Such is the message from an excellent story in Salon by Kristen Weir, organized around an upcoming panel at the American Geophysical Union on methane hydrates in permafrost and deep ocean sites. Weir writes: Methane hydrates aren't unusual, astronomically speaking. They exist on Mars, inside comets, and on at least a couple of Saturn's frostyContinue reading “No Need to Panic over Methane Hydrates: CO2 is Worry Enough…Some Say”
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Christmas? Don’t Make Me Laugh!
Here's a link to a review I did of a truly hilarious production of Daniel Sullivan's great Christmas Carol spoof, called Inspecting Carol. Don't have time to post much more — off to the great American Geophysical Union conference. Back with scads of sci info from the road this next week. Thanks for the encouragementContinue reading “Christmas? Don’t Make Me Laugh!”
Elf Lay-Offs Feared
You've heard of the business cycle? We're in the contraction cycle. And some of us, sadly, are elves.[From Indexed]
Quote of the Day: the Gubernator
"Of course, there are some people who say that we can't afford the fight against global warming while our economies are down," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger said to delegates to a climate change United Nations meeting in Poland. "But the exact opposite is true. The green rules and regulations that will help save our planetContinue reading “Quote of the Day: the Gubernator”
The Deep Spirituality of Basketball
It's the weekend; lightness is in order. Here's a spectacular lede to what is essentially a review of a book published by a website, the brainy and pretentious Free Darko. Frankly, the review is better than the product. A lot better. Happens sometimes, especially on the web. Here's Sam Anderson, for New York magazine. IContinue reading “The Deep Spirituality of Basketball”
I’m Underemployed, but I’m Not Alone
This is strangely comforting. The unemployed love company, I guess.
Civilization Endangered — but Bruce to Play Inauguration!
When the august Financial Times of the UK compares the financial crisis with the climate crisis, and sees the financial crisis as a lesser concern, you know the future in the 21st century is not looking good: The International Energy Agency warned last month that without drastic action to curb greenhouse gases, the world wasContinue reading “Civilization Endangered — but Bruce to Play Inauguration!”
From Shock to Trance: Gore Praises Obama’s Analysis
You can almost hear the relish in Al Gore's voice as he digs into the details of climate policy with Fahreed Zakaria of Newsweek in a Q&A called Don't Count on Magic. And although Gore doesn't seem have much faith that Congress will do the right thing, he did speak up for the President, er,Continue reading “From Shock to Trance: Gore Praises Obama’s Analysis”
Quote of the Week: George Bush on Life and Death
As I said, some times are happy, some not happy. I don't want people to misconstrue. It's not — I don't feel joyful when somebody loses their life, nor do I feel joyful from somebody loses a job. That concerns me. George W. Bush, 11/30/08
Hansen Faces Hatred and Death Threats
I interviewed author Mark Bowen a year ago about James Hansen, the great climatologist, with whom Bowen wrote the book Censoring Science. Somehow the discussion went to the intensity of reaction against Hansen from those who refuse to accept the reality of global warming. Bowen mentioned that Hansen had gotten some death threats. He saidContinue reading “Hansen Faces Hatred and Death Threats”
Kit Stolz 