler’s nomination Thursday, leaving only a vote—and two compromised Democrats. But with two fossil fuel-state Democrats—Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia—saying they would join the GOP in supporting his nomination, Wheeler had the simple majority needed for confirmation. Both senators face tough re-election battles this year in states that Trump won. Another Democrat facing a tough re-election battle, Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, also voted to advance Wheeler's nomination. Wheeler served until last year as top lobbyist to Murray Energy, the nation's largest underground mining company. Administration critics argue that the company's CEO, Bob Murray, one of President Donald Trump's most avid campaign supporters in the fossil fuel industry, has undue influence with the administration; Trump's team already has checked off a number of the items on a deregulatory ‘action plan’ Murray submitted to the White House soon after Trump's inauguration. Wheeler has told Democrats he didn’t write the insane ‘action plan,’ even though he was photographed in the same room where the world watched Rick Perry hug Murray Energy CEO Bob Murray’s head, like a goon.”
Pipelines & Other Oil and Gas Transport
Alonso del Arte writes—Snyder finally realizes Enbridge Line 5 needs to be shut down: “I don’t know when Enbridge Line 5 will break. I do know that it will break. The only question is: will it break when it’s carrying millions of gallons of light crude oil through the Great Lakes, or will it break after it’s been safely decommissioned? This is an issue that I have talked to Lt. Gov. Brian Calley (R-Michigan) face to face about. He told me it’s ‘an unacceptable risk,’ but also that the Upper Peninsula needs propane for the winter, and that the problem is being studied. Calley didn’t tell me anything about alternatives, or a timetable for shutdown. Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) has talked about shutting down Line 5, but hasn’t said anything concrete, like a deadline. Here’s a suggestion: shut it down before either gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer (D) or attorney general candidate Dana Nessel (D) have a chance to bring it up again. Nessel says the attorney general has the authority to shut down Line 5. Her campaign website has a promise to shut down Line 5 on ‘Day One.’ Whitmer has also said she wants to shut down Line 5 on Day One. But what if January 1, 2019 is too late?”
REGULATORS, REGULATIONS & PROTECTIONS
ClimateDenierRoundup writes—Scott Pruitt To Declare Lost American Lives Don’t Count: “Scott Pruitt, still clinging to his position leading Trump’s EPA, went to the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday. While E&E reported that one attendee referred to the meeting as a ‘denier’s conference’ featuring Myron Ebell, Pat Michaels and Steve Milloy, details were sparse. But fellow fossil fuel flunkie Michael Bastasch at the Daily Caller spilled the beans yesterday, revealing that Pruitt told the attendees that he is planning to stop counting the co-benefits of environmental protections. If Pruitt keeps his job long enough to see this through, and it survives in courts, this could be one of the most craven and important fronts in Pruitt’s War on Air Pollution Science. Because in doing cost-benefit analyses of regulations to reduce pollution, there are often great benefits that aren’t part of the initial target.”
Mark Sumner writes—Scott Pruitt has four email addresses—and a history of hiding correspondence with campaign donors: “Among Scott Pruitt’s odd predilections is dashing around the EPA building to make calls from phones other than his own. This action apparently reflects Pruitt’s concern that—despite his multimillion dollar personal defense force, despite the cone of silence installed in his office, despite multiple sweeps for any kind of listening device—someone might overhear what he is saying. So maybe it’s not surprising that Pruitt also is a little inconsistent when it comes to his email. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has used four separate agency email addresses since taking office, according to Senate Democrats and an EPA official, prompting concerns among agency lawyers that the EPA has not disclosed all the documents it would normally release to the public under federal records requests. That Pruitt would be hiding documents is also no surprise. Pruitt has not only ordered the EPA to hide formerly public data, and not only slowed down the agency’s response to FOIA requests, but the emails that were obtained in 2017 showed that while Pruitt was serving as the attorney general of Oklahoma, he used his office to turn requests from his campaign funders directly into legal action.”
AGRICULTURE, FOOD & GARDENING
robtctwo writes—Saturday Morning Garden Blogging Vol. 14.15 tax weekend? ”Good morning from the Willamette Valley. Did you know the Willamette River is one of 7 major river systems in the world running South to North? Just like the Nile. I remember that from grade school and have not recently fact checked it, the 7 systems, not the running from South to North. It’s always amusing to tell people we are going down to Portland. They say, it’s North, that’s up. We say it’s down river. I got my new cover on the greenhouse just in time for 50+ mph winds. They tore two of my automatic roof vent openers apart. Otherwise, good to go. I am transplanting seedlings from the starting trays into pots, then into the greenhouse. I expect to get them out into the ground during the last three weeks of May. I have a rhody in bloom. Red comes first here. [...] Rainy and windy here. Our forecast for snow pack is not good, so a cooler wetter Spring will help with summer stream flows.”
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
smarcano writes—The Train To Nowhere: “You know what would be better than spending $98.5 billion on a bullet train from LA to San Francisco? Spending a fraction of that unGodly amount of money on housing, social workers and health care clinics so we can finally deal with our most pressing social crisis: our chronic statewide homeless problem. With just one percent of that money we could completely revamp the entire bus system in the city of Los Angeles which is plagued with delays, spotty service and declining ridership. With less than a billion dollars of that money the state could finish the expansion of the 5 freeway between Anaheim and Norwalk – a highly necessary project that effects everyone in LA and has seemingly gone on and on without completion for most of my adult life span. $100 billion would actually cover the costs of much needed earthquake retrofitting in all our major cities and towns. You could literally build a dozen Wembly Stadiums in London with that money. Or we could use that $100 billion to rebuild the entire infrastructure across the state where our damns like Oroville are failing, our torn up roads are full of pot holes and our bridges are literally crumbling in front of us.”