The race for the Democratic nomination to face off against Donald Trump in 2020 is officially ridiculous. Bill De Blasio? Really? As if we needed another egomaniacal New Yorker running for the White House when it is already occupied by the worst version of that sort.
As the temperatures increase here in Iowa we are preparing to be deluged with candidates at every county fair, sporting event, Pizza Ranch…whatever. If you get three registered Democrats together on a Tuesday night you could probably book at least one presidential hopeful.
Thank god I do not watch commercial television anymore.
On to the links…
The Dark Reason so Many Millennials are Miserable and Broke—Minus some organizing for social causes, what good has social media brought us as a civilization? I would argue it has done much more harm than good. Who really gives a shit what someone you have never met on Instagram is doing?
Exxon Predicted 2019’s Ominous CO2 Milestone in 1982—Has there been a company more destructive to the planet than Exxon-Mobil? These guys are behind every bad action regarding the climate since the dawn of time it seems.
The World Blows Over $5 Trillion a Year on Oil and Gas Subsidies—The next time your drunk Uncle Carl starts spouting off about the production tax credit or tax credits for residential solar arrays remind him about the subsidies that oil and gas companies utilize to distort the market.
The Hidden Subsidy of Fossil Fuels—The report above seems to have sent a lot of writers looking at the murky world of fossil fuel subsidies. Happy hunting.
Future of Workers Uncertain as Third-Biggest US Coal Company Declares Bankruptcy—I will cut right to the punch line: workers will get screwed in this bankruptcy. Workers get screwed every time. Executives will get paid. Heck, executives will likely get bonuses for some reason. Workers will get screwed.
The Simple, Yet Elusive, Key To Fighting The Climate Crisis—Radical reforestation should be at the top of any agenda to stop the worst impacts of climate change. What is the downside? Extra trees? Okay, I will take that downside risk.
Why Aren’t North Americans Buying Electric Cars?—I have an idea: it’s the dealers. Seriously, have you ever been to a non-Tesla showroom to look at an EV? Don’t do it because it is a horrifying experience.
Gas Car Sales ‘have already peaked and may never recover’ as Battery Prices Plunge—I can personally vouch that we likely bought our last internal combustion engine car in 2013. My used Leaf has proven to be revelatory as a driving experience. In a couple of years we will be looking to replace my wife’s Subaru Outback and the first choice will be an EV.
All Aboard the Electric Bus – Modern Public Transport Powered by Electricity is Coming Back—Buses are the humble players in the decarbonization game. No one really thinks about the bus when compared with subways or light rail. However, there is not quicker way to get carbon out of our transit than by replacing diesel buses with electric buses.
The Morning After: Germany Starts Testing its ‘Electric Highway’—This idea is simple, old school, and amazingly timely.
Toronto Restaurant Fights Waste By Chopping Menu Prices Till Food Is Gone—I just love this concept.
The Little Technology That Could—This is one those technologies that makes you ask, “Why is this not a requirement for every large building?” The answer is that it costs more money up front and builders are looking to put up buildings in the cheapest manner possible. Just look at the newly opened Hudson Yards in New York City.
Could You Live a Low Carbon Life? Meet the People Who Already Are—Reducing our carbon footprint does not mean going back to some stone age like existence. It is about eliminating the most wasteful aspects of our modern life.
Metal Straws, Mason Jars, Bamboo Forks: Do You Have to Buy More Stuff to Go Zero Waste?—Be wary of anyone who tells you that in order to reduce your consumption you need to buy something first. It’s a lie. Just stop using the thing you want to stop using.
How Recreation Boosts the Economy—As the extraction economy of the western United States winds down the number one driver of economic activity will be outdoor recreation.
