Hurricane Katrina couldn’t force President Bush to say the words "global warming," but a huge storm that has drenched the East Coast just did — thanks to an elm tree dropped in front of the White House. Interestingly, Bush claimed in a brief statement that he has "consistently said" that global warming is a "seriousContinue reading “Huge Storm Forces Bush To Say “Global Warming””
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Happy Birthday, George
George Orwell is a great writer, period, and if you ask yours truly, his greatness comes through in "l984" not just in the prescience of his thought, but in the passion of Winston and Julia. Surely they are the sexiest of all couples in political literature. I do wonder why on earth he changed hisContinue reading “Happy Birthday, George”
Fire and Ice
Of all current issues, climate change dominated in the LATimes this Sunday. Does that count as good news? (I wish.) Fire in the Southwest worst in years…in June. "Could be a season of historic severity." Key paragraph: That lack of precipitation created the conditions that are causing so many large fires. Meteorologists believe the WestContinue reading “Fire and Ice”
Sunday Morning on the Planet (Remembering the Solstice)
I’m embarrassed: I forgot to mark the solstice on this blog. Fortunately, the wonderful Earth & Sky radio program, which works closely with many wonderful scientists, and thankfully posts its reports, did not overlook this blessed day.
Art v. Bird Flu
Yesterday, the World Health Organization confirmed the first known human-to-human transmission of avian flu, a disease which some fear could become a pandemic comparable to the deadly Spanish flu of l918-l919. (Although many scientists consider that unlikely: for more, see the stunningly thorough Fluwiki.) The good news is that this single case of avian fluContinue reading “Art v. Bird Flu”
Well-Connected Conservative Predicts Bush Administration Shift to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Irwin Seltzer, despite his prominent post among as house economist and contributing editor for the far-right Weekly Standard, is a good writer and not an ideologue. (Like Eric Blair, I find these two traits often go together.) Seltzer endorsed a carbon tax earlier this year, and told me in an email that "he felt thereContinue reading “Well-Connected Conservative Predicts Bush Administration Shift to Reduce CO2 Emissions”
Put the Politicians Up Against the Wall and…
Ross Gelbspan, who has been reporting on global warming for years, for Boston newspapers and other publications, and who was one of the first to expose the Exxonians in The Heat Is On, has a simple but great idea: Let’s put weasely politicians on the record on climate change. He wants local groups to bringContinue reading “Put the Politicians Up Against the Wall and…”
Pic of the Week
Oh, those crazy kids! Here’s a satellite picture of Ophelia, Nate, and Maria in 2005. This from a new study issued yesterday by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which reports that global warming "increases the risk of further enhancements in hurricane activity," in the characteristically cautious language of scientists. Or, as the press releaseContinue reading “Pic of the Week”
West v. East Divide In Supreme Court Wetland Ruling
In a first-rate column today in the Washington Post, E.J. Dionne highlighted a legal conflict between the "humility" of conservative Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who in a recent speech called for the broadest possible agreement among justices on cases, even if on the narrowest of grounds…and Antonin Scalia, who places great faith inContinue reading “West v. East Divide In Supreme Court Wetland Ruling”
Oil Companies and Sierra Club Agree: Time for Conservation
On Meet the Press yesterday, three oil company executives came to talk about the high prices, oil exploration and development, and, believe it or not, the need for conservation. Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Shell aren’t in complete agreement on all issues, and may have been talking about conservation partly in hopes that people will listen toContinue reading “Oil Companies and Sierra Club Agree: Time for Conservation”
Kit Stolz 