Bill McKibben on U. of California Divesting from Coal and Tar Sands

Democracy Now!

Published on Sep 10, 2015

The University of California has announced that it has sold off more than $200 million worth of investments in coal and tar sands companies. University officials say the move was prompted by concerns over environmental sustainability as well as the increasing riskiness of investing in the coal and tar sands industries, which have both seen their profits plummet in recent months. Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, hailed the move. The European Green Party and 350.org recently launched the “Divest for Paris” challenge, calling on institutions, individuals and governments to divest from fossil fuels ahead of the climate summit in Paris later this year.

Global Climate Change
Environment Ethics
Environment Justice

Transition Streets Local Action Global Change

transitionus

Published on Sep 9, 2015

Transition Streets is an effective, replicable and FUN project where neighbors come together to implement practical actions to lower our carbon footprints, conserve water, reduce waste, and strengthen our neighborhoods. For more info and for Handbook and resources go to: http://transitionstreets.org/

Global Climate Change
Environment Ethics
Environment Justice

MIT study shows climate change mitigation potential of geoengineering the oceans

From: Mark Dwortzan | Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, MIT
Published September 9, 2015 07:23 AM

Like the leaves of New England maples, phytoplankton, the microalgae at the base of most oceanic food webs, photosynthesize when exposed to sunlight. In the process, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, converting it to carbohydrates and oxygen. Many phytoplankton species also release dimethyl sulfide (DMS) into the atmosphere, where it forms sulfate aerosols, which can directly reflect sunlight or increase cloud cover and reflectivity, resulting in a cooling effect. The ability of phytoplankton to draw planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and produce aerosols that promote further cooling has made ocean fertilization — through massive dispersal of iron sulfite and other nutrients that stimulate phytoplankton growth — an attractive geoengineering method to reduce global warming.

Global Climate Change
Environment Ethics
Environment Justice

The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa: Calestous Juma

This book argues that Africa can feed itself in a generation and help contribute to global food security despite its history of persistent food shortages and the rising threat of climate change. To achieve this, the continent must harness scientific and technological advances, invest in infrastructure, foster higher technical training, and create regional markets. It must also foster a new crop of entrepreneurial leaders dedicated to the continent’s economic improvement.

This new edition provides ideas on how to place agriculture at the center of the continent’s long-term economic transformation. It demonstrates how policy coordination can help realize agriculture’s full potential as a motherboard for other economic activities. Incorporating lessons from academia, government, civil society, and private industry, The New Harvest outlines how African countries can work together at regional levels to generate new knowledge and resources, harness technological advancement, encourage entrepreneurship, increase agricultural output, create markets, and improve overall economic performance.

Global Climate Change
Environment Ethics
Environment Justice
Food-Matters