[TheClimate.Vote] June 10, 2017 - Daily Global Warming News

[Richard Pauli]

/June 10, 2017/


    Politics, culture or theology? Why evangelicals back Trump on global
    warming
    <https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/politics-culture-or-theology-why-evangelicals-back-trump-global-warming>

"I worship Jesus, not Mother Earth," Erickson tweeted. "He calls us all 
to be good stewards of the planet, but doesn't mean I have to care about 
global warming."
For example, new research indicates that on environmental issues, at 
least, conservative Christian theology may be the driving force behind 
the sharply divergent views of evangelicals.
"Even in the 21st century, when politics seem to be of utmost 
importance, differences in support for environmental spending among 
different religious groups have nothing to do with political 
perspectives," Schwadel said. "Theological views seem to be the biggest 
factor explaining differences between evangelicals and other Americans."
Basically, if you believe that God created the world in six actual days, 
and that it will end in the twinkling of an eye, then you might be more 
prone to short-term thinking about the environment.
In the wake of the ridicule directed toward fundamentalists after the 
famous 1925 Scopes trial in Tennessee – in which a teacher was found 
guilty of teaching about evolution – conservative Christian resentment 
toward powerful elites and intellectuals grew even more intense.
Evangelicals, Worthen said, were trained "to see the Bible as a code 
book that, properly interpreted, could reveal the true meaning of 
current events no matter what the fancy scientists and political elites 
would tell you."
"The truth is we are all going to die. But it won't be because of global 
warming," Erickson wrote in an epic response that threw the Book of 
Revelation back in the face of liberals and scientists. "I have read the 
end of the book. There will be famine. There will be drought. There will 
be flood. And there will be war.  Then there will be a last day where we 
stand before our Maker are are called to account.
"Worrying about global warming and social justice won’t get you past the 
pearly gates," Erickson continued. "Saving souls will. But it is hard to 
save souls when you don't believe in the God of creation because you are 
too busy worshipping that creation.""
https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/politics-culture-or-theology-why-evangelicals-back-trump-global-warming

*"Do you believe?" is the wrong question to ask public officials about 
climate change 
<https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/6/9/15760102/climate-change-belief>*
by David Roberts
Policy, not the contents of hearts and minds, is what matters.
  ...most White House reporters lack the background knowledge to go more 
than an inch deep. The one thing about climate change that they seem to 
know, and feel confident about, is that it's real - it's really 
happening. So that's what they've seized on, asking Trump officials 
about it again and again.
The administration isn't helping by dodging and weaving, though it may 
be a necessity when speaking for a volatile, thoughtless manchild. 
Jennifer Dlouhy and Christopher Flavelle have a great account of the 
serial dodges in Bloomberg: "Trump's Climate View Is Closely Held Secret 
at Leaky White House."
...Of all the aspects of Trump's Paris decision, and his 
administration's approach to climate and energy more generally, what he 
really, truly believes, in his heart, is of the least significance to 
the American public. We've got to get past this.
The dance that skilled conservatives do around climate "belief"
It's way too easy to talk around the belief question.
To be sure, Pruitt is not very good at it. His press conference was a 
semi-coherent farrago of lies, contradictions, and non-sequiturs - even 
loopier than Trump's Paris speech, which is saying something.
But a moderately intelligent and well-spoken person can tap dance around 
the question fairly easily. Witness UN Ambassador Nikki Haley:
*(video) Nikki Haley FULL Interview with Jake Tapper on CNN State Of The 
Union. <https://youtu.be/j3RWShCjoEM>*
https://youtu.be/j3RWShCjoEM
*1) The climate is changing.* This is how you get the CNN headline: 
"Haley: 'President Trump believes the climate is changing'."
*2) Anthropogenic (man-made) carbon emissions play some role, or are 
"part of the equation," but we're not sure how much. *This is usually 
enough to throw questioners off the scent, but remember: It's false.
*3) Measures to reduce emissions are impossible, onerous, and job-killing.*
Health care journalism is not dominated by the question of whether 
politicians believe in the germ theory of disease (though, yes, there 
are germ theory deniers). Climate change journalism should not be 
dominated by debates over basic facts either. Human beings are causing 
rapid atmospheric warming. We know this. We can go ahead and treat it 
like a fact, a phenomenon in the world, not a debating point.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/6/9/15760102/climate-change-belief


    Once Again, *Climate Change*Cited as Trigger for War
    <https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/once-again-climate-change-cited-as-trigger-for-war/>

A new report identifies 12 "epicenters" worldwide where changing climate 
could spark conflict
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/once-again-climate-change-cited-as-trigger-for-war/
== *Release: Experts Identify 12 Major Epicenters of Climate Risks to 
International Security 
<https://climateandsecurity.org/2017/06/09/release-experts-identify-12-major-epicenters-of-climate-risks-to-international-security/>*
The report includes analysis of 12 significant climate and security 
epicenters (also presented in a video animation 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrsAqPBKYqI&feature=youtu.be>). These 
epicenters were chosen due to their nature as risks to critical parts of 
the international nation-state system (food, water, trade, health, 
cities, sovereignty) that can ripple out into serious global security 
crises, especially if happening in tandem. The epicenters span the 
globe, and many are fundamentally interconnected. These epicenters 
already exist, and all are likely to continue to intensify in the 
absence of adequate ameliorative solutions. They include the following, 
covered by authors with a broad range of expertise:

 1. *Disappearing Nations: *Many low-lying nations are in danger of
    being completely submerged by rising seas (Andrew Holland and Esther
    Babson);
 2. *Conflict Over Melting Water Towers:* Climate change can increase
    tensions and conflict among the 4 billion people dependent on
    mountain "water towers" (Troy Sternberg);
 3. *Conflict Over Fisheries:* A warming ocean is driving critical fish
    stocks into contested waters, contributing to conflict between
    states (Michael Thomas);
 4. *Tensions in a Melting Arctic:* Increased activity in a melting
    Arctic raises new security and geopolitical risks (Katarzyna Zysk
    and David Titley);
 5. *Weaponized Water:* As climate change exacerbates water stress,
    non-state actors, including international terrorist organizations,
    are increasingly using water as a weapon (Marcus King and Julia
    Burnell);
 6. *Disrupted Strategic Trade Routes: *Climate change will place
    strains on maritime straits that are critical for global trade and
    security (Adam H. Goldstein and Constantine Samaras);
 7. *Compromised Coffee Trade:* Climate change may also disrupt critical
    global trading networks, like the coffee trade. which currently
    supports 125 million people worldwide (Shiloh Fetzek);
 8. *More (and Worse) Pandemics:* Climate change may increase the
    likelihood and range of pandemics, which could threaten global
    security (Kaleem Hawa);
 9. *Flooded Coastal Megacities:* Rapidly expanding coastal megacities
    are threatened by climate impacts like sea level rise, which can
    destabilize nations (Janani Vivekenanda and Neil Bhatiya);
10. I*ncreased Displacement and Migration:* Climate change is becoming a
    more significant driver of migration and displacement (Robert McLeman);
11. *Enhanced Nuclear Risks:* Climate change, nuclear security, and
    policies that are not sensitive to both simultaneously, can increase
    regional and global security threats (Christine Parthemore);

https://climateandsecurity.org/2017/06/09/release-experts-identify-12-major-epicenters-of-climate-risks-to-international-security/
Where*climate change*is most likely to induce food violence 
<https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170608123718.htm>
While climate change is expected to lead to more violence related to 
food scarcity, new research suggests that the strength of a country's 
government plays a vital role in preventing uprisings.. "A capable 
government is even more important to keeping the peace than good weather,"
   When examining countries' vulnerabilities, the researchers analyzed a 
host of factors including a country's dependence on agricultural 
production, its imports, the strength of its political institutions and 
its wealth.
"We found that the most vulnerable countries are those that have weak 
political institutions, are relatively poor and rely more on 
agriculture," he said.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170608123718.htm
=== *(video) Epicenters of Climate and Security 
<https://youtu.be/XrsAqPBKYqI>*
This video accompanies the Center for Climate and Security's report 
"Epicenters of Climate and Security: The New Geostrategic Landscape of 
the Anthropocene." Full report available here: 
www.climateandsecurity.org/epicenters
Report page: www.climateandsecurity.org/epicenters
Video: https://youtu.be/XrsAqPBKYqI


    *Climate change*misconceptions common among teachers, study finds
    <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170607123835.htm>

Recent studies have shown that misconceptions about climate change and 
the scientific studies that have addressed climate change are pervasive 
among the U.S. public. Now, a new study by Benjamin Herman, assistant 
professor in the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum in the 
University of Missouri College of Education, shows that many secondary 
school science teachers also possess several of these same misconceptions.
While the majority of the surveyed teachers accurately responded that 
fossil fuel use, automobiles and industry emissions were major causes of 
climate change, they also exhibited notable climate change 
misconceptions. For instance, nearly all of the Puerto Rico teachers and 
more than 70 percent of Florida teachers believed incorrectly that ozone 
layer depletion and pesticide use were at least minor, yet significant, 
causes of climate change. Additionally, Herman says that nearly 50 
percent of Florida teachers and nearly 70 percent of Puerto Rico 
teachers think that climate change science must be studied through 
controlled experiments to be valid.
. Because of existing misconceptions and misinformation regarding 
climate change, science teachers have a crucial professional and ethical 
responsibility to accurately convey to their students how climate change 
is studied and why scientists believe the climate is changing."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170607123835.htm


    *Climate change*is catching up with gardeners: just look at the
    Chelsea flower show
    <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2017/jun/09/climate-change-is-catching-up-with-gardeners-just-look-at-the-chelsea-flower-show>

It hit me like a smack in the face. This year's RHS Chelsea flower show 
was quite blatant in showcasing the effects of climate change; you may 
not have noticed though. Most people visiting the show or tuning into 
the BBC coverage were homed in on the increasingly more naturalistic 
planting style, the reduced number of large show gardens and the amazing 
lupins.
However, the increasing temperatures that our planet is experiencing are 
catching up with us gardeners. While the changes may be subtle in our 
own gardens, when you see them distilled and condensed, as I did at the 
world's greatest flower show, the dawning realisation that they are real 
comes as quite a shock.
The first thing I noticed on entering the show was just how hot it was. 
It was a pleasure to walk around the show gardens on such a lovely sunny 
day, but in the back of my mind I had the realisation that the heat was 
part of an extended period of drought that the southeast, and the UK 
more generally, had been suffering. On talking to the gardeners and 
designers I heard many an exclamation of "I can't wait for it to rain". 
After such a very warm, wet winter in 2016 and then this, the driest 
winter for 20 years, I wondered if these unpredictable weather events 
are what we should come to expect in future?
The Chelsea flower show 
<https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/chelseaflowershow> still leads 
when it comes to gardening fashion, but I think the trend we all need to 
be looking to for the future of Britain's gardens will be lead by our 
changing climate. We need to be brave in our gardens, especially given 
the unpredictability of the issue in hand. It's an envelope I feel needs 
to be pushed, and I intend to be there at the front of this charge.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2017/jun/09/climate-change-is-catching-up-with-gardeners-just-look-at-the-chelsea-flower-show
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/chelseaflowershow
=============
*Chelsea flower show: 'abandoned Maltese quarry' wins top prize 
<https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/23/chelsea-flower-show-james-basson-abandoned-maltese-quarry-wins-top-prize>*
It was not supposed to be pretty, but the judges certainly found it 
impressive. James Basson's take on an abandoned Maltese limestone quarry 
has won best in show at this year's Chelsea flower show.
The construction, which includes slabs of limestone and evergreens, 
perennials and ground cover, was designed to show the interaction 
between humans and nature on the island, Basson has said, and draws 
attention to the balance that needs to be maintained.
"The message behind the designer's creation is that humans need to take 
action to preserve the fragile environment of our planet. Sustainable 
water disposal, recycling and composting: all are vital if Malta is to 
save its distinct and delicate landscapes," said the Royal Horticultural 
Society, which runs the annual flower show in London.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/23/chelsea-flower-show-james-basson-abandoned-maltese-quarry-wins-top-prize
===============
*The M&G Garden 
<https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/Gardens/2017/the-m-g-garden-2017>*
The designer's vision of a garden created from a disused limestone 
quarry includes a large botanical range of flora from Malta. Designed 
with great impact it delivers a stern message about the vulnerability of 
Malta's natural landscapes and resources
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/Gardens/2017/the-m-g-garden-2017
=====
*(video) The M&G Garden from concept to conception at RHS Chelsea Flower 
Show 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=l9kONEkvTM8>*
RHS - Royal Horticultural Society
Uploaded on May 24, 2017
See how the design of the M&G garden comes to life from James Basson's 
original concept.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=l9kONEkvTM8

<http://youtu.be/0fkKnfk4k40>*This Day in Climate History June 10, 1963 
<http://youtu.be/0fkKnfk4k40>  -  from D.R. Tucker*/
/

    / President John F. Kennedy's "Peace Speech" - considered one of his
    most powerful speeches
    <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_University_speech> and one
    of the great philosophical statements by any US president
    /In a commencement address at American University, President Kennedy
    famously observes:
    "For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we
    all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all
    cherish our children’s futures. And we are all mortal."
    http://youtu.be/0fkKnfk4k40

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