TASS Reports Russian Scientists Found "Massive" New Arctic Methane Emissions

TASS, noted by Wiki as "the largest Russian news agency and one of the largest news agencies worldwide," reported today newly discovered increase in Arctic methane emissions "may affect the planet’s climate system." According to the Ministry of Education and Science, "Russian scientists have found a new big area in the East Arctic’s seas with big emissions of greenhouse gases. [ . . . ] They also saw that emissions in earlier found areas had become more active."

Click here to see why this is important, and here.

Thoughts, prayers, truth.

After Saying "Yes," U. S. Supreme Court Says Maybe No to Children’s Trust Climate Lawsuit 10 Days Before Trial

I recall driving near Chehalis, WA, thinking Juliana v. US was Earth's last best chance. 

The lawsuit, Juliana v. US, set to begin in Eugene, Oregon, October 29, 2018, may, or may not, happen.  According to Phuong Le, of the Associated Press, "Chief Justice John Roberts signed an order freezing the trial." 

In July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the children's lawsuit going forward, as the Court noted requests by President Obama and President Trump to have the case tossed were "premature."  

Jack Moran, of The Register-Guard, wrote "Although the government has repeatedly sought to get the case thrown out — arguing, among other points, that climate policy should not be decided by the courts — one of its lawyers said at a previous hearing that the government recognizes climate change is a serious, man-made problem."  What government?

Hipcamp -- A Letter to Congress, Wallace Stegner, 1960

Now, if you're not fighting for it globally, you're not fighting for it locally.  Support 350.org

Trump, Putin, and Muller Speak on Climate

My response? See the video below.

Prayer, Meditation, Rice

Last year, it was Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria; damaged islands of Barbuda and Puerto Rico; fires in California, British Columbia, Oregon, Montana, Sibera, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, and Spain; and millions enduring floods in Bangladesh (widely reported as 1/3 underwater), Peru, Nepal, India, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Canada, Iran, Norway, England, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand,  Vietnam,  Zimbabwe, and other places. 

This year, so far, it's Lane, Super Typhoon Mangkhut, Florence, Leslie, and Michael with maximum winds reported at 155 mph, California and other major fires again, and more feared in October or November.

Climate scientists note these heat-enhanced conditions are from carbon and other greenhouse gases poured by humans in the air about 30 years ago, and we've poured in much more since then.  Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, pillars of economic, food, water, housing, family security will be severely eroded, or gone, depending on where and how one lives.  It looks like the billion or so coral reef fishers are out of luck, according to scientists, as heat gets 2 degrees Celcius above 1850 (pre-industrial) levels. The New York Times reported October 7, "Major Climate Report Describes a Strong Risk of Crisis as Early as 2040," but reporting for the last 10 years, at least, has strongly underestimated speed, scope, and magnitude of damage. It's like a doctor telling a patient "You have a scratch on your leg, but some antbiotics could work." then, "Sorry, but we must amputate." then "Uh, do you have a legal will?"

Since many of my readers live in countries where the grain crop failed or may soon fail, I will give practical advice, and a story.  My advice, if you can afford it, is to get oxygen-free rice which allegedly can be stored for "10+ years" as a sort of insurance policy.  You can give it to a food bank if, by some magic or miracle, world leaders have a change of heart and take real steps. You may also want to order an opener and BPA-free strainer. Utah State University Extension noted, "The best temperature to store grains, including rice, is 40°F or below; however, rice stored at a constant 70° F with oxygen absorbers will store well for up to 10 years. In cooler storage areas rice sealed in oxygen-free containers can be stored for up to 30 years. A BYU study sampling polished rice and parboiled rice stored from 1 to 30 years found that both types of rice will keep their nutrients and flavor up to 30 years."

My story is from a Whidbey Island friend. He mentioned in Cambodia a monk was told by the teacher this monk, and others,  would travel to a refugee camp.  The younger monks protested, "We don't have food or medicine to help. What is the point?"

The teacher said they were going anyway so they walked about three days in silence to the camp.  Upon arrival, the teacher sat in the middle of the camp, and began chanting "Om."  Soon, the entire camp was chanting "Om."  That was the gift he brought, and it was a much-needed gift.

"Climate Scientist: As U.N. Warns of Global Catastrophe, We Need a 'Marshall Plan' for Climate Change" (Democracy Now! Video)

Professor Kevin Anderson answers question "What does the future look like? How bad can things get if we proceed on this course?"

Another Poem & Image from Hoffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon

Thanks to fellow fisher / writer Cameron Pierce and artist Barbara Temple Ayres for allowing me to post their work above.  I saw their broadside at The Word and Image Show at The Hoffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon, when I had work there as I noted below. The free exhibit will be on display throughout the month of October 2018 during the gallery’s regular hours — 1 to 4 p.m.,  Friday through Sunday.  Congrats to Pierce on his new book Live Bait.

Word & Image Show At Hoffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon

Last night I enjoyed reading at The Word and Image Show at The Hoffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon. I was one of twelve writers paired with twelve artists to respond to each other's work, meaning two poems and two images.  I'm grateful I worked with Karen LaGrave Small whose painting The Fear Fly is above. The free exhibit will remain on display throughout the month of October 2018 during the gallery’s regular hours — 1 to 4 p.m.,  Friday through Sunday. Here was my writer's statement:

"In the landscape of human experience fear and love seem to be universal, and many times in that order.  Love seems to be the older, wiser force. In conversation with the artist, and meditation on the image, that was the journey of my poetic response. A Grandfather Time figure in the Vancouver, WA coffee shop where I am writing this just said 'The light could go out for any of us any time, which makes worry unimportant.'"

Regarding Oregon opportunities, I am also grateful to PLAYA for interviewing me on their blog Edge Effects.