environment

Oh, Those Stupid Scientists

/ justdrivewillyou / 4 Comments

(Before the coronavirus crisis) people used to look to the United States with a degree of reverence. For democracy. For our moral leadership in the world. Supporting science and using technology to travel to the moon. Instead, what’s really been exposed is how anti-science we’ve become.
-Dr. Cedric Dark, emergency physician, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas


When I was in school, one of my least favorite subjects was science. I just wasn’t into it that much.

Apparently, a great many Americans, including our president, are still not.

Leading scientific experts on climate change and the coronavirus have been ignored, mocked, silenced or contradicted by donald and his minions. Their steadfast refusal to face the reality of either crisis has been, to put it mildly, appalling.

If you guys really have no use for science, then don’t bother seeing a doctor when you’re sick, because it’s science that leads to a diagnosis and a remedy.

Don’t bother watching your big screen TV at home, because it’s science that produces the audio and video.

Don’t bother driving your pickup anywhere, because it’s science that makes it go.

You see where I’m going here, MAGA men? Science is part of our everyday life. You can’t just ignore or reject the parts you don’t agree with. The facts are what they are. And there are plenty of qualified people who study those facts, and who know what to deduce from them. And it’s their expert advice you’re rejecting, putting as all at greater risk.

And I’m telling you to cut it out.

We’re looking right in the face of two serious threats to our health. We’d best pay attention to the people who know how we must deal with them, if not for ourselves, then for the generations to follow.

Kudos to Bezos

/ justdrivewillyou / 3 Comments

In case you hadn’t heard:

This week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced he was committing ten billion dollars of his own money to fighting climate change.

Ten. Billion. Dollars.

Of his own money!

Just how rich is this dude?

According to Associated Press, Bezos will “start giving grants this summer to scientists, activists and nonprofits working to protect Earth.”

$10 billion ought to help, don’t you think?

If you would like to donate $10 billion (or, perhaps less) of your own money in the fight against climate change, Vox.com recently listed six organizations that might be worth your consideration. You can find the list here.

Remember: climate change is the issue of our time. Our very existence depends on how we deal with it.

Thanks for your amazing generosity, Mr. Bezos. Here’s hoping it’s money well spent.

 

 

 

 

Lung Damage

/ justdrivewillyou / 6 Comments

 

The Amazon Rainforest is on fire.

What does that have to do with me?, you ask.

Well, let’s see: For starters, the Rainforest produces 20% of the oxygen in the world’s atmosphere.

I’ll let you dwell on that for a minute.

One-fifth of the world’s oxygen. Small wonder the Amazon is known as “the lungs of the planet.”

And it’s burning up. At a record rate, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, who has been tracking the fires since 2013. More than 1½ soccer fields of Amazon rainforest are being destroyed every minute of every day, according to the Institute.

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When I first learned about it today, it horrified me, but I felt totally helpless to do anything.

Do you feel the same?

Then, go to https://www.cnet.com/how-to/the-amazon-rainforest-is-on-fire-what-we-know-so-far-and-how-you-can-help/ for some suggestions on what you can do, short of actually going down there and fighting the fires yourself, and for more background on this story.

Share it with everyone. Our planet is losing its capacity for keeping us alive. Don’t know about you, but I think that’s serious.

Calling All Geezers

/ justdrivewillyou / 2 Comments

 

Hey, all you old buzzards out there! Concerned about climate change, but feel at a loss for what to do about it?

Let me introduce you to Elders Climate Action (https://eldersclimateaction.org), a nationwide network of senior citizens who want to have a part in influencing policy changes in our government regarding climate change.

As I have said on here before, I believe climate change is THE biggest issue we face today, because all the other issues mean nothing if none of us are here. And that’s where we’re headed, if we don’t make some large-scale changes ASAP to our climate policy.

Elders Climate Action is an aggregation of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles united in doing everything we can (yes, we; I’m a very new member) to assure this planet is still inhabitable for future generations. You can be as active as you are able and willing, whether you get out in your community, or never leave your home, there’s something you can do.

I encourage all of you to check out their website and see if, like me, you decide Elders Climate Action is something you want to be part of. But, even if not, maybe what you see there will inspire you to take some action, big or small, in the fight against climate change.

The kids need us. Let’s do this for them. Thank you.