(2018-12-19). Developing Country Issues at COP24 … and a Bit of Good News for Solar Power and Carbon Capture. counterpunch.org 
We humans are an interesting species … instead of seeing eye-to-eye, we are inclined to see eye-to-nose. We focus on the present and ourselves, particularly where our comfort is concerned, no matter how dire the predictions for the future. Although these are now over, such has been evident at the climate change talks in Katowice, Poland. More
(2018-12-19). Russophobia and the Specter of War. counterpunch.org 
Could global warming pose the greatest threat to the future of life on the planet? Quite possibly, if we believe the international (and scientific) consensus, despite a widening stratum of debunkers, deniers, and skeptics. What about the prospects of thermonuclear war between the United States and Russia, two countries armed to the max and seemingly More
(2018-12-19). State Water Board Approves Increased Flows for the Lower San Joaquin River. indybay.org Members of California Indian Tribes spoke in support of the San Joaquin water flow standard at the hearing. | "The destruction of the rivers is genocide on the fish and the genocide on fish is the genocide of the indigenous people of these rivers," Mahlija Florendo, Yurok/Karuk/Hupa, and organizer for Save California's Salmon, told the board before the vote. "So I am here today to tell you that these flows are critical to the land, the rivers, the fish and the people. No dams, no diversions, no pipelines!'
(2018-12-19). CEO buys right to name blind worm species after Trump. rt.com 
A blind, wormlike, dirt-burrowing amphibian has been named after US President Donald Trump in a dig at his climate change policies (or lack thereof) after the CEO of a sustainable building company won an auction for the privilege.
(2018-12-19). The working class and the environmental crisis. wsws.org It is not "humanity" that is guilty of contributing to climate change or the destruction of the ecosystem. It is the capitalist class.
(2018-12-18). Video: US "Local Partners" in Northeast Syria Are About to be "Sold to Turkey" globalresearch.ca Turkey is ramping up its military preparations and propaganda campaign ahead of a possible attack on the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northeastern Syria. | On December 17, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) can …
(2018-12-18). Corporations See a Different Kind of "Green" in Ocasio-Cortez's "Green New Deal" mintpressnews.com 
There is nothing "progressive" about the Ocasio-Cortez-promoted "New Green Deal," which is little more than an industry-driven, neoliberal solution that will not solve issues like climate change and poverty but instead empower their underlying cause: U.S. oligarchy.
(2018-12-18). Tribals, Missionaries and Hindutva. counterpunch.org 
Photo Source Covenant Journey | CC BY 2.0 | Although there is no evidence to suggest that John Allen Chau, an American adventure enthusiast and Jesus lover, had achieved any success in converting people to his faith or threatened them into doing so, he is being portrayed as a missionary who deserved to die. | He was reportedly murdered on November 17 by the North Sentinel tribesmen when he approached them for a third time in as many days. The island forms part of the archipelago of 29 island…
(2018-12-18). Where No Corn Has Grown Before: Better Living Through Climate Change? counterpunch.org 
The growing season used to be too short to grow corn in Alberta. That's no longer true, according to a front page story in the November 26 Wall Street Journal: "Warming Climate Pushes Corn North." Thanks to climate change, a warming planet means longer growing seasons, making it practical for Canadian farmers to raise corn. More
(2018-12-18). The Impact of OPEC on Climate Change. counterpunch.org 
It is accepted that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a cartel that restrains oil production and keeps prices higher than they would otherwise be. Indeed, this is the premise behind the "OPEC Accountability Act of 2018" in the US Senate. This bill would address high and rising oil prices by trying More
(2018-12-18). People Should Be Allowed to Sue Facebook If It Violates Law on Face Recognition Privacy. aclu.org 
We filed a court brief opposing Facebook's effort to make it harder to enforce a pro-privacy law. | Ten years ago, Illinois enacted a law that imposes important protections against companies collecting and storing our biometric information — including using facial recognition— without our knowledge and consent. The law is called the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Although facial recognition was relatively crude when it was passed, the wisdom of Illinois' decision has been borne out over the last decade, as facial recognition and other biometric collection has developed and spread. | On Monday, the…
(2018-12-18). How to Feel Good about the Climate in 2019. progressive.org Despite national schizophrenia on the issue, a growing number of Americans are on board with accepting human-caused climate change—and doing something about it.
(2018-12-18). Is COP24 One More Big Bust? counterpunch.org Two hundred nations at Katowice COP24 Poland just wrapped up two-weeks of climate meetings. If history is a guide, CO2 emissions will continue to accelerate until COP25 next year in Chile. Still, the delegates did adopt a rulebook to put Paris '15 into action, Ahem! But, hark! There's a ray of sunshine peering out from More
(2018-12-18). Peru: Deal with Indigenous Activists Over Amazonian Oil Spill. telesurenglish.net After a month of protests, experts will be allowed to enter the Loreto region to clean up a large oil spill, after Indigenous leaders and Peruvian state oil officials reached an agreement Tuesday. | RELATED: | Brazil Investigates Oil Traders for Bribing Petrobras US$31M | Late last month, some 8,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Amazon after activists in…
(2018-12-18). UN: World leaders must seize historic opportunity to protect the rights of migrants. amnesty.org States who have adopted the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) must honour their word and take immediate action to protect the human rights of migrants, Amnesty International said on International Migrants Day. | The GCM, a global agreement to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, will be formally endorsed at the UN General Assembly tomorrow. Amnesty International made a number of recommendations to the draft text. |
(2018-12-18). Maldives: New Government Should Promote Rights. hrw.org 
| | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih interacts with supporters during a gathering in Malé, Maldives, September 24, 2018. | © 2018 Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo | (New York) —The Maldives' new government should make human rights protections a top priority, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made public today. Solih, who was elected pr…
(2018-12-18). South Sudan: Spate of Sexual Violence. hrw.org 
| | Women line up for food rations at a distribution site in Bentiu, South Sudan, on December 8, 2018. | © 2018 Nyagoah Tut Pur/Human Rights Watch | (New York) — South Sudan's government should urgently investigate rape and other sexual violence against women and girls traveling in the former Unity state and provide protection and services to survivors. Investigations should focus not only on the individual crimes, but also on whether the crimes were coordinate…
(2018-12-17). Ralph Nader on Single Payer, Climate Devastation, Impeachment & Why Mulvaney Is a "Massive Outlaw" democracynow.org 
As President Trump threatens to shut down the federal government over border wall funding, there have been some shake-ups in the White House. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will resign as he faces at least 17 federal investigations into suspected ethics violations. A former fossil fuel industry lobbyist, David Bernhardt, will become the interim interior secretary. Meanwhile, Trump has tapped Mick Mulvaney to become acting chief of staff to replace Gen. John Kelly. Mulvaney already holds two posts in the administration: White House budget director and acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And…
(2018-12-17). Conspiracy Theorists Are Obsessed With the Wrong 'New World Order'. thenation.com Conspiracy Theorists Are Obsessed With the Wrong 'New World Order'
(2018-12-17). Headlines for December 17, 2018. democracynow.org Countries Adopt "Rulebook" to Implement Paris Climate Agreement, Ryan Zinke Steps Down as Interior Secretary as Ethics Scandals Mount, Mick Mulvaney to Replace John Kelly as Trump's Acting Chief of Staff, Texas Judge Declares Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional, White House Threatens Government Shutdown over Border Wall Funds, Family Demands Answers in Death of 7-Year-Old Girl in Border Patrol Custody, ICE Arrests and Deportations Under Trump Rise in 2018, Michael Cohen Says Trump Knew Hush Money Payments Were Wrong, Giuliani Says Trump Pursued Moscow Skyscraper Deal into November 2016, Reuters: Johnson & Johnso…
(2018-12-17). Nigeria: The Harvest of Death – Three Years of Bloody Clashes Between Farmers and Herders in Nigeria. amnesty.org This report documents the violent clashes between members of farmer communities and members of herder communities in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the northern parts of the country, over access to resources: water, land and pasture. It also documents the failure of the Nigerian government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of protection of lives and property by refusing to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of attacks. The report shows how government's inaction fuels impunity, resulting in attacks and reprisal attacks, with at least 3,641 people killed between January 2016 and October…
(2018-12-17). Can Canada's Tar Sands Industry Be Profitable Without Government Subsidies? therealnews.com 
Todd Paglia of Stand Earth says Canadians taxpayers increasingly foot the bill for Canada's fossil fuels industry
(2018-12-16). The 10 Most Appalling Articles in the Weekly Standard's Short and Dreadful Life. theintercept.com 
From its coverage of Iraq and gay marriage to Syria and climate change, here are plenty of reasons for everyone to dance on the Weekly Standard's grave.
(2018-12-16). How US-Saudi War Turned Yemen into the Biggest Crisis on Earth. therealnews.com 
Medea Benjamin discusses the US-Saudi war on Yemen and attempts by peace activists and Congress to stop the conflict
(2018-12-15). UN Climate Talks "Compromise" Our Future. therealnews.com 
As COP24 comes to a close, Greenpeace's Cassady Craighill says advocates are pushing world leaders to do more than Paris Climate Accord demands—and to listen to frontline communities
(2018-12-14). Bangladeshi Scientist: World Leaders Must Take Urgent Action to Prevent Climate Crisis Rise. democracynow.org 
At the U.N. Climate talks in Katowice, Poland, we speak with climate scientist Saleemul Huq, who is advising the bloc of least developed countries in the climate negotiations, about their demands. He is director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh.
(2018-12-14). Climate Strike: Heeding Call of Greta Thunberg, Polish Students Walk Out of Class. democracynow.org 
Fifteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has called for a global climate strike today to protest inaction at the U.N. climate summit. Greta made international headlines after she refused to go to school in August and began a School Strike for Climate. Greta made the call for today's strike in a video posted on Twitter.
(2018-12-14). Hundreds of Activists Stage Sit-in Against Big Polluters on Final Day of COP24 U.N. Climate Talks. democracynow.org 
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, on Friday, demanding bolder action from world leaders on climate change. The action was organized by the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice. Demonstrators filled the staircase inside the conference center holding banners reading "Which side are you on?" and "People Not Polluters" and "System change not climate change." As protesters marched out of U.N. climate talks, Democracy Now! spoke with Maya Menezes, Canadian climate activist and member of the Canadian Youth Delegation with the climate justice organization The Leap. Sh…
(2018-12-14). Extinction Rebellion: UK Protesters Are Supergluing Themselves to Buildings to Fight Climate Crisis. democracynow.org 
As protests erupt at the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, we speak with Liam Geary Baulch, part of the new movement called Extinction Rebellion that began six months ago in the United Kingdom and has now spread to 35 countries. Members are taking extreme action to fight the climate crisis, including supergluing themselves to government buildings, shutting down London Bridge and taking to the streets to sound the alarm about the impending catastrophe of global warming. They are demanding governments commit to legally binding measures to slash consumption and reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.
(2018-12-14). "We Are Not Prepared to Die": Ex-Maldives President Warns of Catastrophic Climate Change. democracynow.org 
"We are not prepared to die." Those are the words that Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the low-lying island country of Maldives, delivered at the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, this week. In an impassioned plea for nations to overcome their differences, he urged world leaders to take decisive action to tackle climate change. Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed returned home to his island nation in November after two years in exile. Just a month later, Nasheed is now leading the Maldives delegation at the U.N. climate summit. We speak with him from the U.N. climate talks.
(2018-12-14). From Obama to Trump, Climate Negotiations Are Being Run by the Same Crew of American Technocrats. theintercept.com On Monday, the Trump administration hosted an event on behalf of the fossil fuel industry at the United Nations climate talks in Poland, known as COP24. It was almost identical to the one it hosted at last year's climate talks in Germany: trying to write coal, oil, and gas into the world's response to climate change, and bemoaning "alarmism" on climate. Both were disrupted by organizers from the United States voicing their opposition, and both received more media coverage than just about anything else happening at either talks, which this year are focused on arriving at a deeply technical rulebook to implement th…
(2018-12-13). As U.N. Calls for Urgent Action on Climate Change, U.S. Seeks to Dilute Pact to Cut Carbon Emissions. democracynow.org 
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued a dire warning Wednesday that nations must act now to save humanity from devastating climate change. Despite this call to action, talks here in Katowice have been hindered by the United States and the world's other biggest polluters, who are promoting fossil fuels and focusing on reducing emissions in developing countries but not their own. Talks are supposed to conclude Friday, but negotiators have expressed little hope in meeting the deadline. "It's really hypocritical that the United States is here, negotiating in what I would characterize as bad faith," says Meen…
(2018-12-13). A "Conference of Polluters": How Fossil Fuel Companies Are Shaping Policy at the U.N. Climate Summit. democracynow.org 
Officials from nearly 200 countries are in Katowice, Poland, to negotiate how to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement. But so are representatives from many of the world's largest fossil fuel companies, including a lobby group that represents BP, Shell and ExxonMobil. Just last week, The Intercept reported that an executive from Shell Oil told participants at a COP side event that Shell helped draft a portion of the 2015 Paris climate agreement dealing with emissions mitigation. This week, activists protested outside an event hosted by Shell. Among them was Nnimmo Bassey, a Nigerian environmental activist and the di…
(2018-12-13). Fossil-Free Costa Rica: How One Country Is Pursuing Decarbonization Despite Global Inaction. democracynow.org 
As world leaders struggle to agree on a plan to curb global emissions at the U.N. climate talks in Katowice, Poland, we look at Costa Rica's plan to go fossil-free beginning next year. It will be the first country in the world to decarbonize its economy. Costa Rica generates more than 90 percent of its electricity using renewable energy. Costa Rican officials have announced they want to host U.N. climate talks in 2019, since Brazil rescinded its offer to host the summit following the election of right-wing climate change denier President-elect Jair Bolsonaro. We speak with Mónica Araya, a Costa Rican climate acti…
(2018-12-13). You Are Stealing Our Future: Greta Thunberg, 15, Condemns the World's Inaction on Climate Change. democracynow.org 
Fifteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed the U.N. plenary last night in Katowice, Poland, condemning global inaction in the face of catastrophic climate change.
(2018-12-13). Elizabeth Warren Has a Track Record of Taking on the Rich and Powerful. Don't Write Her Off for 2020. theintercept.com 
Sen. Warren stumbled with a DNA test on her Native American ancestry. But she's harder on Wall Street than Kamala Harris and Cory Booker combined.
(2018-12-13). US Consumer Board Conceals how Wells Fargo Fleeces Students. therealnews.com 
The Consumer Financial Protection Board kept a detailed report about how Wells Fargo has long been involved in charging students up to three times more for financial services than other banks do. Why did the CFPB not reveal this? Bill Black explains
(2018-12-12). U.S. & Other Big Polluters Obstruct U.N. Climate Talks, Stalling Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions. democracynow.org 
The world's worst emitters are hindering negotiations at the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, even as countries from the Global South warn that they could face annihilation without drastic action to confront climate change. We speak with Harjeet Singh, who has been observing how the U.S. and other big polluters are hindering climate talks. He is the global lead on climate change for ActionAid. He's been working with climate migrants in several countries, and he is based in New Delhi, India.
(2018-12-12). Trump's Energy Adviser Runs Away When Questioned by Democracy Now! at U.N. Climate Talks. democracynow.org 
The Trump administration is promoting fossil fuels at the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, despite outcry from climate activists and world leaders concerned about the devastating threat of climate change. Chief among Trump's representatives at the climate summit is Wells Griffith, special assistant to the president for international energy and environment. He is a longtime Republican operative who served as deputy chief of staff to Reince Priebus when Priebus was chair of the Republican National Committee. Amy Goodman attempted to question Wells Griffith about the Trump administration's climate policy at…
(2018-12-12). "Ha, Ha, Ha": At U.N. Climate Talks, Protesters Laugh Out Trump Admin Official Pushing Fossil Fuels. democracynow.org 
Democracy Now! was in the room when indigenous and youth leaders disrupted an event Monday hosted by Trump administration officials promoting fossil fuels and nuclear interests at the U.N. climate talks in Katowice, Poland. Wells Griffith, special assistant to the president for international energy and environment, represented the U.S. at the event. Griffith said in his remarks, "We strongly believe that no country should have to sacrifice economic prosperity or energy security in pursuit of environmental sustainability." Moments later, nearly a hundred protesters began laughing, drowning out Griffith, calling th…
(2018-12-12). Typhoon Haiyan Survivor: Fossil Fuel Companies Killed My Family by Hastening Climate Change. democracynow.org 
As we broadcast from the U.N. climate summit in Katowice, Poland, world leaders and officials from nearly 200 countries are here to negotiate how to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement. But three years after Paris, they appear no closer to curbing global emissions and halting catastrophic climate change. New studies show global carbon emissions may have risen as much as 3.7 percent in 2018, marking the second annual increase in a row. As the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that humanity has only a dozen years to mitigate climate change or face global catastrophe, we speak with Joanna Sustent…
(2018-12-11). Congress Must Take Action on Toxins. progressive.org Why is the Environmental Protection Agency refusing to study PFAS? The toxic chemicals are found in drinking water around the country.
(2018-12-11). Climate Scientist: World's Richest Must Radically Change Lifestyles to Prevent Global Catastrophe. democracynow.org 
The 24th United Nations climate summit comes amid growing warnings about the catastrophic danger climate change poses to the world. In October, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that humanity has only a dozen years to mitigate climate change or face global catastrophe—with severe droughts, floods, sea level rise and extreme heat set to cause mass displacement and poverty. But on Saturday, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait blocked language "welcoming" the landmark IPCC climate report. New studies show global carbon emissions may have risen as much 3.7 percent in 2018,…
(2018-12-10). Climate movement attracts new generation of activists. greenleft.org.au 
The latter part of 2018 will be remembered for the re-emergence of climate action on the national agenda. | Independent Kerryn Phelps' win in the Wentworth byelection promising "meaningful environmental action" and Labor's subsequent adoption of a 50% renewable energy policy by 2030 has come in the midst of researcher Rebecca Huntley's findings that "climate and environmental concerns" have increasingly become "a test of leadership" for voters. | These centrist platforms, however, have been rightly superseded by the newest base of the climate movement: high school students. | Tired of the "dinosaurs in parliament…
(2018-12-08). Reviving the Nuclear Disarmament Movement: A Practical Proposal. zcomm.org In late November 2018, Noam Chomsky, the world-renowned public intellectual, remarked that "humanity faces two imminent existential threats: environmental catastrophe and nuclear war." Curiously, although a widespread environmental movement has developed to save the planet from accelerating climate change, no counterpart has emerged to take on the rising danger of nuclear disaster. Indeed, this danger‚Äïexemplified Read more…
(2018-12-06). The fightback against Adani and Aurizon steps up. greenleft.org.au 
Adani CEO Lucas Dow's November 29 declaration that work on a scaled-down coalmine in Queensland's Galilee Basin would begin before Christmas was met with one of the most powerful nationwide protests against it so far as primary and high school students walking out of class the next day for the Student Strike 4 Climate Action. | A reported 20,000 students, many of them with their parents and grandparents in tow, took to the streets with a powerful message to Adani and policymakers: ignore us at your peril. | This was followed by a sit-in at Parliament House in Canberra on December 5. | Another round of #StopA…
(2018-12-04). Sorry To Bother You offers rich lessons in seeking radical social change. greenleft.org.au 
Sorry to Bother You
| Written & directed by Boots Riley
| In cinemas now | This review includes mild spoilers. | As an Australian living abroad, incidents of Australians being racist and/or misogynistisic that attract attention from international media outlets are frequently forwarded to me in anticipation of a seething refrain. | My response is typically motivated by a mix of rage and embarrassment, as well as a deep concern for how racial capitalism has been almost completely normalised. I am deeply concerned by the fact that not only is our social and political climate ill-equipped to address racism, i…
(2018-12-03). NSW law will 'lead to a new stolen generation'. greenleft.org.au 
Another stolen generation appears certain to be created in NSW, after the Coalition government passed a new adoption law making it easier for a child to be adopted by a foster family without parental consent. | The new adoption law, Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment Bill, passed on November 22 despite fierce opposition, imposes a two-year limit on fostering a child. The Children's Court now has the power to decide whether a birth parent should be rei…
(2018-12-02). Debunking the Times on Bush I:s foreign policy record. zcomm.org Below is a list of the most blatant pieces of deception concerning George H.W. Bush's foreign policy record, reported in Adam Nagourney's commemorative NYT piece. Nagourney writes that "Environmental groups praised Mr. Bush's record on climate change and the environment. As president, he signed the United States to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Read more…
(2018-12-01). Eight new books for ecosocialists. greenleft.org.au 
Climate and Capitalism editor Ian Angus offers up eight new books as recommended reading for ecosocialists. Inclusion does not imply agreement with a book's contents. | ***
1. The Biofuels Deception: Going Hungry on the Green Carbon Diet
| By Okbazghi Yohannes
| Monthly Review Press, 2018 | Eliminating fossil fuels is essential, but biofuels have far more to do with sating profit-hungry corporations than saving the Earth. Combining meticulous scientific narrative with devastating economic analy…