https://yaleclimateconnections.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1688ba4f33d819bf4152dceb9&id=b517f387aa&e=5fbaa68553 Bookshelf: 12 recommended reads in recognition of Earth Day 2019 Earth, humans, and climate get a special nod in this month's collection of new books recognizing the 49th annual Earth Day. By Michael Svoboda Monday, April 22, 2019 Ever since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970*, April has provided a launching pad … Continue reading Books this year in recognition of Earth Day 2019 (49th year!)
Month: May 2019
More extreme storms producing losses not traditionally insured
Insurance, in concept, is powerful -- pay a premium that has been (presumably) actuarially or experience-based to compensate the insurer for assuming the risk that an event might occur -- but it works best where the risk is ascertainable, relatively predictable, and readily monetized. (How's That for a sentence.) For example, pure life insurance, without … Continue reading More extreme storms producing losses not traditionally insured
An observation about recent changes in charitable giving
I live in Manhattan and am obviously on the progressive/left end of the political spectrum often found among blue state residents. In that context I've run into a phenomenon about current charitable giving that doesn't surprise exactly, but the scope is greater than I thought. Cultural institutions constantly contact those who subscribe to their concerts, … Continue reading An observation about recent changes in charitable giving
Early signs of Parkinson’s disease
The expense of health care in the US more or less dictates how much preventive care you can afford. Sometimes tho, a bit of education can help you determine whether it's worth checking a particular problem so as to begin that care early. CNN has a nice video at the beginning of this article if … Continue reading Early signs of Parkinson’s disease
Another way our increasingly acidic oceans with its dead areas affects marine life
I detest the increasingly present comment in these articles that scientists can't evaluate or predict the future well because the conditions are worse than any for which they have records. That's scary folks. https://mashable.com/article/ocean-oxygen-blindness/ How the warming oceans can blind sea creatures IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK / GERALD ROBERT FISCHER BY MARK KAUFMAN4 DAYS AGO Pilots flying at … Continue reading Another way our increasingly acidic oceans with its dead areas affects marine life
Millennials, you’ll miss us boomers when you’re gone (in addition to hating what we’ve left you)
As someone on the leading edge of the Baby Boomer generation, I'm quite used to the largely justified disdain and even disgust with my generation from those younger. We did do some things well tho -- among them, espouse wild and unlikely positions with masses of (mostly) non-violent protest. I'm thrilled by those still in … Continue reading Millennials, you’ll miss us boomers when you’re gone (in addition to hating what we’ve left you)
Stylishly hiding that you have a cat living with you
Altho many of these ideas are both clever and stylish, I'm amused at the idea that even the most careful and comprehensive redo of a residence could totally hide the presence of a cat. Nonetheless, this is a fresh approach before so it's worth checking out. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cat-proof-chic-31716623?amp& How to Cat-Proof Your Home—Without Anyone Knowing You … Continue reading Stylishly hiding that you have a cat living with you
CO2 levels higher than at any time during human history (AND three million years before that)
The amount of greenhouse gases is increasing at an accelerating rate. As my friend Eric Holthaus (quoted in the article) says, this is not a time to simply figure we're all dead and give up. What it IS is time to immediately stop the use of all fossil fuels NOW. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/05/13/climate-change-co-2-levels-hit-415-parts-per-million-human-first/1186417001/ Carbon dioxide levels hit … Continue reading CO2 levels higher than at any time during human history (AND three million years before that)
A way even the poorest can get minimal protection from excess heat
The visuals here tell the story of using large soda bottles and cardboard to make a structure for windows that actually cools the air a little. Certainly far better than nothing altho it won't keep people alive as seasonal temperatures continue to increase. https://inhabitat.com/this-amazing-bangladeshi-air-cooler-is-made-from-plastic-bottles-and-uses-no-electricity/
Oxybenzone (in most sunscreens) goes thru skin to blood stream, kills coral and fish
Many marine parks now prohibit the use of many widely sold sunscreens for its toxic effects on the coral and the fish. Look for OXYBENZONE on the label and don't buy it. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/06/health/sunscreen-bloodstream-fda-study/index.html Sunscreen enters bloodstream after just one day of use, study says By Sandee LaMotte, CNN Updated 4:18 PM ET, Mon May 6, … Continue reading Oxybenzone (in most sunscreens) goes thru skin to blood stream, kills coral and fish
A tech task to perform — take advantage of Google’s new auto-delete privacy feature
Google has now made the feature available more or less universally available. Another article on the same topic is at https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/05/05/google-confirms-it-will-automatically-delete-your-data-what-you-need-to-know/amp/ https://www.popsci.com/google-new-privacy-auto-delete-feature You should enable Google’s new auto-delete privacy feature It’s on its way in ‘the coming weeks.’ By Rob Verger May 2, 2019 Take a moment and review what kind of location permissions you give to … Continue reading A tech task to perform — take advantage of Google’s new auto-delete privacy feature
Good news about sea stars (aka starfish)
With all of the bad news about nature, I was pleased to find one good news story from the San Juan Islands in Washington State. I'd seen broken sea stars during my travels and was saddened. I remember picking them up when a child (of course now you're supposed to let them be). So here's … Continue reading Good news about sea stars (aka starfish)
Abycats' Thoughts 