Conflicted

by Muskegon Critic

Sometimes I wish I were a conservative, simply for what I perceive to be their clean, clear path. Cut taxes, shrink Government. So simple. So easy to articulate.

But as a progressive I find myself often internally conflicted over jobs, sustainability, improving the middle class, environmental concerns. For example I love the notion that the St. Lawrence Seaway allows International shipping access to the Great Lakes region, making cities like Duluth, Minnesota one of the busiest harbors in America...but I hate, hate, hate, hate that the St. Lawrence Seaway has opened the door to hundreds of invasive species in the Great Lakes.

I want Michigan to manufacture again, and make STUFF and sell STUFF and get families back to work! But I want to reduce consumerism overall, and see people re-using STUFF and being less wasteful and being less dependent on buying STUFF.

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Attn: Boston Kossacks! Sea level rise symposium TOMORROW

by Hopeful Skeptic

Boston sea level symposium Nov. 9, 10: Open to public

Climate change is causing sea levels to rise more dramatically. The expansion of water as oceans heat up – along with melting glaciers and ice sheets – are forcing coastline communities to start planning for more flooding.

Now, the Boston Harbor Association is holding a free public symposium on Boston Harbor sea level rise the evening of Nov. 9 and in the morning of Nov. 10 through lunch.

While the forum is open to the public, attendees much register.

For the Nov. 9th event go here.

For the Nov. 10 event, go here.

Or you can call 617- 482 -1722.

More info below the fold.

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1st 'global hug' eco-shorts festival earthship

by eKos

Welcome to the eKos Earthship, your one-stop-shop for green diaries and series.

Beneath the fold you will find news and notes, community announcements, and our eco-diary roundup.

Peruse the eKos Library to find previously listed diaries. You can also follow eKos on Twitter.

Tonight's editor: speck

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Macca's Meatless Monday...some California grass

by beach babe in fl

In this weekly series we have been discussing the benefits of a vegetarian diet including: better health, animal rights, frugal living, global food crisis, food safety and the immense contribution of meat production to climate change/depletion of resources

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EcoJustice: Voices from the Grassroots

by soothsayer99

The environmental justice movement has set out clear goals of eliminating unequal enforcement of environmental, civil rights, and public health laws. Environmental justice leaders...have assisted public decision makers in identifying "at risk" populations, toxic "hot spots," research gaps, and action models to correct existing imbalances and prevent future threats... Grassroots groups have taken the offensive to ensure that government and industry do the right thing.

Environmental justice..means sharing in the benefits. Governments must live up to their mandate of protecting all people and the environment. Anything less is unacceptable. The solution to environmental injustice lies in the realm of equal protection of all individuals, groups, and communities. No community, rich or poor, urban or suburban, black or white, should be allowed to become a "sacrifice zone" or the dumping ground... The environmental justice movement challenges toxic colonialism, environmental racism, and the international toxics trade at home and abroad.

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Science Tidbits

by possum

Welcome, welcome.  Monday is here once again right on schedule.  The time has come to gather around and take a well deserved hiatus from all the politics of the day.  Science talk is here.  New discoveries, new takes on old knowledge, and other bits of news are all available for the perusing in today's information world.  Over the fold are selections from the past week from a few of the many excellent science news sites around the world.  Today's tidbits include current global warming may reverse Atlantic current as it did 20,000 years ago, how ancient plant and soil fungi turned the earth green, land and water management across the U.S. leads to ecological degradation, how lead gets into urban vegetable gardens, and water flowing through ice sheets accelerates warming.  Pull up that comfy chair and sit by the fire.  There is plenty of room for everyone.  Get ready for one more session of Dr. Possum's science education and entertainment.

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Yes We Can Can-cún: Opening Salvo of 700 Climate Scientists

by boatsie

Great news on the Environmental front this morning! 700 climate scientists plan to take on the corporately funded climate skeptics.

Last week, it appeared a fait accompli that the GOP would emerge victorious in reigning in EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. And things don't bode well for the US as the the UNFCCC prepares for COP16 later this month.

Hard to believe Obama flew into Copenhagen last winter with the hope of the world propelling AirForce One forward.

If  The Copenhagen Accordwas a dismal failure then, can we expect anything from Cancun?

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Shadow of Bagheera--the black leopards of the Malay Peninsula

by Username4242

More below the fold.

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Climate scientists to fight climate zombies

by DWG

Climate scientists have recently made some eye-opening discoveries. Here are a few of those discoveries. The richest multinational corporations in the world stand to lose trillions in future profits if the United States rapidly shifts away from carbon-intensive energy sources like oil, coal, and gas. Those companies will gladly spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to fund a media campaign to attack climate science and scientists. This campaign is primarily aimed at conservatives, a fertile ground filled with vested business interests and religious fundamentalism. Conservative politicians have been transformed into climate zombies, claiming that climate science is a hoax while taking millions in campaign contributions from carbon energy companies.

Climate scientists have decided to take the fight to climate zombies.

Faced with rising political attacks, hundreds of climate scientists are joining a broad campaign to push back against congressional conservatives who have threatened prominent researchers with investigations and vowed to kill regulations to rein in man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

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Climate Scientists fight back!

by tomasyn

Climate scientists prepare to fight back against deniers!

This is very heartening news to read as we watch the anti-science, global warming- denying Republicans vie to be the next chair of the House Energy committee:

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The Green Gold of Africa

by NourishingthePlanet

Crossposted from the Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the Planet.

Often called ‘magic’ marama, the green gold of Africa, this plant is working its secret charm above and below ground in southern Africa.  Above ground it produces seeds similar to the peanut or soybean, but is actually higher in nutritional value than either; below ground it produces a high-protein tuber that is bigger and healthier than potatoes, yams or sugar beets. And to top it off, the planet can also generate a high quality vegetable oil.

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In 1956 Physicist Said CO2 Causes Climate Change

by Steven D

Who knew Al Gore didn't invent man made global warming created by greenhouse gases as part of a scheme to destroy America and mach himself and a few greedy scientists rich?  Well, Scientists back in the 1950's knew, that's who.  When Al Gore was 8 years old this news recording was made demonstrating a John Hopkin's physicist, Gilbert Plass, was already speaking out about global warming as a result of industrial activity.  Here's a GE radio show explaining Plass' research:

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Gulf Watchers Monday -Finale or beginning of Fireworks - BP Catastrophe AUV #422

by shanesnana

You are in the current Gulf Watchers BP Catastrophe - AUV #422. ROV #421 is here.

Bookmark this link to find the latest Gulf Watchers diaries.

Please RECOMMEND THIS DIARY, the motherships have been discontinued.

The digest of diaries is here.

Please be kind to kossacks with bandwidth issues. Please do not post images or videos. Again, many thanks for this.

PLEASE visit Pam LaPier's diary to find out how you can help the Gulf now and in the future. We don't have to be idle! And thanks to Crashing Vor and Pam LaPier for working on this!

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