by Linda*in*SFNM [courtesy of Blog for America]

In a return visit to TED Talks this year, Al Gore gave what is a FIRST of a new Slide Show and presentation of the latest information on the front of Climate Change caused by Global Warming.

 Bittersweet.  This man is so incredible. Mind, passion, intelligence. I'm thrilled of his work and efforts, but ache to my soul that we lose by focusing on the inconsequential and petty, not strive and be thrilled with the possibility of greatness that embodies Al Gore. 

 We all can still learn and act.  Have a listen to Al. 

by Linda Seltzer [courtesy of Blog for America]

While the main purpose of the upcoming Democratic Convention is to elect a nominee, there is also the task of writing the platform.  I believe that the DFA should concentrate effort into the climate change section of the Democratic Platform.  Perhaps we in the DFA can arrive at a formal committee of people to draft private text to be used in the platform.   A well-researched and well-written document has the best chance of getting accepted.  The question for everyone is: what would you like to see in a DFA position paper on climate change?  Perhaps there are some energy experts out there reading this.  I would like to see support for telecommuting and flexible hours as part of the platform.  These actions require no funding, no research money and no waiting for futuristic technology.  They can be implemented now and would alleviate the current situation of people idling in traffic lines at rush hour.  The only change needed is a change in outdated customs and modes of thinking.  

by Linda Seltzer [courtesy of Blog for America]

The issue of climate change often arrives at a standstill because the proposed "solutions" always seem futuristic and unassured.  But there are things our society could do right now, with the technology we already have, to drmatically reduce air pollution:

(1) Telecommuting and flextime.  Every days the roads in the East and West Coasts are clogged with gridlock traffic, just because employees do not have telecommuting and flexible hours.  Just allowing employees to set a shifted schedule after the rush hour is over would ease the congestion and pollution.  The argument that enployees have to be together all day long is hogwash.  There are many jobs that could be done on shifted schedules or with some work completed at home.

(2) Support for a single lifestyle.  Paul Erlich has been speaking out about overpopulation and the hunger across the world that results from it.  Not everyone has to have a child.  Many people have children just to have them as a support system in old age.  If we had elder care alternatives, people could make the choice not to have children unless they really want to.  Right now we consider it to be a cultural anomaly not to have children.  However, the environment is at the point where some people can choose to devote their lives to other interests.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The fires raging in Southern California may or may not be part of a trend caused by climate change,which has led to hotter temperatures, drier forests, and shiftingweather patterns, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Global warmingwill lead to more destructive fires in general, according to experts.

The Torrance Daily Breeze reports that the fires are causing major health issues, with local emergency rooms reporting an increase in respiratory problems. "Even healthy people without chronic conditions are at risk forasthmatic episodes, allergies, eye irritation and lung damage becausethe particles in the air caused by smoke are too small to be filteredby the body," according to the article.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

This is a quickie.  My car insurance provider noted in an email that tomorrow night is Lights Out LA, an event designed to conserve energy and raise awareness.  Between 8-9 pm, LA residents are encouraged to turn off all non-essential lights in a bid to save enough energy to power 2,500 homes for a full year.  The Hollywood sign, City Hall, and most government buildings will go dark.  I believe something like this was attempted in San Francisco earlier this year.  It's exciting that Los Angeles is attempting to raise awareness of climate change and promote conservative.  You can even get a free beeswaz candle to use at this website.

My only issue is how to square this with the fact that it'll be happening in the fourth quarter of the Michigan football game.  I'll get out my transistor radio, I guess.

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

Climate change disaster is upon us, warns UN

A record number of floods, droughts and storms around the world this year amount to a climate change "mega disaster", the United Nation's emergency relief coordinator, Sir John Holmes, has warned.

Sir John, a British diplomat who is also known as the UN's under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said dire predictions about the impact of global warming on humanity were already coming true.

"We are seeing the effects of climate change. Any year can be a freak but the pattern looks pretty clear to be honest. That's why we're trying ... to say, of course you've got to deal with mitigation of emissions, but this is here and now, this is with us already," he said.

Byrd warns of "chest pounding” on Iran

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) took to the Senate floor on Thursday to decry recent provocations against Iran, warning his colleagues against “sleep-walking” into another military conflict.

Last week, the Senate passed a non-binding amendment to the defense authorization bill that designated a portion of the Iranian Armed Forces as a “terrorist organization.”