Chris B. Leyerle: Money For Nothing

Chris B. Leyerle: Money For Nothing: "~ We are steadily hollowing out our country's core strength by refusing to tax ourselves to pay for anything, no matter the public interest. Here in King County battle is joined over whether to add a $20 yearly charge onto vehicle registration to provide funding for Metro, the Greater Seattle regional transit authority."

Scores Of Metro Bus Riders Urge King County Council To Save Current Service | The B-Town (Burien) Blog | Named "Best Hyperlocal Website" in the Northwest by Society of Professional Journalists

Scores Of Metro Bus Riders Urge King County Council To Save Current Service | The B-Town (Burien) Blog | Named "Best Hyperlocal Website" in the Northwest by Society of Professional Journalists: "“We need public transportation. Without it we are stuck,” said a blind person who relies on Metro. Others with disabilities, including one with epilepsy and another who suffered a stroke, said buses are essential for their mobility.
“Please don’t cut service to those of us who need it,” said another, making a special plea to maintain current Access van service.
A West Seattle resident who owns a car said he doesn’t object to the $20 fee, saying “it is a basic right to have public transportation in a metropolitan region of this kind.”"

Hundreds testify against Metro Transit bus cuts | KING5.com Seattle

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Hundreds testify against Metro Transit bus cuts | KING5.com Seattle: "BURIEN, Wash. -- More than 300 people packed the Burien City Council chambers Thursday night to voice their opposition to proposed Metro Transit bus cuts.
The King County Council must now vote on whether to approve a $20 car-tab fee, which would prevent deep cuts to bus service. A vote is scheduled for Monday. If six council members vote yes, the fee will pass without a ballot measure. If only five vote yes, then the issue will go before King County voters in November."

Obama Admin To Whitebark Pines: Drop Dead | ThinkProgress

Obama Admin To Whitebark Pines: Drop Dead | ThinkProgress: "The Fish and Wildlife Service determined Monday that whitebark pine, a tree found atop mountains across the American West, faces an “imminent” risk of extinction because of factors including climate change."

Adapting to the New Climate Normals

The new climate normals for the United States, compiled by the National Climatic Data Center and reset every decade, have moved up the average temperatures 0.5^o F (approx. 0.3^o C).  This reflects the ongoing effect of climate change on the United States, and has practical implications for gardeners, and the like.  Some plants can survive better now than when the country had cooler nights.  Some pests flourish in the warmth.  Cold-loving trees are beginning to sicken in their southern-most ranges.  As the climate normalizes at new levels, it will require preparation and adaptation.

In fact, climate change has made our coming era the Era of Adaption, an era already heralded in the USA by shifting temperatures and reacting ecosystems.

See The New Climate Normals - Gardeners Expect Warmer Nights - ClimateWatch Magazine

Republicans Prefer That Flood or Storm Take America by Surprise

This is from Science Insider:

In February 2010, NOAA announced its intention to create a parallel entity to its National Weather Service that would issue long range climate forecasts about future weather conditions such as severe storms, floods, and droughts…. Those actions don’t sit well with the Republicans on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Why the Republicans want the American people to be unprepared for fire, flood, drought and storm remains unclear.

See House Science Panel Spars With Lubchenco Over Climate Service - ScienceInsider

“Just Take The Bus!”: Disability and Car-centric City Planning | nominatissima

“Just Take The Bus!”: Disability and Car-centric City Planning | nominatissima: "For the sake of disability rights, a better community, and a reduction in how much gasoline is consumed, communities should consider how they expand, how cities are planned, and the practicality of having all of the businesses in the city and the residences in suburbs which require driving to and from to get to the city. There is truly no need to have such a wide-set city with poorly maintained sidewalks and bike routes and such a huge distance between houses and businesses."