Buck Naked Politics

Dr. James Hansen: We Are Now Approaching the Global Warming Tipping Point

by Damozel | Dr. James Hansen [bio], who gave testimony before Congress today 20 years after his first presentation, has some sobering words for those who think concerns about the environment can wait while we sort out gas prices. The potential for harm that may result from failure to address these concerns is so overwhelming that many people still can't bring themselves to see itself as the gravest issue now confronting the world.  The time when denial is still possible may not last long.

According to Dr. Hansen, we have now used up any slack we may have had.  Prevention is --- 'barely' --- still possible.  Emphasis on 'barely.'

[A] wide gap has developed between what is understood about global warming by the relevant scientific community and what is known by policymakers and the public. Now, as then, frank assessment of scientific data yields conclusions that are shocking to the body politic. Now, as then, I can assert that these conclusions have a certainty exceeding 99 percent. [continue]

Science to Create Bugs that Eat Waste, Convert to...Crude Oil?

by Damozel | Okay, it's not April Fool's Day and it is the Times of London --- not exactly known for its jolly japes.  Oh, how I wish Cockney Robin were around to cope with this one!

Apparently these scientists have genetically altered tiny carbon-based lifeforms to eat waste materials and excrete crude oil.  That's right, crude oil.

An Elephant Paints His Own Self-Portrait

Posted by Damozel | This is an astonishing---and moving---thing to witness.  Watch it till the end:  you'll see him carefully and delicately use his trunk to paint an absolutely recognizable picture of an elephant holding a red flower in his trunk. 

I've posted more footage of elephants painting  (and some background about the painting 'Starving Elephant Artisans' ) here.

Climate Change Tipping Point: Sooner than We Think?

Posted by Damozel |   Just when you were thinking things couldn't get any worse, this:

"The task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested, say scientists who have just published studies indicating that it would require the world to cease carbon emissions altogether within a matter of decades."(New York Times)