terriko

The Angera Declaration for Methane Action

Methane is the second most significant contributor to warming, after carbon dioxide. Methane is responsible for 30% of current warming and its atmospheric concentration continues to rise. Absent rapid and sustained reductions, methane emissions will drive faster warming in the coming decades, intensifying climate risks such as more frequent and severe droughts and heatwaves; more rapid ice-sheet loss; sea-level rise; and risks of triggering destabilizing climate tipping points.

Reducing methane emissions not only reduces climate risks, it also almost immediately improves air quality by decreasing ground-level ozone, which improves public health by reducing respiratory illness and premature mortality while preventing crop losses from ozone exposure thus strengthening food security.


Because methane is so powerful a warming agent and so short-lived in the atmosphere, its reduction offers the biggest bang-for-buck on climate action. The vast majority of that action relies on government and industry efforts, but there are a few things that individuals can do with real impact...

( Read more... )

Endangered California Condor Flies into Oregon for the First Time in 122 Years

Last month, a California condor flew into Oregon before returning after several hundred miles to its home in Redwoods National Park, becoming the first condor recorded in the state since 1904.

Taking a closer look, condor conservationists among northern California’s Yurok tribe concluded it was condor B9, an animal that had been born in captivity and released into the wild in 2022 by the Yurok.

The animal flew a grand total of 380 miles and 4 days in a loop, starting high in the redwoods before passing Redding in NoCal and then entering Oregon. It made stops near Medford, Cave Junction, and Brookings before recrossing state lines and returning to the national park.


That's good progress. \o/

Tennessee Joins States Requiring Data Center Owners to Pay Full Electricity, Infrastructure Costs

The Colossus 2 data center – retrieved from xAI
A new law passed in Tennessee will protect residents from incurring rising electricity costs from nearby data centers’ demands on the grid.

Republican-led bill HB 1847 prohibits utilities companies and municipalities from paying for a data center’s electrical needs, or any of the infrastructure costs involved in expansion.


Bluntly put, data centers have a bad habit of robbing people by driving up electricity, water, and other bills. They must pay ALL of their own bill, not fob it off on other people. This is driving a large and growing backlash against data centers and the AI they enable.

3 Mule Deer Just Inaugurated California’s Newest Wildlife Crossing Bridge

A California wildlife overpass is already proving popular with the local deer—and it’s not even finished yet.

In what is certainly a ringing endorsement of the $20 million bridge, 3 mule deer were caught on camera traps using the bridge to safely cross I-97 in Siskiyou County.

Wildlife overpasses work, sometimes even before they're finished! \o/ There's also a different style of underpass for critters like turtles.

Famous author Jane Yolen has passed away. This year she published her 450th book. My favorites included The Pit Dragon Chronicles and Great Alta.

( Read more... )

Papua New Guinea Sets Up Protected Ocean the Size of UK–Over 77,000 Square Miles

In the legendary Coral Triangle, where the Pacific and Indian Oceans meet, 200,000 square kilometers of tropical seas will be off limits to fishing thanks to bold conservation action by Papua New Guinea.

The newly-designated Western Manus Marine Protected Area (MPA) will form part of the newly established Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, a network of national and jointly managed protected areas spanning Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.


Score! \o/

How Neil Diamond sounds in 16th century style: "Sweet Caroline"

This turned out very pretty.

Today is partly sunny, muggy, and hot. It rained on and off for several hours last night. I saw so many fireflies in the evening! :D

I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity yet.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/11/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 6/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.









.

Severe storms down trees, knock out power to thousands across Minnesota

A line of severe thunderstorms raced across Minnesota overnight, bringing wind gusts of more than 80 mph, downing trees and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses.


As climate change progresses, violent storms occur more often and do more damage. This is only going to keep getting worse.

If you are able-bodied, I recommend getting a chainsaw and learning how to use it. For less-able folks, a hand saw, or even a chainsaw that you could loan out, may make sense. Reason being, few people want to do blue-collar work nowadays, so any tree services in a given area tend to run months behind on work. When a storm hits, they get a huge surge in demand, but there is no surge capacity to absorb the demand. That means there's nobody to clean up the fallen limbs and trees promptly. Ordinary residents need to pick up the slack to clear debris from their yards, the streets, for less-able neighbors, etc. to restore road access and remove tree parts from places they don't belong. If you have a broken roof, punctured septic tank, or smashed car then by all means try to get the attention of overworked professionals. Otherwise you are probably on your own. Look out for each other. Form neighborhood storm response teams if possible. Here are some resources...

( Read more... )

Today is sunny, humid, and hot. A beautiful day to stay indoors and write! Yesterday it rained off and on during the afternoon. The patio was still wet this morning, so we likely got more last night too.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity yet.

I put out water for the birds.

Morning glories are blooming. :D

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I took some pictures around the house and yard. I have a nice tall stand of milkweed blooming in the prairie garden, taller than me. :D

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I started trimming grass around the Asiatic lily patch by the telephone pole.

The first of the recently sown seeds are already sprouting! :D Charleston Food Forest and 'State Fair' zinnias are up, though not the developing 'Shirley' landrace rows.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I trimmed more grass around the Asiatic lily patch by the telephone pole.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I planted 5 'Yelloween' lilies in the telephone pole garden. That's the end of the hummingbird garden sack that I got from Costco.

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I spread potting soil and mulch over the newly planted lilies.

It's not even dark yet, but already swarms of fireflies are rising up from the grass. :D Fly, my pretties, fly!

EDIT 6/10/26 -- I watered the telephone pole garden including the new lilies.

Lots more fireflies are out now. The evening is very sparkly! I've seen at least one bat too.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.