Trump fills the swamp with more lobbyists

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-fills-the-swamp-with-more-lobbyists-32329e155700#.7fuqxqujd
"Those lobbyists include Cindy Hayden of tobacco company Altria; Michael Torrey, owner of a lobbying firm representing the American Beverage Association; Steve Hart, chairman of the Williams & Jensen firm; and Michael McKenna, who lobbies on behalf of Dow Chemical. Trump’s reliance on insiders goes beyond lobbyists. His financial advisory team is full of veteran Wall Streeters such as former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin, the Wall Street Journal reports. Both Mnuchin and former JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon are reportedly in the mix to be Trump’s Treasury Secretary."

Richard Dawkins and Other Prominent Scientists React to Trump’s Win

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/richard-dawkins-and-other-prominent-scientists-react-to-trump-rsquo-s-win/
"As Scientific American has reported in the run-up to the election, Trump's views on science, health and medicine appear unformed at best, ignorant and destructive at worst."

As president, Trump will shape the future of science. And scientists are worried.

http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/11/10/13573094/president-trump-science-policy
"But it’s not the policy shifts that most worry some scientists — it’s Trump’s generally unscientific pattern of thinking."

Bill McKibben: Trump's Presidency Comes When the Warming World Can Least Afford It

Trump’s Nightmare Cabinet – Climate Skeptics & Political Hacks

Will Trump go down in history as the man who pulled the plug on a livable climate?

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-victory-climate-a0c595572299#.w30q65rlm
"The fate of humanity is in the hands of a denier who pledged to kill domestic and global climate action and all clean energy research."

There’s no way around it: Donald Trump is going to be a disaster for the planet

http://www.vox.com/2016/11/9/13571318/donald-trump-disaster-climate
"Trump has also hinted he wants to get rid of the EPA entirely. “What they do is a disgrace,” he has said. Again, if Congress agrees, he’d have the power to scrap other regulations on mercury pollution, on smog, on coal ash, and more."

This Colorado amendment would take power away from voters

https://thinkprogress.org/amendment-71-colorado-raise-the-bar-too-high-e684113ede32#.vki9frf4w
"The amendment is being backed primarily by business interests, including a massive cash infusion from the oil and gas industry."

Here Are the Races to Watch if You Care About Global Warming

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/11/climate-election-results-guide
"there are a number of state races that will play a key role in determining US climate policy, along with a handful of ballot initiatives covering everything thing from rooftop solar to a proposed carbon tax. The situation in each state is unique."

Sanders Says Donald Trump Simply Too Dangerous 'To Sit This One Out'

Sanders Says Donald Trump Simply Too Dangerous 'To Sit This One Out'

"Trump's position on global warming and how starkly it contrasts with Clinton's, says Sanders, should be of special significance to young people and future generations. "Donald Trump's view is that climate change is a hoax created in China. Now if you think that is not important and you think you can sit this one out—that's fine. But I've got seven grandchildren. I've got four kids. I worry about the future of this planet. I'm not sitting it out. And I hope that my fellow American will not sit it out"."

Hillary Clinton Vows To Do What Obama Hasn’t — Reschedule Marijuana

https://thinkprogress.org/hillary-clinton-vows-to-do-what-obama-hasnt-reschedule-marijuana-fa58a833717b#.sj0q3nelf
"the good news for supporters of marijuana reform is the strong support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton continues to express for rescheduling marijuana."

Obama: After Tuesday, Federal Marijuana Prohibition Is Likely On the Way Out @alternet

Obama: After Tuesday, Federal Marijuana Prohibition Is Likely On the Way Out @alternet:

"According to the President, the enforcement of federal marijuana prohibitions will likely no longer be possible after the general election on Tuesday.  On Friday, President Barack Obama sat down with Bill Maher and discussed a litany of topics, including the growing legalization of marijuana across the country."

Colorado's Marijuana Industry Is Becoming an Economic Steamroller @alternet

Colorado's Marijuana Industry Is Becoming an Economic Steamroller @alternet:

"Each dollar spent on retail cannabis generates $2.40 in state output, while cannabis manufacturing follows with $2.34 and cannabis cultivation comes in at a close $2.13. Combining the three, cannabis is generating far more than any other entity, including federal government spending. Much of this has to do with the fact that the Colorado cannabis industry operates almost entirely within the state, due to continuing prohibition in other states. There is equally impressive news in the jobs sector, where legal cannabis created more than 18,000 jobs in a year."

9 States to Vote on Marijuana Initiatives: Will They Stop Jailing Young People of Color over Weed?

Kochs Invest in Corpus Christi City Council as New Refinery Is Built

http://prwatch.org/news/2016/11/13165/koch-cash-corpus-christi-city-council
"An October 20, 2016, Federal Elections Committee (FEC) filing from the Koch Industries, Inc., Political Action Committee (KochPAC) shows that the Kochs are backing seven candidates at different levels of government in the city: a candidate for Mayor, five candidates for City Council, and one for the Nueces County Commissioner Court. In 2000, a federal grand jury issued a 97-count indictment of Koch Industries, subsidiaries, and employees for an array of environmental crimes. After the Kochs backed George W. Bush in the presidential election that year, Bush's U.S. Department of Justice allowed a Koch subsidiary to plead guilty to a single count of concealing violations of wastewater testing laws at the Kochs' Corpus Christi refinery. Koch paid $20 million in fines despite evidence the corporation had released more than 90 metric tons of the cancer-causing toxic benzene into the city's water and air. Now, the Kochs have a refinery expansion, called Project Eagle Ford, underway to process more oil. The project will cost around $600 million, according to the Kochs' Flint Hills operation. The Kochs' backing of so many local candidates in a single city is noteworthy because the right-wing billionaire brothers are better known for massive spending in state and federal races via KochPAC, David Koch's Americans for Prosperity, and large donations to other political committees, such as the Republican Governor's Association. This year, the Kochs' made news with their decision to stay out of the presidential race, sending Koch cash down ballot. There is no other city in the U.S. where the Kochs, through KochPAC, are spending to try to win as many seats as Corpus Christi."

Oil and Gas Interests Spend Big to Make it Harder to Amend Colorado Constitution

http://prwatch.org/news/2016/11/13167/oil-gas-industry-spends-big-harder-amend-colorado-constitution
"In Colorado, oil and gas companies are spending tens of millions of dollars to pass ballot Amendment 71 to make it harder for average citizens to use the ballot to amend the constitution."

Trump just proposed ending all federal clean energy development

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-zero-out-federal-clean-energy-56cca794790#.sknx6y91r
"He’d end all research on solar, wind, efficiency, batteries, clean cars, and climate science, too."

This Avalanche of Nonsense From Donald Trump Will Leave You Absolutely Speechless

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/10/donald-trump-energy-false-false-false-false-false-false-false
"We fact-checked Donald Trump's latest comments on renewable energy. Turns out, they're not all true."

A Trump presidency is a clean energy nightmare

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-stop-clean-energy-4c3bab42f73#.k9x1dhlrj
"Shockingly, Trump has put a climate science denier in charge of his EPA transition. And he is reportedly considering oil executives to run both the Departments of Energy and Interior."

Leonardo DiCaprio Needs our President to believe in Climate Change #VoteYourFuture

Atmospheric Scientist: Donald Trump & Mike Pence are a Climate Change Denial Dream Team

Humane Society Warns: Trump Presidency is a 'Threat to Animals Everywhere'

Humane Society Warns: Trump Presidency is a 'Threat to Animals Everywhere'

"Among them are oil tycoon Forrest Lucas, rumored front-runner for Interior Secretary, whose organization Protect the Harvest specifically opposes measures meant to protect animals involved with farming, ranching, or exhibitions, like rodeos and circuses. The new campaign also features Iowa factory farmer Bruce Rastetter, reportedly the top contender for Trump's Agriculture Secretary. According to the Post's Kathleen Parker, Rastetter's brother "is the chief executive of a company that builds large-scale hog facilities as well as gestation crates for breeding sows"."

The Trump Transition Team: Climate Skeptics & Industry Insiders

Trump denies he claimed climate change is a Chinese hoax. He’s lying.

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-denies-he-claimed-climate-change-is-a-chinese-hoax-hes-lying-d474b6d1923a#.1t4w8xodm
"he tweeted exactly that sentiment in 2012"

Trump might appoint an oil executive and anti-animal rights activist to head Interior Department

Trump might appoint an oil executive and anti-animal rights activist to head Interior Department

"Lucas would, however, be a natural complement to Trump’s rumored top choice for energy secretary: oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm."

Heinz Ketchup proves that Donald Trump is out of his mind

https://thinkprogress.org/heinz-ketchup-proves-that-donald-trump-is-out-of-his-mind-95c8a838a0d0#.gw4kvqw0k
"America has already tested the idea that we can have safe foods without adequate regulation, in other words. As it turns out, the invisible hand of the market delivered moldy, rancid ketchup that used vinegar and spice to cover up the flavor of decay. It took regulation, the very kind of regulation that Trump now seems to be out to get, to enable Americans to trust their food."

Maker of Deadly Fentanyl Kicks in Half a Million to Defeat Pot Legalization in Arizona @alternet

Maker of Deadly Fentanyl Kicks in Half a Million to Defeat Pot Legalization in Arizona @alternet:

"Big Pharma has long been accused of trying to block marijuana legalization."

Donald Trump Vs. Science

Trump's "Dumpster Fire" of an Energy Policy a Roadmap to Climate Calamity

Trump's "Dumpster Fire" of an Energy Policy a Roadmap to Climate Calamity

"His plan includes: slashing corporate tax rates; scrapping regulations, such as the Waters of the U.S. Rule (pdf) and the Clean Power Plan"

Marijuana May Help Veterans Suffering From PTSD @alternet

Marijuana May Help Veterans Suffering From PTSD @alternet:

"A new study from the state of Colorado has been tasked with researching whether weed is an acceptable treatment for PTSD, Stars and Stripes reported Monday."

What the ‘sixth extinction’ will look like in the oceans: The largest species die off first

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/09/14/what-the-sixth-extinction-will-look-like-in-the-oceans-the-largest-species-die-off-first/?utm_term=.83f803416880&wpisrc=nl_green&wpmm=1
"We mostly can’t see it around us, and too few of us seem to care — but nonetheless, scientists are increasingly convinced that the world is barreling towards what has been called a “sixth mass extinction” event. Simply put, species are going extinct at a rate that far exceeds what you would expect to see naturally, as a result of a major perturbation to the system."

375 Top Scientists Warn Us Not To Vote Trump

As Trump Visits Flint, Media Should Remember His Anti-Clean Water Agenda

http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/09/14/trump-visits-flint-media-should-remember-his-anti-clean-water-agenda/213075
"given his plans to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and rescind the EPA’s Clean Water Rule, as well as his energy adviser’s reported statement that the Clean Water Act would likely be “rolled back" by a Trump administration."

Donald Trump’s new economic policy plan would be devastating to the climate

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-economic-plan-climate-dangers-4b685b8bb576#.dpxbu3bie
"It includes things like completely eliminating the Clean Power Plan, the United States’ most robust attempt at curbing dangerous greenhouse gas emissions from power sources. It would also eliminate the Waters of the United States rule, a rule that would protect millions of Americans from water pollution. Trump would also slash the EPA’s new standards for ground-level ozone, meant to combat public health issues like asthma"

Donald Trump filled out a survey about science and it is amazing

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-science-survey-fe56662669ea#.3r7svn16b
"Science is hard. At least, it seems to be for Donald Trump, who this week gave contradictory, off-topic, and sometimes garbled answers to a science questionnaire distributed by Science Debate, a non-profit that urges scientific literacy and accountability from political candidates."

Republican State AGs Met With Coal, Electricity Companies Before Filing Against The EPA’s Carbon Rule

https://thinkprogress.org/republican-ags-coal-companies-epas-carbon-rule-de76ac047edf#.v6o44siik
"Coal and electricity companies paid to meet with Republican state attorneys general just weeks before those top law enforcement officials joined in suing the federal government over the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, new documents show."

Donald Trump’s Lack of Respect for Science Is Alarming

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/donald-trump-s-lack-of-respect-for-science-is-alarming/
"one of the two major party candidates for the highest office in the land has repeatedly and resoundingly demonstrated a disregard, if not outright contempt, for science. Donald Trump also has shown an authoritarian tendency to base policy arguments on questionable assertions of fact and a cult of personality."

Scientific American sounds alarm on Trump: He ‘takes antiscience to previously unexplored terrain’

Scientific American sounds alarm on Trump: He ‘takes antiscience to previously unexplored terrain’

"Scientific American broke with tradition and spoke out against the Republican Party’s presidential nominee over concerns that he is violating “the nation’s founding principles of truth and evidence"."

Chief NC scientist resigns, accuses GOP administration of misleading the public about water quality

Chief NC scientist resigns, accuses GOP administration of misleading the public about water quality

"Megan Davies, North Carolina’s chief epidemiologist, resigned this week in the latest bit of drama over drinking water safety — drama that involves the state’s biggest utility and the administration of Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. Davies, who accused state officials of deliberately misleading residents, gives up her post of seven years and an $188,000 annual salary. The story begins in 2014, when a Duke Energy power plant spilled 40,000 tons of toxic coal ash and 27 million gallons of wastewater into the Dan River. The ash is a byproduct of burning coal, and it’s harmful to people and ecosystems, containing silica, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. In the aftermath of the spill, public concern grew over Duke’s 32 coal ash storage sites around the state. Many of them were revealed to be unprotected, sitting in unlined basins — just heaps of coal ash in giant pits, leaching toxic elements and a carcinogen called hexavalent chromium into the water table. Soon after, hundreds of households near the storage sites were told by state officials not to drink from their wells due to concerns over water quality. In April 2015, Duke Energy began providing bottled water to those homes. The do-not-drink order, however, didn’t last. A year after warning residents that their well water wasn’t safe, representatives from the state’s Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health and Human Services changed their minds, writing to the impacted households that their water was actually fine. Testing, however, showed that well water near the coal ash sites still had levels of hexavalent chromium higher than in the municipal water supply. And Duke Energy, it turned out, had lobbied the state to reverse the do-not-drink order, even though nothing about most of the storage sites had changed. There were still unlined coal ash sites dotting the state, and there were still toxins in the water."

Trump shows that he has absolutely no understanding of energy

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/8/11/1558498/-Trump-shows-that-he-has-absolutely-no-understanding-of-energy
"Asked about the nation’s energy situation, Donald Trump got it wrong on almost every point."

Trump’s New Agriculture Adviser Has Some Very Backwards Ideas

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."

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."

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."

Gov. Jerry Brown: 'Climate change is the existential threat of our time'

Actress Sigourney Weaver introduces James Cameron film on the perils of climate change at DNC 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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

Mark Jacobson: A 100 Percent Renewable Economy

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."

Climate Denier Rubio Clueless on FL Toxic Algae

Lying About Science for Politics is Evil

'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."