[✔️] December 18, 2022 - Global Warming News Digest
Richard Pauli
Richard at CredoandScreed.com
Sun Dec 18 09:50:00 EST 2022
/*December 18, 2022*/
/[ preparing for the future ] /
*‘Face it head on’: Connecticut makes climate change studies compulsory*
Starting next July, Connecticut will become one of the first states in
America to mandate climate change studies across its public schools as
part of its science curriculum.
Sat 17 Dec 2022
The new law passed earlier this year comes as part of the state’s
attempts to address concerns over the short duration – and in some
cases, absence – of climate change studies in classrooms. The
requirement follows in the footsteps of New Jersey, which in 2020 became
the first state to mandate K-12 climate change education across its
school districts...
Currently, nearly 90% of public schools across Connecticut include
climate change studies in their curriculums. However, by mandating it as
part of state law from grades five to 12, climate education will
effectively become protected from budget cuts and climate-denying
political views at a time when education in the US has become a serious
culture war battleground.
“The conservative turn in our country … often starts at a very
hyper-local level of local town boards of education. There is this push
towards anti-intellectualism, anti-science … anti-reason, and I didn’t
want local boards of education to have the power to overturn the
curriculum and say, ‘climate change is too political,’” Connecticut
state representative Christine Palm told the Guardian.
Palm, who is vice chair of the Connecticut general assembly’s
environment committee, first launched her legislative efforts to pass a
climate education mandate in 2018. Through various surveys and
petitions, Palm found that to many students and educators, climate
change education is either not being taught at all in schools or not
being taught enough.
“Anecdotally, I knew that there was no uniform approach and that I felt
there should be,” Palm explained. She went on to introduce her climate
education bill annually over the last four years until it was finally
included in the state budget implementer bill earlier this year.
“In the public schools, the program of instruction offered shall include
at least the following subject matter, as taught by legally qualified
teachers … science, which shall include the climate change curriculum,”
the current requirement reads, marking a change in language from “which
may” to “which shall”.
“It sounds like a simple change, but legislatively makes all the
difference between a law and an option,” said Palm.
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a set of K-12 science
content standards, are currently adopted by Connecticut and include
standards pertaining to climate change studies which more educators will
rely on as the requirement kicks in next year. So far, only 20 states
and DC have adopted the NGSS...
“They are based on a framework for K-12 science education and the
National Academies’ reports, which are developed by scientists and
educators defining … not just what is important to know, but what is the
best way for kids to learn science,” said Vanessa Wolbrink, an associate
director at NextGenScience.
“I think a lot of the time, those who might oppose the teaching of
climate science might believe that the standards are kind of subjective
or would prevent true objective instruction but it’s really the other
way around,” said Wolbrink...
“These standards … really emphasize student data analysis and
evidence-based argumentation. This emphasis means in order to meet the
standards, students are demonstrating critical thinking skills, they’re
making these objective arguments with data and evidence,” she explained.
Depending on the grade levels, the standards vary. According to the NGSS
website, middle school students who demonstrate understanding of the
human impact on the environment can “apply scientific principles to
design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the
environment”, among other abilities...
Meanwhile, one of the learning goals high school students are expected
to meet in regards to climate studies includes the ability to “use a
computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth
systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human
activity”.
To help educators update their curriculums, Connecticut’s department of
environmental protection (DEEP) is providing the state’s department of
education with various resources, including those that will complement
NGSS...
Meanwhile, one of the learning goals high school students are expected
to meet in regards to climate studies includes the ability to “use a
computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth
systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human
activity”.
To help educators update their curriculums, Connecticut’s department of
environmental protection (DEEP) is providing the state’s department of
education with various resources, including those that will complement
NGSS....
With less than a year left until climate change education is integrated
across all of Connecticut’s public schools, lawmakers such as Palm are
well-aware of the pushback that such a mandate will receive.
Palm said she tends to not get involved in matters involving local
boards of education. However, she has in recent years noticed the impact
of parents pushing back against educators over certain subjects such as
LGBTQ+ rights, slavery and the climate crisis.
“In my experience, at least traditionally, [local boards of education]
have been extremely bipartisan, hardworking and thoughtful
administrators … [but] increasingly, that’s being affected by these
vigilante groups of parents coming in and saying … they don’t want kids
learning about [these subjects] because it’s too threatening to their
delusional way of life,” said Palm.
“We absolutely have got to face it head on, and it starts when children
are very young. We need to arm them with the tools to be part of a
solution to a problem they had no hand in creating.”
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/dec/17/climate-change-studies-connecticut
/[ Important to hear this: "You have to engage" Pull the microphones
from the False Narratives ]/
*My Friend Is A Science Denier; What Can I Do?*
Fundraiser
Commonwealth Club of California
158K subscribers
1,674 views Sep 13, 2022
In this second part of our series on conspiracy theories and other false
narratives, we'll look at practical actions we can take and tools we can
use to have fruitful discussions with friends and family who have been
misled.
There are ways that we can help untangle the snare of a mind-gripping
false narrative. They're usually not easy, and they're usually not fast,
but they can work in most cases. To help us learn how, Dr. Lee McIntyre,
author of How to Talk to a Science Denier, will provide detailed
recommendations for countering science denial and other false narratives
in one-on-one discussions with friends and family.
This will be an intense, information-packed event; be sure to bring your
questions or send them to us in advance at personalgrowthmlf at gmail.com.
You may also want to review the first event in this series, "Why Have
False Beliefs and Conspiracy Theories Become So Powerful?" before
attending. And be sure to look for the next event in this series, which
will discuss actions society can take to defend itself.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 SPEAKERS
Lee McIntyre
Ph.D., Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science,
Boston University, Former Executive Director, Institute for Quantitative
Social Science, Harvard University; Author, How To Talk To A Science
Denier and Post-Truth
Eric Siegel
Chair, Personal Growth Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of
California—Moderator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwWO6jblmPc
- -
/[ useful for those of us with a passionate commitment to global warming
sciences ]/
*Why Have False Beliefs and Conspiracy Theories Become So Powerful?*
Commonwealth Club of California
26,488 views Sep 6, 2022
First in a Series on False Narratives.
Why does a lie travel around the world while the truth is still lacing
up its boots? In all areas, not just politics, science, and medicine,
outrageous or fascinating false information outpaces truth, which is
often more nuanced. False narratives pose a real danger to democracy, to
our health, and to society. This series will discuss the reasons for
that destructive state of affairs and what we can do about it, as
individuals and as a society.
In this first part of our series, Dr. Joe Pierre, health sciences
clinical professor at UCLA and specialist in delusional thinking and
conspiracy theories, will discuss the age-old psychological reasons that
conspiracy theories and other false narratives have been successful
throughout human history. He will also look at how false narratives have
been noticeably empowered and accelerated during the past few years by
COVID isolation and modern technologies, among other factors.
This will be an intense, information-packed event; be sure to bring your
questions or send them to us in advance at personalgrowthmlf at gmail.com.
Also look for the next events in this series, which will use the
insights from this event to discuss how we can reach out to a friend who
has become ensnared in a conspiracy theory, and actions we can take as
individuals and as a society.
SPEAKERS
Joe Pierre
M.D., Health Sciences Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry
and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.
Author; Expert Witness; Legal Consultant
Eric Siegel
Chair, Personal Growth Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of
California—Moderator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRGkozr7T2c
- -
/[ Here's some curricula ]/
*THE STANDARDS INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT PLANNING AND COMMUNICATION *
MS.Human Impact
https://www.nextgenscience.org/topic-arrangement/mshuman-impacts
https://www.nextgenscience.org/search-standards
https://www.nextgenscience.org/
- -
/[ a scientist with a YouTube channel has new opinions ]/
*Fake News, Echo Chambers & Polarization: How Bad Is Social Media?*
Sabine Hossenfelder
Dec 17, 2022 #science
Does fake news spread better than true news? Do bots spread fake news?
What can we do against fake news? Does social media increase political
polarization? Is it true that we all live in political echo chambers? In
this video, we look at what scientific studies have found and what we
can learn from that.
👉 Transcript and References on Patreon ➜ https://www.patreon.com/Sabine ...
- -
The two browser games I mentioned are "Go Viral" https://www.goviralgame.com
And "Get Bad News" https://www.getbadnews.com/
00:00 Intro
01:30 Fake News
09:38 Information Literature
10:16 Echo Chambers
13:15 Polarization
16:38 Summary
17:19 MEL Science: Experiments By Subscription
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDqESkPiV4E j
/[ NPR tells us how to spot malicious information - 26 min listen ]/
*Fake news: How to spot misinformation*
October 31, 2019
MILES PARKS
SYLVIE DOUGLIS
Fake news has consequences.
Back in 2016, before the term was even part of our national vocabulary,
it threw the government of Twin Falls, Idaho, into chaos.
Rumors of a government cover-up involving child molestation and Syrian
refugees swirled. They soon leaped from the fringes of the Internet to
kitchen tables and the mainstream media.
"Members of the local government, the mayor, the city council members,
local judges, the county prosecutor, they were basically inundated for
months on end with threats," says Caitlin Dickerson, who covered the
story for The New York Times. "Violent threats. Very visceral and
descriptive threats from all over the world."
But the outrage was not based on facts. The details were blurred in some
cases, completely fabricated in others, depending on the storyteller and
their agenda.
It was a grave example of how misinformation can have a terrifying
real-world impact. But falsehoods aren't hard to come by in today's
information landscape.
- -
Here are five tips to help you spot misinformation. (Or if you would
rather listen, check out the Life Kit podcast here.)
(The News Literacy Project created an app to help people test and
strengthen their media literacy skills.)
*1) Exercise skepticism*
Take in any new information, whether it's the news or on social
media or from a buddy at happy hour, with a bit of doubt. Expect the
source to prove their work and show how they came to their
conclusion. And try to compare information from a number of
different outlets, even if you have a favorite.
*2) Understand the misinformation landscape*
Misinformation, as a concept, isn't new. But the social media
platforms for engaging with it are constantly changing and
increasing their influence in the media world. Those platforms have
no financial obligation to tell the truth — their business models
depend on user engagement. Reducing your dependence on social media
will be good for your news judgment (and your sleep).
*3) Pay extra attention when reading about emotionally-charged and
divisive topics*
Misinformation is most effective on hot-button issues and immediate
news. Ask yourself: Is this a complicated subject, something that's
hitting an emotional trigger? Or is it a breaking news story where
the facts aren't yet able to be assembled? If the answer is yes,
then you need to be ultra-skeptical.
*4) Investigate what you're reading or seeing*
What does that skepticism look like in practice? It means asking
some questions of what you're reading or seeing: Is the content paid
for by a company or politician or other potentially biased source?
Is there good evidence? And are the numbers presented in context?
*5) Yelling probably won't solve misinformation*
It's important to value the truth, but correcting people is always
delicate. If someone in your life is spreading objective falsehoods
and you want to help, be humble. Don't assume bad intentions or
stupidity, just meet the other person where they are and be curious
— think about opening with common ground and a question. Try to have
the conversation in person or at least in a private online setting,
like an email.
If you want more resources, *Media Literacy Now is a good place to
start. https://medialiteracynow.org/resources-for-teachers/*
Hear it on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5J0xAfsLX7bEYzGxOin4Sd
https://www.npr.org/2019/10/29/774541010/fake-news-is-scary-heres-how-to-spot-misinformation
- -
/[ before you watch too much TV ]/
*News Literacy Project *
You have the power to stop misinformation.
News literacy is the ability to determine the credibility of news and
other information and to recognize the standards of fact-based
journalism to know what to trust, share and act on.
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit building
a national movement to create a more news-literate America.
*Our mission*
Our mission: The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education
nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of
news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed,
more engaged and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger
democracy.
Our vision: News literacy is an integral part of American life, and
people of all ages and backgrounds know how to identify credible news
and other information and understand the indispensable role a free press
has in a democracy, empowering them to play a more equal and active role
in the civic life of the country.
https://newslit.org/
- -
/[ UW offers 56 videos on Bullshit -- all videos are less than 8 mins
duration ]/
*Calling Bullshit 1.1: Introduction to Bullshit - and 55 more videos *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2OtU5vlR0k&list=PLPnZfvKID1Sje5jWxt-4CSZD7bUI4gSPS
/[The news archive - looking back]/
/*December 18, 2014*/
In the New York Times, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. observes:
"Coal is an outlaw enterprise. In nearly every stage of its production,
many companies that profit from it routinely defy safety and
environmental laws and standards designed to protect America’s public
health, property and prosperity...it is no wonder that some in the
[coal] industry use their inordinate political and economic power to
influence government officials and capture the regulating agencies."
*Coal, an Outlaw Enterprise*
By Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dec. 17, 2014
LAST month, the coal industry in Appalachia suffered two legal blows.
On Nov. 13, federal prosecutors in West Virginia announced that
Donald L. Blankenship, the notorious former chief executive of the
Massey Energy Company, once Appalachia’s biggest coal producer, was
charged with widespread safety violations and deceiving federal
inspectors. In 2011, the Mine Safety and Health Administration found
that safety violations led to the 2010 explosion that killed 29
miners at the Upper Big Branch mine. Holding the head of a mining
company responsible for such violations is an unprecedented move in
the coal industry.
Then, on Nov. 24, a Kentucky judge issued a scathing judgment
against a Frasure Creek Mining settlement involving over a thousand
Clean Water Act violations and years of false data on
pollution-disclosure reports.
Coal is an outlaw enterprise. In nearly every stage of its
production, many companies that profit from it routinely defy safety
and environmental laws and standards designed to protect America’s
public health, property and prosperity. In fact, Mr. Blankenship
once conceded to me in a debate that mountaintop removal mining
could probably not be conducted without committing violations. With
a business model like that, one that essentially relies on defiance
of the law, it is no wonder that some in the industry use their
inordinate political and economic power to influence government
officials and capture the regulating agencies.
Many news stories of Mr. Blankenship’s indictment alluded to the
2009 United States Supreme Court decision ordering a lower court in
West Virginia to reconsider a $50 million judgment decided in favor
of Massey, after Mr. Blankenship was discovered to have vacationed
on the French Riviera with a justice of the West Virginia Supreme
Court and to have donated $3 million to the campaign of another.
These cases are only the most high-profile examples of a subversion
of democracy in Appalachia, where the outsize influence and campaign
donations of King Coal sway politicians and weaken agencies. In
Kentucky and throughout the region, toxins, many of them potentially
lethal, have leached from coal mine debris and illegally
contaminated countless miles of rivers and streams. The Clean Water
Act requires that coal companies report the toxic constituents of
these discharges to state officials and the Environmental Protection
Agency. Accurate self-reporting is the linchpin of the Clean Water Act.
Nevertheless, environmental groups, including Appalachian Voices,
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Kentucky Riverkeeper, and
Waterkeeper Alliance, of which I am president, found in 2010 that
Frasure Creek and other Kentucky coal companies had for years
routinely filed false self-monitoring reports.
The companies we monitored simply copied the numbers from old
reports, changed the dates, and resubmitted the old data on new
reports. This happened time after time, while enforcement agencies
consistently failed to notice. When Waterkeeper Alliance and its
allies took legal action and exposed the false reporting epidemic,
the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, an agency charged with
enforcing the Clean Water Act, moved to commandeer the cases,
pre-empting the environmental groups. But instead of diligently
prosecuting the cases, the cabinet secretly negotiated sweetheart
settlements with some of the companies. The cabinet’s agreement with
Frasure Creek would have settled the violations for about 1 percent
or less of the maximum allowable penalties.
Apparently chastened by scrutiny following the scandal, the firms
suddenly began to report thousands of illegal discharges on their
mandatory monthly reports. This case is arguably the largest
systematic violation of the Clean Water Act. It is hard to imagine a
case more deserving of criminal prosecution.
Nevertheless, after expressing shock at the brazen conduct and
promising to fully investigate the matter, the United States
attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, along with the heads
of the E.P.A.’s Criminal Investigation Division, failed to hold the
companies accountable. We also provided extensive documentation of
the violations to the Environmental Crimes Section of the United
States Department of Justice, to no avail.
Perhaps emboldened by the lack of responsibility it has had to
accept for its actions, Frasure Creek, we have found, again appears
to be submitting duplicate data on its reports that show zero
violations. The judge’s decision last month to throw out the
sweetheart deal between the Kentucky cabinet and Frasure Creek was a
welcome development. “When one company so systemically subverts the
requirements of law,” he wrote, “it creates a regulatory climate in
which the cabinet sends the message that cheating pays.”
The Kentucky judgment and the indictment of Mr. Blankenship are two
steps in the right direction, but there is a long way to go. If we
are to save Appalachia, we first need to save our democracy by
getting the dirty money out of politics. As long as campaigns are
fueled by donations from King Coal, state agencies and politicians
in Kentucky and West Virginia will continue to be servile cogs in a
destructive machine. That mechanism is uprooting America’s purple
mountain majesty, poisoning its rivers and people, and destroying
the communities of Appalachia.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the president of Waterkeeper Alliance.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/opinion/coal-an-outlaw-enterprise.html?ref=opinion
=======================================
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