#227 Weekend Reads – have we just witnessed a geopolitical schism?

We have been overwhelmed by news out of the Middle East this week, with Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Deals have been announced, with investment agreements worth more than $2 trillion for projects in defense, aviation, artificial intelligence, energy, mining and many more.

However, if you take a step back and consider this – what does it mean long term? From where I’m sitting, this looks like a major geopolitical shift, so is this going to create a dramatic schism globally? What do you think?

I don’t know the answer to these questions, because it’s hard to find any serious commentary really discussing what this means. Not just the deals this week, but in 10 years, 20 years? The short-termism of so many of our leaders and the media right now is deeply concerning. Are you concerned?

Here’s a wider summary of the deals that have been made – Trump’s Middle East Trip: Here Are All The Major Deals Signed.

Here’s the news on the AI deal – Trump’s Computer Chip Deals With Saudi Arabia and UAE Divide US Government – The New York Times.

The weapons and AI deals are what really concern me. Historically, that has never turned out to be a good idea with this region.

Another article discusses how Biden officials wish they could have the balls to do what Trump does. There’s no question the unorthodox approach could result in some great outcomes for the world (or the complete opposite), but long-term? I suppose we await the schism – Trump’s Syria, Israel and Iran surprises stun Biden officials

Want to get a sense of the Trump family corruption in all of this? Have a watch of this…

Wake up America

There’s a lot I could share about the US, both domestically and internationally, but here’s another story that’s doing my head in. Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson have published a book discussing revelations of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, you can read about it here – Biden Cover-Up Authors Hire Crisis PR Amid MAGA Meltdown. Really? That’s the most important story right now? Not America becoming an authoritarian state? No wonder we are in the situation we are in.

The “White Genocide”

You may have heard about the Afrikaner refugees arriving in the US. Here’s one story on that – White South Africans arrive in US under Trump refugee plan.

But it’s this other story that perked my interest – Elon Musk’s Grok AI Can’t Stop Talking About ‘White Genocide’ | WIRED. I know a lot of people have left Twitter/X, but I stay there for my climate community, and this news has seen a lot of discussion. Check out this screenshot featured on one post this week. Musk is re-programming Grok to talk about the “White Genocide” in South Africa!

Gaza

War, war, war – it continues, it expands, it disgusts, especially in Gaza. More than 370 Palestinians have been killed by Israel this week, and the UN is continuing its warning of imminent mass starvation. But it was the story of six-month-old baby girl Siwar that shook people awake. Precious little soul, and she is one of thousands of children dying of starvation, or dying from the excessive violence used on women and children by Israel in Gaza. It’s enough and we must all stand up and speak out against this genocide!

Where did Covid come from?

Is this the definitive answer? Covid origin FINALLY revealed in bombshell study…and it might not have been China after all | Daily Mail Online

The disaster that is deep sea mining is going to happen

Read all about it – Trump’s critical minerals drive paves the way for a deep-sea gold rush

Seeking to counter China’s mineral dominance, the Trump administration recently signed a sweeping executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining within U.S. and international waters.
The move is designed to help private companies access billions of tons of potato-sized rocks known as polymetallic nodules, which are rich in strategically important minerals.
“The thing that people have missed is that there is zero chance that this will not happen,” Gerard Barron, CEO of seabed miner The Metals Company, told CNBC by video call.

We are a stupid species. These nodules, which take millions of years to form, contribute to oxygen in our atmosphere. So bloody stupid.

The future for our kids – this is all we’ve got to offer them?

New research uncovers exposure to extreme climate events will increase two to seven times more for those born in 2020 compared with those in 1960. Extremes include heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, cyclones and crop failures, and for children born in 2020, they are two to seven times more likely to face a one-in-10,000-year event than people born in 1960.

The research states: 52% of children born in 2020 face unprecedented heat exposure compared to 16% of those born in 1960 under the most limited global warming scenario of 1.5°C by 2100, rising to 92% if warming reaches 3.5 °C.

The fact we’re now in our second year past 1.5°C makes the claim of “by 2100” non-sensical, and the other problem with these stats is if we reach 3.5 °C of warming, very few humans will remain on the planet, and with human sterility expected by 2045 (due to the novel entitites in our environment), we are not going to get to 2100 anyway. The reporting of this information is very weak, when you factor in all the impacts this level of warming means. There is no future for humanity and most other life on earth if we reach 3.5 °C of warming.

The most dangerous place on earth to be pregnant in a warming world?

Hint, where I live – Extreme heat caused by climate change is threatening pregnancies: study | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific.

China CO2 emissions in reverse

Great news out of China – China’s CO2 emissions have gone into reverse for the first time. Now I have to provide a warning with this news. Yes it looks amazing, but as countries clean up emissions, we have less sulphates in the atmosphere to reflect heat back out into space. This means it can cause more warming and China’s reductions in pollution in the past have already been attributed to warming in the Pacific Ocean – Analysis: Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time – Carbon Brief.

Earth energy imbalance

And we are warming. James Hansen’s latest paper is out, and the conclusion is, earth is becoming a darker place, because there are less clouds, which means the earth’s energy imbalance is accelerating, so we are absorbing more heat, which is why it’s getting hotter. Serious times call for serious action – Large Cloud Feedback Confirms High Climate Sensitivity.

Here’s a view of what that looks like!

A quirky story

It turns out the new Pope’s older brother, Louis, is MAGA. At least he’s promised to tone it down – The Pope’s Florida Brother, a MAGA Disciple, Plans to ‘Tone It Down’ – The New York Times.

All hail Bruce Springsteen. Laying it out

And Donald Trump’s elegant response. So presidential!

But wait, there’s more. So much class.

Favorite memes, cartoons, Tweets, etc…

Trump is putting this image up on public buildings, because he thinks it’s nice in autocratic countries. I like this response.

If you know, you know

Indeed!

The reality of our time….

If you’ve seen the James Comey news, you’ll understand what this means!

The Woke Pope

My content and my pals

I published a visual blog this week here – Overwhelmed by the planetary crisis and don’t know where to start? – Uncommon Courage – An Invitation – this was inspired by friends telling me they had no idea where to start. I hope this provides the tips you need.

It was awesome having Rebecca Downie on The Know Show this week. Always great to have someone equally passionate about the news and world affairs. Thanks for joining us woman – a big, wide discussion, because that is the time we are living in.

And a reminder. Without nature, there is no economy.

Dig into the news

Plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform has articles going back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.

Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.

Cheers

Andrea

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