OCA member asks why…
LETTER: Global warming | July 4, 2021
As we face an unprecedented heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest, it is hard for me to sleep. And it is not just because it is hot.
I lie awake and wonder what it will take for enough people to stop ignoring global warming.
So many things are happening globally that alarm me, and this current heat wave is the latest.
Sure, I’d like to forget these worries, throw on some shorts, and jump into Lake Crescent. I’d like to feel that everything will be all right.
But in the news I read and hear about wildfires in California, earlier this year; drought in Madagascar. And here at home in the Olympics the glaciers continue to retreat.
Our planet is warming up, and human activity is causing it.
In our capital, the Democrats are famous for stealing defeat from the jaws of victory.
But the Republicans are clearly bent on our destruction for their immediate profit.
The budget that Biden tried to pass had included funding for the Green New Deal, which would create sustainable jobs good for our planet.
But the Republicans could not abide taxing the wealthy. The Republicans are insane and totally insincere about family values.
Any family needs a livable planet.
I am asking you, readers, if you have not already done so, please take a moment and think about what is really at stake.
There is nothing in your life that doesn’t depend on this planet.
So why aren’t we taking care of it?
Dan Burdick — Port Angeles
Local/Regional News
The Meaningful Movies Project
Monday, July 12 | 6:30 pm PT
Corps Must Cool Water Heated by Columbia and Snake River Dams for Salmon
— Columbia Riverkeeper
National Actions
Tell the #Exxon11:
We Want Answers
ExxonMobil has lied for decades to cover up its role in creating the climate crisis – and yet Congress remains cozy with the oil and gas giant.
Exxon Exposed:
Greenpeace Tricks Top Lobbyists into Naming Senators They Use to Block Climate Action
— DemocracyNow! video
National/International News
The Wind Industry Threatens the Amazon and Its Next Generation of Earth Defenders: Indigenous Girls
— Amazon Watch
No one was prepared for the Northwest heat wave — especially not the animals
— The Washington Post
Capping methane-spewing oil wells, one hole at a time
— The Washington Post
A few years ago, some members of OCA took an online course from Eileen and she later came to meet us. She is now preparing to join the Indigenous-led resistance to Line 3 Pipeline.
Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate
An interview with Dr. Hanson by The Revelator
Ocean ‘Dead Zones’ Are Releasing One of The Worst Greenhouse Gases
— Science Alert
Visualizing the Flow of U.S. Energy Consumption
National Newsletters
A daily newsletter by Grist
July 6 — A French high court has ordered the government to cut emissions faster.
July 7 — An oil pipeline in the Southeast got canceled.
July 8 — A water recycling bill could provide some relief for the Western drought.
July 9 — A natural gas ban is here to stay in Berkeley, California.
There’s another story out there: the story of a world that’s better than you thought.
19 Lessons — and Chocolate!
A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’ She fooled them all …
“How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied , “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.”
“As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.
- Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue!
- Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.
- Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
- Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
- If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
- If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
- It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
- Never buy a car you can’t push.
- Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.
- Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.
- Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
- The second mouse gets the cheese.
- When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
- Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
- Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
- We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours, but they all have to live in the same box.
- A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
- Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
19. Save the earth….. It’s the only planet with chocolate!
A note to my Yarns from the Farm Readers—I’ve started another series for our local newspaper on biodiversity…”
Cheers, Nan
View the Biodiversity Series
View A Climate Basics Series
6. Enhancing Biodiversity: An Ounce of Prevention —
Taming the Virus
I got so excited about getting my vaccination, I decided to write this article for our local newspaper, rather than the one I was planning for this issue. Getting my jab makes it possible for me to do a long-planned hike in the Northern Territory, and under the new rules.”
Image is copyright from David Houlder, used by permission.
Olympic Climate Action 