As Ocean Heats Up, Race to Save World's Coral Reefs

Here Interesting. Transplanting and research on ph and temperature quite interesting. Cross-breed and help selectively breed more robust coral. Hate adaptation before stopping the problem (some things will not be able to adapt) but I guess we'll have to do a lot of both to keep life-systems and biodiversity functioning and alive on our planet.

And the story's sub-title is not too subtle: "Will efforts to save corals be overwhelmed by the quickening pace of climate change?"

2014 Hottest on Record

Here

France Shows Need for Compassion, Integration

Here The New York Times discusses need. Income inequality, and tolerance two defining issues.
Most people and parents and families would rather put down guns (than have firefights with their neighbors over religion) and are peacefully educating their next generation, and share in the mutual prosperity of modern nations.

But, as throughout history, there still there are violent and extreme people existing on the margins of all societies. Who now can take up guns and 'adopt ' 'holy war' in their search for power and/or destruction/retribution. Using the Koran as an excuse (like Boko Haram, largely ignorant thugs).
It's important to separate the most fringe element -- who are already by an unlucky combination of genes willing to kill or be killed for no apparent good reason, from those who are lacking anything better to do (apathetic youth in cultures without much opportunity or individual expression). See my post here "Antidotes to violence..."  http://colbyallerton.blogspot.com/2012/12/hollywood-responds-to-deadly-conn.html

Modern Muslims condemning the violence and urging a peaceful path are taking an authentic spiritual path that can inform all societies.

We all must support, tolerance, compassion, and income equality. And peace.

NYT has interesting take: I am not Charlie Hebdo. About personal responsibility, satire, growing up, and what kind of content a modern culture might be better off surrounding themselves with.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/opinion/david-brooks-i-am-not-charlie-hebdo.html?_r=4 

Obama Administration Addressing Methane Leaks

Here I think this is groovy. Methane lesser publicized but deviously impactful greenhouse gas. We retracted ozone pollution when science made us aware of the dangerous bad impact it had on our atmosphere. Methane needs to be reigned in immediately as well.

Existing sources need to be regulated quite clearly as well as new ones.
Methane can be reduced, there are already practical processes to achieve this as well.

"Climate advocates say that many of the fixes that could curb leaks from the oil and gas industry, which account for almost 30 percent of U.S. methane emissions, are simple and cost-effective. Indeed, many companies have taken action. Houston-based Southwestern Energy, for example, has led an industry effort to monitor for leaks and upgrade equipment. (See related story: "High Levels of Dangerous Chemicals Found in Air Near Oil and Gas Sites.")

The White House acknowledged that industry emissions are down 16 percent since 1990. "Nevertheless, emissions from the oil and gas sector are projected to rise more than 25 percent by 2025 without additional steps to lower them," it said. (See related story: "Oil and Gas Industry Faces Its Methane Problem.")"

Three Bikers: Surviving the Nepalese Snowstorm in October 2014

Here. http://m.pinkbike.com/news/surviving-nepal-on-a-bike-2014.html

This is a first-hand account. Harrowing and humbling, in the face of a changing Mother Nature. Wow.

Sarawak in Borneo Deforested 90%

Here Shock and sadness. I visited Sarawak in the late 80s. As densely, gorgeously forested and ruggedly healthy as anyplace imaginable. Teeming with biodiversity. Sacred and magical. Now 90% deforested. The climate implications notwithstanding, this is rape of the spirit of our planet, in the name of greed essentially, and includes genocide.
Our species has to do better. There must be good and smart people in the villages of Sarawak and our planet helping to avert this kind of large scale destruction. We all have to help, and use less and get outraged when we see things like this large and small. Do you know about palm oil? Have you been avoiding it or demanding only sustainably-grown, fair-trade palm oil products? (I have for a couple of years now. I also seek and buy FSC lumber when I need wood, if recycled or second hand is not good enough. I use recycled printer paper, napkins, plates and frequently toilet paper, among other recycled products I use. And I do try to use less, and consume less in the first place. Not because anyone asks, or even that I would tell you or anyone about this necessarily, it's just the right thing to do).

This image and situation in Sarawak is disgusting and almost discourages trying. Which we cannot do.
"What products do you use? Use recycled paper instead of fresh-fiber paper. Try to avoid palm oil, and make sure that the timber you're buying is Forest Stewardship Council-certified and sustainably produced."

Finally, and RIGHT: Bob McDonnell gets two years in corruption case — Obama issues Keystone veto threat — 114th Congress sworn in - Pro Report - POLITICO.com

Bob McDonnell gets two years in corruption case — Obama issues Keystone veto threat — 114th Congress sworn in - Pro Report - POLITICO.com 

Other good political news: these crooks need to spend time in jail. Good on the sentencing judge.

What a tool. See pics and some verbiage below. The PG&E and CPUC execs around when the San Bruno explosion and natural gas plants being forced onto the state grid (unnecessarily) should be next. Happy 2015.

Sept. 14, 2014: "Wow!!! Did the guy from the cover of the Evil Empire album grow up or
what?! Just had to share the resemblance. Ex-Governor Republican Bob
McDonnell just found guilty of >>11 corruption charges<<.
And his wife of >>9<<. Bob was a member of the executive
committee of Republican Governors, and was ranked second most likely
Republican for vice presidential picks for GOP nominee Mitt Romney. (Not
too surprising I guess.) You know mid-term elections are coming up in
November. Don’t be fooled by marketing an old brand -- these are those
guys. Not totally surprised, but wow. These are those guys, and right
here one from the front of the album. http://abcnews.go.com/…/jury-virginia-gov-bob-mcdonn…/story…"

White House Issues Veto Threat on Keystone XL Pipeline Bill - NYTimes.com

White House Issues Veto Threat on Keystone XL Pipeline Bill - NYTimes.com 

This is solid. He's a good man. He's standing up for his children's future, and ours, and standing up against a few dirty, polluting special interest owners.

It's the right thing to do. Thank you sir.

You can thank him here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments 

Pope Francis to Lead on Climate Change Issue in 2015

Here He's inspired. I like him more and more, and more.