Night Train: Losing HSR Battles while Winning the Transport War

by BruceMcF

Burning the Midnight Oil for Living Energy Independence

Last week I raised the certainty that Kasich will return $375m of Ohio's $400m grant for laying the 110mph 3C corridor track and running 79mph trains on them ... and the likelihood that Wisconsin's Governor-elect Jobs Walkabout will return all or most of Wisconsin's $810m for the Milwaukee to Madison Emerging HSR corridor.

Thing is, even if the opponents of HSR killed two (or, see inside, three): they had to kill them all. Every HSR line that gets finished will undermine their case, and raise intra-regional and inter-regional jealousies as a force ensuring that HSR funding is provided at the Federal level and matching funds are raised at the state level.

continued at Daily Kos....

How to reduce CO2 emissions without really saying so.

by hold tight

The Washington Post had an opinion piece this past weekend that caught my eye. It's about how we can work to reduce CO2 emissions regardless of our acceptance, or lack thereof, of climate change science: "How to stop global warming - even if you don't believe in it".

(h/t to boatsie, whose diary about COP16 included this link. Please visit their diary and recommend.)

This led to me to start blogging about something I've been meaning to for a some time...That is, the efforts happening right now, everywhere, outside the Beltway, to get a handle on GHG's. We'll do it, fer cryin' out loud, even if you won't help us, Senators!

continued at Daily Kos....

Is Schwarzenegger the New AlGore?

by Steven D

The Guvernator just announced that California is striking out on its own to enter into greenhouse gas emissions deals with developing countries in partnership with the United Nations.  So, keep reading.  You might be surprised.

(cont.)

(also available at Booman Tribune)

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dailycancun: #racetothefuture

by boatsie

Climate activists launch an opening salvo in their imaginative and visionary global campaign to inform and awaken the world to the urgency of the November 28-Dec. 10 UNFCCC talks.

"We have lost something very precious. That is an understanding of our interconnectedness with nature and a world beyond the material." - His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

continued at Daily Kos....

On a warm San Franciscan night... (a photo journey)

by citisven

The last two days have been truly gorgeous in the City by the Bay. Warm, almost balmy November nights. Not completely unusual, but after a relatively cool summer and early fall, this has been an unexpected treat.

Now I know that there are a lot of problems in this world and that life can be incredibly difficult at times, but there are those moments when all the heavy burdens fall away and I'm just in awe at the stunning beauty of the planet we live on and how blessed we are to be alive.

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monday 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: boatsie

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Macca's Meatless Monday...pretty little pumpkins in a row

by beach babe in fl

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

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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 new analysis explains bulge on farside of the moon, the dynamics of cat lapping, extreme global warming in the ancient past, an invading weed threatens devastation to western range lands, drinking water contamination may be a risk of underground CO2 storage, and toxic algae found in open ocean water for the first time.  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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Gulf Watchers Monday -Afternoon Edition - BP Catastrophe AUV #426

by shanesnana

You are in the current Gulf Watchers BP Catastrophe - AUV #426. ROV #425 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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Monkey Oranges: Mouthwatering Potential

by NourishingthePlanet

Crossposted from the Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the Planet.

Monkey oranges have all the characteristics of a successful crop–high productivity, high prices, extended shelf life, pest resistance, delicious flavor, and high demand. But , the fruit remains undomesticated and has rarely undergone organized cultivation.

continued at Daily Kos....