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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

From this NPR segment on climate science:

Michael Mann, a professor of earth and environmental science at the University of Pennsylvania, has been awarded more than $1 million in damages after a trial in D.C. court.

Michael Mann, among the world’s most renowned climate scientists, won a defamation case in D.C. Superior Court against two conservative writers.

Mann, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, had sued Rand Simberg, a policy analyst, and Mark Steyn, a right-wing author, for online posts published over a decade ago, respectively, by the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the National Review.

Mann is partly responsible for one of the most consequential graphs in climate science, one that helped make the steep rise in global average temperatures from fossil fuel use understandable to a wide audience.

 

One doesn’t have to look hard on social media to find people with no scientific training claiming that climate change is a hoax, and, in particular, that the folks who have spent their entire adult lives studying the subject are charlatans and grifters.

I attended a lecture at the University of California at Santa Barbara a few years back at which the keynote speaker claimed that “what was once science now is politics, where people with ‘PhD’ at the end of their names are sucking down grant money to study a phenomenon that they know does not exist.”

This would have been an outrageous claim if it were made anywhere, but in front of hundreds of people at UCSB’s physics building?

Perhaps the case here reminds us that defamation is not covered as free speech.  If you make baseless and slanderous claims about another person, be prepared to fork across some serious damages.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

I just read this David Brooks piece from the Jan. 25 New York Times that my mom recommended.

There is no doubt that, if we read more and consumed more culture of all types, we’d all be better people, and our society would be capable of greater compassion, humility, nuanced thinking, and better problem-solving.

Yet how we’re going to get there from here is another matter.  As Brooks points out, the last few decades has only seen the accelerated trend in our colleges from liberal arts to curricula that we deem of more practical use in terms of preparing us for lucrative careers, e.g., business and technology.

FWIW, I’m delighted to have a mother who, though a lifelong Republican, eagerly reads op-eds in what are largely regarded as the distinctly left-of-center media.  The probability to have a mother who’s totally lucid at 97 is perhaps 1 in 100; the probability that such a person has real grit in terms of both her thinking and her integrity at that age is improbably small.

Talk about gratitude.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

This really is what it comes down to.

I wish Biden were 30 years younger, or that a young progressive would swoop down onto the U.S. political scene,  But in the absence of that, I’ll happily vote for an aging guy who has one core characteristic: he’s not a sociopath.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

The meme here has been passed around on social media for some time now.

Every time I come across it, I make a mental note of the word “flawed,” insofar as it seems unnecessarily mild.

What’s the matter with “depraved,” or “vile,” or “unprincipled?”

In any case, I wish more Americans could be exposed to General Kelly’s assessment of Trump.   If you’ll check out Kelly’s Wikipedia page, I’m sure you’ll agree that he couldn’t have gotten where he did without great acuity in his opinions of other people’s character.

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by Lillian ConnorsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

In an era defined by heightened environmental awareness and a growing sense of responsibility towards the planet, the fashion industry finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Long criticized for its contribution to pollution, waste, and exploitation of resources, fashion brands are now increasingly embracing sustainability as a core value. 

This shift is not only driven by consumer demand but also by a recognition of the urgent need to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact and work towards a net-zero future. In this article, we explore how fashion brands are stepping up to the challenge, implementing innovative strategies, and reshaping the industry towards a more sustainable paradigm.

Sustainable Materials

One of the most significant steps towards sustainability in fashion is the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Traditional textile production relies heavily on resources like water, pesticides, and synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels. 

However, forward-thinking brands are turning to alternatives such as organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and regenerated fibers made from materials like bamboo or wood pulp. These materials not only reduce the reliance on virgin resources but also have a lower environmental footprint, requiring less water, energy, and chemicals in their production process.

Ethical Manufacturing

In addition to using sustainable materials, fashion brands are increasingly focusing on ethical manufacturing practices. This includes ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for human rights throughout the supply chain. By partnering with certified ethical factories and conducting regular audits, brands can uphold higher standards of social responsibility and accountability. To this end, as an innovative master in management and direction of fashion companies nicely puts it, it is crucial that professionals in the textile and fashion setector develop responsibility functions.

Moreover, transparency initiatives such as providing detailed information about the origin of materials and production methods enable consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, fostering trust and loyalty towards brands committed to ethical practices.

Carbon Neutrality

Addressing the climate crisis requires not only reducing carbon emissions but also offsetting the remaining emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. Many fashion brands are setting ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality or even net-zero emissions across their operations. 

This involves implementing energy-efficient practices, investing in renewable energy sources, and offsetting remaining emissions through carbon offset projects. Furthermore, brands are reevaluating their transportation and logistics strategies to minimize carbon-intensive shipping and distribution, opting for more sustainable alternatives such as rail or sea freight whenever possible.

Innovation and Technology

Technological advancements play a crucial role in driving sustainability efforts within the fashion industry. Innovations such as digital design tools, 3D printing, and virtual prototyping enable brands to minimize material waste and optimize production processes. 

By simulating garments in virtual environments, designers can experiment with different materials, textures, and patterns without the need for physical prototypes, thereby reducing resource consumption and accelerating the design cycle. 

Additionally, blockchain technology is being leveraged to trace the entire lifecycle of a garment, from raw material sourcing to distribution, ensuring transparency and authenticity throughout the supply chain.

Circular Economy

Embracing a circular economy model is essential for achieving sustainability in the fashion industry. Brands are increasingly adopting circular business models that prioritize longevity, durability, and recyclability. This includes offering repair services, promoting a culture of mending and upcycling, and implementing take-back programs to collect and recycle old garments. 

Furthermore, resale platforms and clothing rental services are gaining popularity, providing consumers with access to high-quality fashion at a fraction of the cost while reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Conclusion 

As consumers become more conscious of the environmental and social implications of their purchasing decisions, fashion brands are under increasing pressure to prioritize sustainability. By embracing eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing practices, carbon neutrality, innovation, and circularity, brands can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also contribute to a more equitable and resilient fashion industry. 

Moving towards a sustainable and net-zero future requires collaboration, innovation, and a collective commitment to creating positive change. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, brands need to lead by example and inspire others to follow suit in the journey towards a more sustainable world.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Question: Which country, the smallest of the G20, is the world leader in decarbonizing its energy and transportation sectors? Hint: They feel a moral duty to lead the way, insofar as they had been an industrial giant in the past and contributed far more than their share to GHG emissions.

Answer: Can be found at Clean Energy Answers.

Relevance: This comes from a fabulous Ted Talk that can be found here.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

There is no doubt that corporate price gouging is a problem insofar that it’s driving inflation.

In this case I would point out that Walmart has competitors, e.g., Costco. a company that has a policy of basing prices on costs.  If I’m not mistaken, Costco makes a 14% margin on everything in its stores. If its costs don’t rise, neither do its prices.

Also, ask yourself why you want to support an organization owned by the wealthiest family on Earth that treats its employees so poorly.

Simply shop elsewhere.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

As the meme here suggests, renewable energy and electric transportation are making headway. Unfortunately:

• Our overall demands for energy are also increasing, especially as Asians want to live more like westerners.

• The developing world does not have the financial resources to jump ahead from fossil fuels to solar, wind, and nuclear in their electricity generation plants.

• Rich nations are showing tepid interest in making sacrifices to decarbonize the world’s grid-mix. The political will just doesn’t seem to exist at this point.

One wonders if some event, or series of events will take place, serving to catalyze planetary interest in averting climate catastrophe.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability
This from Major General Paul Eaton, United States Army, retired.
I’m going to ask you to chip in to VoteVets.  Let me tell you why:
Donald Trump is attacking Gold Star Families. When I lost my father in the Vietnam War many years ago, I could never have imagined a Commander-in-Chief calling him a “sucker” or “loser.” Trump did just that. He then had the audacity to attack the Gold Star Families that tried to hold him accountable. Gold Star Families who are just trying to honor their sons and daughters. It’s so disrespectful.
We must do whatever it takes to make sure Donald Trump loses re-election. VoteVets does the work – and will make sure the best possible people get elected to higher office. So please, make a donation to VoteVets today.
Our most respected and honored military leaders have a few things in common: they see that Donald Trump is a disgrace to our country, that he represents great danger in terms of our nation’s stability as a world leader, and that we as citizens need to do everything we can to ensure that he never returns to power.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Here’s a thought on David Brooks’ recent essay in The Atlantic: “Chicken Littles Are Ruining America,” aka “The Zeitgeist of Doom.”

He writes: Since about 2004, the share of American 12th graders who say it is “hard to have hope for the world” has been surging, then provides many possible explanations for people’s negativity, including the notion that it’s become fashionable to be dour; young people may feel that they look silly and stupid with a smile and a “can-do” attitude.

But isn’t it possible that these folks are precisely right?  What did 2004 look like in terms of hostilities with world superpowers?  Did it seem possible that a Donald Trump would come along, reduce the United States to white nationalist, anti-intellectual rubble, then make a valiant and possibly successful attempt to overthrow American democracy?  Did it appear possible that climate change would soon be baking our planet while world leaders sat back and watched from their palaces?

Maybe it’s a good thing that our teens recognize this crap for what it is.

 

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