Month: January 2020

Failure of governments to fight the climate crisis violate the human rights of its citizens

Amazing judgment out of Netherlands, if upheld, would require the government mandate an abrupt, huge reduction in pollutants and other causes of the climate crisis — to a level 25% below the 1990’s. The economic effects will be massive but only this sort of effort will be sufficient. https://earther.gizmodo.com/courts-grant-a-landmark-climate-victory-that-could-resh-1840553657

Golden Globes went vegan with glass bottles of water (but flew in the flowers)

I love the a Golden Globes because the attendees are always foolish enough to drink too much and let loose a little with their speeches. This year the awards had a number of surprises and a few excellent speeches (yay Michelle Williams), but it also had a publicized change in menu to be environmentally friendly. … Continue reading Golden Globes went vegan with glass bottles of water (but flew in the flowers) →

Personal note

The hard drive on my iMac died completely a week ago and the monitor was cracked in the process of getting the computer in for repair. I won’t have it back before January 11 at the earliest. I’ll do my best to feed this blog but doing it from my iPhone is having an impact … Continue reading Personal note →

Bushfires in Australia so large that they’re creating their own weather

The scale of the wildfires in Australia are difficult to comprehend. One of them is the size of Manhattan. Now observers have realized that the fires are creating weather systems that are increasing their impact on local areas. This article has wonderful illustrations. https://news.yahoo.com/bushfires-australia-big-theyre-generating-134733341.html

Guardian U.K.’s views on who will win Golden Globes and whomshould

The more time I spend with this publication, the more I prefer it to its United States competitors. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/02/golden-globes-2020-tv-who-will-win-and-who-should-win?

Reading order for Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha world

If you have a young adult in your life who reads dark fantasy, and want to know what the fuss is about, here are some ways of dipping your toes in the water. https://bookriot.com/2019/01/21/leigh-bardugo-books/ READING PATHWAY: LEIGH BARDUGO JESSICA AVERY 01-21-19 Chances are if you’ve been around the YA fantasy scene for a while now, … Continue reading Reading order for Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha world →

Occasionally there’s good news about the environment

Drones have become increasingly prevalent. As they're subject to little regulation, they can be flown by anyone, anywhere, without a thought to whether those flights interview with important activities or simply the right to a peaceful, quiet time in your own backyard. Turns out tho that drones can be used to perform a needed task … Continue reading Occasionally there’s good news about the environment →

Why the Witcher’s horse is named Roach

Anytime you combine fantasy novels with video games, you're going to find arcane details that are trivial in appearance but have been considered in depth by the authors. Such is the case with The Witcher's horse(s) Roach. https://www.looper.com/181400/the-real-reason-the-witchers-horse-is-named-roach/ The real reason the Witcher's horse is named RoachHenry Cavill as Geralt on The Witcher NetflixBy Abbey … Continue reading Why the Witcher’s horse is named Roach →

Your smart TV is also spying on you — turn it off

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/01/02/amazon-fire-sony-vizio-smart-tvs-spying/2792152001/ Your smart TV is spying on you. Here are step-by-step instructions to stop it Jefferson GrahamUSA TODAY0:000:59 Those smart TVs that sold for unheard of low prices over the holidays come with a catch. The price is super low, but the manufacturers get to monitor what you're watching and report back to third parties, for … Continue reading Your smart TV is also spying on you — turn it off →

Watch out if you go to movies at AMC Lincoln on W 68th and Broadway

https://www.westsiderag.com/2020/01/02/thieves-target-movie-theater-on-broadway-police-say Thieves Target Movie Theater on Broadway, Police Say Posted on January 2, 2020 at 8:27 pm by West Sider Surveillance images of the suspects. A crime spree at a local AMC movie theater has police on the alert. A group of men have been swiping bags from moviegoers at the AMC at 1998 Broadway … Continue reading Watch out if you go to movies at AMC Lincoln on W 68th and Broadway →

With climate change, evergreens may take over North American forests

Deciduous trees may simply not be able to withstand the pressure of the climate crisis. Evergreen trees may be better suited to the new conditions. https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/with-climate-change-evergreen-trees-may-begin-to-take-over-americas-forests