Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Large Carnivore Species Doing Well in Europe

Here groovy news -- bodes well for our survival as well. Maybe we can all get along as Rodney King once speculated.

Friday, December 19, 2014

The Colbert Show Will Be Missed

Here Great article in the show. Some heavy quotes, "But the rise of Colbert reflects a distinct and disturbing cultural trend: our own regression from citizens capable of reforming our broken institutions to passive consumers who choose to regard civic decay as a source of entertainment."

"In his prophetic book, Postman warns that our growing dependence on TV has created a society whose standard of value is “whether or not something can grab and then hold the public’s attention. It is a society in which those things that do not conform — for example, serious literature, serious political debate, serious ideas, serious anything — are more likely to be compromised or marginalized than ever before.”

One could choose to become more engaged and active.

More on Colbert here

Perhaps considering doing this or this


Electric Cars Are the Way to Go

Here Funny how the headline contradicts the study. Shill writer.

Some good comments,

"
How's this quote, direct from the study: "electric vehicles (EVs) powered by electricity from natural gas or wind, water, or solar power are best for improving air quality..." For more detailed info, read the latest blog post by Dr. David Reichmuth at the Union of Concerned Scientists website."

"
The report does not conclude at all what the headline says, rather it concludes electric cars are the BEST choice as they can reduce harmful pollution 50 to 70% over gasoline only vehicles. PNAS dot org and is titled "Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States"

"
Unfortunately you are trying to convince narrow minded, inflexible fools about issues that are abundantly clear to most people. The research results and data on climate change show clearly and conclusively that greenhouse gases and global temperature are at record high levels for the past 800,000 and rising rapidly, with most of the rise in the last 100-200 years. There is absolutely no doubt about this any longer. But you have a small but vocal group of deniers that manipulate or outright falsify data to try to justify their absurd point of view. It is time to disconnect from these fools and focus on doing what is right for our country and our planet. Let the knuckle-draggers stay in their bunkers and keep believing that the earth is flat."

And my comment, "The headline should read "Powering Anything with Coal is the Worst Thing You Can Do: We've Got to Decrease Its Use Wherever We Can. In Some Regions It Can Even Make Electric Cars Less Green." 
That would be most accurate.

    Thursday, December 18, 2014

    Map of Polar Bear Populations: 12.18.14 Where They're Stable, Increasing, and Decreasing

    Here Be interesting to track this over time. See if the population can stabilize. Or, if it continues to shrink curse at the darn scientists  who tell us how many potentially very bad things affecting humanity are scientifically predictable and preventable.

    Saturday, December 13, 2014

    Good data on December Storms & California Drought Status

    Here. Need 6 more of these storms by April to relieve drought properly. These last two storms have helped. 8)

    Friday, December 5, 2014

    Why Elders Smile - New York Times

    Here. Among other things, less anxiety about the future (funny).
    Happiness is strong in 20s, hits bottom around 50s, and peaks around 82-85. Something to (hopefully) look forward to.

    Thursday, December 4, 2014

    Secretary General Expresses Optimism About Climate Meeting

    Here And the 'good' news

    UN predicting progress on the next accord. Hope so. Scientists still think it won't be enough. Such a beautiful world. Hoping we can pull out of the tailspin. Hoping strongly for the next generation's brilliance and mercy.

    Holy sh*t "Melting Antarctica glaciers dropping Mount Everest worth of ice into sea"

    Herehttp://www.inferse.com/20811/melting-antarctica-glaciers-dropping-mount-everest-worth-ice-sea-scientist-says/ 
    "...scientists are growing concerned." Haha, but wtf. They've been concerned for decades. It's the petro-corrupt who need the growth.

    Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012

    Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012
    I've been thinking some about the Winter Solstice, the Mayan end of the 30,000-year-cycle on 12/21/12.

    What if in fact the world did end? Even though this probably will not happen, to live consciously it is honest for us to take a bit of an inventory.

    Am I happy with how I've lived my life? (Yesterday, I thought mostly yes, with some areas for improvement, as below.) Are there changes I would make?
    Would I have tried to forgive those that were hostile or disappointing to me?
    Would I spend more time with those I loved the most, telling them that, feeling that more?
    Would I be happier, grateful for what I have, what I've experienced, the joy, the beauty in this world?

    Maybe the answer is yes to all of the above.
    So this time can serve as a point of rebirth for all of us. If we think about it.

    Because somewhere along the line I realized I think maybe mankind deserves it. !
    The way we are killing each other, killing the planet.
    How selfish we are, and snotty to those around us. Petty, competitive. Why is this? Do we have to behave this way? (I say no, it greatly detracts and misdirects energy from the full-time celebration in which we could engage, the great multi-cultural, multi-rhythmic dance we can sustain here.)

    Maybe God or the Great Universe is fed up, and will pull the rug out from under us.
    Don't think I can say we could blame Him/Her/It.

    But it probably won't happen. (Probably not! This time.)

    Still we are finite on this ride.

    It is a time to think, am I happy with how I've lived my life?
    Hopefully most of us can say yes.

    For the part of us that have a little worry, a little sadness....
    This is the time to be present.
    This is the time to be the person you want to be, that can die at peace, that can hope to every day be able to look yourself and the Universe in the eye and say, how beautiful, smiling, and thank you. Let's do that.

    Antidotes to Violence, a.k.a., Take Charge of Where Your Head's At - here

    Tell Congress to Strengthen Gun Control Laws NOW - here

    Good News & Brain Food News -
    Christians & Muslims Gather, for Peace here
    Good News - Top RIO+20 Summit Posts here
    The 'Busy' Trap - NYTimes.com
    here