[TheClimate.Vote] September 13, 2017 - Daily Global Warming News
Richard Pauli
richard at theclimate.vote
Wed Sep 13 08:58:58 EDT 2017
/September 13, 2017/
*Opinion Harvey and Irma say this is the right time to discuss global
warming
<http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-pruitt-harvey-irma-20170911-story.html>*
Los Angeles Times
This is not an either/or discussion. They are intertwined issues, with
inhabitability of the Earth hanging in the balance.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-pruitt-harvey-irma-20170911-story.html
*Democrats hold their fire on climate change
<http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/12/democrats-hurricanes-climate-change-242618>*
It's not a good idea to try to land a "punch to the gut of climate
change deniers" while first responders are still "pulling bodies out of
the water," said Jeff Schlegelmilch, deputy director of the National
Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Earth Institute.
But green groups haven't hesitated to take aim at Trump online, with the
Natural Resources Defense Council criticizing his recent move to rescind
climate standards for federal infrastructure and the League of
Conservation Voters praising Miami's Republican mayor, Tomás Regalado,
for saying it is time to talk about climate change.
Michael Wehner, a senior staff scientist in the Computational Research
Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has studied how
15 hurricanes might have behaved under lower temperatures, and so far
has determined that a one-degree Celsius increase - 1.8 degrees
Fahrenheit - raises rainfall about 6 percent.
That would mean that Harvey, which dumped more than 50 inches of water
on Houston, brought between 10 percent and 15 percent more rain because
of climate change.
"The public should know, and policymakers should know, that any planning
that you might have made based on the historical record is inadequate,"
Wehner said. "It's a different world. It's a warmer world, and storms
behave differently."
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/12/democrats-hurricanes-climate-change-242618
Washington Post
*You might think that living through a hurricane will change people's
minds about global warming. Not so much.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/09/12/you-might-think-that-living-through-a-hurricane-will-change-peoples-minds-about-global-warming-not-so-much/?utm_term=.a5ca846c8a4f>*
...an awkward political question - do extreme weather events like
hurricanes change people's minds about whether global warming is taking
place?
*In theory, people who have experienced hurricanes should be more
concerned about global warming.*
If people draw a connection between dramatic weather events and global
warming, this could lead the public to put pressure on government to
act. As we discuss in our research,
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378017309135>
living through hurricanes and other extreme weather might plausibly have
big consequences for people's beliefs about climate change and how to
respond to it.
*In practice, it's more complicated.*
In a research article that has just been published, we set out to
determine whether people who have experienced more frequent bouts of
extreme weather are more likely to support climate adaptation policies
than those who have not.
if our findings are right, it suggests that severe weather will only
have a small and transient effect on peoples' support for climate
adaptation. Even though events like Hurricane Irma are tragic, it may
very well be that people tend to forget about them quite quickly and get
on with the rest of their lives.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/09/12/you-might-think-that-living-through-a-hurricane-will-change-peoples-minds-about-global-warming-not-so-much/?utm_term=.a5ca846c8a4f
*(opinion) Irma, and the Rise of Extreme Rain
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/12/opinion/columnists/leonhardt-temperatures-extreme-storms.html>**
* Warm air can carry more water than cool air.
You may understand this fact intuitively even if you don't realize it.
The greater moisture of warm air explains why your skin doesn't get as
dry in the summer and why the forests of the sweltering Amazon get a lot
more precipitation than northern Canada's forests.
About 40 years ago, the earth's surface temperatures began to break out
of their recent historical range and just kept climbing. Not
coincidentally, the number of storms with extreme rainfall began to
increase around the same time.
Global surface temperatures have been rising annually for decades...
The frequency of extreme storms once remained within a fairly tight
range ...
… but it increased sharply as global temperatures rose.
Extreme rainstorms are up more than a third since the early 1980s,
according to research by Kenneth Kunkel of the North Carolina Institute
for Climate Studies.
Kunkel's threshold for an "extreme" rainstorm varies by region,
depending on how much rain a place typically receives. It's a count of
storms that would ordinarily occur only once every several years - the
sort of storms that stretch a community's capacity to cope.
The main reason these storms seem to be more frequent is global warming.
Gabriel Vecchi, a Princeton researcher, compares warmer air to a bigger
bucket: It can carry more water from oceans and then dump that water on
land.
Regular readers know that I think it's a mistake to shy away from
talking about the connection between climate change and weather...
Yet human beings should be able to deal with complexity.
Irma and Harvey ...would not have been so powerful if the air and the
seas fueling them hadn't been so warm.
And the rise of extreme rainstorms isn't limited to hurricanes. "Heavy
precipitation events in most parts of the United States have increased," ...
Welcome to the era of extreme rain. We can continue to pretend it's all
a coincidence and watch the consequences mount. Or we can start to do
something about it - by using less of the dirty energy that's changing
the climate and by preparing for a future that's guaranteed to be hotter
and rainier.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/12/opinion/columnists/leonhardt-temperatures-extreme-storms.html
*Desperation Mounts in Caribbean Islands: 'All the Food Is Gone'
<https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/10/world/americas/irma-caribbean-st-martin.html>*
MARIGOT, St. Martin - At dawn, people began to gather, quietly planning
for survival after Hurricane Irma.
They started with the grocery stores, scavenging what they needed for
sustenance: water, crackers, fruit.
But by nightfall on Thursday, what had been a search for food took a
more menacing turn, as groups of people, some of them armed, swooped in
and took whatever of value was left: electronics, appliances and vehicles.
"All the food is gone now," Jacques Charbonnier, a 63-year-old resident
of St. Martin, said in an interview on Sunday. "People are fighting in
the streets for what is left."
In the few, long days since Irma pummeled the northeast Caribbean,
killing more than two dozen people and leveling 90 percent of the
buildings on some islands, the social fabric has begun to fray in some
of the hardest-hit communities.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/10/world/americas/irma-caribbean-st-martin.html
*(opinion) The storms are only going to get worse
<http://www.resilience.org/stories/2017-09-10/storms-going-get-worse/>*
By Kurt Cobb, originally published by Resource Insight
<http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-storms-are-only-going-to-get-worse.html>
We are now used to hearing about once-in-a-1,000-year floods. The fact
that we are used to hearing about them tells us that they will no longer
be rare. In fact, since climate change is at the heart of these events
and continues unabated, we can expect that storms practically everywhere
will get worse.
Adaptation is going to be much harder than simply using more
air-conditioning during the increasingly hot weather. (And, of course,
in most locations using more air-conditioning will simply lead to more
fossil-fuel use at electric generating plants; that will only exacerbate
the problem.)
What Harvey and Irma are making clear is that the infrastructure we have
built was built for a different climate and is surprisingly fragile in
the face of climate change. When some scientists say that our
civilization is at risk, this is what they mean. The things we expect to
work and work reliably won't. This will include agriculture as climate
change turns increasingly negative for food production worldwide.
Without a coherent plan to address climate change, the world will simply
lurch from one climate-induced crisis to another. A focus on the
immediate disaster will only make things worse as we do little or
nothing to adapt to or to mitigate the warming of the globe.
That's the trajectory that the do-nothing crowd has now put us on. Are
we so politically hamstrung and propagandized that we will simply allow
this? The aftermath of two of the worst hurricanes ever will provide
some clues.
http://www.resilience.org/stories/2017-09-10/storms-going-get-worse/
*(YouTube) Elizabeth Kolbert: An Honest Conversation About Climate
Change Is Needed in Wake of Irma & Harvey <https://youtu.be/KcJtTEE1FVw>
*As the United States continues to deal with unprecedented floods and
hurricanes, a new study has revealed climate change is also driving the
mass extinction of parasites that are critical to natural ecosystems,
and could add to the planet's sixth great mass extinction event that's
currently underway. The report in the journal Science Advances warns
that about a third of all parasite species could go extinct by 2070 due
to human activity. The loss of species of lice, fleas and worms could
have profound ripple effects on the environment and might pave the way
for new parasites to colonize humans and other animals with disastrous
health outcomes. We speak to Colin Carlson, lead author of the report
"Parasite Biodiversity Faces Extinction and Redistribution in a Changing
Climate." He's a PhD candidate in environmental science, policy, and
management at University of California-Berkeley. In 2011, Business
Insider included him in a round-up titled "16 of the Smartest Children
in History" alongside Mozart and Picasso. At the time he was 15 years
old. He is now 21.*
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcJtTEE1FVw
*Lawsuit: Shell Knew Climate Risks in Providence and Ignored Them
<https://www.climateliabilitynews.org/2017/09/12/lawsuit-shell-oil-climate-change-risks-providence-ri/>*
The oil giant Shell has known for decades about the dangers of not
protecting its facilities-and in turn its neighbors and the
environment-from the growing risks associated with climate change,
alleges a lawsuit
<https://www.clf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-28-Dkt-1-Complaint.pdf>filed
by the Conservation Law Foundation, a Boston-based environmental law and
advocacy group that operates across New England.
Shell did not respond to a request for comment, but on its website
<http://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/the-energy-future/future-cities/city-innovation/protecting-coastal-cities.html>,
the company acknowledged the urgency and expense of not properly
preparing for climate change:
"Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are a wake-up call for facilities like the
Shell facility in Providence that are low-lying, highly vulnerable and
would result in a catastrophic spill given their current lack of
preparations," said Campbell, adding that it's a lot cheaper for
companies to prepare and prevent catastrophic spills than to clean up
after the fact..
https://www.climateliabilitynews.org/2017/09/12/lawsuit-shell-oil-climate-change-risks-providence-ri/
*The Way of the Fool: Pope Francis on Climate Denial Post Irma
<https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/12/the-way-of-the-fool-pope-francis-on-climate-denial-post-irma/>*
"The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice." – Proverbs 12
Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Pope Francis and the Meaning of Climate Action
<https://youtu.be/GqF2vujwfQk>
https://youtu.be/GqF2vujwfQk
In anticipating Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change, Catholics,
protestants, scientists, and lay people discuss the ethics and spiritual
meaning of climate action.
Apparently there is, indeed, nothing new under the sun, as the writer of
Proverbs seems to have been familiar with the Dunning-Kruger effect.
https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/12/the-way-of-the-fool-pope-francis-on-climate-denial-post-irma/
*Modified Nissan LEAF become first all-electric vehicle to complete
Mongol Rally (10,000 miles)
<http://reneweconomy.com.au/modified-nissan-leaf-become-first-electric-vehicle-complete-mongol-rally-75337/>*
By Nissan Motors on 12 September 2017
LONDON, UK (12 September, 2017) – Scottish husband and wife team Chris
and Julie Ramsey, aka Plug In Adventures, crossed the Mongol Rally
finish line in Ulan-Ude on Saturday to become the first entrants to
complete the epic trans-continental challenge in an all-electric vehicle
– a modified 2016 Nissan LEAF dubbed the AT-EV (All-Terrain Electric
Vehicle).
Chris and Julie left the rally start line at Goodwood Motor Circuit in
the UK on July 16 and travelled 8,000 miles through 13 countries,
charging their car 111 times for less than £100 in electricity costs to
reach the Siberian finish line, just north of the border with Mongolia.
Their Nissan LEAF will now join other Mongol Rally entrants' vehicles on
a cargo train back across the continent to Estonia, where Chris and
Julie will continue the drive back to their hometown of Aberdeen. In
total the pair will clock up more than 10,500 miles during the trip.
"There were a number of detractors who told me an electric car isn't
capable of long distance journeys," said Chris Ramsey.
"After thousands of miles and almost zero problems, I can tell you that
is not the case.
"This has been the absolute trip of a lifetime, and I can't believe
we're now at the finishing line.
"We've travelled through countless countries using just battery power
and zero emissions. I'm elated, ecstatic, a bit exhausted, but also
completely electrified!"
Throughout Europe, Chris and Julie had the use of an extensive rapid
charger network that can provide an 80 per cent battery charge in just
30 minutes.
However, once they got into Bulgaria and beyond, they faced a dwindling
number of rapid charge options and instead turned to a variety of
alternatives for electric power.
These included bars, cafes, hotels, hostels, a barbershop, a post
office, garages, car dealerships, a tractor showroom, a police station,
and three fire stations in Russia.
They even had a trained electrician plug their LEAF directly into an
electricity pylon in the middle of the woods in Siberia.
Chris and Julie enjoyed the goodwill of people in every country they
travelled through, only paying for electricity at a handful of charges.
Rarely did anyone turn down the team's request to plug in their car, and
on top of that they were frequently offered drinks, food and even
accommodation for the night.
About the Mongol Rally
The Mongol Rally is a 10,000mile charity drive across the mountains,
desert and steppe of Europe and Asia which takes place each summer and
first started in 2004. The event is organised by The Adventurists which
run a number of events that have raised £5million for charity to date.
Each team in the Mongol Rally is expected to raise a minimum of £1000
for charity.
The rules state that participants must drive a small, sub-1.0-litre
engine car as it will make the event more of a challenge with a greater
chance of a breakdown meaning drivers can interact with locals along the
way. The drive is unsupported with no 'on the road backup.' Participants
are expected to get themselves out of trouble.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/modified-nissan-leaf-become-first-electric-vehicle-complete-mongol-rally-75337/
*Not-so Hilarious Hilarity Ensues: Post-Irma Climate Denial Nutbags Part
2
<https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/12/not-so-hilarious-hilarity-ensues-post-irma-climate-denial-nutbags-part-2/>*
by greenman3610
Post-Irma: Conservative commentator flails wildly to maintain the tribal
identity from which her income derives. This has been going on for 40
years. Deniers, increasingly aware they are boxed in, are unable to walk
back decades of willful ignorance. Not-so hilarious hilarity ensues.
YouTube Bill Maher Heated Debate On Climate Change
<https://youtu.be/09pI4KXRjG4>(Sep. 8, 2017)
YouTube Global Warming 20 Years Later (June 23, 2008)
<https://youtu.be/6XaqbFSRv6Q>
Vox:
<https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/9/7/16258848/us-climate-politics-farce>
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/9/7/16258848/us-climate-politics-farce
*First,* the science of climate change has grown more confident. Models
and techniques have grown more sophisticated even as the field's core
findings have undergone unprecedented, multi-layered, international
review and re-review (and re-re-review). Public communication of the
basic scientific findings has never been better; there has never been
more informed media coverage. The truth about climate change has never
been more well-supported or more accessible.
*Second,* the US conservative movement has become increasingly tribal,
insular, and disconnected from the institutions and norms that bind
American democracy together. As part of that process, it has rejected
climate change and the need to address it.
https://climatecrocks.com/2017/09/12/not-so-hilarious-hilarity-ensues-post-irma-climate-denial-nutbags-part-2/
*Seth Meyers on Pruitt's direction that this is not the time to talk
about climate change <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmNV7F4PxY>*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmNV7F4PxY
from time stamp 5:15 to 5:23
Tweet w/screen grab of Pruitt quote:
"That's like crashing your car into a telephone pole & telling the cops
this is not the time to talk about my drinking problem." @sethmeyers
https://t.co/zX2p9O9YIR
/
*This Day in Climate History September 13, 2010
<http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2010/09/13/174788/gop-senate-deniers/>
- from D.R. Tucker*
/*September 13, 2010:* Brad Johnson of Think Progress reports on the
legion of climate-change deniers running for US Senate seats.
A comprehensive Wonk Room survey of the Republican candidates for the
U.S. Senate finds that nearly all dispute the scientific consensus that
the United States must act to fight global warming pollution. In May,
2010, the National Academies of Science reported to Congress that "the
U.S. should act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop a
national strategy to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change"
because global warming is "caused largely by human activities, and poses
significant risks for — and in many cases is already affecting — a broad
range of human and natural systems."
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2010/09/13/174788/gop-senate-deniers/
*September 13, 2015:*
The Los Angeles Times reports on the fossil fuel industry's role in
sabotaging a bill to reduce petroleum consumption in California.
http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-pol-sac-brown-legislature-20150913-story.html
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