Documents reveal Monsanto surveilled journalists, activists & even musician Neil Young
Amy Goodman | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-10
Explosive new documents reveal the U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto ran a "fusion center" to surveil and discredit journalists and activists who criticized or wrote damning reports about Monsanto, as well as legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young, who released an album in 2015 called "The Monsanto Years." Monsanto monitored Young's Twitter activity and even analyzed the lyrics of his album. The fusion center also surveilled journalist Carey Gillam, who has done extensive research and writing about Monsanto and its popular pesticide Roundup, which has been linked to cancer. The corporation also targeted the non…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/10/documents-reveal-monsanto-surveilled-journalists-activists-even-musician-neil-young/

Global Sea Level Rise Began Accelerating 30 Years Earlier Than Commonly Thought
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-10
| Global sea level rise began to accelerate in the 1960s, 30 years earlier than suggested by previous assessments, a new study finds. | The study, published in Nature Climate Change, introduces a new technique to more accurately determine historical global sea levels by combining two different statistical approaches. | It was found that the southern hemisphere, home to many developing small island nations, experienced the majority of the observed sea level rise, the lead author tells…
truthout.org/articles/global-sea-level-rise-began-accelerating-30-years-earlier-than-commonly-thought/

'We won't be intimidated,' declare campaigners after ExxonMobil accused of pressuring witnesses in New York climate case
Jessica Corbett | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-10
New York state prosecutors last week accused ExxonMobil of trying to discourage witnesses from testifying against the company in a climate fraud case, leading the head of the environmental group 350.org to declare Thursday that "we won't be intimidated." | In a statement, May Boeve, the avocacy group's executive director, also charged that "Exxon is polluting these proceedings just like it has polluted our communities." | Last October, following a three-year probe and amid growing demands that the dirty energy industry be held accountable for the impacts of its products, then-New York Attorney General Barbara…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/10/we-wont-be-intimidated-declare-campaigners-after-exxonmobil-accused-of-pressuring-witnesses-in-new-york-climate-case/

Is 'political correctness' threatening freedom of speech?
Fred_F | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-10
"As a result of the cultural-left's long march through the institutions … political correctness involving identity politics, privileging victimhood and virtue signalling dominate public policy and debate", whined Kevin Donnelly, Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University, in the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). | "Like never before Free Speech is facing extinction in Australia", exclaimed conservative activist group Advance Australia…
greenleft.org.au/content/political-correctness-threatening-freedom-speech

Tijuana River: Can we clean it?
Earth Summit and Citizen's Oversight Project | indybay.org | 2019-08-10
Tijuana River: Can we clean it up? | Douglas Linden, Environmental Engineer at US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide background of Tijuana's water and wastewater infrastructure. He will discuss EPA's ongoing effort to reduce transboundary pollution as well as the federal response to the large sewage spills which regularly occur. We may invite others who are involved in this important regional issue to share the meeting time. SEPT 9. Gather 6: 30, Presentation 7 p.m. Santa Fe Room of Balboa Park Club. Donations accepted. Seating limited, so please RSVP and arrive early.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/09/18825330.php

Climate Strike: Youth Strike at State Capitol in Sacramento
Fridays For Future Sacramento | indybay.org | 2019-08-10
California State Capitol Museum, West Steps, 1315 10th Street, Sacramento 95814…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/09/18825331.php

Documents Reveal Monsanto Surveilled Journalists, Activists & Even Musician Neil Young
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-09
Explosive new documents reveal the U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto ran a "fusion center" to surveil and discredit journalists and activists who criticized or wrote damning reports about Monsanto, as well as legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young, who released an album in 2015 called "The Monsanto Years." Monsanto monitored Young's Twitter activity and even analyzed the lyrics of his album. The fusion center also surveilled journalist Carey Gillam, who has done extensive research and writing about Monsanto and its popular pesticide Roundup, which has been linked to cancer. The corporation also targeted the nonpro…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/9/monsanto_fusion_center_surveillance_of_critics

New IPCC Report Warns of Vicious Cycle Between Soil Degradation and Climate Change
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-09
Greenpeace's Diana Ruiz discusses the new IPCC Climate report, "Climate Change and Land," which issues a dire warning about how climate change and destructive land use reinforce each other, leading to serious threats for human survival…
therealnews.com/stories/new-ipcc-report-warns-of-vicious-cycle-between-soil-degradation-and-climate-change

Jeremy Corbyn is at a crossroads. The decision he makes now will change everything
James Wright | thecanary.co | 2019-08-09
Jeremy Corbyn is at a crossroads. And with scientists warning we have 18 months to begin a green industrial revolution to avoid climate catastrophe, the stakes have never been higher. The decision the Labour leadership makes now will change everything. | The stakes: | Britain may be a small country, but if it elects Corbyn as the prime minister of a genuinely progressive government on the promise to deliver a green new deal, that will have global repercussions. It will be a tu…
thecanary.co/opinion/2019/08/09/jeremy-corbyn-is-at-a-crossroads-the-decision-he-makes-now-will-change-everything/

The Climate Crisis Is Coming for Your Food
Juan Cole | truthdig.com | 2019-08-09
This piece originally appeared on Informed Comment. | The sources of the climate emergency are often framed with regard to electricity generation and transportation, while the impact of global heating through burning of fossil fuels is of discussed with regard to extreme weather and sea level rise. | The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just issued a Report that looks especially at land — as both a generator of greenhouse gases and as the object of cl…
truthdig.com/articles/the-climate-crisis-is-coming-for-your-food/

Climate Crisis Means the Ruling Class has Failed. Can the Working Class Inherit the Earth?
Richard Moser | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-09
The climate crisis is proof positive that the ruling class is an utter failure — but it will not fall on its own. Can the working class rise to the challenge? It sure will help if we understand that our class interests are not merely the economic needs of working people — no matter how important…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/09/climate-crisis-means-the-ruling-class-has-failed-can-the-working-class-inherit-the-earth/

Landmark UN Report Emphasizes Crucial Role of Regenerative Farming Practices to Address Climate and Food Emergencies
Juliette Majot | commondreams.org | 2019-08-09
Globally, industrialized agriculture now emits extraordinarily high levels of GHG emissions as a sector. (Photo: Jason Johnson/Flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/farm_0_0.jpeg …
commondreams.org/views/2019/08/09/landmark-un-report-emphasizes-crucial-role-regenerative-farming-practices-address?cd-origin=rss

Supersizing Climate Change: U.N. Says Meat Production Destroys Land & Diminishes Key Water Sources
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-09
The United Nations' top panel of climate scientists warns that humans are consuming land and water resources at an unprecedented rate, with the destructive effects of the climate crisis increasingly threatening the planet's biodiversity and the food security of hundreds of millions of people. In its latest climate change and land special report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that without dramatic action, extreme weather and rising temperatures will turn even more fertile land into desert, shrinking the global food supply, even as the world's population rises to more than 7.5 billion people.
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/9/ipcc_report_climate_change_and_land

UN: Global food and water crisis threatens 3 billion people
wsws.org | 2019-08-09
A new report by the United Nations warns that anthropogenic climate change, if left unchecked, will render a steadily increasing portion of Earth essentially uninhabitable.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/09/clim-a09.html

DNC Chair Tom Perez Introduces Weak Resolution Attempting to Put Brakes on Climate Debate Momentum
commondreams.org | 2019-08-09
______________________________…
commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/09/dnc-chair-tom-perez-introduces-weak-resolution-attempting-put-brakes-climate?cd-origin=rss

Socialist seminar discusses anti-capitalist solutions
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-09
Socialism. Today. was the theme of a lively day-long seminar about critical issues facing the movements for social and ecological change, hosted by the Socialist Alliance on August 4. | Extinction Rebellion and Student Strike 4 Climate activist Parker Craig said support for the September 20 student climate strike is growing, despite attempts by some school authorities to stifle it. | Maritime Union of Australia activist and author Penny McCall Howard said the recent student climate strikes had helped shift politics, including in the union movement. | She said: "We now face the task of building a class-conscious e…
greenleft.org.au/content/socialist-seminar-discusses-anti-capitalist-solutions

'Unacceptable': Tom Perez, DNC Accused of Trying to Stifle Climate Debate for 2020 Dems
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-08-09
"Why is Tom Perez trying to kill the momentum for a climate debate?" | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/perez_0_0.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2019/08/09/unacceptable-tom-perez-dnc-accused-trying-stifle-climate-debate-2020-dems?cd-origin=rss

Example of 'Unknown Unknowns,' Study Detailing 'Almost Instant Mortality of Corals' Suggests Crisis Worse Than Previously Understood
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-08-09
As the human-caused climate crisis drives up ocean temperatures at a rate that has scientists worried, a study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology reveals that warming waters are an even bigger threat to coral reefs than experts previously realized. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11488569091.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2019/08/09/example-unknown-unknowns-study-detailing-almost-instant-mortality-corals-suggests?cd-origin=rss

Tell Greyhound: Keep ICE and CPB cops off buses!
Makasi Motema | workers.org | 2019-08-08
The state is waging war on migrants and refugees. As they flee from violence, political instability and the growing climate crisis, the U.S. is doubling down on a cruel, white supremacist policy of exclusion. Immigration and Custom Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol agents are rounding up migrants, placing them . . . | Continue reading Tell Greyhound: Keep ICE and CPB cops off buses! at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/08/08/tell-greyhound-keep-ice-and-cpb-cops-off-buses/

Thursday's Daily Brief: Climate crisis and food risks, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, calls for calm in Kashmir
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-08
Thursday's top stories: food security risk from climate crisis, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, UN chief urges "maximum restraint" in Jammu and Kashmir, calls for investigations into "brutal abduction" of Libyan politician.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1043971

World food security increasingly at risk due to 'unprecedented' climate change impact, new UN report warns
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-08
More than 500 million people today live in areas affected by erosion linked to climate change, the UN warned on Thursday, before urging all countries to commit to sustainable land use to help limit greenhouse gas emissions before it is too late.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1043921

We Must Change Land Use to Save Humanity
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-08
What you need to know about the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's new Special Report…
therealnews.com/stories/we-must-change-land-use-to-save-humanity

The hidden refugee 'hell' in Melbourne
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-08
Located in the suburb of Broadmeadows, Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) has been described as a "hidden hell for refugees". | Addressing a forum organised by the Refugee Action Collective (RAC) on August 5 by video message, Iraqi refugee Ali Yousuf, who was previously in MITA and is now in an Adelaide detention centre, said MITA guards regularly provoke people, seeking any reaction as an excuse to attack them. Yousuf suffered a broken hand when assaulted by a guard. | Yousuf said that detention is a waste of money that could be spent on helping the sick and people with disabilities. | He said th…
greenleft.org.au/content/melbournes-refugee-hell

Should socialists support a Green New Deal?
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-08
What are the strengths of the "Green New Deal" campaign launched by progressives in the United States and now being taken up by environmental and labour activists in Britain, Australia and other countries? Is it something socialists should support? | These were among the key questions debated at a forum, featuring high school climate activist David Deex and labour historian Dr David Faber, organised by the Socialist Alliance on August 4. The gathering also served as a "house-warming" for the Socialist Alliance's new Activist Centre in Hindley Street, in the heart of the city. | The idea of a Green New Deal has be…
greenleft.org.au/content/should-socialists-support-green-new-deal

WA Labor gives go ahead to fracking
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-08
The Western Australian Labor government has announced it will lift the ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of underground geological structures this month. A statewide moratorium on fracking has been in place since September 2017. | Though fracking will not be permitted in the South West, Peel and Perth regions, companies will have the go ahead to frack on existing petroleum titles. | Labor has said that existing titles only cover 2% of the state. | However, there has been a run on the procurement of additional petroleum leases by various operators since Labor announced its 18-month "implementation plan" in Ju…
greenleft.org.au/content/wa-labor-gives-go-ahead-fracking

Westpac workers back student climate strike
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-08-08
The following motion to support the student climate stike on September 20 was passed on July 31. | We, the Finance Sector Union, Local Enterprise Council, Westpac, NSW/ACT: | a) Recognise that climate change: | Presents an existential threat, being a "global emergency" according to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report; | Has already had negative impacts both internationally and in Australia, as evidenced by the breaking of heat records, prolonged and more aggressive bushfire seasons, bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef and increased droughts; | Is the product of corporate greed and pro…
greenleft.org.au/content/westpac-workers-back-student-climate-strike

California Legislature Climate Watchdog Committee Has Little Bite
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-07
The California Legislature's Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies was formed in 2016 as a watchdog on state climate policy. But activists say that, so far, it has failed to live up to its potential.
therealnews.com/columns/california-legislature-climate-watchdog-committee-has-little-bite

Climate Change Is a Key Issue for a Growing Number of Young Republicans
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-07
Republican strategists know the party will need to shift its climate platform to retain young voters, but federal Republican officials haven't caught up to the new trend, says The New York Times' Lisa Friedman…
therealnews.com/stories/climate-change-is-a-key-issue-for-a-growing-number-of-young-republicans

Help African farmers cope with climate change threats, UN food agency urges
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-06
African farmers need help to cope with the threats of climate change, with national policies that protect them and make them resilient, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, has declared, following a major conference on food security in the continent.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1043761

Puerto Rico in Political Crisis: Senate Sues over Appointment of New Governor Pierluisi
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-06
The political crisis in Puerto Rico continues as its Senate has sued against the appointment of Pedro Pierluisi as the new governor following Ricardo Rosselló's resignation last week. Pierluisi was sworn in despite not having been confirmed by the Puerto Rican Senate. But he argues that he is in the line of succession for governor after being nominated as secretary of state by Rosselló last week. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz also sued after his swearing-in. We speak with Democracy Now! co-host Juan González for his analysis of the current political climate.
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/6/juan_gonzalez_puerto_rico_pedro_pierluisi

Climate System "Getting Unhinged" as Massive Heat Wave Causes Record Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-02
The massive heat dome that shattered all-time temperature records across much of Europe last week has settled in over Greenland, driving temperatures across the vast region to as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. In July, Greenland's ice sheet lost 197 billion tons of ice, the equivalent of around 80 million Olympic swimming pools. This comes as the World Meteorological Organization said Thursday that July was the warmest month in recorded human history. It followed the hottest June on record, as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels climbed to a record high of 415 parts per million earlier this year. We sp…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/2/greenland_melting_climate_crisis_jason_box

Climate change is class war
Jodi Dean | liberationnews.org | 2019-07-31
Our challenge is to build the collective power that can force the changes the capitalist system refuses to make.
liberationnews.org/climate-change-is-class-war/