The Australian Tourism Minister, Fran Bailey, recently said that using shade cloth could protect the Great Barrier Reef from the harmful effects of global warming, according to a report on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: One of the suggestions is to attach the shade cloth to pontoons, which is an idea Ms Bailey says is worthContinue reading “Shade Cloth against Global Warming”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Sunday Morning on the Planet: Banner Peak
From Buck Forester’s astounding photostream on Flickr. The guy calls himself an amateur. I’m not sure I can accept that! This is a shot of Banner Peak, and the sky over Thousand Island Lake, taken from the John Muir Trail.
How We Use the World
Sierra magazine, which comes with membership in John Muir’s famous club, is one of the oldest enviro magazines in our country. Its journalism is solid and trustworthy, and its essays often superb, but even though I’ve written for it in the past, I sometimes find it hard to read. The combination of bad news aboutContinue reading “How We Use the World”
Preacher Signs Global Warming Initiative, Therefore Deserves Ruination
Believe it or don’t. It’s almost enough to make me feel sorry for evangelist Ted Haggard, who apparently while leading a vast congregation and leading the charge against gay marriage, was all the while cheating on his wife with a gay prostitute, aided by methamphetamine. What did Mark Twain say? "Truth is stranger than fiction,Continue reading “Preacher Signs Global Warming Initiative, Therefore Deserves Ruination”
Beyond the Sound Bite: Republicans for Environmental Protection
In a week’s time, the political climate in America will change–or so the experts tell us. Pollster Charlie Cook, "the Oracle of Washington," calls this a "wave" election, compares it to l994, and predicts the Republicans will lose "at least 20 to 35 seats, possibly more." In the LATimes, conservative historian Niall Ferguson compares thisContinue reading “Beyond the Sound Bite: Republicans for Environmental Protection”
The Kind of Problem Only Radiation Cures
Once upon a time, back in the early 80’s, for the usual inexplicable cultural reasons, a variation of reggae music known as ska became hugely popular, especially in England and L.A., led by such groups as the Specials and (my favorite) the English Beat. The Beat had a unique ability to blend the personal andContinue reading “The Kind of Problem Only Radiation Cures”
Sunday Morning on the Planet: St. Francis
Back in l985, the Pope said that St. Francis should be the patron saint of ecologists. This brings to mind the famous story about St. Francis preaching to the birds. According to Wikipedia, that story is probably folklore, but it is a story with roots in fact (St. Francis had no interest in money, andContinue reading “Sunday Morning on the Planet: St. Francis”
The Panic of A Denialist
In recent years right-wingers in this country, including the President, have scoffed at the idea of global warming, and ignored those who expressed concern and called for action. Now, even among Republicans and conservatives, the need to act to reduce the risks of climate change is looking increasingly like the new conventional wisdom. The obviousContinue reading “The Panic of A Denialist”
Amazing but True: Pombo in Trouble
Richard Pombo, the anti-enviro zealot who first came to Congress in the anti-Clinton "wave" election of l994, now faces losing power in the anti-Bush wave election of 2006. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy–or a bigger liar. For the full story, check out this superb piece from the LATimes earlier this year by Bettina Boxall,Continue reading “Amazing but True: Pombo in Trouble”
Worst Congress Ever?
Tough to blog well when your computer is in the shop, but I have to bring to your attention to a truly extraordinary story in Rolling Stone by Matt Taibbi on the Congress. He calls it the worst ever, and just about proves it with his vivid depictions of corrupt, inept, lazy, stupid and all-aroundContinue reading “Worst Congress Ever?”
Kit Stolz 