November 17, 2020 by Common Dreams “I do not expect Joe Biden to use this power on Inauguration Day to instantly turn the United States into a single-payer country. But there’s nothing in the law that would appear to prevent him from doing it.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Common Dreams President-elect Joe Biden delivers a remarks on the economic …
Severe Transit Cuts Would Cripple U.S. Economy, Experts Warn
New York’s MTA plans to slash subway service, and other cities have proposed brutal budget cuts if federal transit support doesn’t arrive. By Laura BlissNovember 19, 2020, 3:06 PM EST Like a tree without roots or a body without a spine, New York City would collapse without its subway system. That kind of dire outcome is a real risk if transit cuts proposed in …
Solar Panels + Agriculture: You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
November 19th, 2020 by Tina Casey Clean Technica It seems like only yesterday that the idea of combining solar panels with agriculture was just a twinkle in somebody’s eye. All of a sudden the field is exploding, so to speak. In the latest development, the US Department of Energy is putting down $7 million to sow the seeds for a new revolution in …
Dangerous cycle triggered around .5 C of warming: irreversible processes like melting of permafrost, drying of rainforests, or acidification of surface waters
ESCIMO is a “reduced complexity earth system” climate model which we run from 1850 to 2500. In ESCIMO, the global temperature keeps rising to 2500 and beyond, slower or faster depending on how fast humanity cuts the emissions of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, but already, dangerously passing irreversible limits. This cycle appears to be triggered by global warming of a …
As we think about our society, what do we most fear? And what are our most fervent hopes for the future?
Once we clearly identify and share our deepest fears and hopes, we may discover we have far more common ground regarding purpose and meaning than we ever imagined. What greater purpose and meaning is there than working together to create a world that secures the health of Earth and the well-being of families and communities? That world would likely feature …
Working people, young, and POC delivered victory + Florida became the eighth state to pass a $15 minimum wage, Arizona voted to increase taxes on the wealthy to fund public schools, CO approved 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Sen. Nina Turner in the Washington Post: Working people — Black, Brown and White families making under $100,000, along with the vast majority of young people — delivered Biden his victory. Not only did they vote for him in overwhelming numbers, they also knocked on doors, made calls and carried out the hard work of democracy during a pandemic. These voters are …
Climate Change Makes Hurricanes Stay Stronger Longer
Hurricanes are staying stronger for longer after making landfall, causing greater and more widespread destruction, because ocean waters heated by climate change give them extra fuel, according to a study published Wednesday in Nature. Researchers looked at 71 hurricanes that made landfall since 1967. In the 1960s, hurricanes lost 75% of their energy in the first day after making landfall, …
15% of global COVID-19 deaths could be linked to air pollution exposure
10-26-20 Fast Company, CORONAVIRUS: Air Pollution: This is the unseen factor pushing the COVID-19 death count even higher Even before the spread of COVID-19, scientists had declared we were in the midst of an air pollution pandemic, with bad air responsible for 8.8 million premature deaths every year. Now, researchers better understand how these two crises are converging. Across the world, …
Tesla microgrids spread as U.S. grid ‘gets worse and worse’
Tesla microgrids spread as U.S. grid ‘gets worse and worse‘ A Tesla Inc. executive made a stir last week when he revealed that the company is operating more than 120 microgrids. The online comment by Michael Snyder, Tesla’s director of engineering and construction for energy projects, signaled that a company known for its cars and batteries is restlessly encroaching on other parts of the energy system. …
The Case for Reining in Car Advertising
The Case for Reining in Car Advertising by Andy Furillo – October 8, 20203 Also: Connecting people and places: Exploring new measures of travel behavior – Brookings.edu, and pedestriansfirst.itdp.org – a new tool helps you measure the walkability of your neighborhood. And finally: Proof: Bike paths are good for the local economy – Streetsblog USA Automobiles impose staggering costs on society. Informed mobility …