2019-10-08: News Headlines

Associated Press (2019-10-08). Swedish teen climate activist rallies crowd in South Dakota. peoplesworld.org RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A 16-year-old environmental activist from Sweden urged politicians Monday at a South Dakota appearance to listen to indigenous people on climate change. Greta Thunberg spoke at a rally in Rapid City that attracted hundreds of people. She spoke out against the proposed path of the Keystone XL pipeline through South …

Staff (2019-10-08). Youth Indigenous Activist Speaks on Deforestation in Indonesia. therealnews.com 14-year-old Kynan Degar explains how the palm oil industry harms indigenous Indonesian communities through deforestation—an interview at the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

Chika Unigwe (2019-10-08). It's Not Just Greta: Why are the Developing World's Inspiring Activists Being Ignored? counterpunch.org Ridhima Pandey was just nine years old in 2017 when she filed a lawsuit against the Indian government for failing to take action against climate change. Pandey's fierce, astounding passion for the environment is not accidental. Her mother is a forestry guard and her father an environmental activist; and the whole family was displaced by More

Stephanie Hedgecoke (2019-10-08). Cuba, reforestation and the climate crisis. workers.org On the Rio San Juan in the Sierra del Rosario biosphere in Cuba. The following is a slightly edited talk given at a Workers World Party forum on Oct. 3 in New York City. Hedgecoke participated in the 50th Venceremos Brigade this summer. We meet on stolen land. This is . . . | Continue reading Cuba, reforestation and the climate crisis at Workers.org

Chitrangada Choudhury — Aniket Aga (2019-10-08). Sowing the Seeds of the Climate Crisis in Odisha. counterpunch.org "Everybody is doing it. So we are too," said Rupa Pirikaka, somewhat uncertainly. 'It' is genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton seeds, now easily bought at the local market, or even in one's own village. 'Everybody' is countless other farmers like her in the village of and across the rest of south-western Odisha's Rayagada district. "They are getting money in their hands," she says. More

Sasha Abramsky (2019-10-08). As We Focus on Impeachment, Trump Is Restructuring the Country. thenation.com As We Focus on Impeachment, Trump Is Restructuring the Country…

Thomas Knapp (2019-10-08). Instead of Explaining Greta Thunberg, Debate Her Claims. counterpunch.org What is Greta Thunberg's superpower? She obviously has one, if not more. Your average sixteen-year-old doesn't start successful global activist movements, address UN Climate Action Summits, and have those addresses go viral as death metal videos. Critics slam Thunberg as everything from "mentally ill" (a claim which got one Fox News guest blacklisted), to naive More

Staff (2019-10-08). Over 700 Arrested During Extinction Rebellion Climate Actions. truthout.org | | More than 700 people have been arrested in civil disobedience actions as the group Extinction Rebellion kicked off two weeks of protests in 60 cities worldwide, demanding urgent government action on the climate crisis. Its members have superglued themselves to government buildings, occupied public landmarks, shut down roads and taken to the streets to sound the alarm about the impending catastrophe of global warming. Extinction Rebellion, a nonpolitical movement, launched last year in the U.K. and rose…

Jerome Irwin (2019-10-08). 7.5 Million Humans Say No to Climate Crisis and Yes to Life. counterpunch.org As one of the 7.5 million who recently put their bodies where their mouth are to visibly say "NO" to an out-of-control global climate crisis, this writer continues to reflect upon what lies behind the futility of so many climate crises, anti-war, pro-human protests of the past, and the even more aggressive protests that will More

No Nukes Action (2019-10-08). SF Speak Out At Japan Consulate: Stop Olympics in Fukshima- Defend Fukushima Families. indybay.org Japanese Consulate | 275 Battery St. | San Francisco…

teleSUR (2019-10-08). France Not To Sign Mercosur Agreement Due to Amazon Destruction. telesurenglish.net France will not sign the EU-Mercosur farming deal struck between the European Union and the Mercosur countries of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay under current conditions, France's environment minister said on Tuesday. | RELATED: | France, First Country in EU With Facial Recognition ID System | "We can't sign a trade treaty with a country that doesn't respect the Amazon forest, that doesn't respect the Paris (climate) treaty. France will not sign the Mercosur deal under t…

Jon Queally, staff writer (2019-10-08). In European First, Proposed Constitutional Amendment in Sweden Would Enshrine Rights of Nature. commondreams.org "When we're in the beginning of an ecological and climate collapse," said the lawmaker who introduced the measure, "I hope we can re-think our relationship with Nature." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/rights_of_nature_sweden.jpg

Staff (2019-10-08). This Is Not a Drill: 700+ Arrested as Extinction Rebellion Fights Climate Crisis with Direct Action. democracynow.org More than 700 people have been arrested in civil disobedience actions as the group Extinction Rebellion kicked off two weeks of protests in 60 cities worldwide, demanding urgent government action on the climate crisis. Its members have superglued themselves to government buildings, occupied public landmarks, shut down roads and taken to the streets to sound the alarm about the impending catastrophe of global warming. Extinction Rebellion, a nonpolitical movement, launched last year in the U.K. and rose to prominence in April, when it disrupted traffic in Central London for 11 days. For more about the significance…

Staff (2019-10-08). Headlines for October 8, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Touts "Great and Unmatched Wisdom" as U.S. Abandons Kurdish Allies, State Dept. Orders Ambassador Gordon Sondland Not to Testify to Impeachment Inquiry, Federal Judge Rejects Trump's "Repugnant" Argument Against Turning Over Tax Records, Ecuador's President Moves Government From Capital as Anti-Austerity Protests Grow, Bolivia Rains Quell Fires After 10 Million Amazon Acres Burn, 700+ Arrested as Extinction Rebellion Protests Demand Climate Action, Swedish Climate Activist Greta Thunberg to Visit Standing Rock Reservation, Supreme Court Opens New Term with Justice Clarence Thomas Absent, Asylum Seekers Esco…

Jessica Corbett (2019-10-08). 'Get on the streets. And bring everybody': Extinction Rebellion kicks off two weeks of global action. nationofchange.org Nearly a year after Extinction Rebellion launched in London, the global movement that uses nonviolent civil disobedience to demand ambitious climate action kicked off two weeks of protests on Monday with demonstrations around the world that blocked major roadways and led to arrests. | "Starting on October 7th, for 2 weeks, Extinction Rebellion is calling an International Rebellion. Together, we will peacefully occupy the centers of power and shut them down until governme…

Staff (2019-10-07). GOP Lobbyists Behind Gas Industry 'Empowerment Alliance' Oppose Green New Deal. therealnews.com The group's spokesman is the former press secretary for U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and the 2004 Bush campaign. It does not disclose its funders over concerns of "eco-terrorists."

The Canary (2019-10-07). Climate protesters block roads in London and across Europe to demand urgent action. thecanary.co Extinction Rebellion activists have blocked major roads in London and other cities across Europe at the beginning of what was billed as a wide-ranging series of protests demanding urgent action to deal with the world's climate crisis.Demonstrators marched through central London as they kicked off two weeks of activities designed to disrupt the city. London police said some 135 climate activists had been arrested.Extinction Rebellion said protesters from the XR Peace group were arrested as they blocked Victoria Embankment, outside the Ministry of Defence.Among those arrested was 81-year-old Sarah Lasenby, a retire…

John Feffer (2019-10-07). The New Age of Protest. counterpunch.org Led by young people, climate strikers blocked traffic on two mornings at the end of last month in Washington, DC. On the first day, protestors chained themselves to a boat three blocks from the White House, and 32 activists were arrested. On the second day, activists targeted the EPA and Trump International Hotel. It was More

Josue De Luna Navarro (2019-10-07). How Fossil Fuels Pollute STEM Education. counterpunch.org Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has a message for policy makers: "Listen to the scientists." As an engineer, I was glad to hear that. But I also believe it's also vital for scientists to be vigilant about whom they listen to. For years, corporations funded junk science trying to undermine the climate consensus. Now, virtually More

Jake Johnson (2019-10-07). Merging 'loyalty to the oil industry' and 'grudge against California,' Trump opens 725,000 acres to fossil fuel drilling. nationofchange.org "Turning over these spectacular wild places to dirty drilling and fracking will sicken Californians, harm endangered species, and fuel climate chaos."

United Nations (2019-10-07). Turning waste into wealth: World Habitat Day focus on cleaning up cities. un.org Waste can have a devastating effect on public health, the environment, and the climate, but cutting-edge innovation and technology can provide improved, cheaper solutions to the challenge, and help cities and communities to see waste as a business opportunity. This was the message marking World Habitat Day, on Monday, with a focus on waste management.

United Nations (2019-10-07). Ramp up nuclear power to beat climate change, says UN nuclear chief. un.org Without significantly increasing the use of nuclear power worldwide, it will be difficult to achieve the goal of reducing harmful emissions and fighting climate change, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday.

Alanna Schubach (2019-10-07). Enough With the Flight Shaming, Already! thenation.com Enough With the Flight Shaming, Already!

Peter Koenig (2019-10-05). Climate and the Little Green Women and Men. dissidentvoice.org The Little Green Women and Men (LGWM) are us, humanoids, especially those living in the west, believing we command Mother Earth. Well, no wonder, there is a group among us, who claims to be "God's Chosen People" — and they act it all the way. So much so, that they and their influence on LGWMs, …

Staff (2019-10-04). US Supreme Court to Decide Fate Of Baltimore v. Big Oil Suit. therealnews.com The city sued 26 oil and gas companies over their role in the climate crisis, but the companies have appealed to the Supreme Court to stop the case from proceeding at the state level.

United Nations (2019-10-04). UN commits to help Pacific island agriculture adapt and survive climate crisis. un.org The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pledged on Friday to work hand in hand with the people of the Pacific to improve nutrition, and mitigate the worst effects of climate change, which pose an existential threat to many island nations across the region.

United Nations (2019-10-03). UN's Guterres: Broad climate 'movement' has begun, but there's a long way to go. un.org When it comes to the climate emergency, "we have a long way to go. But the movement has begun," UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared in a widely-distributed opinion piece on Thursday, reaffirming his concern over the threats posed by a warming world, unless more urgent action is taken.

United Nations (2019-10-03). Thursday's Daily Brief: UN chief remembers former Assembly President, Council on Africa's Great Lakes, FAO data shows stable food prices. un.org A recap of Thursday's stories: Guterres addresses climate emergency in op-ed; UN envoy highlights 'golden opportunity' for Africa's Great Lakes region; FAO scales up banana crop protection against disease; Data shows September food prices held steady; Somalia Partnership Forum concludes.

Staff (2019-10-03). Headlines for October 3, 2019. democracynow.org House Democrats Prepare White House Subpoena in Impeachment Probe, Trump Rages Against Impeachment Probe with Profanity and Insults, Bernie Sanders Has Surgery to Clear Blocked Artery, Deaths and Injuries Mount as Iraqi Police and Soldiers Fire on Protesters, EU Officials Wary as British PM Boris Johnson Unveils Brexit Plan , Hong Kong Teen Shot During Protests Charged with Assaulting Officer, Record-Breaking Hurricane Lorenzo Lashes Azores, Heads for Ireland, London Climate Protesters Spray British Treasury with Fake Blood, Cameroonian Asylum Seeker Dies in For-Profit Immigration Jail, Plácido Domingo Quits L.A.

Staff (2019-10-03). Trump vs. California: In Blow to Climate, U.S. Revokes State's Stricter Auto Emissions Standards. democracynow.org California is in a legal battle with the Trump administration over tailpipe emissions, air quality and climate change. California recently joined nearly two dozen other states to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration after it revoked the state's air pollution standards for cars and light trucks, in its latest regulatory rollback of laws aimed at slowing the climate crisis. Auto emissions are California's single largest source of greenhouse gases. From Los Angeles, we're joined by Mary Nichols, the longtime chair of the California Air Resources Board. She has led the board in crafting California's intern…

Staff (2019-10-02). California's New Climate Change Plan Uses World's Forests as Collateral. therealnews.com California has endorsed the Tropical Forest Standard, a global plan linking forest preservation to carbon offset credits. It is opposed by environmental justice groups and Indigenous people.

Staff (2019-10-01). Newark Water Crisis: Mayor Ras Baraka Responds to Critics & Promises City Is Working on Solution. democracynow.org Newark, New Jersey, city officials recently announced thousands of water filters handed out to residents have significantly reduced lead in drinking water to safe levels. Lead contamination has plagued the city for years, spiking even higher in 2019. Over the summer, the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit against Newark, accusing it of violating federal safe drinking water laws. The crisis came to a head last month following revelations that water filters distributed to residents may not have been effective. Meanwhile, New Jersey officials have signed off on a $120 million bond with Essex County to…

Russel Ruch (2019-09-30). Climate apartheid: Differential impacts in the age of imperialism. liberationnews.org Climate change is producing a type of climate apartheid between rich and poor nations, and between the rich and working-class majority within all capitalist societies.

Staff (2019-09-30). Headlines for September 30, 2019. democracynow.org Facing Threats from Trump, Anonymous Whistleblower to Testify on Capitol Hill, Trump Warns Impeachment Could Lead to Civil War, Calls Critics "Savages", Pompeo Subpoenaed over Ukraine; Trump Envoy for Ukraine Resigns, More Than 2 Million Take Part in Global Climate Strike, Nearly 70 Arrested at New Hampshire Coal Plant Protest, Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Effort to Indefinitely Detain Migrant Children, Low Turnout Reported on Election Day in Afghanistan, Egyptian Dissident Alaa Abd El-Fattah Arrested Amid Growing Crackdown, Houthis Claim to Have Killed 500 Saudi Soldiers in August Attack, El País: S…

Juliana Musheyev (2019-09-30). Vista high school students demand climate action. liberationnews.org Students from Rancho Buena Vista High School organized a sit-in at Vista City Hall Sept. 27 to demand a stronger climate action plan.

barry_h (2019-09-29). Perth artist paints Earth's grief. greenleft.org.au art Climate change Lynn TinleyIssue 1240 AustraliaSeptember 29, 2019Below are the opening remarks by long-established West Australian artist, Lynne Tinley at the opening night of Earth Grief, a retrospective exhibition of her art. The exhibition was displayed at the Sustainabl…

Fred_F (2019-09-28). Liberals squirm as South Australia's parliament declares climate emergency. greenleft.org.au climate action Renfrey ClarkeIssue 1239 Australia South Australia AdelaideSeptember 28, 2019For the first time in Australia, a house of state parliament has voted to declare a climate emergency.

pip.hinman (2019-09-27). Yaama Ngunna Baaka Corroboree visits drought stricken Murray Darling communities. greenleft.org.au climate emergency Rachel EvansIssue 1239 Australia Yaama Ngunna Baaka Corroboree Festival Bus Tour water theftSeptember 27, 2019More than 200 people are set to tour…

susan_p (2019-09-27). Capitalism and climate change. greenleft.org.au climate action Ammar Ali JanIssue 1239 Pakistan SS4C Global Climate StrikeSeptember 27, 2019The Global Climate Strike was an unprecedented event in its ambition to disrupt business as usual. | More th…

Fred_F (2019-09-26). School strikers take aim at Morrison, vow to continue. greenleft.org.au Climate Strike climate action Pip HinmanIssue 1239 AustraliaSeptember 26, 2019″The student strikes have been phenomenal — surreal at times," Sydney high school student Chloe Russell-Alexander told Green Left Weekly reflecting on the huge Climate Strike that saw…

patrick (2019-09-24). StrikeDC — Friday, September 27. strikedc.org On Monday, 2,000 of us took to the streets of Washington, DC shutting down key intersections and disrupting business as usual to demand an immediate end to the age of fossil fuels, and a swift and just transition to renewable energy. A broad coalition of climate and social justice groups fanned out across downtown D.C. … | Continue reading "StrikeDC — Friday, September 27"

Andy Freeman (2019-09-23). Voices from the Seattle Global Climate Strike. liberationnews.org "We must work together to create systemic change…"

patrick (2019-09-18). Join the Global Climate Strike. Oppose Israel's climate apartheid. bdsmovement.net Join the Global Climate Strike. Oppose Israel's climate apartheid.: Action AlertTell multinational corporations to stop investing in fossil fuels and in Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people. | Economic BoycottSeptember 19, 2019 | By: | | Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC)

patrick (2019-09-12). We've got a Plan to #ShutDownDC For Climate Justice. strikedc.org "This is definitely a next-level direct action. The urgency of climate change warrants such an attempt to disrupt business as usual… to make it impossible for people with decision making-power to go about their daily lives as if we are not in a climate emergency." That's what the New York Times printed about our plans to #ShutDownDC … | Continue reading "We've got a Plan to #ShutDownDC For Climate Justice"

patrick (2019-08-29). Report Back from #ShutDownDC Kickoff Meeting. strikedc.org Wow! That was an incredible meeting last night. 125 people in the room and 11 solid affinity groups at the #ShutDownDC kick off meeting! We're so inspired to see so many amazing people stepping up to the challenge. The Climate Strike week of action is less than a month away and we have a long … | Continue reading "Report Back from #ShutDownDC Kickoff Meeting"

patrick (2019-08-25). Climate Strike Support Ideas for Labor Unions and Union Members. strikedc.org The vast majority of union contracts include "no strike" clauses where unions promise not to strike until their contract expires (usually 2-4 year terms). Almost all union workers risk getting fired for striking for climate and almost all unions risk legal repercussions if they try to organize such a strike. But there are many ways … | Continue reading "Climate Strike Support Ideas for Labor Unions and Union Members"

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

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