September 2011
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The New York Times has the story of Exxon winning... →
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WatchGovernor Dannel Malloy: “Ron Paul is an idiot.” On the topic of disaster relief, Malloy goes on to say that Paul’s state of Texas has benefited more from FEMA disaster relief than any other state. He also points out misguided priorities in that the US is spending $900 million per week in other countries for war and rebuilding, which equals FEMA’s remaining annual budget.
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August 2011
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Mark Bittman of the NYTimes: Profits Before... →
Bittman nails the Obama administration today in this surprising (to me) piece on the current trend of profits over environment. He connects a lot of dots, but brings it together in the end. (I’d counter by saying that Obama was in a fix - he has had to choose jobs and stimulus over the environment).
I think this section is worth quoting in full:
Sacrificing the environment for profits...
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3 Security Concerns with the Keystone XL Pipeline ... →
This piece is a bit over-dramatic, but interesting points to think about. I believe the second point, that the oil will skip US markets, is false.
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WatchThe administration’s media campaign to drum up support for the Keystone XL pipeline has begun…
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Introducing: USAID Climate Change and Environment... →
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U.S. Department of State: Ten Things You Should... →
Thomas R. Nides serves as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.
Do you ever wonder what the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) do every day and what it means for you? In the eight months since I joined the State Department, I’ve learned firsthand about the important and wide ranging work done by the women and men...
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Building the Foundations of a Resilient America
Every community is a complex social organization with its own characteristics, needs, challenges, and potential solutions. Communities must tailor their individual resilience vision, programs, and action plans without an outside system that is overly prescriptive.
Instead, communities need a guide on how to think about resilience and on how to develop their own well-conceived set of actions...
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More scientists concerned environmental disasters...
There is a growing concern among scientists and policy makers that environmental crises are no longer the sole acts of nature but rather the result of an accelerating human-induced global change.
At the same time, a pattern is starting to unfold: crises such as floodings, famine and pandemic diseases are not only turning increasingly intense, they are also increasingly connected.
One thing...
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Wikileaks: Climate change and rising sea waters...
The US Embassy reported that rising sea waters could also kill off the rice paddies of the Bangkok plains that contribute to Thailand’s status as the world’s largest rice exporter. ”Other Asian mega-cities such as Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City face similar inundation scenarios.”
The cable observes that climate scientists and Bangkok administrators had (estimated that)...
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WatchMSNBC covers the destruction in Vermont.
Irene by the numbers:
Death toll up to 41
10th billion dollar natural disaster in one year (2011) - a record
Worst flooding since 1927
2 million evacuated
9,000 flights cancelled
4.5 million homes and business lost power
Costs: $6 to $40 billion
Obama: Amazing leader
Eric Cantor: Big jerk face
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“This is nowhere near Katrina’s death toll of over 1800 souls, but the damage to...”
– James Howard Kunsler, Katrina in Vermont
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WatchKeystone goes mainstream. PBS Newshour airs a “debate” over the Keystone XL Pipeline between environmentalist Bill McKibben and capitalist Robert Bryce.
The proposed pipeline would carry oil from Canadian tar sands fields to Texas refineries, but the project has sparked high-profile protests. Jeffrey Brown discusses the controversial Keystone XL pipeline proposal with the Manhattan...
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Postcards from a Vermont on the Edge [Photos and... →
Above: Road closures throughout Vermont.
“Unfortunately, Vermont got hit harder than our worst fears. As of this writing, there have been two deaths officially reported in the state, there are two men missing in Rutland (the “big” city nearest my home), and according to Vermont Public Radio, “nearly every major highway in the state has been damaged.”
Also:
...
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Irene’s Floods Rage as U.S. Cuts Stream Tracking...
Congress is steadily trimming the budget for maintaining stream-flow gauges and other monitoring efforts aimed at forecasting flood threats.
Floods kill people, and yet GOP are winning cuts to programs that help people and businesses. The GOP are the grand chess masters of politics, as demonstrated by their killer strategies that cut science, education, disaster management, and the arts. They...
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Excellent article on companies adapting - on their... →
Adjusting and adapting to an inevitably warmer world, more far-sighted private companies are moving forward even in the absence of strong government leadership globally and nationally. Understanding, anticipating and managing their risks are becoming those companies’ new, and challenging, reality.
Source: Yale Climate Media Forum
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the-drunken-poet answered:
the-drunken-poet answered: What efforts big or small do you think are most important for people to do in their community regarding the environment?
Hi the-drunken-poet!
One answer: Write your representative. Do this once per month:
Subject line: “From your voter”
Dear Representative/Senator ___,
I voted for you. You represent me. I oppose any and all GOP cuts to environmental regulations,...
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Intern wanted: Climate Adaptation Policy
This is an excellent opportunity for students of adaptation:
——————————————————————————————-
Intern, Climate Adaptation Policy Click here to apply
Location:United States- Arlington, VA HeadquartersJob Code:157# of...
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Natural Barriers to Storm Surge →
Barrier islands and coastal wetlands for the win! FTW!!!
Via
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Mike Hudack: evangotlib: The United States... →
Agreed, it was an awesome, strong leadership emergency response by the Obama administration.
The United States Government had 36 Navy vessels move out to sea ready at a moment’s notice to help with Irene. These ships have the ability to copter in supplies and medical gear. The US Armed Forces is a logistics machine so you know these folks are the best of the best.
At the…
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ShortFormBlog: Hurricane Irene, by the numbers, to... →
inothernews:
Storm now measures 580 miles in diameter;
At least eight dead;
900,000 customers have lost power in those two states;
All 11 Atlantic City casinos closed — only the third time in history;
The Schuylkill River is expected to crest at 15 feet on Sunday night — something that has not happened there since 1869;
SEPTA is shut down;
375,000 residents ordered to evacuate from...
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Fox News Op-ed: Do We Really Need a National... →
Bwaahahahaha!!! Is there a “Best of Irene” tag? ‘Cause this would trend faster than Jim Carrey’s depression.
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theyoungmumbler asked: I have been watching the Philadelphia NBC news station today, and most of its coverage of Irene has been headed by its chief meteorologist who, having more time than his usual 3 minute weather update, is providing some very good information and is displaying his knowledge quite well. My question for you is: how long do you think it will be before scientifically trained meterologists start...
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Hurricane Irene Could Be a Toxic Shitstorm In the... →
If Irene hits with sufficient force, a flood of the human waste quaintly known as combined sewer overflow (CSO) is almost a certainty. What is less certain is how much of the heavier, more dangerous contaminants will be churned up by the storm surge and heavy winds and deposited by the flood waters.
The 50-odd blocks that surround the canal — known lately for open-air dance...
