Environment

( Tomdispatch.com ) – Too hot. Too dry. Too many weapons. This world needs changing. But that’s too vague. After all, this world is already changing, just not in ways that are good for you and me. You know the facts. July 2023 was the hottest month on record — ever — since we humans […]

plastic

How Microplastics are making their Way into our Farmland

The Conversation

By Branaavan Sivarajah, Carleton University; and Jesse Vermaire, Carleton University | – (The Conversation) – Microplastic pollution is a global environmental problem that is ubiquitous in all environments, including air, water and soils. Microplastics are readily found in treated wastewater sludge — also known as municipal biosolids — that eventually make their way to our […]

Climate Crisis

As Climate Crisis increases Rainfall, We need “Sponge Cities” with Stormwater Drains and Floodable Parks

The Conversation

By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland ( The Conversation) -Tune into news from about any part of the planet, and there will likely be a headline about extreme weather. While these stories will be specific to the location, they all tend to include the amplifying effects of climate change. This […]

Climate Crisis

After Maui: Why Sultan al-Jaber both is and isn’t the Right chief for the COP28 Climate Summit

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Sultan al-Jaber, the controversial chairman of the COP28 climate conference, is a United Arab Emirates businessman extraordinaire. His role and that of COP28 appear all the more important in the wake of the terrifying wildfires that swept the tropical island (!) of Maui this week and destroyed the ancient capital […]

Climate Crisis

Condition Critical: Desertification Threatens to Turn Iran’s Future to Dust

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Michael Scollon ( RFE/RL ) – Temperatures in Iran are hitting record highs, rivers and lakes are drying up, and prolonged droughts are becoming the norm, highlighting a water crisis that is turning much of the country’s territory to dust. The desertification of Iran is occurring at a staggering pace, with officials last month […]

Climate Crisis

Renewables supplied a record 69.2% of Germany’s Electricity for Homes in July

Julian Wettengel

By Julian Wettengel | – ( Clean Energy Wire ) – Renewable energy supplied a record of 69.2 percent of Germany’s public net electricity generation in July 2023, according to data by research institute Fraunhofer ISE. Due to favourable weather conditions, wind power alone contributed about 29 percent. At about 23 percent, the solar power […]

Climate Crisis

Two-Thirds of Americans Prioritize Wind, Solar, favor Gov’t Incentives, as 54% see Climate Change as Dire Threat

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The Pew Research Center has released the results of a new US poll on climate change and green energy. It gives reason for hope, though some of the results are a little discouraging. The poll found that 67% of Americans want to prioritize green energy such as wind and solar. […]

Climate Crisis

Climate Crisis: The GOP Death Cult is holding the Earth Hostage to White Privilege

Florida Phoenix

. Diane Roberts ( Florida Phoenix) – People, it’s too hot to be this stupid. A new NPR/PBS/Marist poll shows that nearly three-fourths of Republicans don’t think the climate crisis is a big deal and we don’t need to do anything about it. I guess the good news is that 56 percent of all […]

Asian-Americans

Deadly Wildfires burn across Maui – it’s a Reminder of the growing Risk to Communities that once seemed Safe

The Conversation

By Mojtaba Sadegh, Boise State University | – (The Conversation) – Thousands of people were evacuated along Maui’s popular west coast on Aug. 8 and 9, 2023, as wildfires spread through buildings and hillsides, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora. Much of Lahaina, Hawaii, a tourist town of about 13,000 residents that was once […]