According to the leading researcher in the field, Oliver Phillips, it's kind of up to us: The world’s forests are an enormous carbon sink, meaning they absorb massive quantities of carbon dioxide, through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. In normal years the Amazon alone absorbs three billion tons of carbon, more than twice theContinue reading “The Amazon: Carbon Sink…or Source?”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Water Use in U.S. Levels Off
Peter Gleick, water analyst extraordinare. and leader of The Pacific Institute, reveals that water consumption in the US of A has actually declined slightly in recent years, according to the USGS. This is a big deal, as he says, for this reason: Water planners are trained to assume that as population and economies grow, waterContinue reading “Water Use in U.S. Levels Off”
Why I Moved Out of L.A.
From Indexed. Was a good move then, and feels necessary now, for mental health.
The Rendering of the Dogs vs. Raising Cattle Well
In a bold Swiftian essay from a non-fiction book soon to be published called Eating Animals, New York novelist Jonathan Safer Foer brings up an unpleasant fact: Rendering—the conversion of animal protein unfit for human consumption into food for livestock and pets—allows processing plants to transform useless dead dogs into productive members of the foodContinue reading “The Rendering of the Dogs vs. Raising Cattle Well”
Gifts of Uncertainty: Joanna Macy Sees Our Present Moment
The Ojai Foundation, a beautiful place for spiritual seekers, this week inaugurated a "great teacher series" by bringing deep ecologist and Buddhist Joanna Macy in to lead a workshop and give a talk. A truly inspiring talk it was, and I don't write such words often, being a bit of a skeptic about gurus andContinue reading “Gifts of Uncertainty: Joanna Macy Sees Our Present Moment”
The Loneliness of the Last Flat-Earther
Funny story from Dana Milbank's Washington Post sketchbook on Sen. Inhofe, whose rants against global warming now seem so utterly dated and Bushian: "It must be very lonely being the last flat-earther. Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, committed climate-change denier, found himself in just such a position Tuesday morning as the Senate environment committee, onContinue reading “The Loneliness of the Last Flat-Earther”
Bears and Minivans in Yosemite (the beta)
Fascinating study in the Journal of Mammology sent to me by a reader. The opening of the study and the headline in the Los Angeles Times agree: Minivans in Yosemite are targets for bears, maybe because they're usually inhabited by messy young children. As reporter Carla Hall put it: It's official. Those discerning car critics,Continue reading “Bears and Minivans in Yosemite (the beta)”
Imaginative Reporter Shreds “Global Cooling” Fallacy
With newspaper revenues cratering, most reporters are too busy covering their ever-expanding beats to think imaginatively about ways to cover a story. But Seth Borenstein, who has been reporting on science issues for the Associated Press for years, doesn't need to fear for his next paycheck, and has consistently brought imagination to his work. ConfrontedContinue reading “Imaginative Reporter Shreds “Global Cooling” Fallacy”
The Worst Sexual Double Standard in Politics Today
Meghan McCain speaks out against the Puritanism of the GOP today, in a post for The Daily Beast called The GOP Is Clueless About Sex: Perhaps the worst sexual double standard in politics right now is that too many subconsciously believe Republican women are void of sexual desire altogether. Good point, Meghan. One wonders: HowContinue reading “The Worst Sexual Double Standard in Politics Today”
Shocker! NBA Drops Unenforceable Rule On Traveling
During the new season beginning today, National Basketball Association refs will now allow players two steps after "the gather" before they must shoot, pass, or be charged with a violation. This has been the unofficial practice for approximately ever. Lakers coach Phil Jackson had a typically acerbic response to the change: "Well, I guess ifContinue reading “Shocker! NBA Drops Unenforceable Rule On Traveling”
Kit Stolz 