https://thinkprogress.org/trumps-new-agriculture-adviser-has-some-very-backwards-ideas-1892085378af#.hmliv1ray
"Miller has engaged in some eyebrowing-raising conduct during his tenures as commissioner and as a former state representative. He defended suggesting that the United States nuke the Muslim world and compared refugees to snakes. Asked at a conservative policy forum about what keeps him up at night, Miller responded that he was concerned that the country would turn into a “Muslim country.” He has been accused of using state funds to take a trip to Oklahoma to get a “Jesus shot,” a medical cure-all for his chronic pain (he later reimbursed the funds to the state). And Miller also allegedly used state funds to compete in a rodeo. Other odd behaviors included granting “amnesty” to cupcakes and lifting a ban on deep fryers and soda machines in Texas public schools."
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Saturday, August 6, 2016
The Kochs, Big Oil Are Taking Their War With The EPA To The Ballot Box
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/08/04/3803911/who-is-behind-pro-fossil-fuel-ags/
"So where did RAGA get its money? More than $2.4 million — about 13 percent — came from Koch Industries, Murray Energy, the American Petroleum Institute, Exxon Mobil, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, and other fossil fuel interests. Another nearly $1.4 million came from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which receives a significant amount of its funds from fossil fuel companies and Koch-backed nonprofits. Attorney general elections don’t garner big headlines. Most Americans likely can’t even name their state attorney general. But these people play a major role in enforcing — or fighting — environmental laws."
"So where did RAGA get its money? More than $2.4 million — about 13 percent — came from Koch Industries, Murray Energy, the American Petroleum Institute, Exxon Mobil, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, and other fossil fuel interests. Another nearly $1.4 million came from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which receives a significant amount of its funds from fossil fuel companies and Koch-backed nonprofits. Attorney general elections don’t garner big headlines. Most Americans likely can’t even name their state attorney general. But these people play a major role in enforcing — or fighting — environmental laws."
The Koch Brothers Are Behind a Plot to Open Up the Grand Canyon Watershed to Toxic Uranium Mining @alternet
The Koch Brothers Are Behind a Plot to Open Up the Grand Canyon Watershed to Toxic Uranium Mining @alternet:
"Unsurprisingly, the issue at hand involves revenue, big power brokers, ramifications of Citizens United, and a familiar actor in the anti-environmental space—the Koch brothers."
"Unsurprisingly, the issue at hand involves revenue, big power brokers, ramifications of Citizens United, and a familiar actor in the anti-environmental space—the Koch brothers."
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Mike Pence Is a Loyal Friend to Polluters @alternet
Mike Pence Is a Loyal Friend to Polluters @alternet:
"In Mike Pence, Donald Trump has picked a running mate who could be relied on to take a chainsaw to President Obama’s signature environmental policy."
"In Mike Pence, Donald Trump has picked a running mate who could be relied on to take a chainsaw to President Obama’s signature environmental policy."
Our Sustainability Challenge: What Does It Take for Us to Thrive Within Earth's Finite Resources? @alternet
Our Sustainability Challenge: What Does It Take for Us to Thrive Within Earth's Finite Resources? @alternet:
"Practicing sustainability involves expanding our focus to consider the long term and the whole system. But our current culture pushes us to do just the opposite."
"Practicing sustainability involves expanding our focus to consider the long term and the whole system. But our current culture pushes us to do just the opposite."
Taxpayer Groups, Environmentalists, Students Call on Congress to End $4 Billion Annual Oil Industry Subsidies @alternet
Taxpayer Groups, Environmentalists, Students Call on Congress to End $4 Billion Annual Oil Industry Subsidies @alternet:
"The coalition of 40 groups lambasted Congress for subsidizing activities that will make climate change worse."
"The coalition of 40 groups lambasted Congress for subsidizing activities that will make climate change worse."
First Half of 2016 Blows Away Temperature Records @alternet
First Half of 2016 Blows Away Temperature Records @alternet:
"The first half of 2016 has blown away temperature records, capped off by a record hot June, once again bumping up the odds that 2016 will be the hottest year on record globally, according to data released Tuesday."
"The first half of 2016 has blown away temperature records, capped off by a record hot June, once again bumping up the odds that 2016 will be the hottest year on record globally, according to data released Tuesday."
Sunday, July 24, 2016
4 Things That Trump Got Wrong
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/07/4-things-trump-got-wrong
"There was, however, one section that dealt hazily with energy policy. Unfortunately, it was filled with falsehoods."
"There was, however, one section that dealt hazily with energy policy. Unfortunately, it was filled with falsehoods."
Friday, July 15, 2016
How Republicans celebrate the National Park Service's 100th anniversary
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/10/1545059/-How-Republicans-celebrate-the-National-Park-Service-s-100th-anniversary
"Paul Cook is one of 20 Republican representatives and senators, known as the Anti-Parks Caucus, who actively work to sell off public lands to private parties for exploitation. The American Legislative Council (ALEC) has led the charge in western states, and broken ground for action on a federal level. Most of the members of the anti-parks caucus are members of the tea party, have been challenged by a tea party candidate, or are in uncompetitive districts where they have little to fear from their failure to represent their constituents. As a result: A Center for American Progress analysis found that between January 2013 and March 2016 members of Congress filed at least 44 bills or amendments that attempted to remove or undercut protections for parks and public lands—making the 114th Congress the most anti-conservation Congress in recent history. The American people love the National Park Service. According to the Center for American Progress, 83 percent of them want their representatives to support the national parks. A Pew Research survey done last fall showed that the Park Service had favorability ratings second only to the U.S Postal Service among all federal agencies. Its unfavorability rating was the lowest among all agencies, at only 11 percent. Congress meanwhile, was rated 69 percent unfavorable and 27 percent favorable."
"Paul Cook is one of 20 Republican representatives and senators, known as the Anti-Parks Caucus, who actively work to sell off public lands to private parties for exploitation. The American Legislative Council (ALEC) has led the charge in western states, and broken ground for action on a federal level. Most of the members of the anti-parks caucus are members of the tea party, have been challenged by a tea party candidate, or are in uncompetitive districts where they have little to fear from their failure to represent their constituents. As a result: A Center for American Progress analysis found that between January 2013 and March 2016 members of Congress filed at least 44 bills or amendments that attempted to remove or undercut protections for parks and public lands—making the 114th Congress the most anti-conservation Congress in recent history. The American people love the National Park Service. According to the Center for American Progress, 83 percent of them want their representatives to support the national parks. A Pew Research survey done last fall showed that the Park Service had favorability ratings second only to the U.S Postal Service among all federal agencies. Its unfavorability rating was the lowest among all agencies, at only 11 percent. Congress meanwhile, was rated 69 percent unfavorable and 27 percent favorable."
Republicans Draft Platform Plank To Take Public Lands Away From The People
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/07/14/republicans-draft-platform-plank-to-take-public-lands-away-from-the-people/
"Allowing these wilderness areas to fall into private ownership would mean Americans would lose access to these lands. Any private corporation that buys up this land will just put up signs that say “No Trespassing” and would proceed to cut down all the trees and strip mine the mountains and lands. Companies like Nestle could easily suck up all the water it wants. It would take generations for the forests to grow back and the area would never be the same. It would be devastated by private industry. That is why it is so important to vote in November. Republicans literally want to take our heritage away from us. They are bowing down to the demands of domestic terrorists. We can’t let that happen if we want future generations to enjoy the natural wonders that past generations fought so hard to protect."
"Allowing these wilderness areas to fall into private ownership would mean Americans would lose access to these lands. Any private corporation that buys up this land will just put up signs that say “No Trespassing” and would proceed to cut down all the trees and strip mine the mountains and lands. Companies like Nestle could easily suck up all the water it wants. It would take generations for the forests to grow back and the area would never be the same. It would be devastated by private industry. That is why it is so important to vote in November. Republicans literally want to take our heritage away from us. They are bowing down to the demands of domestic terrorists. We can’t let that happen if we want future generations to enjoy the natural wonders that past generations fought so hard to protect."
If Donald Trump Becomes President, The U.S. Will Stand Alone In One Depressing Way
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/07/12/3797335/the-donald-stands-alone-on-climate/
"A report released Tuesday shows that, if elected, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump would be the only national leader to deny the science of climate change. The Sierra Club tallied statements from every single country leader from all 195 countries officially recognized by the U.S. State Department."
"A report released Tuesday shows that, if elected, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump would be the only national leader to deny the science of climate change. The Sierra Club tallied statements from every single country leader from all 195 countries officially recognized by the U.S. State Department."
Monday, July 4, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
'We’re Officially Living in a New World': Antarctica Hits Highest CO2 Level in 4 Million Years @alternet
'We’re Officially Living in a New World': Antarctica Hits Highest CO2 Level in 4 Million Years @alternet:
"Earth's most remote continent has officially caught up to the rest of the planet. That spells disaster for us all."
"Earth's most remote continent has officially caught up to the rest of the planet. That spells disaster for us all."
Watch: New Documentary Reveals Elephants Are Much More Intelligent Than We Ever Thought @alternet
Watch: New Documentary Reveals Elephants Are Much More Intelligent Than We Ever Thought @alternet:
"Across Africa, elephants are in crisis. Each day, 96 elephants fall victim to poachers, human-elephant conflict and habitat loss."
"Across Africa, elephants are in crisis. Each day, 96 elephants fall victim to poachers, human-elephant conflict and habitat loss."
4 Things You Can Do to Help Out Threatened Honey Bees @alternet
4 Things You Can Do to Help Out Threatened Honey Bees @alternet:
"Without pollinators, most plants could not produce fruits and seeds, and agricultural biodiversity would suffer--according to FAO, bees, bats, birds, and other pollinators, increase global food production by 87 percent. Unfortunately, the world is seeing a decline in pollinator populations. From land-use change and pesticide use to monoculture agriculture and climate change, there are numerous threats to pollinator populations."
"Without pollinators, most plants could not produce fruits and seeds, and agricultural biodiversity would suffer--according to FAO, bees, bats, birds, and other pollinators, increase global food production by 87 percent. Unfortunately, the world is seeing a decline in pollinator populations. From land-use change and pesticide use to monoculture agriculture and climate change, there are numerous threats to pollinator populations."
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
It Is Time to Phase Out 9 Unnecessary Oil and Gas Tax Breaks
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2016/05/26/138049/it-is-time-to-phase-out-9-unnecessary-oil-and-gas-tax-breaks/
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
Threatened By Climate Change, National Parks And World Heritage Sites Draw Millions
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782869/national-parks-world-heritage-climate-change/
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
The Battle Over Public Drinking Water Has Just Begun
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/27/3782302/who-needs-public-water-when-we-have-nestle/
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet:
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
Memorial Day: Trump’s War On Climate Action Would Ensure A World Of Wars
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782673/memorial-day-trump-climate/
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
On Climate, Trump Promises To Let The World Burn
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/26/3782434/trump-let-the-world-burn/
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
Donald Trump Tells Drought-Stricken Californians There Is No Drought
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/28/3783022/donald-trump-drought/
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
The Trump energy plan—burn it down, burn it all down
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/27/1531596/-The-Trump-energy-plan-burn-it-down-burn-it-all-down
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Trump’s Bizarre Climate Beliefs Would Jeopardize Meaningful Global Climate Action
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/18/3779417/donald-denier-destroy-paris-climate-deal/
"Donald Trump’s climate science denial and dubious deal-making skills just raised the stakes of this election to “existential"."
"Donald Trump’s climate science denial and dubious deal-making skills just raised the stakes of this election to “existential"."
Friday, May 20, 2016
Over A Third Of North America’s Bird Species Need ‘Urgent Conservation Action’
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779611/state-of-north-america-birds-report/
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet:
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
A Song Of Fire And No Ice: We Just Had Our Fourth Record-Breaking Hottest Month In A Row This Year
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/15/3778465/fire-no-ice-2016-hottest-year/
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
The 4th Largest Economy In The World Just Generated 90 Percent Of The Power It Needs From Renewables
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/09/3776629/germany-renewable-generation/
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet:
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
Trump’s Newest Enemy: Environmentalists
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779862/trump-paris-climate-deal-environmentalist-reaction/
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
Polluters In South Carolina Are About To Get A Huge Boost From The State House
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/06/3775596/sc-environmental-bill-rights-removed/
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
Arctic Death Spiral Update: What Happens In The Arctic Affects Weather Everywhere Else
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/03/3774789/april-record-arctic-ice-loss/
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
Jimmy Carter First To Use Solar Panels On The White House In 1979 – Guess Who Took Them Down?
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/jimmy-carter-first-use-solar-panels-white-house-1979/
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
50 Years Ago Big Oil Bragged About Being Able To Melt Glaciers, While They Knew About Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/14/3769380/exxon-ad-melt-glaciers/
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
NASA Publicly Humiliates Right-Wing Climate Change Deniers On Facebook With Real Science
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/13/nasa-publicly-humiliates-right-wing-climate-change-deniers-on-facebook-with-real-science/
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
This New Report Will Tell You If You Live Near One Of America’s Most Threatened Rivers
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/12/3768168/four-threatened-rivers/
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
Science-bashing riders are one more reason to focus intently on the federal budgeting process
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/25/1519873/-Science-bashing-riders-are-one-more-reason-to-focus-intently-on-the-federal-budgeting-process
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet:
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
They dumbed down conservatism: How extreme right-wing market fundamentalism captured the GOP — and endangered the environment
They dumbed down conservatism: How extreme right-wing market fundamentalism captured the GOP — and endangered the environment
"These three major planks of what many call “market fundamentalism” share the same essential flaw: they take old conservative ideas and dumb them down by stripping them of all subtlety and nuance, in the process perverting their meaning to something completely at odds with the traditions of principled conservatism."
"These three major planks of what many call “market fundamentalism” share the same essential flaw: they take old conservative ideas and dumb them down by stripping them of all subtlety and nuance, in the process perverting their meaning to something completely at odds with the traditions of principled conservatism."
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