The pine forests of New Mexico have been around since the Pleistocene, but they're not going to be around much longer, according to a scientist named Nate McDowell at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. For as long as there have been forests, there have been droughts,” [McDowell] said. “But the droughts we’re experiencing now areContinue reading “New Mexico conifer forests gone by 2050: Scientist”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
19 firefighters in Arizona killed in wildfire/heat wave
Global warming casulties? Story at the top of the front page of the New York Times doesn't mention the heat wave, which drovetemperatures to 120 degrees in Phoenix, nor any possible link to global warming, but does note that since 1955, a total of 21 firefighters have died battling fires in Arizona. Which means thisContinue reading “19 firefighters in Arizona killed in wildfire/heat wave”
An “intensification of the hydrological cycle”: CA
This is a scientific cliche describing a central fact of climate change. A warmer atmosphere can hold more water, about 4% more, which leads to more extreme weather. It's an idea that Kevin Trenbeth, who has published more than 400 scientific papers in climatology, has for a decade been translating into conversational English as "the wetsContinue reading “An “intensification of the hydrological cycle”: CA”
Texas legislature turns back clock to outlaw abortion
It's like science fiction for reactionaries.
When the GOP cared about air pollution: Obama
Today President Obama gave a speech on climate, and reminded the world that once we had a political consensus on the need to reduce pollution in our atmosphere. Forty-three years ago, Congress passed a law called the Clean Air Act of 1970. (Applause.) It was a good law. The reasoning behind it was simple: NewContinue reading “When the GOP cared about air pollution: Obama”
The problem with temporary solutions: Kludgeocracy
Steven Teles of John Hopkins points out, the problem with our government is not that it's too big or badly intentioned. The problem is that it tries to find temporary solutions to permanent problems. You can’t solve a problem until you can name it. We have names for one axis of our politics — rightContinue reading “The problem with temporary solutions: Kludgeocracy”
The loveliness of a violin, with gamelan, from Lou Harrison
According to the late great California composer Lou Harrison: "A good gamelan is the most beautiful musical ensemble on the planet." His point was proved this spring at the Ojai Music Festival, where a fifteen-person-strong ensemble, called Gamelan San Raras, from UC Berkeley, with Hrabba Attadottir on the violin, played Harrison's meltingly gorgeous Philemon and Baukis.Continue reading “The loveliness of a violin, with gamelan, from Lou Harrison”
Obama in Berlin calls for action on climate (allegedly)
Today on a 91-degree day in Berlin, Obama makes what has been described by the NYTimes and many others as a major speech on climate. Here's what he said on the subject: Peace with justice means refusing to condemn our children to a harsher, less hospitable planet. The efforts to slow climate change requires bold action,Continue reading “Obama in Berlin calls for action on climate (allegedly)”
Snow disappearing from Southern California mountains
Don't expect to see pictures below much in the future. From the LA Times: A UCLA study released Friday projects a significant decline in snowfall on the ranges that provide a dramatic backdrop to urban Southern California. By mid-century, the amount of snow draping the mountains could decrease 30% to 40%, researchers say. If greenhouseContinue reading “Snow disappearing from Southern California mountains”
How to stop global warming: Ken Caldeira
From a (typically excellent) NPR science story, this one about Ken Caldeira, the Stanford researcher into ocean acidification: "Decades ago, everybody was smoking cigarettes — and it was acceptable to smoke cigarettes indoors," [Caldeira] says. "And there was a phase change in social acceptability, where it is no longer acceptable to dump your cigarette smoke in airContinue reading “How to stop global warming: Ken Caldeira”
Kit Stolz 