A number of publications last week published compendiums of amazing images from the polar vortex's drunken stagger, in Chris Mooney's wonderful story, across nearly all the nation save drought-stricken CA. Frozen lakes, waterfalls, etc. Here's NASA's GOES satellite picture: Fine. But what about the vortex of public reaction? Tom Toles sketches that one:
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
A national hazard map for earthquakes in SoCal: VC Star
A few days after publishing my shockingly popular story on the Ventura fault last week, and thinking of the upcoming twenty-year anniversary of the Northridge quake, the Ventura County Star followed up with a brief story on seismic risk in Southern Califonia, quoting some of the same experts I qutoed. The new story can beContinue reading “A national hazard map for earthquakes in SoCal: VC Star”
Ventura stands on deep, dangerous fault system: VC Star
Several new studies funded by the Southern California Earthquake Center have identified Ventura as a hot spot for geological activity, with a fault running directly under downtown potentially far more dangerous than previously believed.
If the fault ruptures along its length and involves other faults, it could cause a major earthquake and massive damage, with the possibility of a strong local tsunami, researchers say.
Connecting global warming and California drought
What is causing the drought in the West? Could it be a jetstream phenomenon connected to the cold winter being experienced back East? Which could be connected to blockages interrupting the polar vortex, causing it to spill southward into places like the Ohio Valley? And could those blockages be connected — as researchers such asContinue reading “Connecting global warming and California drought”
A writer needs a reader: Cheever
From a gloom-and-doom appraisal of the book trade in the Times — which may well be on the mark, may I say — a great quote from the late great John Cheever: I can't write without a reader. it's precisely like a kiss — you can't do it alone. A pic of Cheever from atContinue reading “A writer needs a reader: Cheever”
How nicotine builds addictive structures in the brain
Cigarettes are evil. What is evil? "Evil is movement towards void," said (memorably) the novelist Don Delillo. In the context of cigarettes, evil is intending to push users towards the void — to sicken or kill them. But how can a naturally occuring substance, a venerable plant such as tobacco, express malice? Here's howContinue reading “How nicotine builds addictive structures in the brain”
If climate change is dangerous, can’t a scientist say so? (Hansen’s keynote address at the AGU 2013)
Back in l988, physicist/climatologist James Hansen told Congress that that we had begun to change the earth's atmosphere. This was during a heat wave in Washington, and his testimony made headlines. That's rare for a scientist of any sort. "Global warming has began, Expert tells Senate" reported the NYTimes. "It's time to stop waffling soContinue reading “If climate change is dangerous, can’t a scientist say so? (Hansen’s keynote address at the AGU 2013)”
Santa spotted in night sky: NORAD responds
Scott Simon of NPR tweets the news: Some guy in a red suit on a sleigh buzzed our airplane. NORAD, get after him! — Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) December 24, 2013 But already it seems Ted Rall has thought it through: //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Grateful for: a new national park in CA — the Pinnacles
In this time of giving thanks, I am grateful for a new national park in the heart of coastal California, the lovely Pinnacles. Not big (only 26,000 acres) but big enough to be home to two dozen condors, and numerous other interesting species — and much beauty. Via ecowatch.
Why “every little bit helps” may not with climate change
Marc Gunther runs a new sustainability blog for The Guardian, and brings an acerbic intelligence to the topic — no little b.s. stories about how a tiny innovation or change will save us from a big problem. Example: plastic bags. Adam Corner for the blog writes: In 2014, England will follow the example set by WalesContinue reading “Why “every little bit helps” may not with climate change”
Kit Stolz 