2019-08-21: News Headlines

Daphne Wysham (2019-08-21). Saving the Planet Means Fighting Bipartisan Corruption. commondreams.org Both terminals and their backers provide proof that tackling climate change means tackling corruption at the highest levels of our democracy, regardless of party affiliation. (Photo: Shutterstock) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/oil_1.jpeg

Bill McKibben (2019-08-21). Youth to Adults—Join Us in the Climate Fight. commondreams.org Climate change activist Greta Thunberg sets sail for New York, in the 60-foot Malizia II yacht, from Plymouth, England, on Aug. 14.(Photo: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/greta.jpg

Extinction Rebellion, others (2019-08-21). Climate Emergency "Die-In" Protest at San Jose City Hall. indybay.org The front courtyard at the San Jose City Hall | 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose 95113…

CA Democratic Progressive Caucus (2019-08-21). Strategy Meeting: Pass the DNC Resolution for a Presidential Climate Debate. indybay.org Parc 55 Hotel, Ballroom | 55 Cyril Magnin Street | San Francisco, CA 94102…

Tim Radford (2019-08-21). Unique climate change has no natural cause. nationofchange.org European and U.S. scientists have cleared up a point that has been nagging away at climate science for decades: not only is the planet warming faster than at any time in the last 2,000 years, but this unique climate change really does have neither a historic precedent nor a natural cause. Other historic changes — the …

Naomi Klein (2019-08-21). Why the Democratic National Committee Must Change the Rules and Hold a Climate Debate. commondreams.org Members of the Sunrise Movement hubs from across New York gathered for a rally on Aug. 13, 2019, outside the DNC headquarters in New York City to pressure the state members to vote for a climate debate. (Photo: Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/sunrise_0.jpeg

Environmental Defense Fund (2019-08-21). EDF Talk: California and the Rainforest – a Plan to Fight Climate Change. indybay.org EDF Office on 28th Floor, 123 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105…

Spirit Rock Meditation Center (2019-08-21). No Time to Lose: A Dharma Response to Climate Change (Spirit Rock Meditation Center). indybay.org Spirit Rock Meditation Center | 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Woodacre, CA 94973 | www.spiritrock.org/directions

Ruth Milka (2019-08-21). 'This illegal and dangerous pipeline must be shut down': Standing Rock Sioux renew the fight against the DAPL. nationofchange.org The tribe is asking for a pause in construction while a thorough environmental assessment, this time with input from the tribe is conducted.

Amanda Mills (2019-08-21). California to build world's largest bridge over a major freeway for wildlife. nationofchange.org Hoping to prevent the extinction of mountain lions, coyotes, deer, lizards, snakes, and other species that require room to roam, Southern California transportation officials will be building a wildlife crossing over the U.S. 101 highway. "Localized extinction happens when populations can't find each other, and if they don't have genetic variability, they will blink out—especially …

Staff (2019-08-21). Trump Escalates War on Species as We Face an Extinction Emergency. truthout.org | | The Trump administration's recent announcement of rule changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will blow a hole through protections that have been crucial to preventing extinctions and to helping the recovery of many threatened species. The changes, announced by the Interior Department's, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service, will take effect in September. | About 1,600 plant and animal species in the U.S. are listed under the ESA. It's been estimated the ESA…

Binoy Kampmark (2019-08-21). Condescension and Climate Change: Australia and the Failure of the Pacific Islands Forum. counterpunch.org It was predictably ugly: in tone, in regret, and, in some ways, disgust. Australia emerged from the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting isolated, the true spoiler of the party which saw 17 states facing the obstinacy of one. It had taken place on Tuvalu, some two hours flight north of Fiji. The capital Funafuti is More

greenleft.org.au (2019-08-21). The climate struggle is a struggle for social power. greenleft.org.au

Staff (2019-08-20). Pope Francis Confronts the "Idolatry of Money" — RAI with Matthew Fox (7/8). therealnews.com With his criticism of excessive capitalism and of climate change, Pope Francis has become the target of the far-right, and especially of the secretive Opus Dei sect within the Catholic Church, explains former priest Matthew Fox…

Janine Jackson (2019-08-20). 'Monsanto Has Worked Very Hard to Discredit Me and My Work' – CounterSpin interview with Carey Gillam on Monsanto's attack on journalism. fair.org Janine Jackson interviewed US Right to Know's Carey Gillam for the August 16, 2019, episode of CounterSpin, about being targeted by Monsanto. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…

United Nations (2019-08-20). Negotiating legally-binding agreement to provide future generations with a 'healthy, resilient and productive ocean'. un.org While the world's oceans contain some 200,000 identified living species, the actual numbers could reach the millions ≠ ≠— all exposed to the dangers of climate change, pollution and over-exploitation. To stem these threats, the United Nations is meeting to negotiate a treaty that would protect three-quarters of the earth's surface by 2030.

Jon Queally, staff writer (2019-08-20). That Kamala Harris Even Considered Skipping CNN Forum, Say Youth Campaigners, Is 'Why We Absolutely Need' Mandatory Climate Debate. commondreams.org Senator's reversal comes after progressives rebuked 2020 candidate for choosing to attend high-priced fundraiser over forum focused on planetary crisis | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/kamala_reversal_cnn_climate_forum.jpg

Janine Jackson (2019-08-19). On Gun Violence, 'We Need the Federal Government to Take Bold Steps' – CounterSpin interview with Ernest Coverson on guns & human rights. fair.org Janine Jackson interviewed Amnesty International USA's Ernest Coverson about guns and human rights for the August 16, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…

Kim Petersen (2019-08-19). Colonialism Lives on in the Mind of Donald Trump. dissidentvoice.org Outside of melting glaciers and global warming discussions, Kalaallit Nunaat does not often find itself in the spotlight, and when it does, it is usually referred to as Greenland. United States president Donald Trump's real-estate aspirations have given Kalaallit Nunaat/Greenland prominence in recent news. It seems Trump is serious about the US purchasing Greenland. Judging …

United Nations (2019-08-19). FROM THE FIELD: Green wall of opportunities grows in the Sahel. un.org An ambitious plan has got underway to plant a band of trees across the Sahel region of Africa, to hold back desertification and combat climate change, thanks to the support of the United Nations.

Binoy Kampmark (2019-08-19). Condescension and Climate Change: Australia and the Failure of the Pacific Islands Forum. dissidentvoice.org It was predictably ugly: in tone, in regret, and, in some ways, disgust. Australia emerged from the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting isolated, the true spoiler of the party which saw 17 states facing the obstinacy of one. It had taken place on Tuvalu, some two hours flight north of Fiji. The capital Funafuti is …

CounterSpin (2019-08-16). Ernest Coverson on Guns & Human Rights, Carey Gillam Under Attack From Monsanto. fair.org Media…

Staff (2019-08-16). Trump Endangers the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. therealnews.com The protection of threatened species will now be weighed against the economic benefit their extinction might mean. Meanwhile, states would no longer be able to review the impact of projects on water quality, in accordance with the decades-old the Clean Water Act…

Staff (2019-08-16). Headlines for August 16, 2019. democracynow.org Israel Bars Reps. Omar & Tlaib from Official Trip to West Bank Due to Their Support for BDS, 11 Die in Kashmir as Pakistani & Indian Troops Exchange Fire, U.S. Puts Pressure on Crew of Iranian Oil Tanker Seized in July, North Korea Test-Fires Two Missiles as It Rejects New Talks with S. Korea, NOAA: July Was Officially the Hottest Month on Record, Australia Accused of Watering Down Pacific Island Climate Agreement, Study: Surge in Methane Gas Emissions Is Linked to Fracking Boom, 270 Die, 1 Million Displaced in India from Heavy Monsoon Rains, Federal Court: Trump Admin Can't Deny Soap & Toothpaste to Migrant Chil…

Janine Jackson (2019-08-14). 'People Are Demanding Accountability for the Fossil Fuel Industry' – CounterSpin interview with Sriram Madhusoodanan about climate justice. fair.org Janine Jackson interviewed Sriram Madhusoodanan about climate justice for the August 2, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…

Ryan Driskell Tate (2019-08-12). How Climate Activists Can Benefit from Solidarity with Kentucky Coal Miners. progressive.org As fossil-fuel workers lose their jobs today, the urgency of what climate activists call the "just transition" becomes all the more apparent.

CounterSpin (2019-08-02). Sriram Madhusoodanan on Fossil Fuel Investigations, Amin Husain on Decolonizing Museums. fair.org Media…