Thursday, December 24, 2015
No Science Here: Big Oil Has Turned The House Into Their Private Lobbying Agency
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/no-science-here-big-oil-has-turned-the-house-into-their-private-lobbying-agency/
"It is an absolute travesty that such idiots have been allowed to take over a government committee overseeing what is perhaps the most dangerous issue of our time and run it like a joke, and yet that is exactly what a dangerous combination of unfettered corporate purchasing of lawmakers and delusional conservative anti-intellectualism have produced"
"It is an absolute travesty that such idiots have been allowed to take over a government committee overseeing what is perhaps the most dangerous issue of our time and run it like a joke, and yet that is exactly what a dangerous combination of unfettered corporate purchasing of lawmakers and delusional conservative anti-intellectualism have produced"
Friday, December 18, 2015
Who Is Smarter? The GOP Or Everyone Else In the World?
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/12/who-is-smarter-gop-or-world-on-climate-change/
"How can it be that the right wing Republicans sucking at the teat of the Koch brothers are the only people on Earth who have got it right? Instead of moving us forward, today’s GOP is intent on taking us backwards on so many fronts: women’s rights to equal pay and autonomy over their own bodies, minimum wage, worker’s rights to unionize, voting rights, health care, clean air and water, to name just a few of the issues. The GOP has demonstrated time and again that they are a party afraid of change and afraid to move forward; a party that embraces old, worn out ideas that have not worked in the past and will not work in the future; a party that dresses up those old ideas and tries to truck them out as new. And these are the people who know better than everyone else in the world? I don’t think so."
"How can it be that the right wing Republicans sucking at the teat of the Koch brothers are the only people on Earth who have got it right? Instead of moving us forward, today’s GOP is intent on taking us backwards on so many fronts: women’s rights to equal pay and autonomy over their own bodies, minimum wage, worker’s rights to unionize, voting rights, health care, clean air and water, to name just a few of the issues. The GOP has demonstrated time and again that they are a party afraid of change and afraid to move forward; a party that embraces old, worn out ideas that have not worked in the past and will not work in the future; a party that dresses up those old ideas and tries to truck them out as new. And these are the people who know better than everyone else in the world? I don’t think so."
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Brad Schimel's Dirty Power Play
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12995/brad-schimels-dirty-power-play
"Schimel's decision to go to bat for polluters comes as no surprise."
"Schimel's decision to go to bat for polluters comes as no surprise."
Ted Cruz's three-hour hearing on climate change a pathetic waste of time except for denier shills
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/9/1458508/-Ted-Cruz-s-three-hour-hearing-on-climate-change-a-pathetic-waste-of-time-except-for-denier-shills
"Cruz’s little carnival show included four witnesses who spouted the same old Koch- and Exxon-funded lies that they and other “experts” have for years been slathering across every venue of public discourse they can poke themselves into. This despite the fact that Exxon has publicly started admitting that climate change is real and could be disastrous, no doubt in hopes of obscuring the fact the giant corporation worked diligently for more than three decades to persuade Americans that it’s not happening or, if it is, it’s no big deal and nothing can be done about it even if it is a big deal."
"Cruz’s little carnival show included four witnesses who spouted the same old Koch- and Exxon-funded lies that they and other “experts” have for years been slathering across every venue of public discourse they can poke themselves into. This despite the fact that Exxon has publicly started admitting that climate change is real and could be disastrous, no doubt in hopes of obscuring the fact the giant corporation worked diligently for more than three decades to persuade Americans that it’s not happening or, if it is, it’s no big deal and nothing can be done about it even if it is a big deal."
Jim Hightower | The Sleaze, Guilt and Punishment of Don Blankenship
Jim Hightower | The Sleaze, Guilt and Punishment of Don Blankenship
"Don Blankenship didn't get what he deserves in his federal trial, but he definitely deserves what he got. "Guilty," declared all 12 West Virginia jurors who pondered the charge that this arrogant and avaricious CEO of Massey Energy Company willfully conspired to violate America's mine safety laws. As a result of that conspiracy, 29 miners were essentially murdered by the corporation on April 5, 2010, in a horrific explosion deep inside Massey's Upper Big Branch coal mine. Blankenship, a multimillionaire right-wing ideologue, union-buster, and political heavyweight, ran the Upper Big Branch mine like a lawless third-world operator."
"Don Blankenship didn't get what he deserves in his federal trial, but he definitely deserves what he got. "Guilty," declared all 12 West Virginia jurors who pondered the charge that this arrogant and avaricious CEO of Massey Energy Company willfully conspired to violate America's mine safety laws. As a result of that conspiracy, 29 miners were essentially murdered by the corporation on April 5, 2010, in a horrific explosion deep inside Massey's Upper Big Branch coal mine. Blankenship, a multimillionaire right-wing ideologue, union-buster, and political heavyweight, ran the Upper Big Branch mine like a lawless third-world operator."
Republicans Give the Kochs and Big Oil Billions Annually To Export Domestic Oil
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/11/republicans-give-kochs-big-oil-billions-annually-export-domestic-oil.html
"As is their typical practice, Republicans are inserting a “rider” in the omnibus spending bill that eliminates the ban on American oil exports that was developed specifically to protect American consumers financially and strengthen America’s energy independence"
"As is their typical practice, Republicans are inserting a “rider” in the omnibus spending bill that eliminates the ban on American oil exports that was developed specifically to protect American consumers financially and strengthen America’s energy independence"
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The Oil Industry Is About To Get A Big Gift From Congress
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/12/09/3729646/oil-export-ban-likely-lifted-in-spending-bill/
"The decades-old oil export ban — which was developed to protect American consumers and support energy independence — is unlikely to survive into the new year."
"The decades-old oil export ban — which was developed to protect American consumers and support energy independence — is unlikely to survive into the new year."
Sanders' Climate Revolution Would Cut 80% of Emissions by 2050
Sanders' Climate Revolution Would Cut 80% of Emissions by 2050
"Environmental platform calls for swift shift to renewable power system, a ban on extreme extraction activities, and end of subsidies for Big Oil"
"Environmental platform calls for swift shift to renewable power system, a ban on extreme extraction activities, and end of subsidies for Big Oil"
ExxonMobil Warns of ‘Catastrophic’ 9°F to 12°F Global Warming Without Government Action
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/12/07/3728921/exxonmobil-warns-catastrophic-global-warming/
"Of course, thanks to excellent reporting by InsideClimate News, we now know ExxonMobil had been told by its own scientists in the 1970s and 1980s that climate change was human-caused and would reach catastrophic levels without reductions in carbon emissions. Yes, this is same ExxonMobil that then became the largest funder of disinformation on climate science and attacks on climate scientists until they were surpassed by the Koch Brothers in recent years — but that is a different (tragic) story. Hiatt’s point is to show “how dangerously extreme the Republican Party has become on climate change,” and that that “Republicans’ ideologically based denial is dangerous and cowardly.” After all, the oil giant ain’t Greenpeace. Yet unlike the national GOP leadership and its presidential candidates, “the company believes climate change is real, that governments should take action to combat it and that the most sensible action would be a revenue-neutral tax on carbon,” that taxes fossil fuels like coal and oil and returns the money to taxpayers."
"Of course, thanks to excellent reporting by InsideClimate News, we now know ExxonMobil had been told by its own scientists in the 1970s and 1980s that climate change was human-caused and would reach catastrophic levels without reductions in carbon emissions. Yes, this is same ExxonMobil that then became the largest funder of disinformation on climate science and attacks on climate scientists until they were surpassed by the Koch Brothers in recent years — but that is a different (tragic) story. Hiatt’s point is to show “how dangerously extreme the Republican Party has become on climate change,” and that that “Republicans’ ideologically based denial is dangerous and cowardly.” After all, the oil giant ain’t Greenpeace. Yet unlike the national GOP leadership and its presidential candidates, “the company believes climate change is real, that governments should take action to combat it and that the most sensible action would be a revenue-neutral tax on carbon,” that taxes fossil fuels like coal and oil and returns the money to taxpayers."
ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson has a Climate Science Problem (VIDEO)
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12993/alec-ceo-lisa-nelson-has-climate-science-problem-video
"ALEC has a long history of denying climate change. It continues to take payments from fossil fuel companies like Koch Industries, ExxonMobil, and Peabody Energy. It was part of the American Petroleum Institute's leaked plan to manipulate the public's trust in climate scientists, spelled out in an erie memo from 1998. The group even hosts privately-funded events where ALEC legislators are taught how to deny climate change science by public relations consultants who have ties to fossil fuel companies."
"ALEC has a long history of denying climate change. It continues to take payments from fossil fuel companies like Koch Industries, ExxonMobil, and Peabody Energy. It was part of the American Petroleum Institute's leaked plan to manipulate the public's trust in climate scientists, spelled out in an erie memo from 1998. The group even hosts privately-funded events where ALEC legislators are taught how to deny climate change science by public relations consultants who have ties to fossil fuel companies."
Watch Arizona's NBC 12 And The Center For Media And Democracy Expose ALEC's Corporate Influence On State Laws
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/12/09/watch-arizonas-nbc-12-and-the-center-for-media/207379
"Phoenix Arizona's NBC affiliate KPNX hosted the Center for Media and Democracy's Executive Director Lisa Graves on the December 6 episode of Sunday Square Off to expose the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) effort to push corporate backed model legislation in state legislatures."
"Phoenix Arizona's NBC affiliate KPNX hosted the Center for Media and Democracy's Executive Director Lisa Graves on the December 6 episode of Sunday Square Off to expose the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) effort to push corporate backed model legislation in state legislatures."
Koch-Funded Special Interest Groups and Utilities Bankrolling ALEC Meeting
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12989/koch-funded-special-interest-groups-and-utilities-bankrolling-alec-meeting
"Koch-funded groups and utilities are bankrolling ALEC's closed-door winter meeting and parties for state legislators that are underway in Scottsdale, Arizona, at a luxury resort and spa. The three-day gathering is bringing together lobbyists and legislators to plan their 2016 bill agenda for the upcoming legislative session."
"Koch-funded groups and utilities are bankrolling ALEC's closed-door winter meeting and parties for state legislators that are underway in Scottsdale, Arizona, at a luxury resort and spa. The three-day gathering is bringing together lobbyists and legislators to plan their 2016 bill agenda for the upcoming legislative session."
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Sanders Blasts Republicans for Corporate-Funded Climate Denialism
Sanders Blasts Republicans for Corporate-Funded Climate Denialism
"Recent studies have shown how corporations, led by ExxonMobil and the Koch family foundations, drive such anti-science ideology through the creation of climate disinformation think tanks and dissemination of coordinated contrarian messaging in mainstream media and public discourse."
"Recent studies have shown how corporations, led by ExxonMobil and the Koch family foundations, drive such anti-science ideology through the creation of climate disinformation think tanks and dissemination of coordinated contrarian messaging in mainstream media and public discourse."
Divestment Surges as Endowments Worth $3.4 Trillion Pull Funds From Fossil Fuels
Divestment Surges as Endowments Worth $3.4 Trillion Pull Funds From Fossil Fuels
"The "writing is on the wall" for the fossil fuel sector as more than 500 cities, banks, universities, and museums across the globe, representing over $3.4 trillion in total assets, have now pledged to pull their funds from polluting industries."
"The "writing is on the wall" for the fossil fuel sector as more than 500 cities, banks, universities, and museums across the globe, representing over $3.4 trillion in total assets, have now pledged to pull their funds from polluting industries."
ALEC Works to Scuttle Global Climate Agreement
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12984/alec-works-scuttle-global-climate-agreement
"Chevron, Exxon, Peabody, Dominion, Duke Energy, and ALEC stalwart Koch Industries are just a few of the big names orchestrating ALEC’s pushback on the CPP."
"Chevron, Exxon, Peabody, Dominion, Duke Energy, and ALEC stalwart Koch Industries are just a few of the big names orchestrating ALEC’s pushback on the CPP."
Instead Of Accepting Climate Change, The GOP Has Declared War On Scientists
Instead Of Accepting Climate Change, The GOP Has Declared War On Scientists
"Whether it is Hillary Clinton, Planned Parenthood, the EPA, or climate change – the GOP finds themselves on the wrong side of science and the facts, so they try to slander the messenger instead."
"Whether it is Hillary Clinton, Planned Parenthood, the EPA, or climate change – the GOP finds themselves on the wrong side of science and the facts, so they try to slander the messenger instead."
Pentagon: Carly Fiorina Is An Idiot, Climate Change Is An “Immediate Risk” To National Security
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/pentagon-carly-fiorina-is-an-idiot-climate-change-is-an-immediate-risk-to-national-security/
"Well, we could listen to someone who can’t manage a company effectively, yet somehow thinks she has the necessary skills to be President — or we can see what actual experts on the matter have to say. A new Pentagon report says that climate change is an “urgent and growing threat to our national security"."
"Well, we could listen to someone who can’t manage a company effectively, yet somehow thinks she has the necessary skills to be President — or we can see what actual experts on the matter have to say. A new Pentagon report says that climate change is an “urgent and growing threat to our national security"."
The most important consequence of the Paris climate talks will be the fate of the oceans.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/11/ocean_acidification_and_climate_change_at_the_paris_talks.html
"there’s increasing evidence that the world’s oceans are nearing the point of no return. They’re getting hit with a double whammy—rising temperatures and acidification—that together are forcing fundamental changes to the basis of the planet’s food chain. So far, the oceans have absorbed about 93 percent of all the additional heat energy trapped by rising greenhouse gas concentrations. That’s already prompted the loss of about 40 percent of the world’s coral reefs, accelerated by a series of worldwide bleaching events in which exceptionally warm water temperatures prompt normally symbiotic algae to become toxic—the most recent of which was just this year. Since coral reefs—the “rainforests of the sea”—support a quarter of all marine life on just 0.1 percent of the ocean area, a mass extinction may already be underway. If we lose the oceans, we lose everything."
"there’s increasing evidence that the world’s oceans are nearing the point of no return. They’re getting hit with a double whammy—rising temperatures and acidification—that together are forcing fundamental changes to the basis of the planet’s food chain. So far, the oceans have absorbed about 93 percent of all the additional heat energy trapped by rising greenhouse gas concentrations. That’s already prompted the loss of about 40 percent of the world’s coral reefs, accelerated by a series of worldwide bleaching events in which exceptionally warm water temperatures prompt normally symbiotic algae to become toxic—the most recent of which was just this year. Since coral reefs—the “rainforests of the sea”—support a quarter of all marine life on just 0.1 percent of the ocean area, a mass extinction may already be underway. If we lose the oceans, we lose everything."
Scientific Proof That Exxon And The Kochs Distorted The Public’s Understanding Of Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/11/24/3725320/exxon-koch-climate-misinformation-polarizing/
"The study comes out at a time when ExxonMobil is facing increasing public scrutiny for its role in misleading the public about climate change. Several prominent politicians have called for a Department of Justice investigation into whether or not Exxon purposefully mislead the public about climate change, based on information published in a recent Inside Climate News investigation which found that Exxon’s internal research confirmed in 1977 that climate change is caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Earlier this month, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a subpoena to Exxon, demanding records relating to its climate research."
"The study comes out at a time when ExxonMobil is facing increasing public scrutiny for its role in misleading the public about climate change. Several prominent politicians have called for a Department of Justice investigation into whether or not Exxon purposefully mislead the public about climate change, based on information published in a recent Inside Climate News investigation which found that Exxon’s internal research confirmed in 1977 that climate change is caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Earlier this month, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a subpoena to Exxon, demanding records relating to its climate research."
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Those who laugh off Sanders' linking climate change to terrorism are the ones who should be mocked
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/16/1450569/-Those-who-laugh-off-Sanders-linking-climate-change-to-terrorism-are-the-ones-who-should-be-mocked
"The Department of Defense says that climate change "poses immediate risks to US national security" and has the potential to exacerbate terrorism."
"The Department of Defense says that climate change "poses immediate risks to US national security" and has the potential to exacerbate terrorism."
Saturday, November 21, 2015
House Science Chair Lamar Smith Goes After NOAA's Climate Findings
House Science Chair Lamar Smith Goes After NOAA's Climate Findings
"When the findings of a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) become problematic for the Chair of the House Committee on Science, what better way to fight inconvenient facts than by personally attacking the scientists? October, 2015 was officially the warmest on record, and the findings of the NOAA point to the factors contributing to this phenomenon. Chairman and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is retaliating in typical Republican fashion by spending exorbitant sums of taxpayer money to conduct a Benghazi-style witch hunt to stall any meaningful action to combat this dangerous environmental trend.
"When the findings of a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) become problematic for the Chair of the House Committee on Science, what better way to fight inconvenient facts than by personally attacking the scientists? October, 2015 was officially the warmest on record, and the findings of the NOAA point to the factors contributing to this phenomenon. Chairman and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is retaliating in typical Republican fashion by spending exorbitant sums of taxpayer money to conduct a Benghazi-style witch hunt to stall any meaningful action to combat this dangerous environmental trend.
Marco Rubio’s American hellscape: The insane science denial that puts the planet in jeopardy
Marco Rubio’s American hellscape: The insane science denial that puts the planet in jeopardy
"In 2006, the Stern Review firmly developed the evidence that global warming will cost the world’s economy far more than the cost of taking mitigative actions, but almost a decade later, the entire GOP presidential field remains deep in denial."
"In 2006, the Stern Review firmly developed the evidence that global warming will cost the world’s economy far more than the cost of taking mitigative actions, but almost a decade later, the entire GOP presidential field remains deep in denial."
We’re repeating Bush’s failure: An Iraq veteran despairs over our deepening climate-change denial
We’re repeating Bush’s failure: An Iraq veteran despairs over our deepening climate-change denial
"The situations are different, of course, but also similar. At the heart of both, there’s oil. At the heart of both, there’s a denial of reality. At the heart of both, there are conflicting motives, miscommunication, greed, stupidity, and inertia. At the heart of both, there’s a refusal to face our failure."
"The situations are different, of course, but also similar. At the heart of both, there’s oil. At the heart of both, there’s a denial of reality. At the heart of both, there are conflicting motives, miscommunication, greed, stupidity, and inertia. At the heart of both, there’s a refusal to face our failure."
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Rupert Murdoch Takes Over at National Geographic, Immediately Starts Laying off Award-Winning Staff @alternet
Rupert Murdoch Takes Over at National Geographic, Immediately Starts Laying off Award-Winning Staff @alternet
"The management of National Geographic sent out an email telling its staff, all of its staff, all to report to their headquarters, and wait by their phones. This pulled back every person who was in the field, every photographer, every reporter, even those on vacation had to show up on this fateful day. As these phones rang, one by one National Geographic let go the award-winning staff, and the venerable institution was no more. The name now belongs to Rupert Murdoch, and he has plans for it."
"The management of National Geographic sent out an email telling its staff, all of its staff, all to report to their headquarters, and wait by their phones. This pulled back every person who was in the field, every photographer, every reporter, even those on vacation had to show up on this fateful day. As these phones rang, one by one National Geographic let go the award-winning staff, and the venerable institution was no more. The name now belongs to Rupert Murdoch, and he has plans for it."
National Geographic Readies Itself For Murdoch Takeover With Layoffs
National Geographic Readies Itself For Murdoch Takeover With Layoffs
"Welcome to Murdoch-land, National Geographic. What a colossal waste of a fine publication."
"Welcome to Murdoch-land, National Geographic. What a colossal waste of a fine publication."
The Kochs Keep America Behind The Developed World In Using Free Energy
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/11/02/kochs-america-falling-developed-world-free-energy.html
"Leading the charge against expanding solar power in the Sunshine State are none other than the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP). The Koch group has repeated the same tactics in Florida that it has in myriad other states and has openly, and viciously, attacked the ballot initiative to open solar markets in Florida."
"Leading the charge against expanding solar power in the Sunshine State are none other than the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP). The Koch group has repeated the same tactics in Florida that it has in myriad other states and has openly, and viciously, attacked the ballot initiative to open solar markets in Florida."
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Bill Gates: The Private Sector Is Inept @alternet
Bill Gates: The Private Sector Is Inept @alternet
"It turns out he thinks the private sector is too selfish and inept to tackle the dire climate change situation, and relying on it would be courting disaster."
"It turns out he thinks the private sector is too selfish and inept to tackle the dire climate change situation, and relying on it would be courting disaster."
Farm Sanctuary Gets Lift from Celebrity Couple Jon and Tracey Stewart
Farm Sanctuary Gets Lift from Celebrity Couple Jon and Tracey Stewart
"Offering a boost to the animal rights movement and farm animals everywhere, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and his wife, advocate and former veterinary technician Tracey, announced this weekend that their property in Middletown, New Jersey, will be the fourth outpost of the nation's largest and most effective farm rescue and protection organization."
"Offering a boost to the animal rights movement and farm animals everywhere, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and his wife, advocate and former veterinary technician Tracey, announced this weekend that their property in Middletown, New Jersey, will be the fourth outpost of the nation's largest and most effective farm rescue and protection organization."
A Statewide Attack on Public Health and the Environment Is Underway in North Carolina @alternet
A Statewide Attack on Public Health and the Environment Is Underway in North Carolina @alternet
"The measure was shepherded through the Senate by Sen. Trudy Wade, a Greensboro Republican and veterinarian who was first elected in 2012. The N.C. League of Conservation Voters has given her a lifetime environmental score of 0. Among the top contributors to her campaign are the real estate industry, special trade contractors and the trucking industry, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics."
"The measure was shepherded through the Senate by Sen. Trudy Wade, a Greensboro Republican and veterinarian who was first elected in 2012. The N.C. League of Conservation Voters has given her a lifetime environmental score of 0. Among the top contributors to her campaign are the real estate industry, special trade contractors and the trucking industry, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics."
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Exxon's damaging denial on climate change
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-exxon-climate-change-20151015-story.html
"According to reports in the Los Angeles Times and elsewhere, the oil company's scientists concluded in the 1970s, '80s and '90s that climate change was real, would transform the Earth's landscape and was driven by human activity — especially the burning of fossil fuels.
As the debate over climate change began in earnest, however, Exxon didn't use its wealth of scientific findings to issue an alarm to the world, or even to add a supportive, attention-grabbing voice to those of the climatologists who were trying to convince policymakers and the public. Instead, company officials publicly cast doubt on the very existence of global warming, arguing that the science was just too murky to draw a conclusion.
Meanwhile, the company was using that supposedly murky science to sketch out plans to take advantage of global warming by expanding drilling operations in Arctic seas, where there would be reduced ice and longer drilling seasons, and to adapt its activities on the region's land, where the permafrost would certainly thaw and soften."
"According to reports in the Los Angeles Times and elsewhere, the oil company's scientists concluded in the 1970s, '80s and '90s that climate change was real, would transform the Earth's landscape and was driven by human activity — especially the burning of fossil fuels.
As the debate over climate change began in earnest, however, Exxon didn't use its wealth of scientific findings to issue an alarm to the world, or even to add a supportive, attention-grabbing voice to those of the climatologists who were trying to convince policymakers and the public. Instead, company officials publicly cast doubt on the very existence of global warming, arguing that the science was just too murky to draw a conclusion.
Meanwhile, the company was using that supposedly murky science to sketch out plans to take advantage of global warming by expanding drilling operations in Arctic seas, where there would be reduced ice and longer drilling seasons, and to adapt its activities on the region's land, where the permafrost would certainly thaw and soften."
How Exxon went from leader to skeptic on climate change research
http://graphics.latimes.com/exxon-research/
"In 2007, the company, for the first time since the early 1980s, publicly conceded that climate change was occurring and that it was in large part the result of the burning of fossil fuels."
"In 2007, the company, for the first time since the early 1980s, publicly conceded that climate change was occurring and that it was in large part the result of the burning of fossil fuels."
These Bipartisan Security Experts Say Climate Change Is A National Security Threat
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/23/3715200/bipartisan-security-experts-climate-change-threat/
"The statement released Thursday directly references a a 2014 Pentagon report released by the U.S. Department of Defense calling climate change a “threat multiplier.” The Partnership for a Secure America, which published the ad, said that the DoD is concerned that the effects of climate change could “prevent access to their workforce, degrade the security of installations, impede training and readiness, and impair force capacity.
Security threats associated with climate change are already being observed in a number of areas of the world. Climate change is considered a contributing factor to the wars in Syria, and climate-related crop failures and droughts in the Middle East and African Sahel are contributing to migration pressures.
Even back in 2013, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, answered the question about what the greatest security threat the region faces with two familiar words: climate change."
"The statement released Thursday directly references a a 2014 Pentagon report released by the U.S. Department of Defense calling climate change a “threat multiplier.” The Partnership for a Secure America, which published the ad, said that the DoD is concerned that the effects of climate change could “prevent access to their workforce, degrade the security of installations, impede training and readiness, and impair force capacity.
Security threats associated with climate change are already being observed in a number of areas of the world. Climate change is considered a contributing factor to the wars in Syria, and climate-related crop failures and droughts in the Middle East and African Sahel are contributing to migration pressures.
Even back in 2013, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, answered the question about what the greatest security threat the region faces with two familiar words: climate change."
Exxon's Climate Cover-Up
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33311-exxon-s-climate-cover-up
"Even though the company claims that it accepts climate science today, it's still supporting climate denial as a member of climate denying groups like ALEC. That's because Exxon knows - and has known known for almost 40 years - that the basis of its business model is a threat to humanity. And so the company lied and blew a whole lot of smoke to make the science seem less clear than it is, in order to protect its bottom line.
Fortunately, our legal system has dealt with this sort of corporate deception and corruption before.
In 1999, the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to investigate and prosecute Big Tobacco for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. For nearly 50 years, the tobacco industry had promoted phony science and created deceptive labels to make cigarettes attractive and to make them appear "safe" - if not outright "healthy." Twenty-one years ago, tobacco executives were still testifying that nicotine wasn't addictive.
But in 2006, when US District Judge Gladys Kessler finally ruled on the case, she wrote, "In short, defendants have marketed and sold their lethal product with zeal, with deception, with a single-minded focus on their financial success, and without regard for the human tragedy or social costs that success exacted."
And that's exactly what Exxon and the other oil companies have been doing for nearly 40 years.
And that's why Sharon Eubanks, the former US Department of Justice attorney who prosecuted and won the racketeering case against Big Tobacco - is calling for the Department of Justice to look into whether Exxon violated the RICO Act."
"Even though the company claims that it accepts climate science today, it's still supporting climate denial as a member of climate denying groups like ALEC. That's because Exxon knows - and has known known for almost 40 years - that the basis of its business model is a threat to humanity. And so the company lied and blew a whole lot of smoke to make the science seem less clear than it is, in order to protect its bottom line.
Fortunately, our legal system has dealt with this sort of corporate deception and corruption before.
In 1999, the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to investigate and prosecute Big Tobacco for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. For nearly 50 years, the tobacco industry had promoted phony science and created deceptive labels to make cigarettes attractive and to make them appear "safe" - if not outright "healthy." Twenty-one years ago, tobacco executives were still testifying that nicotine wasn't addictive.
But in 2006, when US District Judge Gladys Kessler finally ruled on the case, she wrote, "In short, defendants have marketed and sold their lethal product with zeal, with deception, with a single-minded focus on their financial success, and without regard for the human tragedy or social costs that success exacted."
And that's exactly what Exxon and the other oil companies have been doing for nearly 40 years.
And that's why Sharon Eubanks, the former US Department of Justice attorney who prosecuted and won the racketeering case against Big Tobacco - is calling for the Department of Justice to look into whether Exxon violated the RICO Act."
Exxon's Climate Lie: 'No Corporation Has Ever Done Anything This Big or Bad'
Exxon's Climate Lie: 'No Corporation Has Ever Done Anything This Big or Bad'
"They helped organise campaigns designed to instil doubt, borrowing tactics and personnel from the tobacco industry’s similar fight. They funded “institutes” devoted to outright climate denial. And at the highest levels they did all they could to spread their lies."
"They helped organise campaigns designed to instil doubt, borrowing tactics and personnel from the tobacco industry’s similar fight. They funded “institutes” devoted to outright climate denial. And at the highest levels they did all they could to spread their lies."
Sanders Joins Call for DOJ Investigation into Exxon's Climate Coverup
Sanders Joins Call for DOJ Investigation into Exxon's Climate Coverup
"Exxon may have known about climate change and the role of fossil fuels in exacerbating global warming as far back as 1977 and spent millions of dollars funding a misinformation campaign to cast doubt on scientific information as it emerged to the public."
"Exxon may have known about climate change and the role of fossil fuels in exacerbating global warming as far back as 1977 and spent millions of dollars funding a misinformation campaign to cast doubt on scientific information as it emerged to the public."
Sanders wants DOJ Exxon probe, Whitehouse renews call for RICO investigation over climate fraud
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/21/1436553/-Sanders-wants-DOJ-Exxon-probe-Whitehouse-renews-call-for-RICO-investigation-over-climate-fraud
"anyone who thinks Exxon or the Journal or the host of Koch-paid shills who have been smearing scientists and ridiculing the truth are going to stop their campaign of lies because of the latest exposé of their evil shenanigans should know better. Big Tobacco didn't stop lying when it was first exposed."
"anyone who thinks Exxon or the Journal or the host of Koch-paid shills who have been smearing scientists and ridiculing the truth are going to stop their campaign of lies because of the latest exposé of their evil shenanigans should know better. Big Tobacco didn't stop lying when it was first exposed."
Exxon Knew Everything There Was to Know About Climate Change by the Mid-1980s—and Denied It
http://www.thenation.com/article/exxon-knew-everything-there-was-to-know-about-climate-change-by-the-mid-1980s-and-denied-it/
"as early as the late 1970s, Exxon scientists were briefing top executives that climate change was real, dangerous, and caused by their product."
"as early as the late 1970s, Exxon scientists were briefing top executives that climate change was real, dangerous, and caused by their product."
Bernie Sanders Calls For Federal Investigation Of Exxon
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/20/3714390/bernie-sanders-investigate-exxon-climate-denial/
"ExxonMobil conducted research as far back as 1977 affirming that climate change is caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. At the same time, the oil giant gave millions of dollars to politicians and organizations that promote climate science denial, and spent millions more lobbying to prevent regulations to limit carbon emissions.
Sanders, like many, compared the allegations against ExxonMobil to the DOJ’s massive and successful lawsuit against the tobacco industry. That action found that a number of big tobacco companies engaged in racketeering by conspiring to hide the harmful impacts of smoking from the public."
"ExxonMobil conducted research as far back as 1977 affirming that climate change is caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. At the same time, the oil giant gave millions of dollars to politicians and organizations that promote climate science denial, and spent millions more lobbying to prevent regulations to limit carbon emissions.
Sanders, like many, compared the allegations against ExxonMobil to the DOJ’s massive and successful lawsuit against the tobacco industry. That action found that a number of big tobacco companies engaged in racketeering by conspiring to hide the harmful impacts of smoking from the public."
Saturday, October 24, 2015
America's Greenest Cities: Where Does Your City Rank? @alternet
America's Greenest Cities: Where Does Your City Rank? @alternet
"A strong majority of Americans favor living sustainably. According to a Pew Research poll, 71 percent said the U.S. "should do whatever it takes to protect the environment." And as more than 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, examining the environmental friendliness of cities is an excellent way to take the nation's overall "sustainability pulse"."
"A strong majority of Americans favor living sustainably. According to a Pew Research poll, 71 percent said the U.S. "should do whatever it takes to protect the environment." And as more than 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, examining the environmental friendliness of cities is an excellent way to take the nation's overall "sustainability pulse"."
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Why Sale of National Geographic to Fox Signals Perilous Times for Photojournalism
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/33237-why-sale-of-national-geographic-to-fox-signals-perilous-times-for-photojournalism
"Six corporations own 90 per cent of the media companies in the US, according to a report by Business Insider. What most Americans read, watch, and listen to is filtered through those corporate interests. And media that isn't corporate-owned is often corporate-sponsored. National Public Radio, for example, took funding from America's Natural Gas Alliance, which leads those who oppose fracking to point out how weak NPR's reporting is on the topic.
"Propaganda by omission is something to watch out for," Daymon Hartley, former photographer for the Detroit Free Press, told DeSmog. "Now corporations control what you see and what you don't see. They look through lens of their own ideology and control the message by hiding what it doesn't want you to see."
Ownership of the media dictates the tone of editorial content, as well as the allocation of resources to cover stories. Not reporting on a topic can tell us as much about a news source's stance as the topics it does cover – as do the images we see and don't see."
"Six corporations own 90 per cent of the media companies in the US, according to a report by Business Insider. What most Americans read, watch, and listen to is filtered through those corporate interests. And media that isn't corporate-owned is often corporate-sponsored. National Public Radio, for example, took funding from America's Natural Gas Alliance, which leads those who oppose fracking to point out how weak NPR's reporting is on the topic.
"Propaganda by omission is something to watch out for," Daymon Hartley, former photographer for the Detroit Free Press, told DeSmog. "Now corporations control what you see and what you don't see. They look through lens of their own ideology and control the message by hiding what it doesn't want you to see."
Ownership of the media dictates the tone of editorial content, as well as the allocation of resources to cover stories. Not reporting on a topic can tell us as much about a news source's stance as the topics it does cover – as do the images we see and don't see."
Dirty energy plutocrats are trying to buy the presidential election
http://grist.org/politics/dirty-energy-plutocrats-are-trying-to-buy-the-presidential-election/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily-horizon
"Of the 158 mega-donors, the most common industry in which they have made their money is finance and the second biggest is energy, mostly oil and gas. The donors are disproportionately old, white, and male, concentrated in a handful of very rich, non-diverse neighborhoods. Most importantly, their politics are not representative of the country at all: 138 of the 158, or 87 percent, are Republicans."
"Of the 158 mega-donors, the most common industry in which they have made their money is finance and the second biggest is energy, mostly oil and gas. The donors are disproportionately old, white, and male, concentrated in a handful of very rich, non-diverse neighborhoods. Most importantly, their politics are not representative of the country at all: 138 of the 158, or 87 percent, are Republicans."
Recordings Of Massey Energy CEO Introduced As Evidence Could Be His Downfall
Recordings Of Massey Energy CEO Introduced As Evidence Could Be His Downfall
"The tapes offer a peek into the mind of a man seemingly consumed with his own wealth and frustrated with federal regulators and company officials who pushed for more attention to safety."
"The tapes offer a peek into the mind of a man seemingly consumed with his own wealth and frustrated with federal regulators and company officials who pushed for more attention to safety."
Climate change is, as Sanders says, our top nat'l security issue, but most of GOP still in denial
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/16/1433421/-Climate-change-is-as-Sanders-says-our-top-nat-l-security-issue-but-most-of-GOP-still-in-denial
"All this caterwauling ignores what the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review and the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review have to say. The QDR is the nation's key public document laying out U.S. military doctrine. Here's a bit from the 2010 version:
Assessments conducted by the intelligence community indicate that climate change could have significant geopolitical impacts around the world, contributing to poverty, environmental degradation, and the further weakening of fragile governments. Climate change will contribute to food and water scarcity, will increase the spread of disease, and may spur or exacerbate mass migration.
And in 2014:
Climate change poses another significant challenge for the United States and the world at large. As greenhouse gas emissions increase, sea levels are rising, average global temperatures are increasing, and severe weather patterns are accelerating. These changes, coupled with other global dynamics, including growing, urbanizing, more affluent populations, and substantial economic growth in India, China, Brazil, and other nations, will devastate homes, land, and infrastructure. Climate change may exacerbate water scarcity and lead to sharp increases in food costs. The pressures caused by climate change will influence resource competition while placing additional burdens on economies, societies, and governance institutions around the world. These effects are threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty,environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions—conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence."
"All this caterwauling ignores what the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review and the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review have to say. The QDR is the nation's key public document laying out U.S. military doctrine. Here's a bit from the 2010 version:
Assessments conducted by the intelligence community indicate that climate change could have significant geopolitical impacts around the world, contributing to poverty, environmental degradation, and the further weakening of fragile governments. Climate change will contribute to food and water scarcity, will increase the spread of disease, and may spur or exacerbate mass migration.
And in 2014:
Climate change poses another significant challenge for the United States and the world at large. As greenhouse gas emissions increase, sea levels are rising, average global temperatures are increasing, and severe weather patterns are accelerating. These changes, coupled with other global dynamics, including growing, urbanizing, more affluent populations, and substantial economic growth in India, China, Brazil, and other nations, will devastate homes, land, and infrastructure. Climate change may exacerbate water scarcity and lead to sharp increases in food costs. The pressures caused by climate change will influence resource competition while placing additional burdens on economies, societies, and governance institutions around the world. These effects are threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty,environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions—conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence."
Exxon-Mobil Lands In Hot Water Over Climate Change Report
Exxon-Mobil Lands In Hot Water Over Climate Change Report
"Exxon-Mobil is in a high puddle of hot water over reports that they knew about climate change and their contribution to it as early as the 1970s, but buried the evidence so they could keep on making the billionaire bucks."
"Exxon-Mobil is in a high puddle of hot water over reports that they knew about climate change and their contribution to it as early as the 1970s, but buried the evidence so they could keep on making the billionaire bucks."
Even Fossil Fuel Companies Support An International Climate Agreement
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/15/3712719/fossil-fuel-companies-climate-statement/
"In a joint statement released Wednesday by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 14 major Fortune 500 companies voiced their support for a strong global agreement on climate change.
The 14-company coalition represents a broad set of business interests, from technology giants like Intel and HP to the electronics manufacturer Siemens Corporation. But the letter also includes supporters that might not seem like the most natural allies to a global climate agreement, including coal mining companies like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, oil and gas companies like BP and Shell, and industrial manufacturers like Alcoa and LafargeHolcim. Together, the companies have a combined revenues of $1.1 trillion and employ more than 1.5 million people, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions."
"In a joint statement released Wednesday by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 14 major Fortune 500 companies voiced their support for a strong global agreement on climate change.
The 14-company coalition represents a broad set of business interests, from technology giants like Intel and HP to the electronics manufacturer Siemens Corporation. But the letter also includes supporters that might not seem like the most natural allies to a global climate agreement, including coal mining companies like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, oil and gas companies like BP and Shell, and industrial manufacturers like Alcoa and LafargeHolcim. Together, the companies have a combined revenues of $1.1 trillion and employ more than 1.5 million people, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions."
What Exxon knew about the Earth's melting Arctic
http://graphics.latimes.com/exxon-arctic/
"Back in 1990, as the debate over climate change was heating up, a dissident shareholder petitioned the board of Exxon, one of the world’s largest oil companies, imploring it to develop a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its production plants and facilities.
The board’s response: Exxon had studied the science of global warming and concluded it was too murky to warrant action. The company’s “examination of the issue supports the conclusions that the facts today and the projection of future effects are very unclear.”
Yet in the far northern regions of Canada’s Arctic frontier, researchers and engineers at Exxon and Imperial Oil were quietly incorporating climate change projections into the company’s planning and closely studying how to adapt the company’s Arctic operations to a warming planet."
"Back in 1990, as the debate over climate change was heating up, a dissident shareholder petitioned the board of Exxon, one of the world’s largest oil companies, imploring it to develop a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its production plants and facilities.
The board’s response: Exxon had studied the science of global warming and concluded it was too murky to warrant action. The company’s “examination of the issue supports the conclusions that the facts today and the projection of future effects are very unclear.”
Yet in the far northern regions of Canada’s Arctic frontier, researchers and engineers at Exxon and Imperial Oil were quietly incorporating climate change projections into the company’s planning and closely studying how to adapt the company’s Arctic operations to a warming planet."
Exxon Arctic Drilling Benefitting From Global Warming: Oil Company Denied Climate Change Science While Factoring It Into Arctic Operations, Report Shows
http://www.ibtimes.com/exxon-arctic-drilling-benefitting-global-warming-oil-company-denied-climate-change-2136118
"For the more than 20 years oil company Exxon has sought to cast doubt on the science of climate change, it also quietly has factored climate change calculations into its planning for oil operations in the Arctic, the Los Angeles Times reported after analyzing hundreds of internal documents and published materials. Melting sea ice due to warmer ocean temperatures, one of the effects of climate change, makes searching for oil and gas easier.
The company, which in 1999 became Exxon Mobil, helped found the Global Climate Coalition, which from 1989 to 2002 argued the role "of greenhouse gases in climate change is not well understood," the New York Times reported Friday. Yet as early as 1992, researchers for the company were analyzing the impact climate change could have on its operations."
"For the more than 20 years oil company Exxon has sought to cast doubt on the science of climate change, it also quietly has factored climate change calculations into its planning for oil operations in the Arctic, the Los Angeles Times reported after analyzing hundreds of internal documents and published materials. Melting sea ice due to warmer ocean temperatures, one of the effects of climate change, makes searching for oil and gas easier.
The company, which in 1999 became Exxon Mobil, helped found the Global Climate Coalition, which from 1989 to 2002 argued the role "of greenhouse gases in climate change is not well understood," the New York Times reported Friday. Yet as early as 1992, researchers for the company were analyzing the impact climate change could have on its operations."
People's Climate Returns as Communities Converge for Actions Nationwide
People's Climate Returns as Communities Converge for Actions Nationwide
"Wednesday's actions seek to build on the momentum of last year's historic People's Climate March, which drew over 400,000 people to New York City on September 21 to demand global environmental action."
"Wednesday's actions seek to build on the momentum of last year's historic People's Climate March, which drew over 400,000 people to New York City on September 21 to demand global environmental action."
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The Gulf Between Democrats And Republicans On Climate Change And National Security
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/14/3712153/democratic-debate-national-security-climate/
"For years, military researchers have singled out climate change as a national security risk, acting not just as a “threat multiplier” but a “catalyst for conflict” that can be a driving force to start conflicts."
"For years, military researchers have singled out climate change as a national security risk, acting not just as a “threat multiplier” but a “catalyst for conflict” that can be a driving force to start conflicts."
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Nearly 90 Percent Of Americans Think Political Candidates Should Understand Science
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/09/3711122/americans-want-politicians-to-understand-science-poll/
"Several current Republican presidential candidates have been known to trot out the “I’m not a scientist” trope to defend their contrarian views on climate change."
"Several current Republican presidential candidates have been known to trot out the “I’m not a scientist” trope to defend their contrarian views on climate change."
Proving Commitment to Climate Chaos, GOP Votes to Lift Oil Export Ban
Proving Commitment to Climate Chaos, GOP Votes to Lift Oil Export Ban
"Despite warnings from environmental groups and President Barack Obama's explicit pledge to veto any such measure, the Republican-led House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill lifting the nation's 40-year oil export ban."
"Despite warnings from environmental groups and President Barack Obama's explicit pledge to veto any such measure, the Republican-led House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill lifting the nation's 40-year oil export ban."
Sick Of Ignorance: 87% Of Americans Demand Politicians Understand Basic Science
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/sick-of-ignorance-87-of-americans-demand-politicians-understand-basic-science/
"The poll also revealed that Americans want the presidential candidates to participate in debates where science-based problems are discussed, such as healthcare, climate change, energy, education, innovation and the economy."
"The poll also revealed that Americans want the presidential candidates to participate in debates where science-based problems are discussed, such as healthcare, climate change, energy, education, innovation and the economy."
Friday, October 9, 2015
GOP Governor Finally Admits His Hand-Picked Emergency Manager Poisoned Children (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/09/emergency-manager-lead-poisoning-flint-water-rick-snyder-video/
"Governor Snyder’s emergency managers are hand-selected by the governor himself. Once any town, city or school is targeted for a Snyder emergency manager, all elected officials are rendered powerless. Since Snyder’s emergency managers are not elected but appointed, they do not answer to the public. They cannot be recalled or voted out. The state’s appointed emergency managers are not even subject to oversight by the state legislature. The only person a Michigan emergency manager answers to is the Rick Snyder."
"Governor Snyder’s emergency managers are hand-selected by the governor himself. Once any town, city or school is targeted for a Snyder emergency manager, all elected officials are rendered powerless. Since Snyder’s emergency managers are not elected but appointed, they do not answer to the public. They cannot be recalled or voted out. The state’s appointed emergency managers are not even subject to oversight by the state legislature. The only person a Michigan emergency manager answers to is the Rick Snyder."
Lead Poisoning Fears Finally Stir Action, But Does It Come Too Late for People of Flint?
Lead Poisoning Fears Finally Stir Action, But Does It Come Too Late for People of Flint?
"Since the emergency manager switched the city's drinking water to the Flint River in April 2014, "it increased the amount of chemicals used to treat the water and failed to put in place the proper corrosion controls, resulting in water that contains high levels of TTHMs [total trihalomethanes], lead, copper and other heavy metals," explained Lynna Kaucheck, senior organizer for the Food & Water Watch, in a statement released Thursday."
"Since the emergency manager switched the city's drinking water to the Flint River in April 2014, "it increased the amount of chemicals used to treat the water and failed to put in place the proper corrosion controls, resulting in water that contains high levels of TTHMs [total trihalomethanes], lead, copper and other heavy metals," explained Lynna Kaucheck, senior organizer for the Food & Water Watch, in a statement released Thursday."
Congress Lets Sun Set on Land and Water Conservation Fund
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/33109-congress-lets-sun-set-on-land-and-water-conservation-fund
"In July, Montanans celebrated the addition of 8,200 acres, known as Tenderfoot Creek, to the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Most of the $10.7 million cost was paid for by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which uses oil and gas royalties for conservation and recreation projects.
But last month, the 50-year-old fund, widely viewed as one of the nation's most popular and most successful land conservation programs, was allowed to expire completely. Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program - and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress."
"In July, Montanans celebrated the addition of 8,200 acres, known as Tenderfoot Creek, to the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Most of the $10.7 million cost was paid for by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which uses oil and gas royalties for conservation and recreation projects.
But last month, the 50-year-old fund, widely viewed as one of the nation's most popular and most successful land conservation programs, was allowed to expire completely. Despite broad bipartisan support, and despite a deadline that was no surprise to anyone, Congress failed to take action to reauthorize it. That means that offshore oil and gas producers will no longer be paying into the chest that funds the program - and now that the funding connection has been broken, reinstating it will be very difficult, especially given the tone of this Congress."
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Congress Is Trying To Lift The Oil Export Ban. This Is Why They Will Fail.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/06/3709456/oil-export-ban-considered/
"A poll from last year found that more than 80 percent of Americans thought we should use our oil here, not export it"
"A poll from last year found that more than 80 percent of Americans thought we should use our oil here, not export it"
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Elizabeth Warren torches Big Oil in a signature Elizabeth Warren moment: “We weren’t sent here to work for them”
Elizabeth Warren torches Big Oil in a signature Elizabeth Warren moment: “We weren’t sent here to work for them”
"Big Oil would like to export unlimited amounts of crude oil outside of the U.S. to increase their profits, but there is a longstanding ban on crude oil exports standing in the way. What’s a Big Oil executive to do? Spend millions to lobby Congress to change the rules, of course."
"Big Oil would like to export unlimited amounts of crude oil outside of the U.S. to increase their profits, but there is a longstanding ban on crude oil exports standing in the way. What’s a Big Oil executive to do? Spend millions to lobby Congress to change the rules, of course."
This is how batsh*t the GOP has become: Climate change denialism perfectly sums up why it’s the party of stupid
This is how batsh*t the GOP has become: Climate change denialism perfectly sums up why it’s the party of stupid
"The Republican Party, as Bobby Jindal (ironically) warned in 2013, is the “stupid party.” GOP candidates have to pretend not to be smart in order to appease the stupid people who dominate their party. This is a terrible problem, for the Republican Party and the country. There isn’t another mainstream party in the western world that’s even remotely comparable to the GOP."
"The Republican Party, as Bobby Jindal (ironically) warned in 2013, is the “stupid party.” GOP candidates have to pretend not to be smart in order to appease the stupid people who dominate their party. This is a terrible problem, for the Republican Party and the country. There isn’t another mainstream party in the western world that’s even remotely comparable to the GOP."
Monday, October 5, 2015
Climate Hawks Vote: Obama Should Sue Exxon Under RICO
Climate Hawks Vote: Obama Should Sue Exxon Under RICO
"This is a brief follow-up to the blockbuster Exxon story, about how the company knew as far back as 1977 that burning fossil fuel was a big cause of climate change, that they studied the problem for ten years, then abandoned all that good work and started funding the climate denier campaign — all based on a treasure trove of internal documents."
"This is a brief follow-up to the blockbuster Exxon story, about how the company knew as far back as 1977 that burning fossil fuel was a big cause of climate change, that they studied the problem for ten years, then abandoned all that good work and started funding the climate denier campaign — all based on a treasure trove of internal documents."
How Close Do You Live to a Toxic Waste Site? This New Map Will Tell You @alternet
How Close Do You Live to a Toxic Waste Site? This New Map Will Tell You @alternet
"More than 1,300 Superfund sites are littered across the United States."
"More than 1,300 Superfund sites are littered across the United States."
Secrets of the GOP Science War: How Spin-Masters and Pundits Confuse Conservatives About Facts @alternet
Secrets of the GOP Science War: How Spin-Masters and Pundits Confuse Conservatives About Facts @alternet
"Conservatives have become much less trusting of science. A cynical right-wing campaign is behind that"
"Conservatives have become much less trusting of science. A cynical right-wing campaign is behind that"
Krugman: Today's GOP Is Further to the Right than Cheney—Yikes! @alternet
Krugman: Today's GOP Is Further to the Right than Cheney—Yikes! @alternet
"When it comes to energy policy, Republicans are wed to Big Oil."
"When it comes to energy policy, Republicans are wed to Big Oil."
Drillers Welcome: NC Lawmakers Quietly Pass Ban on Anti-Fracking Ordinances
Drillers Welcome: NC Lawmakers Quietly Pass Ban on Anti-Fracking Ordinances
"After a a number of local governments enacted temporary moratoriums on oil and natural gas development, including fracking, the Republican-led North Carolina government issued a resounding response: Drillers welcome!"
"After a a number of local governments enacted temporary moratoriums on oil and natural gas development, including fracking, the Republican-led North Carolina government issued a resounding response: Drillers welcome!"
Food Industry To Congress: We Need You To Act On Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/01/3708023/food-industry-climate-change-congress/
"In a letter published in both the Washington Post and Financial Times, the chief executives from Mars, General Mills, Unilever, Kellogg, Nestle, New Belgium Brewing, Ben & Jerry’s, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm, and Dannon asked U.S. and global leaders to “meaningfully address the reality of climate change"."
"In a letter published in both the Washington Post and Financial Times, the chief executives from Mars, General Mills, Unilever, Kellogg, Nestle, New Belgium Brewing, Ben & Jerry’s, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm, and Dannon asked U.S. and global leaders to “meaningfully address the reality of climate change"."
Utah Republican Introduces Koch Legislation To Begin Eliminating National Parks
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/10/02/utah-republican-introduces-koch-legislation-eliminating-national-parks.html
"LWCF is now, and has been, highly regarded as world’s best parks program and like anything considered good in America, Republicans and the Kochs want it either destroyed, or handed over to the Kochs for exploitation and ruination free of environmental and safety regulations."
"LWCF is now, and has been, highly regarded as world’s best parks program and like anything considered good in America, Republicans and the Kochs want it either destroyed, or handed over to the Kochs for exploitation and ruination free of environmental and safety regulations."
More Shocking Testimony in DuPont Cancer Trial – DuPont Witness Admits Discharged Chemical VERY Toxic
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/30/more-shocking-testimony-in-teflon-trial-duponts-own-witness-admits-discharged-chemical-very-toxic/
"His admission to the toxicity of C8 highlighted the bio-persistence of the chemical, in the environment and in living organisms. Even more shocking, Dr. Playtis admitted that he knew for more than a decade that the plant drinking water supply had been contaminated with C8, but he had not told anyone. Moreover, he acknowledged under oath that numerous epidemiological studies had been proposed by a company doctor, studies that would have specifically looked to address kidney cancer among Washington Works workers from exposure to C8, but DuPont never conducted those studies.
Dr. Playtis is not unknown to the history of C8 related problems from the plant located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 2004, it was reported that DuPont was continuing to make their same old excuses to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about their violations of federal law regarding the release and toxicity of C8, a chemical DuPont used in the production of Teflon. DuPont’s 2003 response to the EPA’s original inquiry about C8 was still in effect and their defenses to the EPA’s charges had not changed, even after the EPA announced it would take formal action against DuPont for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act. The violations involved the withholding of key studies for a period of more than 20 years."
"His admission to the toxicity of C8 highlighted the bio-persistence of the chemical, in the environment and in living organisms. Even more shocking, Dr. Playtis admitted that he knew for more than a decade that the plant drinking water supply had been contaminated with C8, but he had not told anyone. Moreover, he acknowledged under oath that numerous epidemiological studies had been proposed by a company doctor, studies that would have specifically looked to address kidney cancer among Washington Works workers from exposure to C8, but DuPont never conducted those studies.
Dr. Playtis is not unknown to the history of C8 related problems from the plant located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 2004, it was reported that DuPont was continuing to make their same old excuses to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about their violations of federal law regarding the release and toxicity of C8, a chemical DuPont used in the production of Teflon. DuPont’s 2003 response to the EPA’s original inquiry about C8 was still in effect and their defenses to the EPA’s charges had not changed, even after the EPA announced it would take formal action against DuPont for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act. The violations involved the withholding of key studies for a period of more than 20 years."
After Taking Bribes From Oil & Gas Polluters, GOP Congressman Vows To Sell Off National Parks
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/after-taking-bribes-from-oil-gas-polluters-gop-congressman-vows-to-sell-off-national-parks/
"Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has announced his intention to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal initiative that has helped protect more than seven million acres of parkland – an area larger than Massachusetts – at no cost to the government. Commonly referred to as “America’s best parks program,” the LWCF takes $900 million in annual royalties from oil and gas drilling and reinvests it into the purchase, protection, and enhancement of everything from National Parks to historic sites to small neighborhood parks. The current iteration of the program, however, expires tomorrow, and without the support of the Natural Resources Committee it will be defunded, leaving tens of thousands of acres of vulnerable and irreplaceable natural habitat ripe for commercial destruction."
"Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has announced his intention to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal initiative that has helped protect more than seven million acres of parkland – an area larger than Massachusetts – at no cost to the government. Commonly referred to as “America’s best parks program,” the LWCF takes $900 million in annual royalties from oil and gas drilling and reinvests it into the purchase, protection, and enhancement of everything from National Parks to historic sites to small neighborhood parks. The current iteration of the program, however, expires tomorrow, and without the support of the Natural Resources Committee it will be defunded, leaving tens of thousands of acres of vulnerable and irreplaceable natural habitat ripe for commercial destruction."
Koch Brothers Backing Misleading Anti-Solar Campaign in Florida
Koch Brothers Backing Misleading Anti-Solar Campaign in Florida
"The Koch brothers and utility giants are bankrolling a ballot initiative in Florida to block the development of home solar and to protect the utilities' continuing oligopoly on energy generation in the Sunshine State.
Solar is booming in the U.S., with a thirty percent increase in generation in 2014, but surprisingly it’s facing an uphill battle in Florida. The state Public Service Commission--stacked with appointees hand-picked by Republican Governor Rick Scott for their current terms--have gutted energy Florida's efficiency goals and ended a solar power rebate program for homeowners. State law even prevents homeowners from installing solar panels by restricting the leasing of equipment by consumers."
"The Koch brothers and utility giants are bankrolling a ballot initiative in Florida to block the development of home solar and to protect the utilities' continuing oligopoly on energy generation in the Sunshine State.
Solar is booming in the U.S., with a thirty percent increase in generation in 2014, but surprisingly it’s facing an uphill battle in Florida. The state Public Service Commission--stacked with appointees hand-picked by Republican Governor Rick Scott for their current terms--have gutted energy Florida's efficiency goals and ended a solar power rebate program for homeowners. State law even prevents homeowners from installing solar panels by restricting the leasing of equipment by consumers."
Jeb Bush’s Energy Plan Doesn’t Even Mention Renewables
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/29/3706874/jeb-energy-plan/
"Bush’s plan makes no mention of renewable energy of any kind, even though renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro now account for half the new electricity generation in the United States. In more economic terms, solar accounted for one out of every 78 new jobs created nationwide last year."
"Bush’s plan makes no mention of renewable energy of any kind, even though renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro now account for half the new electricity generation in the United States. In more economic terms, solar accounted for one out of every 78 new jobs created nationwide last year."
Following Exxon Revelations, The Guardian Highlights Need To Investigate Corporate Climate Deception
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/09/29/following-exxon-revelations-the-guardian-highli/205856
"Exxon's own scientific research confirmed human-caused global warming as far back as the late 1970s."
"Exxon's own scientific research confirmed human-caused global warming as far back as the late 1970s."
Why Are Republicans the Only Climate-Science-Denying Party in the World?
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/09/whys-gop-only-science-denying-party-on-earth.html#
"Rabid opposition is not the only quality that sets the GOP apart from other major conservative parties. The fervent commitment to supply-side economics is also an almost uniquely American idea. The GOP is the only major democratic party in the world that opposes the principle of universal health insurance. The virulence of anti-government ideology in the United States has no parallel anywhere in the world."
"Rabid opposition is not the only quality that sets the GOP apart from other major conservative parties. The fervent commitment to supply-side economics is also an almost uniquely American idea. The GOP is the only major democratic party in the world that opposes the principle of universal health insurance. The virulence of anti-government ideology in the United States has no parallel anywhere in the world."
Utah Congressman Vows To Kill America’s Top Parks Program
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/29/3706756/rob-bishop-lwcf-reauthorization/
"Barely 24 hours after Pope Francis appealed to U.S. lawmakers to help protect “our common home,” Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) announced that he intends this week to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is known as America’s best parks program. The move — which is expected to succeed — places dozens of U.S. national parks at heightened risk of commercial development, including Grand Teton National Park and Gettysburg National Military Park.
The LWCF is a budget-neutral program that uses fees from offshore oil and gas development to fund national, state, and local conservation projects. Although the program enjoys widespread bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Wednesday, September 30."
"Barely 24 hours after Pope Francis appealed to U.S. lawmakers to help protect “our common home,” Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) announced that he intends this week to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is known as America’s best parks program. The move — which is expected to succeed — places dozens of U.S. national parks at heightened risk of commercial development, including Grand Teton National Park and Gettysburg National Military Park.
The LWCF is a budget-neutral program that uses fees from offshore oil and gas development to fund national, state, and local conservation projects. Although the program enjoys widespread bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Wednesday, September 30."
Shocking Trial Testimony in the DuPont Teflon C8 Chemical Cancer Case
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/28/shocking-trial-testimony-in-the-dupont-teflon-c8-chemical-cancer-cas/
"In 2005, DuPont settled a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of the chemical C8 in drinking water that had been contaminated by DuPont’s waste discharge. At the time, DuPont maintained publicly that the chemical was safe, contrary to evidence that has now been produced in the trial showing DuPont’s concerns about the safety of C8 going back for decades."
"In 2005, DuPont settled a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of the chemical C8 in drinking water that had been contaminated by DuPont’s waste discharge. At the time, DuPont maintained publicly that the chemical was safe, contrary to evidence that has now been produced in the trial showing DuPont’s concerns about the safety of C8 going back for decades."
The GOP Is The Only Elected Political Party in the World That Denies Climate Change: There is a Reason
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/28/the-gop-is-the-only-elected-political-party-in-the-world-that-denies-climate-change-there-is-a-reaso/
"A recent study has found evidence that the American Republican Party is unique in the world for its denial of climate change science. No other major political party is able to so staunchly refuse to acknowledge scientific consensus and remain in any form of authority."
"A recent study has found evidence that the American Republican Party is unique in the world for its denial of climate change science. No other major political party is able to so staunchly refuse to acknowledge scientific consensus and remain in any form of authority."
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Inhofe Responds To Pope's Call To Protect 'Our Common Home'
Inhofe Responds To Pope's Call To Protect 'Our Common Home'
"He ignores proven science in favor of the profitability of big oil. Inhofe is another selfish Republican who cares nothing for future generations, his own family included. He really missed the point of what Pope Francis so eloquently stated."
"He ignores proven science in favor of the profitability of big oil. Inhofe is another selfish Republican who cares nothing for future generations, his own family included. He really missed the point of what Pope Francis so eloquently stated."
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Pope Visit Backfires On Republicans As Obama and Francis Team Up On Climate Change
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/23/pope-visit-backfires-republicans-obama-francis-team-climate-change.html
"Pope Francis spoke positively about President Obama’s proposed steps to combat climate change:
Mr. President, I find it encouraging that you are proposing an initiative for reducing air pollution. Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to our future generation. When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history. We still have time to make the change needed to bring about a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.
Such change demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition not only of the kind of world we may be leaving to our children, but also to the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them. Our common home has been part of this group of the excluded, which cries out to heaven and which today powerfully strikes our homes, our cities, our societies. To use a telling phrase of the Reverend Martin Luther King, we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note, and now is the time to honor it.
Republicans are some of the few remaining holdouts in the world who have a stated public policy position that deny the reality of climate change."
"Pope Francis spoke positively about President Obama’s proposed steps to combat climate change:
Mr. President, I find it encouraging that you are proposing an initiative for reducing air pollution. Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to our future generation. When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history. We still have time to make the change needed to bring about a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.
Such change demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition not only of the kind of world we may be leaving to our children, but also to the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them. Our common home has been part of this group of the excluded, which cries out to heaven and which today powerfully strikes our homes, our cities, our societies. To use a telling phrase of the Reverend Martin Luther King, we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note, and now is the time to honor it.
Republicans are some of the few remaining holdouts in the world who have a stated public policy position that deny the reality of climate change."
The Planet Set Three Major Heat Records In August
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/17/3702638/hottest-august-summer-year/
"Like a broken record, we are breaking records for temperature over and over and over again. NOAA’s latest monthly State of the Climate Report reports that the Earth just experienced the hottest August on record, the hottest summer (June to August) on record, and the hottest year to date."
"Like a broken record, we are breaking records for temperature over and over and over again. NOAA’s latest monthly State of the Climate Report reports that the Earth just experienced the hottest August on record, the hottest summer (June to August) on record, and the hottest year to date."
Sounds Like Sci-Fi Horror, but It's Frighteningly Real: Giant Viruses May Be Unleashed by Arctic Thaw @alternet
Sounds Like Sci-Fi Horror, but It's Frighteningly Real: Giant Viruses May Be Unleashed by Arctic Thaw @alternet
"This newly discovered pathogen, named Mollivirus sibericum, is 0.6 microns long and has more than 500 genes. By contrast, the contemporary influenza A and B viruses each contain eight genes.
Viruses are classed as “giant” when they are longer than half a micron, or about 0.00002 inch."
"This newly discovered pathogen, named Mollivirus sibericum, is 0.6 microns long and has more than 500 genes. By contrast, the contemporary influenza A and B viruses each contain eight genes.
Viruses are classed as “giant” when they are longer than half a micron, or about 0.00002 inch."
Human Activity Pushing Marine Life to the Brink of Collapse
Human Activity Pushing Marine Life to the Brink of Collapse
"Human activity is pushing marine life to the brink of collapse, warned a leading international conservation group, which found that overfishing, destruction of marine habitats, and climate change has led to the loss of almost half the world's marine mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish within a single generation."
"Human activity is pushing marine life to the brink of collapse, warned a leading international conservation group, which found that overfishing, destruction of marine habitats, and climate change has led to the loss of almost half the world's marine mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish within a single generation."
47 Republican Senators Want To Block The EPA’s Clean Water Rule
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/18/3703024/senate-republicans-disapprove-of-waters-rule/
"The rule, developed with the Army Corps of Engineers using what a White House spokesman called “the best science available” to determine how waterways are connected, protects two million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands that the Clean Water Act did not clearly cover before. The EPA estimates that a third of Americans get their drinking water from sources connected to the added waterways." The pro pollution, pro poison party strikes again."
"The rule, developed with the Army Corps of Engineers using what a White House spokesman called “the best science available” to determine how waterways are connected, protects two million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands that the Clean Water Act did not clearly cover before. The EPA estimates that a third of Americans get their drinking water from sources connected to the added waterways." The pro pollution, pro poison party strikes again."
Exxon Doubled Down on Climate Denial and Deceit
Exxon Doubled Down on Climate Denial and Deceit
"ExxonMobil’s own scientists had secretly confirmed the science behind human-caused climate change as early as the late 1970s.
Yes—this is the same ExxonMobil that has funded efforts to attack the science of climate change for more than two decades."
"ExxonMobil’s own scientists had secretly confirmed the science behind human-caused climate change as early as the late 1970s.
Yes—this is the same ExxonMobil that has funded efforts to attack the science of climate change for more than two decades."
Scientists Seek Prosecution Of Climate Change Deniers Under RICO Statutes
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/09/scientists-seek-prosecution-of-climate-change-deniers-under-rico-statutes/
"A RICO investigation (1999 to 2006) played an important role in stopping the tobacco industry from continuing to deceive the American people about the dangers of smoking. If corporations in the fossil fuel industry and their supporters are guilty of the misdeeds that have been documented in books and journal articles, it is imperative that these misdeeds be stopped as soon as possible so that America and the world can get on with the critically important business of finding effective ways to restabilize the Earth’s climate, before even more lasting damage is done."
"A RICO investigation (1999 to 2006) played an important role in stopping the tobacco industry from continuing to deceive the American people about the dangers of smoking. If corporations in the fossil fuel industry and their supporters are guilty of the misdeeds that have been documented in books and journal articles, it is imperative that these misdeeds be stopped as soon as possible so that America and the world can get on with the critically important business of finding effective ways to restabilize the Earth’s climate, before even more lasting damage is done."
Pope Francis Attacked By Climate Deniers Over Support For Accurate Science
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/21/3703544/climate-deniers-smear-pope-francis/
"From George Will to the Heartland Institute, climate science deniers are a one-trick pony when it comes to responding to effective climate change communicators: smear, smear, smear. They are at it again, shamelessly, on the eve of the U.S. visit by the widely-admired Pope Francis — who issued a ground-breaking Encyclical on the moral urgency of climate action back in June."
"From George Will to the Heartland Institute, climate science deniers are a one-trick pony when it comes to responding to effective climate change communicators: smear, smear, smear. They are at it again, shamelessly, on the eve of the U.S. visit by the widely-admired Pope Francis — who issued a ground-breaking Encyclical on the moral urgency of climate action back in June."
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Rick Santorum Perfectly Showcases Just How Ignorant Republicans Are About Science
Rick Santorum Perfectly Showcases Just How Ignorant Republicans Are About Science
"Maybe it’s time Rick Santorum takes his own advice and starts listening to the scientists."
"Maybe it’s time Rick Santorum takes his own advice and starts listening to the scientists."
Sunday, September 6, 2015
5 Quotes From Teddy Roosevelt That Exemplify What It Means To Be A Progressive
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/08/31/3694934/teddy-roosevelt-progressive-environmentalsim-patriot/
"Yes, the famous Republican President Teddy Roosevelt would be what modern conservatives typically label a socialist tree-hugger."
"Yes, the famous Republican President Teddy Roosevelt would be what modern conservatives typically label a socialist tree-hugger."
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Consumer Reports calls latest Tesla best vehicle they've ever tested, right wing goes nuts
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/31/1417018/-Consumer-Reports-calls-latest-Tesla-best-vehicle-they-ve-ever-tested-right-wing-goes-nuts
"In other words, today's Tesla supercar is tomorrow's mid-range commuter. Tesla is building out technology for well-heeled early adopters that will (in three years, if anyone believes Tesla timetables anymore) soon be available in more affordable mass-market cars. For those of us hoping for a transition to clean transportation, this is pretty exciting stuff, and Tesla is proving that electric cars aren't golf-cart equivalents. Rather, they are better than the gas-powered supercars of today.
Which is all great news! Well, unless you are conservative and have a bug up your ass about clean air and renewable fuels that would eliminate dependence on petroleum from regressive regimes and lessen the need for wars. For those people, Consumer Reports now has a liberal agenda to destroy freedom."
"In other words, today's Tesla supercar is tomorrow's mid-range commuter. Tesla is building out technology for well-heeled early adopters that will (in three years, if anyone believes Tesla timetables anymore) soon be available in more affordable mass-market cars. For those of us hoping for a transition to clean transportation, this is pretty exciting stuff, and Tesla is proving that electric cars aren't golf-cart equivalents. Rather, they are better than the gas-powered supercars of today.
Which is all great news! Well, unless you are conservative and have a bug up your ass about clean air and renewable fuels that would eliminate dependence on petroleum from regressive regimes and lessen the need for wars. For those people, Consumer Reports now has a liberal agenda to destroy freedom."
More Bad News for Coal Country as Common Byproduct Found to be Radioactive
More Bad News for Coal Country as Common Byproduct Found to be Radioactive
"Coal ash, a common and unregulated byproduct of coal-fired power plants, has been found to contain high levels of radioactive contaminants, placing at great risk the countless number of people who live near such dumps—including the thousands of North Carolina residents affected by the 2014 Dan River spill."
"Coal ash, a common and unregulated byproduct of coal-fired power plants, has been found to contain high levels of radioactive contaminants, placing at great risk the countless number of people who live near such dumps—including the thousands of North Carolina residents affected by the 2014 Dan River spill."
'Big Moment' for California as Assembly Votes to Divest From Dirty Coal
'Big Moment' for California as Assembly Votes to Divest From Dirty Coal
"In a significant victory for the fossil fuel divestment movement, the California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill requiring the state's two pension systems, CalPERS and CalSTRS, to release their holdings from coal investments."
"In a significant victory for the fossil fuel divestment movement, the California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill requiring the state's two pension systems, CalPERS and CalSTRS, to release their holdings from coal investments."
General Mills Takes Climate Change Seriously Because You Can’t Make Wheaties Without Wheat
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/08/31/3696953/general-mills-climate-emissions-reduction-plan/
"On Monday, General Mills — the sixth-largest food company in the world — announced plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent by 2025.
The announcement comes at a time when a growing number of major food companies are pledging to take more steps to encourage sustainability throughout their businesses. But General Mills’ plan is slightly unique, because it seeks to reduce carbon emissions throughout the company’s entire supply chain, from farm to landfill — a first for major food companies."
"On Monday, General Mills — the sixth-largest food company in the world — announced plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent by 2025.
The announcement comes at a time when a growing number of major food companies are pledging to take more steps to encourage sustainability throughout their businesses. But General Mills’ plan is slightly unique, because it seeks to reduce carbon emissions throughout the company’s entire supply chain, from farm to landfill — a first for major food companies."
On Taking Climate Action, Even Wall Street Asks: 'Why Would You Not?'
On Taking Climate Action, Even Wall Street Asks: 'Why Would You Not?'
"Fortunately, the report finds that taking action to cut carbon pollution and slow global warming by investing in energy efficiency and renewable power generation would result in a positive return on investment, ultimately saving trillions of dollars."
"Fortunately, the report finds that taking action to cut carbon pollution and slow global warming by investing in energy efficiency and renewable power generation would result in a positive return on investment, ultimately saving trillions of dollars."
Thanks to Industrial Pollution, 90 Percent of Seabirds Have Plastic in Guts
Thanks to Industrial Pollution, 90 Percent of Seabirds Have Plastic in Guts
"Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion due to their habits of eating floating particles that they mistake for fish eggs"
"Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion due to their habits of eating floating particles that they mistake for fish eggs"
Big Bank Says It’s Going To Cost A Lot To Do Nothing On Global Warming
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/08/31/3696952/climate-action-costs-less-than-inaction-citibank-says/
"A new report from Citibank found that acting on climate change by investing in low-carbon energy would save the world $1.8 trillion through 2040, as compared to a business-as-usual scenario. In addition, not acting will cost an additional $44 trillion by 2060 from the “negative effects” of climate change."
"A new report from Citibank found that acting on climate change by investing in low-carbon energy would save the world $1.8 trillion through 2040, as compared to a business-as-usual scenario. In addition, not acting will cost an additional $44 trillion by 2060 from the “negative effects” of climate change."
Report: Extravagant CEO Pay Packages Are Fostering Planet's Destruction
Report: Extravagant CEO Pay Packages Are Fostering Planet's Destruction
"the complex cycle in which corporate bosses are given "enormous personal financial incentive" to promote the development of fossil fuels, which in turn allows them to donate ever-increasing funds to lobbyists and lawmakers who promote climate denial policies."
"the complex cycle in which corporate bosses are given "enormous personal financial incentive" to promote the development of fossil fuels, which in turn allows them to donate ever-increasing funds to lobbyists and lawmakers who promote climate denial policies."
How Charles Koch Prevents Clean Energy Businesses From Succeeding
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/32615-how-charles-koch-prevents-clean-energy-businesses-from-succeeding
"the Kochs use their political influence and funding for efforts to repeal laws designed to support the deployment of more renewable electricity. Specifically, their political network's agenda includes weakening renewable energy standards, preventing customers from installing solar panels (by charging fees on people that go solar), and protecting the government monopolized electric utilities.
The facts are indisputable."
"the Kochs use their political influence and funding for efforts to repeal laws designed to support the deployment of more renewable electricity. Specifically, their political network's agenda includes weakening renewable energy standards, preventing customers from installing solar panels (by charging fees on people that go solar), and protecting the government monopolized electric utilities.
The facts are indisputable."
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Fox News’ inner struggle with climate misinformation
Fox News’ inner struggle with climate misinformation
"Research has shown that Fox News is a major driving force behind climate denial , decreasing viewer trust in scientists and the existence of global warming. In 2013, only 28% of Fox News’ climate science segments were accurate , although that was an improvement over its 7% accuracy in 2012."
"Research has shown that Fox News is a major driving force behind climate denial , decreasing viewer trust in scientists and the existence of global warming. In 2013, only 28% of Fox News’ climate science segments were accurate , although that was an improvement over its 7% accuracy in 2012."
How Dick Cheney Kicked off an Era of Cancer Clusters and Eco-Disasters from Fracking @alternet
How Dick Cheney Kicked off an Era of Cancer Clusters and Eco-Disasters from Fracking @alternet
"The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which holds the Halliburton Loophole, exempts oil and gas firms from environmental protection laws."
"The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which holds the Halliburton Loophole, exempts oil and gas firms from environmental protection laws."
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Ten Years Later, the “Halliburton Loophole” and America’s Dirty Fracking Boom
Ten Years Later, the “Halliburton Loophole” and America’s Dirty Fracking Boom
"For this we can thank the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the law that holds the Halliburton Loophole. Named after Dick Cheney and the notorious corporation he led before becoming vice president, the law (championed by Cheney and disgraced Enron founder Kenneth Lay, among others) explicitly exempted fracking operations from key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These exemptions from one of America’s most fundamental environmental protection laws provided the oil and gas industry the immunity it required to develop a highly polluting process on a grand national scale."
"For this we can thank the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the law that holds the Halliburton Loophole. Named after Dick Cheney and the notorious corporation he led before becoming vice president, the law (championed by Cheney and disgraced Enron founder Kenneth Lay, among others) explicitly exempted fracking operations from key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These exemptions from one of America’s most fundamental environmental protection laws provided the oil and gas industry the immunity it required to develop a highly polluting process on a grand national scale."
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Fukushima - Selling Out the Next Generation
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/32314-fukushima-selling-out-the-next-generation
"Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor to generate power since 2013.
And that's really bad news."
"Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor to generate power since 2013.
And that's really bad news."
Saturday, July 18, 2015
GOP Lawmakers Want to Kill America's Single Largest Conservation Funding Source @alternet
GOP Lawmakers Want to Kill America's Single Largest Conservation Funding Source @alternet
"In 1965, Congress forged a compact that has guided American offshore drilling policy for half a century. Through what is known as a conservation royalty, U.S. law requires that a portion of oil and gas companies’ revenues from drilling in the federally owned Outer Continental Shelf be invested in parks, open space, trails, and historic preservation projects across the country.
Today’s Congress — backed by nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars from the fossil fuels industry — is about to break that promise. On September 30, Congress is expected to allow the country’s single largest funding source for land, water, and wildlife conservation — known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF — to disappear."
"In 1965, Congress forged a compact that has guided American offshore drilling policy for half a century. Through what is known as a conservation royalty, U.S. law requires that a portion of oil and gas companies’ revenues from drilling in the federally owned Outer Continental Shelf be invested in parks, open space, trails, and historic preservation projects across the country.
Today’s Congress — backed by nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars from the fossil fuels industry — is about to break that promise. On September 30, Congress is expected to allow the country’s single largest funding source for land, water, and wildlife conservation — known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF — to disappear."
Friday, July 17, 2015
Food Disaster: Republicans Stomp on GMO Labeling @alternet
Food Disaster: Republicans Stomp on GMO Labeling @alternet
"With no debate and only a voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture today (July 14, 2015) passed out of committee H.R. 1599, a bill to preempt states’ rights to label GMOs."
"With no debate and only a voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture today (July 14, 2015) passed out of committee H.R. 1599, a bill to preempt states’ rights to label GMOs."
Ted Cruz Is Really Excited About Pluto. So Why Does He Want to Cripple NASA?
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/pluto-nasa-ted-cruz-new-horizons
"NASA is also one of the main purveyors of the satellite observations of Earth that are a basic necessity for many fields of Earth science."
"NASA is also one of the main purveyors of the satellite observations of Earth that are a basic necessity for many fields of Earth science."
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Ted Cruz at Secret Koch-Backed Fracking Lobby Group Meeting
Ted Cruz at Secret Koch-Backed Fracking Lobby Group Meeting
"Members of the forty year old Western Energy Alliance include massive fracking corporations like Devon Energy, Encana, Whiting, and Halliburton, as well as Koch Exploration Company, the fracking arm of the Charles and David Koch’s sprawling energy business."
"Members of the forty year old Western Energy Alliance include massive fracking corporations like Devon Energy, Encana, Whiting, and Halliburton, as well as Koch Exploration Company, the fracking arm of the Charles and David Koch’s sprawling energy business."
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Congressional Spending Bill Is an Extreme Attack on Public Lands and Wildlife @alternet
Congressional Spending Bill Is an Extreme Attack on Public Lands and Wildlife @alternet
"More than 25 anti-environmental riders have been inserted into the 2016 House Interior and Environment appropriations bill."
"More than 25 anti-environmental riders have been inserted into the 2016 House Interior and Environment appropriations bill."
Exxon Knew of Climate Change in 1981, Email Says — But It Funded Deniers for 27 More Years @alternet
Exxon Knew of Climate Change in 1981, Email Says — But It Funded Deniers for 27 More Years @alternet
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
Oil Company Exxon Knew About The Scientific Reality Of Climate Change In 1981
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/07/10/3678684/original-sin-denial-exxon-climate-change-1981/
"the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), an anti-action lobbying group backed by fossil fuel industries, ignored its own climate scientists during the 1990s while spreading disinformation about global warming. An internal report stating that the human causes of global warming “cannot be denied” was ignored by GCC leaders."
"the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), an anti-action lobbying group backed by fossil fuel industries, ignored its own climate scientists during the 1990s while spreading disinformation about global warming. An internal report stating that the human causes of global warming “cannot be denied” was ignored by GCC leaders."
Caught Red-Handed – Exxon Has Been Funding Climate Change Denial For 30+ Years
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/07/exxon-knew-human-caused-climate-change-was-real-in-1981/
"In a replay of the tobacco industry’s decades long stance that cigarettes posed no health risks, Exxon has been exposed for knowing since at least 1981 that the rapid climate change we are experiencing is caused by human activity. Despite having that knowledge, ExxonMobil, the largest oil company in the world, spent millions of dollars over the next 27 years promoting climate denial and misinformation."
"In a replay of the tobacco industry’s decades long stance that cigarettes posed no health risks, Exxon has been exposed for knowing since at least 1981 that the rapid climate change we are experiencing is caused by human activity. Despite having that knowledge, ExxonMobil, the largest oil company in the world, spent millions of dollars over the next 27 years promoting climate denial and misinformation."
Here's Why All the Bees Are Dying
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/climate-change-killing-bumblebees
"For about a decade, they've been dying off at an unprecedented rate—up to 30 percent per year, with a total loss of domesticated honeybee hives in the United States worth an estimated $2 billion."
"For about a decade, they've been dying off at an unprecedented rate—up to 30 percent per year, with a total loss of domesticated honeybee hives in the United States worth an estimated $2 billion."
Exxon Knew About Global Warming More Than 30 Years Ago
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/exxon-climate-change-email
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
Big Oil Knew. Big Oil Lied. And Planet Earth Got Fried.
Big Oil Knew. Big Oil Lied. And Planet Earth Got Fried.
"as early as 1981—nearly seven years before NASA scientist James Hansen made his famous testimony before Congress about the dangers of human-caused global warming—internal discussions about the reality of the threat were already occurring inside the corporate offices of ExxonMobil and others."
"as early as 1981—nearly seven years before NASA scientist James Hansen made his famous testimony before Congress about the dangers of human-caused global warming—internal discussions about the reality of the threat were already occurring inside the corporate offices of ExxonMobil and others."
Thursday, July 2, 2015
As Record Settlement Announced Over BP Gulf Oil Disaster, Lesson Is Clear: Clean Energy Now
As Record Settlement Announced Over BP Gulf Oil Disaster, Lesson Is Clear: Clean Energy Now
"BP and the Justice Department announced Thursday the agreement of an $18.7 billion settlement over federal, state, and local claims stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
"BP and the Justice Department announced Thursday the agreement of an $18.7 billion settlement over federal, state, and local claims stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico."
The oceans are in serious trouble, and there’s only one way to save them
The oceans are in serious trouble, and there’s only one way to save them
"The world’s oceans are in trouble. And when it comes to saving them, there’s only one choice to be made: either we significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, or we don’t."
"The world’s oceans are in trouble. And when it comes to saving them, there’s only one choice to be made: either we significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, or we don’t."
Obama Administration Takes A Big Step Forward On Marijuana Research
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/06/23/3672972/obama-admin-loosens-mj-research-restrictions/
"In April, NIDA acknowledged the findings of a St. George’s University of London study that found a reduction in tumors in mice exposed to the combination of cannabinoids, saying that future studies may lead to new medications. Domestically, science has challenged what some consider archaic reasoning for maintaining marijuana’s Schedule I status. An Emory University study conducted at the beginning of the year found that marijuana didn’t significantly affect lung function, supporting the findings of research conducted years earlier."
"In April, NIDA acknowledged the findings of a St. George’s University of London study that found a reduction in tumors in mice exposed to the combination of cannabinoids, saying that future studies may lead to new medications. Domestically, science has challenged what some consider archaic reasoning for maintaining marijuana’s Schedule I status. An Emory University study conducted at the beginning of the year found that marijuana didn’t significantly affect lung function, supporting the findings of research conducted years earlier."
Marijuana Is Now Legal in Oregon | Alternet
Marijuana Is Now Legal in Oregon | Alternet
"The Measure 91 marijuana legalization initiative approved by Oregon voters last November went into effect as of 12:01 a.m Pacific Time today."
"The Measure 91 marijuana legalization initiative approved by Oregon voters last November went into effect as of 12:01 a.m Pacific Time today."
Congressman Tries To Quietly Preserve Coal Loophole
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/30/3675364/coal-royalty-loophole-zinke/
"Before leaving Washington D.C. last week for a 4th of July break, a Montana Congressman quietly proposed a budget rider that would allow some of the world’s biggest coal companies to continue to dodge royalty payments owed to U.S. taxpayers."
"Before leaving Washington D.C. last week for a 4th of July break, a Montana Congressman quietly proposed a budget rider that would allow some of the world’s biggest coal companies to continue to dodge royalty payments owed to U.S. taxpayers."
The Supreme Court Just Delivered A Victory To Coal Plants That Want To Emit Unlimited Mercury
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/29/3673866/supreme-court-epa-mercury-pollution/
"Power plants will continue to be able to emit unlimited mercury, arsenic, and other pollutants"
"Power plants will continue to be able to emit unlimited mercury, arsenic, and other pollutants"
Big Texas Oil and Gas Torpedo a Small City's Effort to Ban Fracking — Bye Bye Local Democracy | Alternet
Big Texas Oil and Gas Torpedo a Small City's Effort to Ban Fracking — Bye Bye Local Democracy | Alternet
"Nullifying local efforts to ban fracking across the state, the law was backed by ALEC (The American Legislative Exchange Council), a nonprofit organization of conservative state legislators and private sector representatives that uses corporate contributions to draft and sell prepackaged conservative bills to state legislatures across the nation."
"Nullifying local efforts to ban fracking across the state, the law was backed by ALEC (The American Legislative Exchange Council), a nonprofit organization of conservative state legislators and private sector representatives that uses corporate contributions to draft and sell prepackaged conservative bills to state legislatures across the nation."
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Catholic And Evangelical Leaders Call On Lawmakers To Fight Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/23/3673212/faith-leaders-back-pope-on-climate/
"On Tuesday, a group of religious leaders took out a full-page advertisement on the back page of Politico to offer resounding support for Pope Francis and his recently-released encyclical on the environment, a landmark work of Catholic teaching which argued that governments have a moral obligation to address human-caused climate change."
"On Tuesday, a group of religious leaders took out a full-page advertisement on the back page of Politico to offer resounding support for Pope Francis and his recently-released encyclical on the environment, a landmark work of Catholic teaching which argued that governments have a moral obligation to address human-caused climate change."
Koch Brothers Have Led Us Into The Largest Mass Extinction In 65 Million Years
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/koch-brothers-have-led-us-into-the-largest-mass-extinction-in-65-million-years/
"The study, led by Princeton, Stanford and the University of California-Berkeley found that vertebrates– which include birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians– are disappearing at rates 114 times faster than normal."
"The study, led by Princeton, Stanford and the University of California-Berkeley found that vertebrates– which include birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians– are disappearing at rates 114 times faster than normal."
Saturday, June 20, 2015
It’s Not Just Climate — Pope Francis Is Also Warning About The Health Of Our Oceans
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/20/3672094/pope-francis-encyclical-ocean-health/
"The ocean absorbs at least one quarter of emitted carbon dioxide, which increases the acidity of seawater through chemical reactions. Many marine species are highly sensitive to these changes, as they can only tolerate narrow ranges of pH. Oysters, clams and other shellfish are especially vulnerable because acidification make it more difficult for them to form the calcium carbonate that comprises their shells. Corals also struggle to build their skeletons in acidified water, to the detriment of the highly diverse array of species that depend on coral reefs."
"The ocean absorbs at least one quarter of emitted carbon dioxide, which increases the acidity of seawater through chemical reactions. Many marine species are highly sensitive to these changes, as they can only tolerate narrow ranges of pH. Oysters, clams and other shellfish are especially vulnerable because acidification make it more difficult for them to form the calcium carbonate that comprises their shells. Corals also struggle to build their skeletons in acidified water, to the detriment of the highly diverse array of species that depend on coral reefs."
The world spends 10 million dollars a minute to subsidize fossil fuels
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/16/1393362/-The-world-spends-10-million-dollars-a-minute-to-subsidize-fossil-fuels
"10 million dollars a minute that's 5.3 trillion dollars, more than the entire health spending of all the world's governments!
The picture is becoming clear. The reason fossil fuel extractors have been able to rule the world for the last century is because they are getting away with murder, literally. There are no consequences for the destruction they have caused to the health of the planet and to the health of our species."
"10 million dollars a minute that's 5.3 trillion dollars, more than the entire health spending of all the world's governments!
The picture is becoming clear. The reason fossil fuel extractors have been able to rule the world for the last century is because they are getting away with murder, literally. There are no consequences for the destruction they have caused to the health of the planet and to the health of our species."
Secretive Donors Gave U.S. Climate Denial Groups $125 Million Over Three Years | Alternet
Secretive Donors Gave U.S. Climate Denial Groups $125 Million Over Three Years | Alternet
"Organizations funded through the secretive donors operations are also working to roll back measures promoting wind and solar power and block planning for future sea-level rise in state capitals."
"Organizations funded through the secretive donors operations are also working to roll back measures promoting wind and solar power and block planning for future sea-level rise in state capitals."
Science: If Your State Government Is Pro-Environment, You’ll Have Cleaner Air
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/16/3670127/state-environmentalism-emisisons/
"A state legislature’s strong environmental voting record can translate into real results for states, according to a new study.
The study, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at greenhouse gas emissions data for all 50 states going back to 1990. Researchers then compared that emissions data to a range of other factors, including the environmental record of state legislators — determined by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard system — employment rate, and population. The researchers, both from Michigan State University, found that there was a correlation between the voting records of legislators and a state’s greenhouse gas emissions."
"A state legislature’s strong environmental voting record can translate into real results for states, according to a new study.
The study, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at greenhouse gas emissions data for all 50 states going back to 1990. Researchers then compared that emissions data to a range of other factors, including the environmental record of state legislators — determined by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard system — employment rate, and population. The researchers, both from Michigan State University, found that there was a correlation between the voting records of legislators and a state’s greenhouse gas emissions."
Environmental Movement Is Achieving Cleaner Air in Key States | Alternet
Environmental Movement Is Achieving Cleaner Air in Key States | Alternet
"States with strong green voices perform better on cutting emissions whereas those with climate skeptic views fare poorly."
"States with strong green voices perform better on cutting emissions whereas those with climate skeptic views fare poorly."
Watch: Bernie Sanders DESTROYS Republican Climate Change Deniers In 2 Minutes
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-bernie-sanders-destroys-republican-climate-change-deniers-in-2-minutes/
"Sanders then compares the artificial debate surrounding climate change research to the campaign funded by tobacco companies to convince America that smoking wasn’t harmful, which is a very striking way to look at it. The fossil fuel magnates who have the most to lose from carbon emission reduction have already bought themselves the Republican Congress, and they’re using the GOP as a mouthpiece to propagate a false narrative about global warming and its existence."
"Sanders then compares the artificial debate surrounding climate change research to the campaign funded by tobacco companies to convince America that smoking wasn’t harmful, which is a very striking way to look at it. The fossil fuel magnates who have the most to lose from carbon emission reduction have already bought themselves the Republican Congress, and they’re using the GOP as a mouthpiece to propagate a false narrative about global warming and its existence."
Pope Francis: Humans Are Turning the Earth Into an "Immense Pile of Filth"
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/06/pope-encyclical-climate-change-inequality
"A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system."
"A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system."
How Scott Walker Dismantled Wisconsin's Environmental Legacy
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-scott-walker-dismantled-wisconsin-s-environmental-legacy/
"As governor of Wisconsin, the likely Republican presidential nomination-seeker consistently dismissed science and sided with polluters"
"As governor of Wisconsin, the likely Republican presidential nomination-seeker consistently dismissed science and sided with polluters"
Mitch McConnell And The War On The Environment
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/06/mitch-mcconnell-war-environment/
"Instead of protecting the citizens of his own state and those residing in other states, it is obvious from the get-go that McConnell and the Republican Party as a whole are more intent on protecting corporate interests."
"Instead of protecting the citizens of his own state and those residing in other states, it is obvious from the get-go that McConnell and the Republican Party as a whole are more intent on protecting corporate interests."
Friday, June 19, 2015
NASA: The Earth is Running Out of Water | Alternet
NASA: The Earth is Running Out of Water | Alternet
"More than half of Earth’s 37 largest aquifers are being depleted due to population and climate stresses."
"More than half of Earth’s 37 largest aquifers are being depleted due to population and climate stresses."
NOAA: Hottest May, Hottest Spring, Hottest Year-To-Date On Record By Far
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/18/3671271/noaa-hottest-may-spring-record/
"NOAA’s latest monthly report on global temperatures confirms that we are headed toward a record-smashing year."
"NOAA’s latest monthly report on global temperatures confirms that we are headed toward a record-smashing year."
5 Incredible Breakthroughs in Pot Science That Mainstream Media Is Finally Paying Attention To | Alternet
5 Incredible Breakthroughs in Pot Science That Mainstream Media Is Finally Paying Attention To | Alternet
"The recent shift in public opinion about marijuana has propelled a historic heave against the research blockade."
"The recent shift in public opinion about marijuana has propelled a historic heave against the research blockade."
How Pope Francis just destroyed the GOP’s religious con artists
How Pope Francis just destroyed the GOP’s religious con artists
"the GOP is more interested in exploiting religion to oppress, restrict and demonize. This really what’s freaking them out. And after Thursday, the rage will be thick and it’ll set new records for ugliness."
"the GOP is more interested in exploiting religion to oppress, restrict and demonize. This really what’s freaking them out. And after Thursday, the rage will be thick and it’ll set new records for ugliness."
Pope Francis Lights Up Twitter Today With Climate Change Truth Bombs
Pope Francis Lights Up Twitter Today With Climate Change Truth Bombs
"For the last several hours, he's been tweeting key points from his encyclical to his 20+ million Twitter followers."
"For the last several hours, he's been tweeting key points from his encyclical to his 20+ million Twitter followers."
Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld Freaks Out Because Pope Francis is Actually Acting Like a Christian (Video)
Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld Freaks Out Because Pope Francis is Actually Acting Like a Christian (Video)
"Since the accession of Pope Francis to the head of the Catholic Church, Republicans haven’t been too happy. That’s ironic considering that not only is Pope Francis arguably the most popular pope in modern history, but he’s the most “Christ-like” pope – possibly ever. He’s based a large part of his time in power on helping the poor, preaching acceptance and even supporting the idea that humans need to take care of the planet that God gave them. Naturally, Republicans have been upset by pretty much all of this."
"Since the accession of Pope Francis to the head of the Catholic Church, Republicans haven’t been too happy. That’s ironic considering that not only is Pope Francis arguably the most popular pope in modern history, but he’s the most “Christ-like” pope – possibly ever. He’s based a large part of his time in power on helping the poor, preaching acceptance and even supporting the idea that humans need to take care of the planet that God gave them. Naturally, Republicans have been upset by pretty much all of this."
Coal industry provides Congressional Republicans with some handy anti-pope talking points
Coal industry provides Congressional Republicans with some handy anti-pope talking points
"Coal lobbyists aren’t the only ones throwing shade at the pope: in the New York Times, Michael McKenna, “a Republican energy lobbyist and political consultant who described himself as a conservative Catholic,” reassured himself that “this guy is not in sync with the American Catholic Church.” Yet, as reporter Coral Davenport was quick to point out, 86 percent of American Catholics say they view the pope favorably — and their opinions about climate change are broadly in line with the rest of the country’s."
"Coal lobbyists aren’t the only ones throwing shade at the pope: in the New York Times, Michael McKenna, “a Republican energy lobbyist and political consultant who described himself as a conservative Catholic,” reassured himself that “this guy is not in sync with the American Catholic Church.” Yet, as reporter Coral Davenport was quick to point out, 86 percent of American Catholics say they view the pope favorably — and their opinions about climate change are broadly in line with the rest of the country’s."
One Big Fact Media Are Missing On Jeb Bush, The Pope, And Climate Change
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/06/17/one-big-fact-media-are-missing-on-jeb-bush-the/204033
"the media should be covering Bush's remarks in the context of a closed-door meeting he held with coal industry CEOs earlier this month -- an important piece of information that could shed some light on who Bush is actually getting his "economic policy" from when it comes to climate change."
"the media should be covering Bush's remarks in the context of a closed-door meeting he held with coal industry CEOs earlier this month -- an important piece of information that could shed some light on who Bush is actually getting his "economic policy" from when it comes to climate change."
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
It’s official: Louisiana public schools are using the Book of Genesis in high school science classes
It’s official: Louisiana public schools are using the Book of Genesis in high school science classes
"Louisianans can now get a 19th Century education to accompany their 19th century economy"
"Louisianans can now get a 19th Century education to accompany their 19th century economy"
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Senate Republicans Just Literally Voted Against Clean Water
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/11/senate-republicans-just-literally-voted-against-clean-water/
"Pro-pollution Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee voted 11-9 Wednesday to pass a bill that undermines the administration’s recently announced protections against polluting our nation’s waterways.
In a straight party-line vote, Republicans once again displayed their wanton disregard for what Americans want: Clean water."
"Pro-pollution Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee voted 11-9 Wednesday to pass a bill that undermines the administration’s recently announced protections against polluting our nation’s waterways.
In a straight party-line vote, Republicans once again displayed their wanton disregard for what Americans want: Clean water."
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Our Stupid House Of Representatives Goes After Migratory Birds
Our Stupid House Of Representatives Goes After Migratory Birds
"You might wonder why Rep. Duncan felt led to launch an all-out offensive on migratory birds, which include the American Bald Eagle, that iconic symbol of liberty. It was all about the oil companies. From his Congressional website, explaining his "All of the Above Approach to Energy:"
Reduces the fines for energy producers whose operations accidentally kill non-endangered migratory birds.
Evidently Duncan felt that didn't go far enough, so he just gutted protections for all migratory birds, whether or not they are endangered.
Your idiot Congress at work."
"You might wonder why Rep. Duncan felt led to launch an all-out offensive on migratory birds, which include the American Bald Eagle, that iconic symbol of liberty. It was all about the oil companies. From his Congressional website, explaining his "All of the Above Approach to Energy:"
Reduces the fines for energy producers whose operations accidentally kill non-endangered migratory birds.
Evidently Duncan felt that didn't go far enough, so he just gutted protections for all migratory birds, whether or not they are endangered.
Your idiot Congress at work."
Friday, June 5, 2015
Obama Pushes New Environmental Protections, So GOP Comes Out In Support Of… Pollution
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/05/obama-pushes-new-environmental-protections-so-gop-comes-out-in-support-of-pollution/
"It further proves the Republican Congress that Obama now has to deal with has jumped the shark entirely. Their hatred toward the president is so great that even things like clean water must be sacrificed if they think they it can hurt the Obama’s legacy. Their governing style isn’t to govern at all. It’s purely disruption."
"It further proves the Republican Congress that Obama now has to deal with has jumped the shark entirely. Their hatred toward the president is so great that even things like clean water must be sacrificed if they think they it can hurt the Obama’s legacy. Their governing style isn’t to govern at all. It’s purely disruption."
Republicans set sights on the Endangered Species Act
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/04/1390407/-Republicans-set-sights-on-the-Endangered-Species-Act
"Republicans in Congress have a problem. They badly want to get rid of the Endangered Species Act, one of the most successful conservation laws we have for protecting endangered wildlife from going extinct. But unfortunately for them, the law works and is wildly popular with the American people.
Their solution? Keep the law, but gut it beyond recognition and make it totally ineffective by adding burdensome new restrictions and allowing local politicians to overrule science whenever they feel like it."
"Republicans in Congress have a problem. They badly want to get rid of the Endangered Species Act, one of the most successful conservation laws we have for protecting endangered wildlife from going extinct. But unfortunately for them, the law works and is wildly popular with the American people.
Their solution? Keep the law, but gut it beyond recognition and make it totally ineffective by adding burdensome new restrictions and allowing local politicians to overrule science whenever they feel like it."
Scott Walker’s Baffling War On Bikes
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/03/3664754/scott-walkers-war-bikes/
"In just one year, Wisconsin’s bike friendliness ranking from the non-partisan League of American Bicyclists dropped from the third best in country to ninth. If the state legislature approves Governor Scott Walker’s budget, which slashes funding for bike infrastructure, boosts spending on freeways and imposes a new tax on bicycle sales, the ranking could plummet further.
As Governor Walker prepares for a likely run for the White House, he’s been traveling the country touting his record of slashing taxes on corporations and the wealthy, saying he has “put more money back in the hands of the hardworking taxpayers.”
Yet Governor Walker and his allies in the Madison statehouse have found one corporate sector where they’re willing to raise taxes: bicycles. Though they have been hesitant to hesitant to consider boosting taxes on gasoline or vehicle registration fees, state lawmakers have been pushing a $25 tax on the sale of all new bicycles in the state, on top of the existing sales tax."
"In just one year, Wisconsin’s bike friendliness ranking from the non-partisan League of American Bicyclists dropped from the third best in country to ninth. If the state legislature approves Governor Scott Walker’s budget, which slashes funding for bike infrastructure, boosts spending on freeways and imposes a new tax on bicycle sales, the ranking could plummet further.
As Governor Walker prepares for a likely run for the White House, he’s been traveling the country touting his record of slashing taxes on corporations and the wealthy, saying he has “put more money back in the hands of the hardworking taxpayers.”
Yet Governor Walker and his allies in the Madison statehouse have found one corporate sector where they’re willing to raise taxes: bicycles. Though they have been hesitant to hesitant to consider boosting taxes on gasoline or vehicle registration fees, state lawmakers have been pushing a $25 tax on the sale of all new bicycles in the state, on top of the existing sales tax."
Utah Lawmaker Accused Of ‘Illegal Scheme’ To Seize America’s Public Lands
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/02/3665047/ken-ivory-public-lands-complaint/
"A watchdog organization filed complaints against a Utah state representative on Monday for allegedly leading “an illegal scheme to defraud local government officials out of taxpayer funds” to finance a campaign to seize America’s public lands.
The complaints, filed by the Campaign for Accountability (CfA), request that the attorneys general of Utah, Arizona and Montana investigate state Rep. Ken Ivory (R) for “solicit[ing] funds from local officials, falsely claiming the federal government can be forced to transfer public lands to the states.” The complaints cite Ivory’s use of his role as president and founder of the American Lands Council (ALC), a Utah-based organization, to “enrich” his personal wealth and make “false or fraudulent representations to obtain money"."
"A watchdog organization filed complaints against a Utah state representative on Monday for allegedly leading “an illegal scheme to defraud local government officials out of taxpayer funds” to finance a campaign to seize America’s public lands.
The complaints, filed by the Campaign for Accountability (CfA), request that the attorneys general of Utah, Arizona and Montana investigate state Rep. Ken Ivory (R) for “solicit[ing] funds from local officials, falsely claiming the federal government can be forced to transfer public lands to the states.” The complaints cite Ivory’s use of his role as president and founder of the American Lands Council (ALC), a Utah-based organization, to “enrich” his personal wealth and make “false or fraudulent representations to obtain money"."
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Rand Paul Tries To Fool Students Into Thinking He's A Democrat
Rand Paul Tries To Fool Students Into Thinking He's A Democrat
"Baby Paul's obligatory "I wanna be President so I wrote a book" book is out. Huzzah! In it, he brands himself as a "crunchy treehugger" who says "the Republican party sucks."
He's really hoping that will appeal to college students so he can peel a few away, I suppose, but first he'd like to destroy those campuses they all attend and rid them of stinky liberals before indoctrinating them into the Cult of Koch."
"Baby Paul's obligatory "I wanna be President so I wrote a book" book is out. Huzzah! In it, he brands himself as a "crunchy treehugger" who says "the Republican party sucks."
He's really hoping that will appeal to college students so he can peel a few away, I suppose, but first he'd like to destroy those campuses they all attend and rid them of stinky liberals before indoctrinating them into the Cult of Koch."
Congressional Republicans are outraged that the EPA wants to protect our drinking water
Congressional Republicans are <i>outraged</i> that the EPA wants to protect our drinking water
"Those in favor of the rule, on the other hand? Aside from the usual groups interested in protecting the environment, which are all pretty thrilled, it’s backed, per one poll, by 80 percent of voters and, per McCarthy, 80 percent of small business owners. Craft breweries are also big fans: “Beer is about 90 percent water, making local water supply quality and its characteristics, such as pH and mineral content, critical to brewing,” a coalition of beer companies wrote to the EPA in 2014."
"Those in favor of the rule, on the other hand? Aside from the usual groups interested in protecting the environment, which are all pretty thrilled, it’s backed, per one poll, by 80 percent of voters and, per McCarthy, 80 percent of small business owners. Craft breweries are also big fans: “Beer is about 90 percent water, making local water supply quality and its characteristics, such as pH and mineral content, critical to brewing,” a coalition of beer companies wrote to the EPA in 2014."
Obama Takes Bold Executive Action To Protect America’s Drinking Water From Corporate Polluters
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/27/obama-takes-bold-executive-action-protect-americas-drinking-water-corporate-polluters.html
"When Republicans claim that this rule is harming the economy, what they really mean is that these changes aren’t going to allow agribusiness and corporations to destroy the clean water supply for 33% of the country. Republicans are literally advocating for one-third of the country to potentially lose access to clean drinking water."
"When Republicans claim that this rule is harming the economy, what they really mean is that these changes aren’t going to allow agribusiness and corporations to destroy the clean water supply for 33% of the country. Republicans are literally advocating for one-third of the country to potentially lose access to clean drinking water."
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
2015 Is Crushing It For Hottest Year On Record
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3662117/2015-hottest-year-record-so-far/
"Last week NASA reported that this has been the Earth’s hottest January-April on record. This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that finding with its latest monthly report on global temperatures.
Separately, NOAA released its monthly report on “Global Ocean Heat.” It makes clear that the ocean’s heat content down to 2000 meters (1.24 miles) has been soaring this century — and nearly gone off the charts this year"
"Last week NASA reported that this has been the Earth’s hottest January-April on record. This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that finding with its latest monthly report on global temperatures.
Separately, NOAA released its monthly report on “Global Ocean Heat.” It makes clear that the ocean’s heat content down to 2000 meters (1.24 miles) has been soaring this century — and nearly gone off the charts this year"
Huge Insurance Company Cites Climate Change As Reason For Divesting From Coal
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3662053/axa-insurance-coal-divestment/
"Citing climate change as a major threat, one of the world’s largest insurance companies has pledged to drop its remaining investment in coal assets while tripling its investment in green technologies."
"Citing climate change as a major threat, one of the world’s largest insurance companies has pledged to drop its remaining investment in coal assets while tripling its investment in green technologies."
The California Oil Spill Is Even Worse Than We Thought
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3661684/the-santa-barbara-oil-spill-is-awful/
"Federal records show that the Plains All American Pipeline has had 175 safety and maintenance infractions since 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Times’ analysis found that “Plains’ rate of incidents per mile of pipe is more than three times the national average"."
"Federal records show that the Plains All American Pipeline has had 175 safety and maintenance infractions since 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Times’ analysis found that “Plains’ rate of incidents per mile of pipe is more than three times the national average"."
Report: Fossil Fuels Receive $5.3 Trillion A Year In Subsidies Worldwide
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3662148/we-pay-what-for-fossil-fuels/
"The world pays $5.3 trillion a year in hidden costs to keep burning fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is in addition to the $492 billion in direct subsidies offered by governments around the world — write-offs and write-downs and land-use loopholes."
"The world pays $5.3 trillion a year in hidden costs to keep burning fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is in addition to the $492 billion in direct subsidies offered by governments around the world — write-offs and write-downs and land-use loopholes."
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