america. keep your farts to yourself

It’s time for the world to react… in a big way. All signatories to the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change should join forces in keeping all commercial airline flights that originate on American soil from entering their airspace — every plane flight leaves behind a massive carbon footprint. (see stats in 2nd article).

“Only future generations will be able to calculate the full consequences of President Trump’s incredibly shortsighted approach to climate change, since it is they who will suffer the rising seas and crippling droughts that scientists say are inevitable unless the world brings fossil fuel emissions to heel.
     But this much is clear now: Mr. Trump’s policies — the latest of which was his decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change — have dismayed America’s allies, defied the wishes of much of the American business community he pretends to help, threatened America’s competitiveness as well as job growth in crucial industries and squandered what was left of America’s claim to leadership on an issue of global importance.”
— The Editorial Board, The New York Times
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“For many people reading this, air travel is their most serious environmental sin. One round-trip flight from New York to Europe or to San Francisco creates a warming effect equivalent to 2 or 3 tons of carbon dioxide per person. The average American generates about 19 tons of carbon dioxide a year; the average European, 10.

     So if you take five long flights a year, they may well account for three-quarters of the emissions you create. 'For many people in New York City, who don’t drive much and live in apartments, this is probably going to be by far the largest part of their carbon footprint,' says Anja Kollmuss, a Zurich-based environmental consultant.

     It is for me. And for people like Al Gore or Richard Branson who crisscross the world, often by private jet, proclaiming their devotion to the environment.

Though air travel emissions now account for only about 5 percent of warming, that fraction is projected to rise significantly, since the volume of air travel is increasing much faster than gains in flight fuel efficiency. (Also, emissions from most other sectors are falling.)”

— Elizabeth Rosenthal, The New York Times

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the new dark ages

"Sen. John Barrasso is no stranger to science. The Wyoming Republican is an orthopedic surgeon who earned his medical degree from Georgetown University. His rigorous intellect won him Washingtonian magazine’s designation last year as the 'brainiest senator,' based on an anonymous survey of Capitol Hill staffers.
     Which is why Barrasso’s reaction when a reporter recently asked his views on climate change was so telling. On his way to the weekly Senate GOP luncheon in the Capitol building, Barrasso paused in an empty hallway to chat. When a reporter said, 'Senator, can I ask you a question about climate change?' he fell silent and his eyes narrowed. 'I’m busy,' he snapped, before turning sharply and striding away.
[...] recent reports from the National Academy of Sciences show that the data and consensus on the principles of climate change are stronger than ever. The reports have concluded that increasing levels of carbon dioxide, produced primarily by burning coal and oil, are trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
     A November scientific report by the Nobel Prize-winning United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concludes those rising temperatures will, over the next century, bring an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, heavy precipitation, hurricanes, droughts, floods, and rising sea levels. [...]
     Freshman Rep. Allen West of Florida, a leading voice in the House’s Tea Party Caucus, was also unequivocal: 'I believe in climate change—winter, spring, summer, or fall,' he said. 'Do you believe climate change is causing the Earth to become warmer?' he was asked. 'No,' he responded firmly."— Coral Davenport, NationalJournal
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“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” — Galileo Galilei

Photo: Michael Hale

"An episode of the BBC's Frozen Planet documentary series that looks at climate change has been scrapped in the U.S., where many are hostile to the idea of global warming. British viewers will see all seven episodes of the multi-million-pound nature series throughout the Autumn. But U.S. audiences will not be shown the last episode, which looks at the threat posed by man to the natural world.
     It is feared a show that preaches global warming could upset viewers in the U.S., where around half of people do not believe in climate change. The series of six episodes has been sold to 30 countries, including China, one of the world's biggest polluters. World TV networks have the option to buy a seventh 'companion' episode, along with behind-the-scenes footage. Ten of the countries have chosen not to use the final episode on climate change
     In the U.S., Frozen Planet is being aired by Discovery. They were involved in the joint-production of the series. Yet they are still refusing to accommodate Frozen Planet in its entirety."
— Daily Mail
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