Gift Article From The NY Times:
Rising sea temperatures around the planet have caused a bleaching event that is expected to be the most extensive on record.
The world’s coral reefs are in the throes of a global bleaching event caused by extraordinary ocean temperatures, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and international partners announced Monday.
It is the fourth such global event on record and is expected to affect more reefs than any other. Bleaching occurs when corals become so stressed that they lose the symbiotic algae they need to survive. Bleached corals can recover, but if the water surrounding them is too hot for too long, they die.
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems: limestone cradles of marine life that nurture an estimated quarter of ocean species at some point during their life cycles, support fish that provide protein for millions of people and protect coasts from storms. The economic value of the world’s coral reefs has been estimated at $2.7 trillion annually.
But what does that matter when fossil fuel profits are at stake?
Mother Jones reports Florida is planning to remove all mention of climate change from its laws, and ban offshore wind farms.
Pro Publica has a heart-rending report warning that climate migration is already happening in the U.S.
That sound you hear is climate researchers saying “We told you this was going to happen.” Vote Blue if you want to keep things from getting worse.
Happy Monday. At least He who cannot be shamed is finally facing a criminal trial.
UPDATE: Here’s some of the stuff the Republicans on the House Rules Committee are bringing up today, Via Charlie Pierce:
H.R. 7637: The Refrigerator Freedom Act.
H.R. 7645: The Clothes Dryers Reliability Act.
H.R. 7673: The Liberty in Laundry Act.
H.R. 6192: The Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act.
This reads less like a legislative calendar and more like a prize package on The Price Is Right.