Bonus below Continue reading “Graham Nash/David Crosby: Immigration Man”
Month: March 2017
Angry Callers have EPA Phones, Ears Ringing
More indications that climate denial is no longer a politically risk-free strategy.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s phones have been ringing off the hook — literally — since he questioned the link between human activity and climate change.
The calls to Pruitt’s main line, 202-564-4700, reached such a high volume by Friday that agency officials created an impromptu call center, according to three agency employees. The officials asked for anonymity out of fear of retaliation.
By Saturday morning calls went straight to voice mail, which was full and did not accept messages. At least two calls received the message that the line was disconnected, but that appeared to be in error.
Before the number was disabled, interns were dispatched to answer some of the incoming calls, according to one employee. At times, calls to that number ended up going to voice mail.
EPA did not respond Friday to a request for comment.
While constituents sometimes call lawmakers in large numbers to express outrage over contentious policy issues, it is unusual for Americans to target a Cabinet official.
A graph so simple, even @EPAScottPruitt should understand it https://t.co/FH28SBiGdn pic.twitter.com/n7z6cUnKKM
— John Cook (@johnfocook) March 10, 2017
Note: now it’s John Cook PHD – and he’s right here in the USA at George Mason University.
Continue reading “Angry Callers have EPA Phones, Ears Ringing”
Weather Channel on NOAA, Climate Cuts, and Congressional Denial
Weather Channel kicking butt, taking names, in defense of science.
The alternative to “Alternative Facts” is, facts.
The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a major U.S. weather and climate-science agency, is also said to face possible major cuts, to the tune of $990 million, reports the Washington Post. At 2016 levels, that 17-percent reduction would run the U.S. Department of Defense for just under 15 hours—and could hamper U.S. weather forecasting and monitoring of natural disasters, not to mention studies of climate change, say weather and climate experts.
“If you rely on TV weather forecasts, use a weather app, eat fish, enjoy boating, or claim your status as an Earthling, these cuts potentially have implications for you,” Marshall Shepherd, a University of Georgia meteorology professor and former president of the American Meteorological Society, wrote for Forbes.
“It’s like giving a 15-year-old kid a whole bunch of coffee, and then giving them a machete and asking them to do surgery,” says David Titley, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and Penn State University meteorology professor. “There’s a lot of a hacking and slashing.”
Continue reading “Weather Channel on NOAA, Climate Cuts, and Congressional Denial”
Let Them Drink Petrol. Trump Targets Great Lakes Water
Above, the increasingly militant-in-defense-of-facts Weather Channel covers proposed cuts in cleanup funds for the Great Lakes, reservoir of 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, relied upon by 30 million people living in the basin.
And Trump has help, from, among others, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Attorney General Bill Schuette spoke on 1320 WILS this morning and was asked a simple question, what he thought about Donald Trump’s proposed 97 percent funding cut to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which would cut funding to protect the massive freshwater source from $300 million to $10 million.
His answer was a word salad that chiefly blamed — get this — Obamacare and the mayor of Chicago.
QUESTION: “Are you concerned about that 97 percent reduction in the Great Lakes funding…with the current administration?”
ANSWER: “Yeah, you bet. Absolutely. And where this really stems from is Obamacare, and the mayor of Chicago, and the Illinois shipping interests really don’t care about the quality of the Great Lakes and fresh water. And what we don’t want is Asian carp coming from the Mississippi River up into the Great Lakes. We have to block it.”
That’s right, Bill Schuette blames Obamacare, the mayor of Chicago, and Illinois shipping companies for the cuts that Donald Trump is proposing. If you don’t think that makes any sense, you’re right.
Bill Schuette refused to answer the question for several reasons:
- Schuette would never say anything to disparage Donald Trump, who the AG adamantly supported throughout the campaign and during his transition to the White House, even if what Trump is doing will hurt Michigan. Party over people.
- Bill Schuette’s record on protecting the environment is abysmal. He led a crusade against the EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxic Standards, where he sided with corporate polluters who are pumping poison into Michigan’s air and water. He’s never found an anti-EPA lawsuit he didn’t like. And that’s not just since he’s been an AG. The League of Conservation Voters environmental scorecard gave Schuette a score of 32 percent from 1985-1990, when Schuette was in Congress.
- The attorney general is a staunch supporter of climate denier and now EPA head, Scott Pruitt, who is in the pockets of oil companies and polluters.
Schuette is woefully out of step with a majority of Michiganders when it comes to protecting our air and water and standing against dirty industries. A recent poll found that nearly 60 percent of Michigan residents support combating pollution and reversing climate change over economic interests.
Sunsetting Oil Sands
Little by little.
Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell most of its Canadian oil sands assets for $8.5 billion, the latest international oil major to withdraw from the costly and carbon-heavy projects.
Shell is trying to sell assets totaling $30 billion to cut debt following its $54 billion acquisition of BG Group and is under investor pressure to mitigate climate change risks.
Shell also said on Thursday that 10 percent of directors’ bonuses will now be tied to how well it manages greenhouse gas emissions in refining, chemical and upstream operations.
Analysts welcomed the deal, under which Shell has agreed to sell its existing and undeveloped Canadian oil sands interests to Canadian Natural Resources and to cut its share in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) to 10 percent from 60 percent.
“This significant divestment should help de-gear Shell’s balance sheet over 2017 and help remove concerns around the dividend,” said Biraj Borkhataria, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets.
Royal Dutch Shell said on Thursday it will sell nearly all of its tar sands assets, the latest sign that operations in the Canadian resource continue to struggle as oil prices remain historically low and energy companies come under increasing pressure to reduce their impacts on climate change. The sale, to Canadian Natural Resources Limited, is one of the biggest in a series of steps by multinational companies to turn away from the tar sands, among the most expensive and carbon-intensive sources of oil.
“You’re seeing this real accelerating pull out by the industry from what was once the crown jewel of oil projects, so it’s a big deal,” said Andrew Logan, director of the oil and gas program at Ceres, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable investing. “I think it’s a tipping point for the oil sands as an investible resource.” Continue reading “Sunsetting Oil Sands”
Things that Explain a lot of Other Things. Do Climate Deniers Know where Babies Come from?
WOW. The #GOP’s reason to object to insurance covering prenatal care? “Why should men pay for it?” Watch: #Trumpcare #ProtectOurCare pic.twitter.com/Q55nG1Un8j
— Reproductive Freedom for All (@reproforall) March 9, 2017
Representative John Shimkus has made quite a name for himself as a denier, on biblical grounds, of climate science.
Turns out that is not the only area of science where he’s not thought things thru.
See Chicago Tribune description, and, at bottom, see Rep. Shimkus’ most famous climate remarks.
In the 27 hours the House Energy and Commerce Committee spent debating Republicans‘ Affordable Care Act revision plan, a handful of moments stand out.
This is one of them.
At the start, Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle (Pa.) was talking with Republican Rep. John Shimkus (Ill.) about his objections to the Affordable Care Act’s requirements for health-insurance plans.
As a reminder, former President Barack Obama‘s signature 2010 health-care law ordered that all health plans cover certain essential health benefits, such as doctor visits, hospital care and prescription drugs.
The law also required plans to cover pregnancy and childbirth. That’s where the fireworks started in the Energy and Commerce Committee.
“What mandate in the Obamacare bill does he take issue with?” Doyle asked Shimkus, using the formal parlance of congressional committees.
“What about men having to purchase prenatal care?” Shimkus said.
At that point, one could hear the room start to stir.
“I’m just … is that not correct?” Shimkus said. “And should they?”
The moment is starting to circulate on social media, along with criticism of Shimkus.
NARAL Pro-Choice America, a group that advocates for abortion rights, called attention to it on Twitter and included the video. (above)
Pruitt: Nobody Knows what Drives Climate Change
Might be fairies. Might be Flying Saucers. We just don’t know.
In other news, much too early to say if tiny invisible creatures can possibly cause disease.
I mean, they’re so tiny.
Need more research.
Glass half full: at least admits climate is warming.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said Thursday he does not believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming.
“I think that measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do and there’s tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact, so no, I would not agree that it’s a primary contributor to the global warming that we see ,” he told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“But we don’t know that yet. … We need to continue the debate and continue the review and the analysis.”
Pruitt’s view is at odds with the opinion of NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“The planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere,” NASA and NOAA said in January.
Pruitt previously served as Oklahoma attorney general, where he rose to prominence as a leader in coordinated efforts by Republican attorneys general to challenge President Barack Obama‘s regulatory agenda. He sued or took part in legal actions against the EPA 14 times.
Newest “This is Not Cool” video is, of course, directly pointed at this tired, shopworn talking point. Continue reading “Pruitt: Nobody Knows what Drives Climate Change”
The Weekend Wonk: Is Tillerson Agent for Putin Petropower?
Ok, it’s not the weekend yet, but we have a lot to cover. Get coffee. I’ll wait.
While Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, was CEO, “Exxon has frequently and reliably actively worked against the interests of America.”
Do we expect that Rex Tillerson will change now that he is Secretary of State?
What are the implications?
If you are not watching Rachel Maddow’s series of analyses of the Russia/Putin/Trump/Tillerson nexus, you really, really, really should be.
I hope she has a bodyguard. Seriously.
Below, consider the wider implications of the GOP war on expertise. It’s not just about science.
It’s about people who know stuff. People who respect facts and truth and experience more than they respect the words of an autocrat. These are the true enemies of the Republican Party, and they are being systematically rooted out of the US government – with potentially catastrophic consequences. Continue reading “The Weekend Wonk: Is Tillerson Agent for Putin Petropower?”
PBS Newshour: Larsen C Ice Shelf Primer
Maybe the largest iceberg ever, the size of Delaware, about to break off from the Larsen C shelf in Antarctica.
Good primer here from PBS.
I spoke to NASA’s Eric Rignot about the process in December.
If you’re sharing these with any skeptical or less well-briefed friends, important for context to understand what the breakup of land ice means for sea level. Most people have no freaking idea. See below. Continue reading “PBS Newshour: Larsen C Ice Shelf Primer”
White House now a Stenographer for Exxon. Is that All Bad?
White House cribs an Exxon press release verbatim.
Given the evidence-free nature of most White House statements and initiatives, could it be that cribbing from Exxon at least means someone gave consideration to making a coherent, grammatically correct statement. Might not be all bad.
Above, former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, at recent confirmation hearings, discussed the merits of a carbon tax, and the reality of human caused climate change.
And, does that mean Trump and Exxon are on the same page in favor of a carbon tax?
I’m not optimistic, but always looking for the bright side.
The White House and ExxonMobil were in sync Monday. Some might even call it a mind meld.
In a news release, ExxonMobil highlighted the oil giant’s plan to spend $20 billion over 10 years, build 11 chemical and natural-gas projects and create 45,000 jobs. Within the same hour, the White House put out its own statement claiming credit for the expansion and adding, “The spirit of optimism sweeping the country is already boosting job growth, and it is only the beginning.”
One full paragraph appeared nearly identically word for word in each release. Another sentence appeared almost verbatim elsewhere.
ExxonMobil spokesman Alan T. Jeffers said that the company had supplied the information to the White House.
The White House release quoted President Trump saying that ExxonMobil’s investment plan “is exactly the kind of investment, economic development and job creation that will help put Americans back to work.”
–But Exxon’s investment plan was launched in 2013 — four years ago. And while the White House was hailing the investment program by ExxonMobil and talked about Trump’s “promise to bring back jobs to America,” General Motors on Monday announced the layoff of 1,100 workers in Michigan.
–“ExxonMobil is strategically investing in new refining and chemical-manufacturing projects in the U.S. Gulf Coast region to expand its manufacturing and export capacity,” said the company’s news release, posted at 3:10 p.m. “The company’s Growing the Gulf expansion program, consists of 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and liquefied natural gas projects at proposed new and existing facilities along the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Investments began in 2013 and are expected to continue through at least 2022.”
“Exxon Mobil is strategically investing in new refining and chemical-manufacturing projects in the United States Gulf Coast region to expand its manufacturing and export capacity,” said the White House’s news release, in which Trump is quoted as praising ExxonMobil for creating jobs. “The company’s Growing the Gulf program consists of 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and liquefied natural gas projects at proposed new and existing facilities along the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Investments began in 2013 and are expected to continue through at least 2022.”
The White House release was received by email at 3:44 p.m. and is posted on the White House website. Apart from some apparent copy-editing changes, the only difference is that the White House version describes the “Growing the Gulf program” rather than the “Growing the Gulf expansion program.”
Just in case you haven’t seen the latest “This is Not Cool” video – it picks up on Mr Tillerson’s statement that “..our ability to predict the effect (of climate change) is very limited.”
The record shows, he’s wrong.