@rostapher16.bsky.social
“A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people“ Declaration of Independence “The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress” Frederick Douglass
Your regular reminder that there ISN’T a “war on cars.” Any objective observation in most cities however, would conclude that for 60+ years there’s been a war on every mobility choice EXCEPT cars. And that’s been bad for EVERYONE, including drivers. Poster via @urbantruth.bsky.social. #UrbanTruth
The #ClimateChange crisis is also a #PublicHealth crisis. Warming temperatures affect health on a global scale. #MedSky
In recent weeks, there has been a remarkable surge in large, intense, fast-moving, and unfortunately in many cases destructive/deadly wildfires in multiple Northern Hemisphere regions spanning a wide range of climates & ecologies, but they all share one key commonality. [Thread]
Princeton greenwashed fossil fuels and essentially lied about carbon capture in return for cash from BP. www.propublica.org/article/wedg...
How BP Execs Influenced a Climate Study That Shaped a Generation of Global Policy
BP sponsored an elite Princeton research center to address the climate problem without getting off fossil fuels. Its key work, a paper known as “Wedges,” guided climate discourse for a generation.
propublica.org
The must see visual from Propublica's brutal takedown of carbon capture magical thinking: projects.propublica.org/why-carbon-c... @amywestervelt.bsky.social @propublica.org @drilledmedia.bsky.social
“Dear migrants, before I say any other word to you, I want to bow before your dignity. “You are not numbers or case files. “You are people — with a family and a home left behind, with dreams that no one has the right to scorn.” — Pope Leo XIV
Beginning next week, Australians get free electricity for three hours every afternoon. That's what happens when you build out wind, sun, and batteries open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
How about Free? Is that affordable enough for you?
The latest on energy, climate and affordability
open.substack.com
Not just the mega-rich: "The most destructive forms of consumption were linked to two main areas: food – particularly red meat, a primary driver of deforestation – and energy, including flights and heating & cooling homes, which typically rely on burning of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil & coal."
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2mo ago‘Mega-consumers’ of food and energy cost environment $5.7tn a year, study finds
"The mere existence of trillionaires is a major political and economic problem, probably the defining issue of our time," writes @gabrielzucman.bsky.social. "When the power of wealth is wielded by sociopaths, the consequences are a matter of life and death."
The era of trillionaires will be dire for democracy. Here is how we can fight back | Gabriel Zucman
There is a fundamental tension between extreme wealth and the very possibility of democracy. That’s because extreme wealth is always an extreme power
theguardian.com
Trump doesn't care about the economic plight of the average American because he's too busy calling his broker His stunning 3,700 trades in just 3 months in firms like Palantir, Nvidia and Boeing should be another Watergate. Here's how to make it one My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
The E-Trade presidency: Trump trades stocks while America burns | Will Bunch
The tangled web between Trump’s stock purchases, his policies, and blatant promotion is a new low for a corrupt regime.
inquirer.com
Riding bikes is 10X more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities. And that’s just the climate emissions. Doesn’t include the massive public & personal cost difference, the air & noise pollution difference, the massive space difference, etc, etc…Via @theconversation.bsky.social
Cycling is ten times more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities
Active travel can help tackle the climate crisis earlier than electric vehicles – even if you swap the car for a bike for just one trip a day.
theconversation.com
If you’re a follower of mine in the United States, please take a look at the post below, and please consider sharing it. I presume it WON’T be covered in American media.
Brent Toderian@brenttoderian.bsky.social · 3mo ago“Both Russian and pro-Trump U.S. actors are amplifying and spreading misinformation about Alberta separatism in the hope of fraying Canadian unity and sowing distrust.” An overt attack on Canadian sovereignty, meant specifically to manipulate Canadians. That’s what’s fuelling Alberta separation.
“In Toderian’s view, the dividing line between cities that succeed and those that stagnate isn’t geography, wealth or even size—it’s mindset. Some places embrace experimentation, risk…Others default to caution, delay, and a reflexive belief that change is impossible.” momentummag.com/urban-truth-...
MEDIA RELEASE: “The 1-Hour City Conspiracy.” If you are traditional or new media and would like to write, talk, or post about the REAL conspiracy in cities, read our media release, and send us a DM for more information. It’s already making BIG waves! And allies, please help share this. #UrbanTruth
New from me: www.governing.com/urban/parkin... We’ve seen more progress on parking reform than I ever imagined. And yet, some of the places that could benefit from it the most (eh hem, NYC) are still hanging on to parking mandates.
Parking Reform Is Reshaping Housing Policy
But some cities with the best opportunity are leaving it on the table.
governing.com
Most of the social programs that are routinely dismissed in American politics as "unrealistic" or "too expensive" could have been paid for multiple times over by the cost of this war so far, much less the costs to come. It's never the money.
Impossible to disagree with a single word that Ben Rhodes (Obama era NSC official) is saying here:
Slaughtering our golden goose: massive budget cuts for US science proposed again by Trump administration www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Massive budget cuts for US science proposed again by Trump administration
Budget proposal would also curb federal payments for scientific publishing.
nature.com
"By the way, here’s the breaking news for some folks. They didn’t levitate there or get transported by the moon fairy." --Dr. Marshall Shepherd Discussing reflectors left on the moon for laser studies ongoing today www.forbes.com/sites/marsha...
Artemis II, Hollywood And Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories
The Artemis II mission to the moon will likely stir conspiracy theories about lunar landings. A compelling piece of evidence is often overlooked.
forbes.com
Trump’s $1.5 trillion military budget will destroy what little is left of US science, environment, & health: Cuts: NIH -$5.8 billion NASA -$5.6 billion NSF -$4.8 billion EPA -$4.6 billion CDC -$2.9 billion NOAA -$1.6 billion It also includes $$ for 130,000 beds at ICE concentration camps.
Did you know, beef has the highest emissions per kilogram compared to any other protein rich food? #animalagriculture
It’s peak strawberry season in Oxnard. 16 weeks of hard work to save up for the off season. “Itzel” says, "I only have small bites for lunch. If I eat too much, I get nauseous when I need to run fast to make as many boxes as possible so I can earn as much as possible." #WeFeedYou
Peter Gleick: “This particular year is as clear an indication of the influence of climate change as anything we’ve seen."
Ian James@ianjames.bsky.social · 4mo agoMost of the snow in California’s Sierra Nevada has melted after a record-breaking heat wave. “Climate change is influencing California’s water system quickly and severely.” @petergleick.bsky.social www.latimes.com/environment/...
Postcard from a series called "The Young Girls Mobilized" ca. 1914-1918
Nature is amazing, it just keeps the surprises coming! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dfW...
Flying Penguins - BBC
YouTube video by BBC
youtube.com
New: Around the world people are turning to low-carbon EVs, solar panels, induction stoves and heat pumps as the Iran war upends oil and gas markets. Bloomberg journalists, including yours truly, filed dispatches from San Francisco to Lagos for this story. Free link www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Iran War Is Pushing Consumers to Break Up With Fossil Fuels
EVs, solar panels, induction stoves and heat pumps, now cheaper than ever, are becoming more attractive as the conflict upends oil and gas markets.
bloomberg.com
