On Mock Paper Scissors, Tengrain posted a video that shows some humans still show the empathy and caring for other creatures that people should have for those we share the planet with. Humans like to pretend we are the superior animals of all other animals. Most humans do not act worthy of such a title. These people showed we humans can do some impressive things when we are willing to help those who need our help. Please go to the site and check it out. Hugs
Category: Climate / Environment
Religion and politics in the south
To My Republican Countrymen… | Armageddon Update | Christopher Titus
Trae Crowder guides us through the pride points, failures, and contradictions in “Southin’ Off.”
Subsidizing Suburbia …
Let’s be clear urban sprawl, cars, and the needed roads are destroying our country. Here in Florida we have to fight to get any mass transit and it is not planned in the county development plans at all. Every attempt at mass transit and fast trains is destroyed. Also let’s be honest it also was driven not just by profit for big oil and car manufacturers, but also by racism. When I was in Germany in the 1980s I was stunned how towns with housing, shops, everything a person would need including bars were closely clustered in to a small area with lots of land for growing crops or animal pastures around them. Plus I could go anywhere by mass transit, train, subway, or trolley. All fast and convenient. Most soldiers that were transferred in to the country never used their cars that they paid to have shipped. I came from a small cow town and we drove 30 minutes to the nearest big town. Here in Florida, about 30 minutes from where I live by highway is a completely new development based on the model in the video. It has shops, theaters, restaurants on ground floors, business offices above and lots of apartments, even doctor’s offices, and single family town houses, all confined into one place and walkable to everything. The only problem the residents have is all of us outsiders driving our cars in coming in to shop or go to medical appointments and they have very limited parking. If I could afford to live there I would. It simply works and is easy not just for the young but especially us older or disabled people. Give the video a watch please and thank Ten Bears for posting it. Hugs
DA ‘TOONS … THEY JUST KEEP ON COMING!
Hey everyone. I know I am late to the party as they say on a lot of posts, but as I work my way through the backlog of fellow posters whose content I love, Jill again made a post I want to share. Even if everyone already seen it, the cartoons are so spot on, Jill’s post deserves another viewing. Hugs
Why Can’t We Scoop All the Plastic Out of the Ocean?
Hosted by: Hank Green (he/him)
The remarkable evolution of Latin America’s largest landfill
https://www.freetheocean.com/journal/rios-transformation-from-trash-dump-to-mangrove-marvel/
Thanks to Ali for link. This is great news. Hugs
Envision a place overwhelmed by 80 million tons of waste – this was the state of Latin America’s largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro. A decade later, this very site has evolved into an impressive mangrove forest. The incredible change has not just given a new home to native species like crabs, birds, and fish, but has also showcased the enduring strength of nature.
The landfill faced years of continuous pollution since its inception in 1968. Efforts to curb the pollution took a serious turn in 1996 until finally the landfill was closed for good in 2012.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bruna Prado
Mangroves: Nature’s Healing Touch
The mangroves play a central role in this ecological restoration saga. As efforts were made to cover the landfill with clay and introduce a drainage system, the planting of these resilient trees began. Mangroves possess a unique attribute, making them perfect candidates for environmental rehabilitation projects: they flourish even in harsh environments.
These trees are climate champions, adept at capturing and storing immense amounts of carbon dioxide. They are even more efficient than tropical rainforests, making them invaluable when it comes to climate change solutions.
Challenges on the Path to Recovery
However, reviving the mangroves wasn’t without challenges. To protect them from waste from nearby communities, a barrier of clay fences was constructed around them. These barriers, though effective, demand consistent upkeep due to occasional damage.
Even as the landfill remains sealed, leachate – a hazardous byproduct from decomposing trash – continues to seep out. Proactive measures are in place to collect and treat this leachate, ensuring the restored environment remains safeguarded.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bruna Prado
Looking Ahead with Optimism
This success story stands as a beacon of hope, sharing the potential of collective efforts in environmental restoration. It’s a wonderful reminder that with commitment, collaboration, and a touch of nature’s magic, even the bleakest landscapes can witness a rebirth.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bruna Prado
Antarctic sea ice: lowest in 7.5 million years??
My thanks to Ten Bears for posting this. I think this is a very important subject that is not getting enough attention. More people want to talk about their next meal more than the fact the health of the Antarctic sea ice is seriously going to effect not only us selfish humans but every living thing starting with the ocean life. When I watch this I want to run screaming out into my neighborhood, grab people and scream do you understand not only will our homes be underwater but we won’t have anything to eat !!!! But then Ron gives me a cool drink and reminds me there are laws against that grabbing of neighbors enforced on the not republicans all the time.
I am taking this from Ten Bears’ blog / website (I never do know what is the proper term now) without his permissions.
https://homelessonthehighdesert.com/2023/08/10/thorsday-tankard/
I did not ask yet
And from what I have read on his site, he doesn’t respond well to anyone just thinking they can grab anything of his and run away, and I am not just talking on the webs. I do hope he might just give me a little grace on this one.
For those hearing impaired, do not worry. The main speaker talks fast. I used to talk that fast, but over thirty years in Florida I don’t even type fast anymore. The Closed Caption is very good, they either do it themselves or pay for it. Again well worth the 8+ minutes to understand the threat to our habitat and lives. Hugs
Antarctic sea ice is behaving very, very weirdly right now. In the same year we saw a record minimum extent, we’re now seeing a record slow freeze-up, leaving a widening gap between observations and what we expect for the time of year.
A lot of people have tried to put a number on exactly how rare the event we’re witnessing is, and come up with some insane numbers. So what’s going on? Is this really the kind of event we should only see once in 7.5 million years??
Big thanks to Zack Labe for talking to me for this video, you can check out his fantastic visualisations on his website here: http://www.zacklabe.com and follow him on socials @ZLabe.
Seven Nagasaki’s per Second …
Thank you Ten Bears. Seriously important information in an easy to hear and understand format delivered by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Damn well worth listening to the entire 9 minutes, because we are damning ourselves by what we are doing. Hugs
Scottie's Playtime 