It took two weeks for mainstream media to pick up the story of a 150-car train derailment at East Palestine in Ohio, USA. Being referred to as Ohio’s Chernobyl, the residents are alarmed and do not trust what the officials are saying. A “controlled release” of chemicals – including vinyl chloride – occurred to prevent a catastrophic explosion, but there is evidence of massive pollution in the area. The Associated Press noted that the controlled burn of chemicals following the crash spewed “phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air.”
Since this controlled explosion, we’ve heard stories of dying chickens and pets, people with swollen eyes and sore throats, strong chemical odours, a stream blackened by substances released from the train and dead fish. Sadly, most of the residents in this area are poor, so evacuation, or permanently leaving, is not an option for them.
East Palestine, Ohio residents describe effects of train derailment on their bodies and environment
This is an evolving story and worth a watch. It’s about corporate greed, government incompetence, and a potentially long-term lethal situation for residents.
On the other side of the world is a story that should be getting all our attention. This week we heard of an extraordinary marine heatwave that could threaten Antarctica’s ice shelves. This heatwave has the potential to disrupt critical parts of the global climate system and accelerate sea level rise.
Scientists said their recent voyages have been marked by an eerily warm ocean and record-low sea ice coverage—extreme climate conditions, even compared to the big changes of recent decades.
Described as dramatic, the scientists say: If such conditions recur in the coming years – and we have El Nino coming back this year – it could start a rapid destabilization of Antarctica’s critical underpinnings of the global climate system, including ice shelves, glaciers, coastal ecosystems and even ocean currents. Such radical changes have already been sweeping the Arctic, starting in the 1980s and accelerating in the 2000s.
We ignore this at our peril. Please do look into it, as well as all of the other climate news below, and then join the fight to stop our world descending into a climate ‘doom loop,’ as reported in The Guardian this week too. We are getting closer and closer.
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Content to read
And here’s the content I’ve been reading or watching this last week. Scan the headlines, read the ones that jump out at you, read or watch them all. Knowledge is power, and global knowledge is even more powerful.
Climate crisis
Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ is in trouble, scientists say
‘Extreme situation’: Antarctic sea ice hits record low
Antarctica’s Thwaites glacier at mercy of sea warmth increase
Vast glacier at mercy of sea warmth increase
‘Extraordinary marine heatwave’ could threaten Antarctica’s ice shelves
Sea level rise poses ‘unthinkable’ risks for the planet, Security Council hears
Rising seas threaten ‘mass exodus on a biblical scale’, UN chief warns tks Kevin Cottam
Future sea-level projections with a coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice-sheet model
France tears down beach apartment block as rising sea bites
World risks descending into a climate ‘doom loop’, warn thinktanks
Emission Cuts Will Fail to Stop Climate Change. What to Do Then?
Nearly 30 dangerous feedback loops could permanently shift the Earth’s climate, scientists say
World Bank chief resigns after climate stance misstep
David Malpass: World Bank leader who was called climate denier quits
Water carved New Zealand’s stunning landscape. Now too much is risking lives
New Zealand minister decries climate crisis ‘lost decades’ in wake of Cyclone Gabrielle
Evacuations urged as ‘potentially devastating’ storm lashes New Zealand
Three dead after New Zealand declares state of emergency
Child among four dead in New Zealand as 1,400 remain missing
Thousands left without power in New Zealand
Cows follow farmer’s voice, swim through Hawke’s Bay floodwaters tks Gilly Chater
Fresh storm warnings for New Zealand’s worst-hit regions as death toll rises to five
New Zealand: search for the missing as Cyclone Gabrielle death toll climbs to nine
Extreme heatwave conditions: Bureau of Meteorology provide national update | 9 News Australia
‘Birdsville mindset’: what an outback town where the roads melt can teach us about living with heat
Solar’s stunning journey from lab curiosity to global juggernaut wiping out fossil fuels
Cacti replacing snow on Swiss mountainsides due to global heating
Scientist Rebellion Letter: We are Not Safe!
Wind-powered cargo ships are the future: Debunking four myths that stand in their way
Thousands of solar panels sent to power recovery effort in earthquake devastated Türkiye
Governments Spent Record $1 Trillion Last Year Subsidizing Fossil Fuels
Australia: Super funds face the future of fossil fuels
Trump silent on Ohio train derailment after lawmakers descend into blame game
Derailed Train in Ohio Carried Chemical Used to Make PVC, ‘the Worst’ of the Plastics
‘I Don’t Want to Take My Kids Back to That’: Ohio Residents Fear Toxic Aftermath of Train Crash
“There Will Be More Derailments”
Yes, you can have kids and fight climate change at the same time
“If they don’t believe the science, they can fuck off:” Forrest backs coal and gas ban
Climate change may have made it easier for mosquitos to spread Malaria
Europe proposes mass exit from energy treaty
Coca-Cola says it’s difficult to source recycled plastic at a ‘reasonable’ price in Asia
Essential insects in East Asia have declined massively, study finds
Europe on the verge of water catastrophe as groundwater reserves dry up, scientists warn
Pollinator declines linked to half million early human deaths annually
A third of companies linked to deforestation have no policy to end it
Saving the world’s largest animal can help reduce carbon emissions, study shows
‘Let them eat lentils’ won’t save us from animal farming – we must embrace meat substitutes
Fossil fuel emissions to peak within two years as global decarbonization picks up steam tks Dr David Ko
Extrapolations — Official Trailer
Global politics
Taliban bans contraception calling use a ‘western conspiracy’
Revealed: the hacking and disinformation team meddling in elections tks Sue Adams
Why the world needs Ukrainian victory
Ukraine War: Over 30,000 Wagner fighters injured or killed in Ukraine, says US
Serbia nationalist protests spike tensions over Russia
Off the air, Fox News stars blasted the election fraud claims they peddled
Fox News hosts thought Trump’s election fraud claims were ‘total BS’, court filings show
The Real Elitists Are at Fox News
China spy balloon: Three unidentified objects possibly benign, says US
US Air Force may have shot down hobby club’s balloon worth US$12 with US$439,000 missile
The Law Is Closing In on Trump
After helping prince’s rise, Trump and Kushner benefit from Saudi funds
Marjorie Taylor Greene Didn’t Like What She Saw
From Xboxes to ovens, Republicans’ war on energy efficiency is a tax on the poor
The Pointless Nikki Haley Campaign
Nicola Sturgeon says time is right to resign as Scotland’s first minister
Richard Sharp’s position as BBC chair ‘increasingly untenable’, says Labour tks Oliver Gill
Hugh Jackman: Inevitable that Australia will become a republic
Business and technology
The Gray Area with Sean Illing: The dark history of Silicon Valley
Facebook Parent Meta Gives Thousands of Workers Subpar Reviews
Apple Cofounder Says Musk Wants to ‘Be Like a Cult Leader’
Microsoft’s new ChatGPT AI starts sending ‘unhinged’ messages to people
Buzzfeed Columnist Tells CEO to “Get Fucked” for Move to AI Content
Well, I never: AI is very proficient at designing nerve agents
They shared their layoff heartbreak on LinkedIn. Then it went viral
Yoodli – Free Communication Coach tks Rohit Bassi
Social issues
Babbage: Will bird flu cause the next human pandemic? The Economist Podcasts
Mass death of sea lions from bird flu suggests virus may be spreading between mammals in the wild
Is the US prepared for a possible bird flu pandemic? What we know.
It Is Journalism’s Sacred Duty To Endanger The Lives Of As Many Trans People As Possible tks Brian Sibley
COVID can trigger tinnitus. Could the vaccines do the same?
Young people are more likely to die of heart attacks post-COVID, study finds. But why? tks Joe Augustin
Turkey-Syria earthquake: Mother and baby rescued twice in three days
Turkey earthquake: 113 arrest warrants connected to building construction
No tents, no aid, nothing: Why Syrians feel forgotten
Christian Atsu found dead after Turkey earthquake
Turkey earthquake rescue: How two sisters were saved from the rubble
As Anger Swells Over Quake, Turkey Detains Building Contractors
Russian hackers ‘disrupt Turkey-Syria earthquake aid’ in cyber attack on Nato
What To Say To Someone Who Is A Fan Of Joe Rogan tks Gina Giachetti
The Fascinating Science of How We Think Not with the Brain But with the World
Chelsea Handler Fires Back at ‘Crybaby’ Tucker Carlson
Australia mine collapse: Two men dead at Dugald River zinc mine
The death of shame tks Phillipa Edwards
So your friend came out as non-binary: here’s how to use pronouns they/them tks Ken Craig-Saunders
A Popular—And Misunderstood—Theory of Relationships
The Dalai Lama on Why Leaders Should Be Mindful, Selfless, and Compassionate
How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating In a time when emotion
Brad Pitt Credits Bradley Cooper for Encouraging Him to Become Sober
Bruce Willis has dementia, his family announces tks Andy Lopata
Banksy’s Valentine’s Day art removed after just a few hours
Passion, humour, history
Raquel Welch: US actress and model dies at 82
The Netflix Royal Drama You Might Not Know About
Here Are The Best Super Bowl Commercials Of 2023
Pregnant Rihanna lights up Super Bowl stage with ‘Diamonds’
Grazier-turned-publican saves much-loved historic pub off the beaten track — without resorting to pokies tks Willy Wahlin
Wrexham: Will Ferrell spotted having pre-match pint in pub Published
Six of Europe’s best slow, scenic rail journeys
Largest penguin ever discovered weighed a whopping 340 pounds, fossils reveal
Let me know what jumped out at you? Or share with me what you’re reading? I love that!
Cheers
Andrea
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Environment education
Four environment resources to help you navigate this challenging territory.
- Knowledge, constantly updating
- Individual action and awareness, so we do our part
- Resources for those struggling with eco-anxiety. Please share with your community.
- Finally, more than 100 mini-videos on many topics regarding the multiple crisis’ we face. Feel free to download and use as your own. No credit necessary.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation
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