[TheClimate.Vote] September 5, 2017 - Daily Global Warming News

[Richard Pauli]

/September 5, 2017/

*Selected and Ongoing Climate Events <http://www.climatesignals.org/>*

  * Houston is just starting to dry out from Hurricane Harvey's 50 inch
    rain totals.
  * California is burning up
    <https://twitter.com/ClimateSignals/status/903747888806641664>
      o "the greatest heat wave California has ever faced …"
        <https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/heat-smoke-and-fire-assault-western-states-all-time-record-heat-california>

          + Amajor Labor Day weekend heat wave
            <https://t.co/GIDAzZiIpG%20https://t.co/yKvx9bieR9>
          + scorchingover 106F degree temperatures in San Francisco
            <https://twitter.com/EricHolthaus/status/903719912702488576>.
      o Los Angeles is burning, with the largest wildfire in LA's
        history
        <https://twitter.com/ClimateSignals/status/904425104842473473>.
  * Washington
    <https://twitter.com/AlexSteffen/status/904496550772072448>andMontana
    <http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/wildfires/montana-wildfire-updates-for-september-3-2017/616085556> (here
    <https://twitter.com/LindaHenrichsen/status/904481591690379265>too
    <https://twitter.com/Knight_Katriela/status/904359281096568836>) are
    burning up.
      o Record breaking heat in Oregon and Washington in August
        <https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/record-heat-west-early-august-2017>
      o Glacier National Park
        <https://twitter.com/chessiebay/status/904326248381517824>is
        burning and evacuated.
  * TheEast Coast is beginning to batten down the hatches
    <https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/irma-major-hurricane-atlantic-ocean-leeward-islands>.

      o Hurricane Irma could be a category 5 hurricane.
      o Storm tracks remain extremely uncertain, butodds are growing
        that somewhere on the East Coast
        <https://twitter.com/MJVentrice/status/904477993946542080>will
        suffer adirect
        hit<https://twitter.com/mikebettes/status/904529052551311360>from
        this major hurricane.

http://getenergysmartnow.com/2017/09/04/climate-catastrophes-striking-from-sea-to-shining-sea/
http://www.climatesignals.org/

*Irma news*
https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/

*
China's Xi slams unwillingness to combat climate change 
<https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/04/the-associated-press-chinas-xi-slams-unwillingness-to-combat-climate-change.html>
*XIAMEN, China (AP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday warned 
that the world economy faces growing risks and uncertainties from 
countries turning inward on trade and resisting combating climate 
change, delivering an implicit rebuke to his American counterpart, 
Donald Trump.
Xi didn't refer to the United States by name, although Trump has said 
trade pacts are a threat to American jobs and had decided to pull the 
U.S. out of the Paris agreement on climate change....
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/04/the-associated-press-chinas-xi-slams-unwillingness-to-combat-climate-change.html*

(video) Three things we just learned about climate change and big 
storms: Can the lessons of Harvey save us? 
<http://www.salon.com/2017/09/04/three-things-we-just-learned-about-climate-change-and-big-storms-can-the-lessons-of-harvey-save-us/>*
/SALON interview  Prof Andrew Dessler //Atmospheric Scientist, Texas A&M/
*First,**"Did climate change cause Hurricane Harvey?"* is the wrong 
question to ask, embedding a host of mistaken assumptions and leading us 
nowhere useful. The right question to ask, instead, is something more 
like "What does Harvey tell us about the kind of future we will be 
living in?" Asking the right question helps orient us toward moving forward.
*Second, Trump's climate denial vs. reality of Hurricane Harvey is just 
the tip of the iceberg.* The losses involved are constantly growing 
beyond our previous calculations, and could easily be enough to destroy 
America's capacity for world leadership, much as World War II destroyed 
Britain's. In addition, Trump's climate denial is just one facet of his 
budget and policy priorities which are clearly disastrous in light of 
Harvey, and Houston's role as a fossil fuel industry center represents 
another dimension of potential catastrophic loss — even if we dodge a 
bullet this time.
*The third big lesson *was laid out in a Twitter thread by planetary 
futurist Alex Steffen: "What Houston shows us, yet again, is that *we 
live in a world of predatory delay,"* he wrote, defining that concept as 
"the blocking or slowing of needed change, in order to make money off 
unsustainable, unjust systems in the meantime." Learning this lesson, he 
went on to say, "is key to understanding how we must act in order to 
save ourselves & acting accordingly."....
http://www.salon.com/2017/09/04/three-things-we-just-learned-about-climate-change-and-big-storms-can-the-lessons-of-harvey-save-us/


*(PBS video report)  Surveying toxic waste sites flooded by Harvey 
<https://youtu.be/322eEl6f-Sg>*
The Associated Press this weekend found in the Houston area that seven 
Superfund sites -- areas designated by the Environmental Protection 
Agency as the country's most contaminated -- had flooded. Associated 
Press reporter Michael Biesecker, who co-authored the initial report, 
joins Megan Thompson to discuss the environmental implications. 
https://youtu.be/322eEl6f-Sg
.
*Harvey Overwhelms Toxic Sites. Trump EPA Unprepared 
<https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/04/harvey-overwhelms-toxic-sites-trump-epa-unprepared/>*
September 4, 2017
Bad enough that Houstonians will be dealing with mud, sludge, sewage, 
microbial and pathogenic pollution, - but the concentration of 
petrochemical production in the area means that in addition, an unknown 
quantity of toxic chemicals is part of the flood's leftovers.
Not all toxic waste sites are particularly dangerous to the public at 
large - if they are protected and stable. The danger arises is something 
occurs to mobilize those toxins in a biologically active form.
Another example of how climate change, because it overwhelms the 
engineered tolerances of existing infrastructure, makes everything more 
complicated, more dangerous, more expensive.
*Associated Press:*
As Dwight Chandler sipped beer and swept out the thick muck caked inside 
his devastated home, he worried whether Harvey's floodwaters had also 
washed in pollution from the old acid pit just a couple blocks away.
Long a center of the nation's petrochemical industry, the Houston metro 
area has more than a dozen Superfund sites, designated by the 
Environmental Protection Agency as being among America's most intensely 
contaminated places. Many are now flooded, with the risk that waters 
were stirring dangerous sediment.
The Highlands Acid Pit site near Chandler's home was filled in the 1950s 
with toxic sludge and sulfuric acid from oil and gas operations. Though 
22,000 cubic yards of hazardous waste and soil were excavated from the 
acid pits in the 1980s, the site is still considered a potential threat 
to groundwater, and the EPA maintains monitoring wells there.
When he was growing up in Highlands, Chandler, now 62, said he and his 
friends used to swim in the by-then abandoned 
pit.https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/04/harvey-overwhelms-toxic-sites-trump-epa-unprepared/
.
Texas Tribune September 4:
*Environmental concerns persist across Harvey-ravaged Texas cities. 
Here's what you should know today. 
<https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/04/environmental-concerns-persist-across-storm-ravaged-texas-cities-heres/>*
As efforts to rebuild have slowly begun in areas hit hard by Hurricane 
Harvey, officials continue to warn of lingering environmental hazards, 
including the health risks posed by receding floodwater.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has yet to access 11 
ultra-polluted Superfund sites damaged by the storm, raising concerns 
about the spread of toxins.
Thousands of people are still without drinking water, including some of 
the 120,000 residents of Beaumont - many of whom have queued in long 
lines for bottled water. The TCEQ, in its release, said 188 water 
systems in the state have boil-water notices, and 37 others have been 
shut down. Nearly 85,000 homes and businesses were still without power 
Sunday, Reuters reported.
Over 400 wastewater treatment plants are also not fully operational, and 
wastewater from some facilities has spilled due to flooding, according 
to the TCEQ release. The agency said it is "actively working to monitor 
facilities that have reported spills, conduct outreach and provide 
technical guidance to all other wastewater facilities in flood-impacted 
areas."https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/04/environmental-concerns-persist-across-storm-ravaged-texas-cities-heres/
.
Business Insider
*EPA blasts Associated Press journalist over report about Houston 
superfund sites 
<http://www.businessinsider.com/epa-associated-press-report-houston-toxic-superfund-sites-2017-9>*
In a fiery and personal statement on Sunday, the EPA dubbed the story 
"incredibly misleading," saying it "creates panic and politicizes the 
hard work of first responders who are actually in the affected area."
"Through aerial imaging, EPA has already conducted initial assessments 
at 41 Superfund sites - 28 of those sites show no damage, and 13 have 
experienced flooding," the statement said. "This was left out of the 
original story, along with the fact that EPA and state agencies worked 
with responsible parties to secure Superfund sites before the hurricane 
hit. Leaving out this critical information is misleading." 
http://www.businessinsider.com/epa-associated-press-report-houston-toxic-superfund-sites-2017-9
.
EPA Response To The AP's Misleading Story /(full text)/
*News Releases from Headquarters  Office of the Administrator (AO) 
<https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-response-aps-misleading-story>*
09/03/2017
Good afternoon -
Yesterday, the Associated Press' Michael Biesecker wrote an incredibly 
misleading story about toxic land sites that are under water.
Despite reporting from the comfort of Washington, Biesecker had the 
audacity to imply that agencies aren't being responsive to the 
devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. Not only is this inaccurate, 
but it creates panic and politicizes the hard work of first responders 
who are actually in the affected area.
Here's the truth: through aerial imaging, EPA has already conducted 
initial assessments at 41 Superfund sites - 28 of those sites show no 
damage, and 13 have experienced flooding. This was left out of the 
original story, along with the fact that EPA and state agencies worked 
with responsible parties to secure Superfund sites before the hurricane 
hit. Leaving out this critical information is misleading.
  Administrator Pruitt already visited Southeast Texas and is in 
constant contact with local, state and county officials. And EPA, has a 
team of experts imbedded with other local, state and federal 
authorities, on the ground responding to Harvey - none of which 
Biesecker included in his story.
Unfortunately, the Associated Press' Michael Biesecker has a history of 
not letting the facts get in the way of his story. Earlier this summer, 
he made-up a meeting that Administrator Pruitt had, and then 
deliberately discarded information that refuted his inaccurate story - 
ultimately prompting a nation-wide correction. Additionally, the 
Oklahoman took him to task for sensationalized reporting.
Correction: EPA-Dow Chemical story
Associated Press Engulfed in CNN-Level Scandal as It Covers Up Invention 
of Imaginary Pruitt Meeting
If you're reporting on this misleading story then below is a statement 
from the EPA.
"Once again, in an attempt to mislead Americans, the Associated Press is 
cherry-picking facts, as EPA is monitoring Superfund sites around 
Houston and we have a team of experts on the ground working with our 
state and local counterparts responding to Hurricane Harvey. Anything to 
the contrary is yellow journalism." - EPA Associate Administrator, Liz 
Bowman
BACKGROUND ...
The Hill reports EPA finds 13 Superfund sites possibly damaged after 
Harvey. "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Saturday that 13 
Superfund sites have been flooded or could be facing damage as a result 
of Hurricane Harvey. The agency said that two of the sites, which are 
areas that are polluted with hazardous material and require extensive 
cleanup, had been inspected and do not require immediate cleanup. Eleven 
sites have proven to be inaccessible for response teams, however the 
agency said teams are in place to inspect the areas once flooding from 
the storm subsides. In total, the EPA said that it had conducted initial 
assessments at 41 Superfund sites in impacted areas using 'aerial 
images' and contact with with those responsible for regular cleanup 
activities." (The Hill, 09/02/17)
In June, the editorial board at the Oklahoman reminded their readers of 
the sensationalized reporting that comes from the Associated Press' 
Michael Biesecker. "The disdain that some in the media have for 
President Trump and members of his administration is evident regularly. 
Recent coverage related to EPA administrator Scott Pruitt provides an 
example of interest to locals because of Pruitt's Oklahoma ties. … An 
Associated Press story from Washington last week about emails Pruitt 
sent and received as attorney general did what it could to further 
establish Pruitt as a minion for the oil and gas industry — which 
environmentalists see as dead set on ruining the earth as we know it. 
The AP, a wire service used by media outlets around the world including 
The Oklahoman, said the emails 'underscore just how closely' Pruitt 
'coordinated with fossil fuel companies' as Oklahoma's AG, 'a position 
in which he frequently sued to block federal efforts to curb 
planet-warming carbon emissions.' That's quite an opening paragraph. 
Pruitt didn't just work with energy companies while attorney general — 
he worked 'closely' with 'fossil fuel companies' (the ultimate bogey 
men) to essentially keep global warming from abating. … The fact Pruitt 
regularly corresponded and dealt with energy industry officials as 
attorney general of a state where energy is the No. 1 industry should 
not be surprising nor should it, by itself, be considered nefarious."
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-response-aps-misleading-story


*Acts of God, human influence and litigation 
<https://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo3019.html>*
Developments in attribution science are improving our ability to detect 
human influence on extreme weather events. By implication, the legal 
duties of government, business and others to manage foreseeable harms 
are broadening, and may lead to more climate change litigation.
https://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo3019.html


*Venice: Take a 360 VR Look at Global Warming With 'Greenland Melting' 
(Exclusive Video) 
<http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-take-a-360-vr-look-at-global-warming-greenland-melting-video-1034919>*
The documentary from Nova, Frontline and the Emblematic Group premiered 
as part of the Venice Film Festival's VR lineup.
In a film that might convince even the most strident of climate change 
deniers, PBS series Frontline and Nova have joined forces with the 
Emblematic Group to examine the rapid melting of the Arctic ice sheet.
The result, Greenland Melting, is a 3D, 360-degree virtual reality film 
that hopes to bring home the physical reality of epic changes occurring 
in the northern hemisphere.
The trailer from the film shows NASA scientists, rendered as 3D figures, 
as they conduct groundbreaking research into the forces transforming the 
landscape, and examine the ramifications for the entire world.
Youtube TRAILER: 'Greenland Melting' by Emblematic Group & Frontline PBS 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3XFuRHi6HM>
https://youtu.be/f3XFuRHi6HM
Nova and Frontline produced Greenland Melting together with Emblematic 
Group in association with X-Rez Studio and Realtra.
Greenland Melting is screening at the Venice International Film Festival 
as part of its VR lineup, Venice Virtual Reality.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-take-a-360-vr-look-at-global-warming-greenland-melting-video-1034919

*
Four Radical Plans to Save Civilization From Climate Change 
<https://www.wired.com/story/four-radical-plans-to-save-civilization-from-climate-change/>*
*Carbon Vacuums*
One way to reverse global warming would be to hoover up the greenhouse 
gases that are now making Earth all hot and bothered. "Direct air 
capture of CO2 is something the whole world should be putting its 
research money into," Wadhams says. "The problem is that the level of 
effort thus far has been much too small; the sense of urgency isn't there."
*Salt-Spraying Ships*
University of Edinburgh engineers designed a fleet of boats that would 
pipe ocean water hundreds of feet into the sky, spraying the clouds with 
salt crystals to make them reflect more sunlight. The ships would target 
areas with persistent marine cloud cover, like the Californian and 
Chilean coasts.
*Sparkle-Blasting Balloons*
Researchers in the US and UK have proposed shooting sulfuric acid or 
sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere using balloons, planes, or 
artillery shells, effectively filling the sky with sparkles to deflect 
sunlight. Such aerosol injections show promise, Wadhams says, but 
introduce environmental dilemmas: They might also deplete the ozone layer.
*Supersized Space Mirror*
Astrophysicists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have 
explored launching a giant mirror or vast expanse of reflective mesh 
into orbit to protect the planet from the sun. But Wadhams remains 
skeptical: "Nobody has come up with a feasible plan for assembling this 
that doesn't carry a colossal cost."
https://www.wired.com/story/four-radical-plans-to-save-civilization-from-climate-change/


*Cartoons: Harvey victims 
<http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/02/cartoons-harvey-victims/>*
In this slideshow, these cartoonists illustrate the struggles taking 
place in Texas in the aftermath of Harvey.
Click here 
<http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/02/cartoons-harvey-victims/> if 
you're having trouble viewing this photo gallery on your mobile device
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/02/cartoons-harvey-victims/


*12 political cartoons about Hurricane Harvey* 
<http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865687992/12-political-cartoons-about-Hurricane-Harvey.html>
Many political cartoonists, known for some of their harsh commentary, 
found a soft spot in their hearts for Houston this week.
Check out these 12 political cartoons below about Hurricane Harvey, 
climate change and more.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865687992/12-political-cartoons-about-Hurricane-Harvey.html


*This Day in Climate History September 5, 2014 
<http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/calling-on-clinton-to-talk-keystone-xl-325816899732> 
-  from D.R. Tucker*
September 5, 2014: MSNBC's Ed Schultz discusses the dangers of dirty energy.
http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/calling-on-clinton-to-talk-keystone-xl-325816899732
http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/bp-in-deep-for-oil-spill-325823555631
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