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InitialsDiceBearhttps://github.com/dicebear/dicebearhttps://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/„Initials” (https://github.com/dicebear/dicebear) by „DiceBear”, licensed under „CC0 1.0” (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)NE
Posts 36
Comments 473
Trump’s science-denying fanatics are bad enough. Yet even our climate ‘solutions’ are now the stuff of total delusion | George Monbiot
  • Tax the shit out of AI and crypto currency data centers. Use the proceeds on ending car dependency and various forms of carbon sequestration. Tax the shit out of corporations that have certain occupations commute to a physical office. Tax the shit out of certain goods transported on ships burning bunker oil. Highly specialized stuff like computer processors that aren't large or heavy can get a pass. You all get the idea.

  • How can we teach the younger generation What is right or wrong if there are no consequences anymore?
  • I've said it for decades at this point, but we really need to add philosophy to our standard curriculum;

    YES!!! I've been saying it too! I'd leave out metaphysics other than an introduction to what it is with an example or two. We are seriously lacking in epistemology. I would focus it mainly on epistemology and ethics though.

  • Debate me if you care about the rule
  • Unfortunately, social media is highly influencial of public opinion, so it is a civic responsibility that those with life experience and expertise with things need to engage in. Failure to do so effectively is rolling over for MAGA Nazis 2.0.

    We need to be better at rhetoric and debate. Cicero wrote over 2 millenia ago about the power of eloquence.

    "Wisdom without eloquence does too little for the good of communities, but eloquence without wisdom is, in most instances, extremely harmful and never beneficial. If, then, anyone exerts all of his energies in the practice of oratory to the neglect of the highest and most honorable pursuits of reason and moral conduct, he is reared as a citizen useless to himself and harmful to his country; but the person who arms himself with eloquence in such a way that enables him not to assault the interest of his country, but rather assist them, this man, in my opinion, will be a citizen most helpful and most devoted both to his own interests and those of the public.”

    In recent years, the unwise have weaponized eloquence. The wise among us have failed spectacularly at understanding the importance and power of persuasion.

  • Trump said to lift all military restrictions on Israel on 1st day in office according to reports
  • Those are the things you've gone to bat for, that is the realized vision of the Biden-Harris regime.

    There's a difference between making the best of a bad situation and going to bat for it. Your choices were someone who there is a chance of reigning in Israel or someone that told them to do whatever they want with weapons we send. The latter is obviously a bad choice unless you agree with Israel.

  • Asking the real questions
  • He is being too nice. He needs to get a lawyer and sue that shitty company for harassment and whatever else.

    ETA: The US isn't overly litigious. We are under litigious if anything.

  • Trump said to lift all military restrictions on Israel on 1st day in office according to reports
  • Well, to all the folks arguing with me on how voting for Harris was bad because of Gaza: CONGRATULATIONS! You REALLY made a point there. The Palestinians had a chance under Harris. Instead of voting for a chance for the Palestinians, you did nothing or voted for genocide. You did it from the other side of the world, where you won't have to suffer the consequences.

  • Carbon bootprint: why are military emissions top secret? | Militaries are among the world's biggest CO2 emitters, but data is lacking on how much they contribute to climate change
  • Some militaries say publishing details of their oil and gas consumption could give adversaries insight into their operations.

    This is why. Knowing supply requirements helps enemies plan their operations.

    At least the US Navy has several nuclear powered vessels and the US DoD acknowledge that climate change is a real problem.

  • Good bye, America.
  • Mad at her for what? Having little power as VP? Being out on the ballot? Even if she said no, the Dem party leadership would just have to quickly push someone in the same manner. All of the excuses are either complete bullshit or Trump would be worse. So stupid....

  • These Trump skeptics hope people know what they are doing
  • A lot of them don't know what they are doing. They are sucked into red pill bubbles, trad wife bubbles, and the extremely toxic multiplayer video game communities. They don't do shit in school because they are just gonna get rich being influencers or game streamers.

  • www.thecooldown.com The first car-free community built from scratch in the US is starting to take off: 'For some, cars equal freedom, but for me, it's a restriction'

    In the Culdesac part of Tempe, Arizona, residents are the first non-urban community in the U.S. to boast a walkable, car-free neighborhood.

    The first car-free community built from scratch in the US is starting to take off: 'For some, cars equal freedom, but for me, it's a restriction'

    Also a huge number of people in the US travel to places that are walkable:

    • Disney World
    • Las Vegas (The strip is anyway)
    • DC
    • NYC
    55

    Small Changes

    I am well aware of the problems with car dependent design, that isn't what this is about.

    I was driving in my car mandatory suburb and was delayed by a good 10 minutes due to a pair of very poorly timed lights. The main thoroughfare had a left turn lane split off that was backed up onto the main road. The turn light would literally turn green for about 5 seconds. A bit further down the road, a light controls traffic to a neighborhood of SFH with very few cars coming or going. The light on the main road would turn red for literally no cars longer than the other light stayed green with so many cars it caused a backup.

    Simply adjusting these traffic lights would save loads of time, fuel, and EMISSIONS. It got me wondering what other things like adjusting those lights could be done that even the thirstiest petroholic can't object to?

    My example is a drop in the bucket to the GHG problem, but enough drops will fill the bucket. I will be contacting my city about it. I don't doubt they will at least attempt to fix it because traffic is a common complaint, so a simple fix is an easy win for them.

    2

    Portugal just ran on 100 percent renewables for six days in a row

    grist.org Portugal just ran on 100 percent renewables for six days in a row

    For nearly a week, the country of 10 million met customer needs with wind, hydro and solar — a test run for operating the grid without fossil fuels.

    Portugal just ran on 100 percent renewables for six days in a row

    How about some good news today?

    0

    Doomerism

    I would like to address the doomers.

    Just stop. All you are accomplished is dissuading people from trying. Even if we fail, some of us would rather go out feeling good about ourselves knowing that we actually tried. If we succeed, I want to be on the right side of history. If you want to drive a canyonero through a drive through to buy a double cheeseburger on your way to the airport to fly somewhere for a shopping trip: please keep it to yourself.

    • There is still hope
    • Most people want action. I can cite more than one source.
    • Things are starting to turn around. Not as fast as we need to, but we are seeing change
    • Some of us are parents and have a reason to fight with all we have
    • If things get bad, our kids will actually want to have a relationship with us if we cared enough to try
    • Many things that help are economically better on the micro and macro scales

    Doomers are the fossil fuel industry's best friend-- even more than the deniers are. If enough people succumb to it, they don't even have to pay lip service to the problem. Doomerism means you can continue to pollute and not even try.

    34

    Key US election results

    www.cnn.com Takeaways from election in Ohio, Kentucky and more | CNN Politics

    The battle for control of the Virginia legislature is still hanging in the balance, but the first round of returns from Tuesday’s off-year elections delivered one clear message: abortion rights are popular, no matter when or where they are on the ballot.

    Takeaways from election in Ohio, Kentucky and more | CNN Politics

    Good News. Kentucky re-elected Democratic governor. Virginia flipped house of delegates to Democrats, gaining complete control of state legislature.

    Kentucky shows is that even in red states, Democrats have the numbers. This shows how critical showing up and voting is.

    GOP/Republicans bad for climate change. They deny it, say it isn't humans, etc. Democrats at least acknowledge we need to do something.

    ------------------------------

    For those outside the US, we have first past the post voting, which inevitably leads to two political parties.

    State governments hold a lot of power. They are almost completely over sovereign with certain restrictions and reservations of power by our federal government.

    GOP (aka Republicans) = Right to far right. I.e. libertarian, fascist, conservative, Christian nationalist.

    Democrat = center right to far left. I.e. conservative, progressive, socialist, neoliberal

    Democrats have greater numbers by a good margin, but have lower voter turnout and are disenfranchised electorial due to gerrymandering.

    15

    USA election reminder

    Good Morning USA. It is election day. Go vote. That is all.

    4
    www.nbcnews.com Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's administration is sending out tax rebates during election week

    Democrats are crying foul, suggesting the timing of the rebates is political in nature.

    Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's administration is sending out tax rebates during election week

    Not a good look...

    24
    arstechnica.com This electric school bus has a range of up to 300 miles

    The Type-D school bus uses a 387 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.

    This electric school bus has a range of up to 300 miles

    Ideally, rezoning and infrastructure changes would reduce the need for school buses. We don't have the time though, so this is a win. Hopefully production can ramp up and governments can create incentives for schools to buy these instead of dead dino powered buses.

    25

    Clean Energy is Officially “unstoppable” Now

    www.theverge.com Clean energy is officially “unstoppable” now

    The International Energy Agency has a new forecast for 2030.

    Clean energy is officially “unstoppable” now

    TLDR: Fossil fuels are going to all but end sooner or later.

    My take, the industry can waste time and money lobbying and wrecking their reputation and the planet even more, or they can get with the program and start transitioning to other operations. I.e. they can choose the redemption arc or the self destruction arc.

    4

    Media Should Dedicate Space to Climate Crisis

    mastodon.world tylersguides (@tylersguides@mastodon.world)

    I wrote a short article asking media to dedicate time or space to climate content. Notice how in the site navigation I have a link to a dedicated climate section. E.g. if you are a general news site, you would have a section called Climate in the same way you have World, Your Country, Weather, etc....

    TLDR: Media needs to do more. News outlets should add climate sections along with the rest of their news sections.

    I'd like to see more actionable content like how to convince city governments to do stuff. E.g All the stuff a lot of the urbanists talk about are better in almost every way than the car dependency we have in the US. The NIMBYs are relentless in my area. They organized on next door to show up at a zoning meeting in my area to try and prevent a rezone so a developer could build 4 story condos rather than practically useless offices now that most office stuff can be done remotely.

    6

    Des Moines Airport is Building New Terminal

    They are spending 445 million USD on this.

    I wonder how many of these flights are to other Midwest cities that could be easily replaced with HSR?

    They could even build the rail station into the airport. It is on the edge of the city so there is ample space.

    If I were king of the US, I'd connect all of the Major Midwest cities between the Appalachians and Rockies and then run the lines through the SW desert cities and then north up to Spokane and Seattle. Building through the mountains is expensive, so let's not make perfect the enemy of good and go after the most cost effective locations. It would be feasible to run lines from Miami up to Bangor too. Connect it to the Western system through the deep south cities.

    3

    Ever have one of those days?

    Days that nothing catastrophic happens, but lots of moderate things happen all in the same day? You wake up not feeling great, so the morning plans are toast. Then afternoon plans fall through. The stuff you do in the meantime doesn't work out well either. To add insult to injury, dinner just doesn't come out right. You feel like you are the butt of the jokes in a crappy comedy movie. Today is one of those days for me.

    20

    What the Fossil Fuel Industry Doesn't Want You To Know | Al Gore | TED

    Great speech by Al Gore about the fossil fuel industry.

    Fight back by lobbying local officials for things that reduce car dependency!

    5

    While we all work towards political change, in the mean time we can all focus on our consumption habits.

    Aligning purchases with GHG reduction will save you money because you will buy less over time. You will have better stuff. It can even be more convenient. E.g. a nice espresso setup in a car dependent area is cheaper in the long run and more convenient than driving to a coffee shop all the time.

    0

    Who is your favorite fictional character?

    40

    Effective Activism

    We often see news about climate protests. What we don't see is how effective or ineffective it is.

    Rose Abramoff pointed out how they have had great success delaying, and hopefully eventually stopping the MVP pipeline:

    https://climatejustice.rocks/@ultracricket/111035854628921172

    Anybody that works in a media outlet, please start drawing attention to activism successes. Make it front and center in the headline or opening paragraph.

    If we want to stop global warming, we need EFFECTIVE action. Start spreading the word on what gets results.

    Publish how to convince city governments to fix car dependency.

    Remember, global warming, if left unchecked could be the worst thing that has happened to humanity. WW2 was pretty bad. American and European imperialism was pretty bad. The black death was pretty bad. Let that sink in.

    Creators, start writing and spreading the word on how to fight global warming effectively, within the confines of your local laws of course. Here in the US, you can certainly write about people that have broken the law and what the consequences were, like Rosa Parks.

    7

    Americans generally support climate policy, but they think others generally don't

    www.nature.com Americans experience a false social reality by underestimating popular climate policy support by nearly half - Nature Communications

    A new study finds that Americans underestimate how many are concerned about climate change as well as support for major climate policies by nearly half, with climate policy supporters significantly outnumbering non-supporters.

    Americans experience a false social reality by underestimating popular climate policy support by nearly half - Nature Communications

    My fellow Americans. Get off your asses and vote. In every election. Even in red areas. If we all get off our asses, we will generally win. Run for local office if you are able. Contact local officials and get them to take measures.

    23

    Is Peter Piper related to the Pied Piper?

    Does the Pied Piper pick peppers too?

    9

    How did Peter Piper pick pickled peppers?

    Were the peppers already pickled on the plant somehow? Is there a type of pepper called pickled peppers? What is a peck anyway?

    31

    Are self-driving cars already safer than human drivers? Answer: It raises a different point

    arstechnica.com Are self-driving cars already safer than human drivers?

    I learned a lot by reading dozens of Waymo and Cruise crash reports.

    Are self-driving cars already safer than human drivers?

    The fact that self driving cars exist is an admission that driving a car can really suck. Navigating busy suburbs and cities in a car is a stressful experience, especially when people are commuting to or from work.

    I don't think cars should be completely eliminated, as they have their place, but the existence of self driving cars is strong evidence of the insanity of the car being the only feasible way to get around some parts of the world.

    13