The British Guardian View On COP15

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Here’s a good overview on why we should be optimistic about the outcome of the Climate Summit last week. Believe me, it is easy to be cynical about the lack of enforcement built into this agreement. But here’s a good short overview from one of my most trusted sources for honest journalism in the world today. The people at the Guardian do not whitewash the difficult stories of today. They are of a shrinking group of newspapers left that are outside the normal advertising based model (they are funded by a trust fund from decades ago).

Globalisation has been spinning into reverse. But the Paris talks illustrate the potential of determined diplomacy between jealously sovereign states…

…The Paris COP 21 talks surpassed expectations in rising to it, demonstrating just how much can be achieved by determined diplomacy, even while working within the unbending red lines of jealously sovereign states.

The Guardian Editorial on COP15

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First EPA chief accuses Republicans of ignoring science for political gain – The Guardian

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Al Bergstein

William Ruckelshaus, who this week will receive the presidential medal of freedom, says candidates are harming US’s reputation ahead of Paris climate talks

The man considered the father figure of environmental protection in the US has attacked Republicans for “going through all the stages of denial” over climate change, accusing leading presidential contenders Donald Trump and Marco Rubio of ignoring science for political gain.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/23/epa-william-ruckelshaus-republicans-climate-change?

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The B.C. Scallop Farmer’s Acid Test – The Tyee

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Al Bergstein

More on the emerging ocean acidification issues of aquaculture. 

Rob Saunders points a flashlight into the depths of an immense plastic tank at his hatchery, illuminating millions of scallop larvae as tiny as dust particles. “Think of these as canaries in a coal mine,” says the marine biologist turned embattled shellfish farming CEO. It is here at Island Scallops’ facility in Qualicum Beach, located just inland from British Columbia’s shellfish farming epicentre of Baynes Sound, that ocean acidification wreaked havoc. Beginning in 2011, the company’s scallop brood stock (adult shellfish bred over 25 years to be disease-resistant and exceptionally meaty), began to die. Christopher Pollon reports. (The Tyee)

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/11/19/climate-change-scallops_n_8597502.html

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Washington Tribe Confronts Climate Change, Sea Level Rise – Earthfix KUOW

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Climate change adaptation strikes home here on the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. The Quinault Indian Nation is struggling sea level rise and the loss of the Anderson Glacier, which feeds the Quinault River.

TAHOLAH, Wash. – A big question will confront international leaders in the next round of climate talks in Paris: How do they help poor, island and coastal nations threatened by rising oceans, extreme weather and other climate change-related risks?

In the Northwest, sea-level rise is forcing a Native American tribe to consider abandoning lands it has inhabited for thousands of years. – Ashley Ahearn reports.

http://kuow.org/post/washington-tribe-confronts-climate-change-sea-level-rise?utm_source=Sightline%20Institute&utm_medium=web-email&utm_campaign=Sightline%20News%20Selections

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What’s the best way to communicate about climate change? – Grist.org

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Al Bergstein

A very interesting overview by a social scientist who has studied this issue over the last few years. All of us that are involved in public communication and education can learn from this interview.

For the last decade, Anthony Leiserowitz has been tackling what he describes as the “problem from hell” – how to communicate to the public that climate change is a real thing that is happening and that they should probably do something about, unless they like famines and a world ruled by stinging jellyfish. As the director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, he’s been an integral part of some of the most comprehensive research out there on how people around the world understand climate change — and why they aren’t doing enough to stop it.

http://grist.org/climate-energy/whats-the-best-way-to-communicate-about-climate-change-this-expert-offers-some-insights/?utm_source=syndication&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed

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July 2015 was warmest month ever recorded for the globe – NOAA

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Al Bergstein

The data is in from NOAA, and it’s not good.  In addition, January-July 2015 also had record warm temperatures and globally the oceans heated up. From South America, through Africa, the data points to the highest temperatures recorded since record keeping in 1880.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/service/global/extremes/201507.gif

(graphic from NOAA)
These numbers simply belie the fact that moving to clean energy is crucial to having any success in reversing this trend, or mitigating it. The numbers however, don’t show the facts on the ground, where drought, massive and unprecedented wildfires, and ocean destruction are impacting us now, and into the future. There is no time left to push solutions into the future.

Here in Jefferson County, there appears to be no backup plan if we get another winter without snowpack. I have heard nothing from County or City leaders, on what will be done if the water from the rivers is not present. That situation is happening now, and will not likely break until midwinter. Lots of talk about September through November water rationing, but scientists are predicting a very dry winter.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/summary-info/global/201507

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Is Anywhere on Earth Safe From Climate Change? – The Atlantic Monthly

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Al Bergstein

New article in the Atlantic Monthly, that explores the sweeping changes happening in the planet’s ecosystem, and what it means for all of us. Great read.

Relocating to a landlocked city isn’t enough .Put simply: Climate change poses the threat of global catastrophe. The planet isn’t just getting hotter, it’s destabilizing. Entire ecosystems are at risk. The future of humanity is at stake.

Is Anywhere On Earth Safe From Climate Change?

Free read, but subscribe to the Atlantic Monthly if you appreciate this kind of reporting.

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Upcoming Climate Action Events

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Want to actually do something to help move the needle on climate change? Here’s one thing you can get involved with.

Olympic Climate Action and Carbon Washington are sponsoring three local events in support of Initiative 732, for a Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax, featuring the Initiative’s principal author, Yoram Bauman

Carbon Washington is a grassroots campaign seeking to put Initiative 732 on the 2016 ballot. I-732 would institute a revenue-neutral carbon tax in Washington State, using revenue from a tax on fossil fuels to reduce existing taxes. There would be a full percentage point reduction in the sales tax, a fully-funded Working Families Tax Rebate, and an effective elimination of the B&O tax for manufacturers. If passed, this policy would be the strongest carbon price in the nation and would be the most significant improvement in the fairness of Washington’s tax code since the 1977 sales tax exemption on groceries.

Carbon Washington is working primarily through volunteers to collect 315,000 signatures from April-December of 2015. They have endorsements from organizations and individuals such as Citizens Climate Lobby, Seattle Business Magazine, former King County Executive Ron Sims, former County Commissioner Mike Doherty, and Port Commissioner Jim Hallett.

Yoram Bauman, Carbon Washington founder and executive committee member and

I-732’s principal author, is the world’s only stand-up Ph.D. economist.  He knows how to tackle heavy subjects in a light-hearted way and is coming to Port Angeles at the invitation of Olympic Climate Action.

Thursday, July 30, 1:05 PM:  KONP’s Todd Ortloff interviews Yoram Bauman.  AM 1450 and FM 101.7

  • Yoram will explain the rationale for I-732 and preview his Aug. 2 evening performance and Aug. 3 Chamber of Commerce appearance.

Sunday, August 2, 6:30 – 8:30 PM:  “Climate Change–It’s No Joke:  An Evening of Fun, Fossil-Fuel Fungibility, and Fundraising with Yoram Bauman.” Elwha Klallam Heritage Center, 401 E. First St. in Port Angeles.  All are invited at no charge, though the event is intended as a fundraiser.

  • Yoram will explain in a light-hearted way why economics is so basically funny and why I-732 is so important to our future and our community. Q&A, signature-gatherer signups, and fundraising are also on the agenda.  Light refreshments and socializing at 6:30, and then Yoram will try to knock carbon pollution out of the park at 7.

Monday, August 3, 12 – 1 PM:  “Why a Carbon Tax Would Be Good for Our Local Community—Let Us Count the Ways.” Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Meeting, Red Lion Hotel banquet room, 221 N. Lincoln in Port Angeles.

  • Those wanting to learn more about climate policy options in Washington state, and how those options can impact our local community, can attend this talk by Yoram. Chamber lunch rules apply; attendees must buy lunch for $15 or drinks-only for $3.

Olympic Climate Action

Contact:  Bob Sextro, (360) 683-7643, robert.sextro@noblis.org

Carbon Washington

Contact:  Yoram Bauman, (206) 351-5719, yoram@carbonwa.org

 

 

###

Who we are:  Olympic Climate Action is a group of local concerned citizens working for a safe, prosperous, sustainable future for residents of the Olympic Peninsula by addressing the threat of climate change. By sharing the best available science, OCA hopes to raise awareness of the challenges “climate chaos” poses for our community, as well as options for mitigation and action. Join us at olyclimate.org.

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Puget Sound salmon face more ups and downs in river flows – Phys.org

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Good news and concerning news from some recent science.

Many salmon rivers around Puget Sound have experienced increasing fluctuations in flow over the past 60 years, just as climate change projections predict – and that’s unfortunate news for threatened Chinook salmon, according to a new analysis of salmon survival and river flow. More pronounced fluctuations in flow can scour away salmon eggs and exhaust young fish, especially when lower flows force adult fish to lay eggs in more exposed areas in the center of the channel. The new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Global Change Biology says such increased flow variability has the most negative effect on salmon populations of several climate factors considered. (Phys.org)

http://phys.org/news/2015-02-puget-salmon-ups-downs-river.html

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Fixing the environment from Davos Switzerland…absurd

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Al Bergstein

I usually try to stay locally focused on this blog. But sometimes something so absurd that is related to our environment needs to be covered. As you may have heard, our planet is heating up. 97% of the climate scientists are convinced it’s due to our actions (number from Al Gore’s Climate 101 web site http://climaterealityproject.org/climate-101).  Burning fossil fuels, primarily. As one wag has put it, “if 97 out of 100 engineers told you that a bridge is so bad that you shouldn’t drive over it, would you?”

We are looking and expecting our leaders, to do something about it. Last week, in Davos Switzerland, the heads of most of the major corporations in the world, along with governmental leaders, met to discuss the global situation, both economic and political. How did they get to Davos? They flew 1700 private jets. 

If anything illustrates exactly the mess we are in, it is this. The very leaders that we expect to solve this crisis, are part of the problem.

Jon Stewart covered the issue brilliantly on Friday’s Daily Show. And Al Gore gave a great speech at Davos that clearly showed the current problem in very graphic form. He also called for action, now. (you can watch it at the link below). But if the players present, can’t even be bothered to fly first class to save on fuel, don’t expect any meaningful change soon. And this weekend were the King Tides here at home, along with the warmest winter on record. Doesn’t it seem that sometimes, nothing ever meaningful happens without a major crisis that causes change to be so obvious that change has to happen? I think of World War II as a perfect metaphor. Everyone knew it was coming, and had no will to actually do the things needed to stop it. We haven’t reached that point yet (unless you live in the Philippines, Northern New Jersey Coast, or just someplace near like the Quinault Nation on the Pacific Coast, where the tribe is moving to higher ground due to the breaching of their seawall). Hmmm. Ok, so maybe we have reached that point, and it just hasn’t affect you and I personally, except in higher prices for food from drought in California, higher insurance rates for coastal residents etc. Ok. So maybe it’s not affecting us enough. 

I don’t expect the 1% at Davos to do anything of any consequence for us with all the good intentions of Mr. Gore. As Billy Frank Jr, once so eloquently spoke, after returning from Washington D.C. and meeting with the President (Obama), the Secretary of the Interior and others, “They all say they care about the issue (salmon), but no one back there is in charge. I’ll tell you who’s in charge, we are.”  And so it is.

16146084809_82e3260ac0_b

http://www.weforum.org/sessions/summary/whats-next-climate-action

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King Tides this weekend. – Get out and videotape and photograph them

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Al Bergstein

A good opportunity for citizen science. If you have a local beach that you visit, this weekend, at high tide, is a good time to get out and videotape it. If your camera has GPS, get the exact waypoint for the spot you tape at. Your smartphone should also automatically do that with any shots you take.

We have a few projects that the Marine Resources Committee is tracking, and we’ll be out seeing how they fare.

This is global warming and climate change happening right in front of us. Take the kids out also to teach them what to look for in future decades, when they come back to the same spot.

King Tide Shows What Climate Change Has In Store

http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/956392-129/king-tide-shows-what-climate-change
This weekend the tide will rise three feet above normal, soaking the shore, spoiling freshwater aquifers, and giving us all a glimpse of the future. Dan Person reports. (Seattle Weekly) See also: King tides expected this week on Budd Inlet http://www.theolympian.com/2015/01/22/3537454/king-tides-expected-this-week.html Andy Hobbs reports. (Olympian)

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Scientists Report Rare Sightings Of Tropical Species Off West Coast – Earthfix

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Al Bergstein

It appears  we have a ring side seat on the massive climatic change happening right off our coast. For the first time in 65 million years (the last time such a sweeping alternation of the waters occurred so quickly)  we are getting to witness changes that will likely end up altering everything we know and do.  While the politicians do half measures (if even that) in places like the recent Peruvian summit, our ecology is not waiting for us to take the steps needed, and even if we did, the game now is how to live with this change, not stop or reverse it.

Scientists surveying whales and dolphins on the West Coast have discovered unusual species of birds and marine mammals far north of their normal ranges. Experts say fish and wildlife are being drawn northward by unusually warm ocean water. Every few years, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration take a head count of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the ocean off California, Oregon and Washington. Cassandra Profita reports. (EarthFix)

http://earthfix.kuow.org/water/article/scientists-report-rare-sightings-of-tropical-speci/

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Washington businesses unite on climate action – Crosscut

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Ultimately, it is probably going to have to be the business community that gets the politicians to act. Insurance companies and groups like this will be the kind of influencers that the political hacks that have just been elected will need to hear.

With a snow-capped Mount Rainier as their poster child, Washington businesses have joined forces to take a stand on climate change. More than 100 businesses — from REI and Virginia Mason to Taylor Shellfish and Microsoft — launched a declaration calling for “climate action.” While they didn’t know what the outcome of the November election would be when they came together, their message remains the same. “Tackling climate change,” a declaration from the group says, “is one of Washington’s greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century. And it’s simply the right thing to do.” Martha Baskin reports. (Crosscut)

http://crosscut.com/2014/11/14/climate/122769/businesses-and-climate-looking-ahead/

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Author Naomi Klein on the free market and global warming – CBC

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Author and activist Naomi Klein just won the  $60k Hilary Weston Prize for her book about climate change, ‘This Changes Everything’. This is a very thought provoking interview that should give you good reason to read it. While the government of our neighbors to the north in Canada race to be match China by being the most polluting country on the planet, willing to trade any environmental protection for the almighty and in this case, appropriately named, Loonie, Naomi has focused whether the very fundamental nature of the free market is dooming us all. If you aren’t interested in reading a long book, then try a sample of her thoughts.

http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/features/2014/10/15/naomi-klein-hilary-weston-prize/

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EVENT -March to demand more climate change action – Port Townsend

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Sent to me today: if you are on the Peninsula, this could be a good alternative to driving a long ways for a climate change event! Go by bike, take a bus, or walk! At least carpool.

Please join us at the People’s Climate March this Sunday, Sept 21, 3 – 4:30, at Pope Marine Park.  We will be joining thousands of people like us marching at the United Nations in NYC and at other marches around the world.  Our message is simple:

 
NOW IS THE TIME FOR STRONG ACTIONS TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
We will be joined by tribal representatives especially concerned about the future of the Salish Sea – our local waters.  Bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers so that all our voices can be heard.
PT Climate March

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Cliff Mass and hot air – opinion

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Last week, regional meteorologist Professor Cliff Mass, called into question the reality of ocean acidification, along with restating his claims that climate change is nothing to worry about anytime soon.

As to his analysis that ocean acidification doesn’t effect us here because of the court filings of the EPA I can confidently state that no one that I’ve contacted that he points to agrees with his conclusions. His misreading of the lawsuit by the Natural Resource Defense Council, and counter suit filings by the State and EPA, is twisting of facts to suit his arguement. He goes on to make points that the whole thing is only being used as a fundraising tool by environmental and grant funding tool by shellfish companies.

My contacts at Taylor Shellfish clearly stated he misinterpreted anything that they told him. They believe Ocean Acidification is real, and a threat to their very business. As to root causes of it, and possible solutions, no one yet has definitive answers, but a lot of people are looking at what those might be. As science should. The suit by the NRDC is stating that they already know enough to take action, while the US EPA and State EPA claim otherwise. To draw the conclusion that they don’t believe it exists from these court filings is absurd.

There has been a poster on the web recently, stating, “If 97% of structural engineers told you that a specific bridge was going to collapse if you drove your car over it, would you trust your life and the lives of your children to the other 3%?”  And the water planners in California, and homeless “climate refugees” in the Methow here in Washington, who have been wiped out by a fire the likes of which has never been seen in the generations that Europeans have been living there, can probably attest, that something is happening here that is outside the box of normal environmental scenarios. 97% of the scientists who study these things call it Climate Change. And they are in agreement over the root cause. It’s man made.

The NOAA web site for Ocean Acidification can be found on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/NoaaOceanAcidificationProgram

And the web site if you aren’t allowing yourself to be monitored for targeted advertising on Facebook.

Here’s the science standing in stark contrast to the outlier, Professor Mass.

http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

climate change

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A great short video on Climate Change education

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Four minutes of fun. Just watch it. Great message. 

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Pope Francis Calls on Faithful to Protect the Environment

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Yesterday the Pope made the most forceful case yet for his flock to get active and protect the environment. It will do much to help people who otherwise might not be aware of the seriousness of this situation to feel a duty to take action, or at least support change.

Pope Francis made the religious case for tackling climate change on Wednesday, calling on his fellow Christians to become “Custodians of Creation” and issuing a dire warning about the potentially catastrophic effects of global climate change.

Speaking to a massive crowd in Rome, the first Argentinian pope delivered a short address in which he argued that respect for the “beauty of nature and the grandeur of the cosmos” is a Christian value, noting that failure to care for the planet risks apocalyptic consequences.

“Safeguard Creation,” he said. “Because if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us! Never forget this!”

Read the whole story here:

Pope Francis Makes Biblical Case For Addressing Climate Change: ‘If We Destroy Creation, Creation Will Destroy Us’

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Great new film from Olympic National Park

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Check this out. A good story on the Olympic Coast and Ocean Acidification and global warming.

Coastal ecologist Dr. Steve Fradkin is a National Park Service scientist who spends his days in the intertidal zone of Olympic National Park. There, a spectacular diversity of plants and animals interact to form a living, breathing ecosystem that is an especially sensitive indicator of environmental health. Climate change is beginning to take its toll on this fragile ecosystem, but as long as Steve gets a good cup of coffee, he’ll be out there monitoring the changes and figuring out what we as humans can do to help.

Climate change will have many of its first impacts to our coasts and intertidal communities. This film highlights Dr. Steven Fradkin, coastal ecologist at Olympic National Park and his work monitoring intertidal life.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZt0OS12ty0#t=563

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Washington state tribes ask for action on climate change – Tacoma News Tribune

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Tribal leaders continue to push the Federal Government to do more to protect them (and us!) from climate change. Again, we see that the Tribes take a leading role when the rest of us are off trying to stop coal trains, etc.

Representatives of nine Washington Indian tribes told Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on Thursday that consequences of climate change are threatening their economies and cultures and that they need federal help to deal with intensifying climate-related problems. The tribes, with low-lying reservations on Washington’s ocean coast and along Puget Sound, said rising sea levels caused by global warming, ocean acidification and more severe weather patterns are endangering the natural resources on which their cultures are based. Rob Carson reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/04/24/3164916/state-tribes-ask-for-climate-action.html

 

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