committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-04--Could CO2 actually cause slight beneficial warming?

Precision research by physicists William Happer and Willem van Wijngaarden has determined that the current levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor are “ saturated.
” In radiation physics that means adding more CO2 or water molecules will bring modest warming that will benefit plant growth , and thus all life on Earth .
More CO2 and H2O will not cause dangerous warming .
From this point forward , emissions from burning fossil fuels will bring little additional global warming , and what does occur will improve forests , grasslands and agriculture .
There is no climate emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; contrary to what alarmist scientists have told us for decades .
Scientifically , it resolves a huge uncertainty that has plagued climate science for over a century : How should saturation be measured , and what is its extent regarding the primary greenhouse gases ?
Just as “ the greenhouse effect ” is nothing akin to how greenhouses work , in radiation physics “ saturation ” is nothing like the simple , everyday concept of saturation .
Your paper towel is saturated when it won ’ t pick up any more spilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding more water , methane or carbon dioxide molecules has few or no further effects on planetary warming and climate .
Dr. Happer is probably best known as a leading skeptic of “ dangerous human-caused climate change.
” He co-founded the prestigious CO2 Coalition and served on the National Security Council , advising President Trump .
But his career has been as a world-class radiation physicist at Princeton .
Dr. van Wijngaarden teaches and conducts research in pure and applied physics at York University in Ontario .
Happer ’ s numerous peer-reviewed journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by other researchers .
In their study , Professors Happer and van Wijngaarden ( H & W ) analyzed saturation physics in painstaking detail .
Their preprint , “ Dependence of Earth ’ s Thermal Radiation on Five Most Abundant Greenhouse Gases , ” goes far beyond any work done previously on this complex problem .
To begin with , standard studies examine the absorption of solar radiation by greenhouse molecules using crude absorption bands of radiation energy .
H & W go far beyond this , to analyze the millions of distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up these bands .
Their detailed line-by-line approach is an emerging field that often yields dramatically new results – and here contradict prevailing climate theory .
Moreover , H & W do not look only at absorption .
As Dr. Happer explained it to me : First , thermal emission of greenhouse gases is just as important as absorption .
Second , how the atmosphere ’ s temperature varies with altitude is just as important as its concentration of greenhouse gases .
The two physicists therefore looked hard , not just at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmospheric temperature variation .
The work is far more complex than I , most non-physicist scientists , and certainly most citizens and politicians can understand .
However , the conclusions are simple and dramatically clear .
Happer and van Wijngaarden ’ s central conclusion is this : For the most abundant greenhouse gases , H2O and CO2 , the saturation effects are extreme , with per-molecule forcing powers suppressed by four orders of magnitude at standard concentrations .
( Forcing power means effects on atmospheric temperature . )
Their graphs are especially compelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 show that , at current concentrations , the forcing from all greenhouse gases are saturated .
The saturations of the most abundant greenhouse gases , H2O and CO2 , mean the per-molecule forcing is weakened by a factor of 10,000 .
The other greenhouse gases analyzed are ozone , nitrous oxide and methane .
These are also nearly saturated , but not as completely as water vapor and carbon dioxide .
They are also even less significant components of the atmosphere than CO2 ( 0.0415 % or 415 ppm ) , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 3 % or less ) .
At just 0.00019 % methane truly has minuscule influence on climate .
The climate science community clearly needs to consider this work very carefully .
This may not be easy since three major physics journals have refused to publish it .
Their reviews have been defensive and antagonistic , instead of thoughtful , science-based or helpful .
Climate alarmism seems to control these journals , and they tend to censor contrary findings .
That ’ s why H & W released the preprint version .
Undaunted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their analysis to include clouds .
Alarmist climate science bases its “ dangerous manmade ” global warming , not on the CO2 increase alone , but also on incorporating positive water vapor and cloud feedbacks : emphasizing heat-trapping properties of clouds , while largely ignoring the degree to which clouds also block or reflect incoming solar radiation .
Because carbon dioxide and water vapor are both saturated , it is highly unlikely that any positive cloud feedbacks can do much damage .
However further careful analysis is needed to know this for sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world are forced to ponder only “ permissible ” climate science – which is being used to justify demands that we eliminate the fossil fuels that provide 80 % of all US and world energy , and replace that energy with enormous numbers of solar panels , wind turbines , batteries , new transmission lines … and mines to produce their raw materials… all withmajor environmental impacts .
“ Permissible ” climate science is also being used as the basis for computer models that purport to predict planetary warming and weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The models have not gotten anything correct up to now , which is understandable since the physics on which they are based is so faulty .
The good news , says Science and Environmental Policy Project president Ken Haapala , is that humanity ’ s use of fossil fuels and addition of CO2 to the atmosphere are not causing a climate crisis .
Cutting existing atmospheric CO2 levels in half would have little effect on climate – but would harm plant growth and the ability of forests , food crops and grasslands to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carbon capture ” ( actually carbon dioxide capture ) is of little value , and would just increase electricity prices .
As to climate “ tipping points ” – at which the Earth gets inexorably hotter , never to cool down – the very notion is laughable .
Over the ages , our planet has swung back and forth from moderate to very warm periods ; from ice ages and mile-high glaciers across half of North America and Europe to interglacial periods , like the one we are in now ; from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Age , 1350-1810 , Haapala notes .
( The LIA was ending just about the time the fossil fuel and industrial era began . )
Put another way , because greenhouse gases are already saturated , there is no reason we should accept IPCC or other claims that planetary temperatures could rise more than 3.0 ͦ C ( 5.4ᵒ F ) without compelling physical ( measured , empirical ) evidence of strong atmospheric warming .
And that evidence is totally lacking in IPCC reports and satellite measurements .
Accepting alarmist claims is science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmospheric temperature trends measured by satellites and weather balloons , and tracked by the Earth System Science Center , University of Alabama-Huntsville , the warming trend is linear and modest .
Since January 1979 , it has remained at +0.14ᵒC/decade ( +0.12ᵒC/decade over the global-averaged oceans , and +0.18ᵒC/decade over global-averaged land areas ) .
That ’ s just 0.25ᵒF per decade , or 2.5ᵒF per century –modest , beneficial warming ; certainly nothing remotely catastrophic .
Some of that warming is likely to be manmade .
But most of it is natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the atmospheric “ hot spot ” above the tropics predicted by climate models is nowhere to be found .
Put another way , for carbon dioxide to have significant impacts on global temperatures , humanity would have to burn more fossil fuels than are known to exist on our planet , Haapala concludes .
It ’ s no wonder climate alarmists , computer modelers , Green New Deal proponents , and wind turbine , solar panel , battery and concrete salesmen want to silence Happer and van Wijngaarden – or at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s also not surprising that China is happy to see the H & W science suppressed : its companies will be the ones selling us turbines , panels and batteries .
Science sometimes advances in bold strides .
In this case the breakthrough in spectral line analysis has led to a new view of the greenhouse effect , where more CO2 and other greenhouse gases have at most a minor role to play .

Precision research by physicists William Happer and Willem van Wijngaarden has determined that the current levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor are “saturated.” In radiation physics that means adding more CO2 or water molecules will bring modest warming that will benefit plant growth, and thus all life on Earth. More CO2 and H2O will not cause dangerous warming.
From this point forward, emissions from burning fossil fuels will bring little additional global warming, and what does occur will improve forests, grasslands and agriculture. There is no climate emergency.
This finding is astounding, paradigm shattering; contrary to what alarmist scientists have told us for decades. Scientifically, it resolves a huge uncertainty that has plagued climate science for over a century: How should saturation be measured, and what is its extent regarding the primary greenhouse gases?
Just as “the greenhouse effect” is nothing akin to how greenhouses work, in radiation physics “saturation” is nothing like the simple, everyday concept of saturation. Your paper towel is saturated when it won’t pick up any more spilled milk. Greenhouse gases are saturated when adding more water, methane or carbon dioxide molecules has few or no further effects on planetary warming and climate.
Dr. Happer is probably best known as a leading skeptic of “dangerous human-caused climate change.” He co-founded the prestigious CO2 Coalition and served on the National Security Council, advising President Trump. But his career has been as a world-class radiation physicist at Princeton. Dr. van Wijngaarden teaches and conducts research in pure and applied physics at York University in Ontario. Happer’s numerous peer-reviewed journal articles have collectively garnered over 12,000 citations by other researchers.
In their study, Professors Happer and van Wijngaarden (H&W) analyzed saturation physics in painstaking detail. Their preprint, “Dependence of Earth’s Thermal Radiation on Five Most Abundant Greenhouse Gases,” goes far beyond any work done previously on this complex problem.
To begin with, standard studies examine the absorption of solar radiation by greenhouse molecules using crude absorption bands of radiation energy. H&W go far beyond this, to analyze the millions of distinct energies, called spectral lines, that make up these bands. Their detailed line-by-line approach is an emerging field that often yields dramatically new results – and here contradict prevailing climate theory.
Moreover, H&W do not look only at absorption. As Dr. Happer explained it to me: First, thermal emission of greenhouse gases is just as important as absorption. Second, how the atmosphere’s temperature varies with altitude is just as important as its concentration of greenhouse gases.
The two physicists therefore looked hard, not just at absorption, but also at emissions and atmospheric temperature variation. The work is far more complex than I, most non-physicist scientists, and certainly most citizens and politicians can understand. However, the conclusions are simple and dramatically clear.
Happer and van Wijngaarden’s central conclusion is this: For the most abundant greenhouse gases, H2O and CO2, the saturation effects are extreme, with per-molecule forcing powers suppressed by four orders of magnitude at standard concentrations. (Forcing power means effects on atmospheric temperature.)
Their graphs are especially compelling: Figure 9 and Tables 2 and 4 show that, at current concentrations, the forcing from all greenhouse gases are saturated. The saturations of the most abundant greenhouse gases, H2O and CO2, mean the per-molecule forcing is weakened by a factor of 10,000.
The other greenhouse gases analyzed are ozone, nitrous oxide and methane. These are also nearly saturated, but not as completely as water vapor and carbon dioxide. They are also even less significant components of the atmosphere than CO2 (0.0415% or 415 ppm), which in turn is tiny compared to H2O (3% or less). At just 0.00019%methane truly has minuscule influence on climate.
The climate science community clearly needs to consider this work very carefully. This may not be easy since three major physics journals have refused to publish it. Their reviews have been defensive and antagonistic, instead of thoughtful, science-based or helpful. Climate alarmism seems to control these journals, and they tend to censor contrary findings. That’s why H&W released the preprint version.
Undaunted, H&W are now extending their analysis to include clouds. Alarmist climate science bases its “dangerous manmade” global warming, not on the CO2 increase alone, but also on incorporating positive water vapor and cloud feedbacks: emphasizing heat-trapping properties of clouds, while largely ignoring the degree to which clouds also block or reflect incoming solar radiation. Because carbon dioxide and water vapor are both saturated, it is highly unlikely that any positive cloud feedbacks can do much damage. However further careful analysis is needed to know this for sure. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, America and the world are forced to ponder only “permissible” climate science – which is being used to justify demands that we eliminate the fossil fuels that provide 80% of all US and world energy, and replace that energy with enormous numbers of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, new transmission lines … and mines to produce their raw materials… all withmajor environmental impacts.
“Permissible” climate science is also being used as the basis for computer models that purport to predict planetary warming and weather 50 to 100 years from now. The models have not gotten anything correct up to now, which is understandable since the physics on which they are based is so faulty.
The good news, says Science and Environmental Policy Project president Ken Haapala, is that humanity’s use of fossil fuels and addition of CO2 to the atmosphere are not causing a climate crisis. Cutting existing atmospheric CO2 levels in half would have little effect on climate – but would harm plant growth and the ability of forests, food crops and grasslands to survive droughts and other stress. “Carbon capture” (actually carbon dioxide capture) is of little value, and would just increase electricity prices.
As to climate “tipping points” – at which the Earth gets inexorably hotter, never to cool down – the very notion is laughable. Over the ages, our planet has swung back and forth from moderate to very warm periods; from ice ages and mile-high glaciers across half of North America and Europe to interglacial periods, like the one we are in now; from the Medieval warm period to the Little Ice Age, 1350-1810, Haapala notes. (The LIA was ending just about the time the fossil fuel and industrial era began.)
Put another way, because greenhouse gases are already saturated, there is no reason we should accept IPCC or other claims that planetary temperatures could rise more than 3.0 ͦ C (5.4ᵒ F) without compelling physical (measured, empirical) evidence of strong atmospheric warming. And that evidence is totally lacking in IPCC reports and satellite measurements. Accepting alarmist claims is science denial.
In reality, according to atmospheric temperature trends measured by satellites and weather balloons, and tracked by the Earth System Science Center, University of Alabama-Huntsville, the warming trend is linear and modest. Since January 1979, it has remained at +0.14ᵒC/decade (+0.12ᵒC/decade over the global-averaged oceans, and +0.18ᵒC/decade over global-averaged land areas). That’s just 0.25ᵒF per decade, or 2.5ᵒF per century –modest, beneficial warming; certainly nothing remotely catastrophic.
Some of that warming is likely to be manmade. But most of it is natural and not at all unprecedented.
Moreover, the atmospheric “hot spot” above the tropics predicted by climate models is nowhere to be found. Put another way, for carbon dioxide to have significant impacts on global temperatures, humanity would have to burn more fossil fuels than are known to exist on our planet, Haapala concludes.
It’s no wonder climate alarmists, computer modelers, Green New Deal proponents, and wind turbine, solar panel, battery and concrete salesmen want to silence Happer and van Wijngaarden – or at least keep their work out of scientific journals. It’s also not surprising that China is happy to see the H&W science suppressed: its companies will be the ones selling us turbines, panels and batteries.
Science sometimes advances in bold strides. In this case the breakthrough in spectral line analysis has led to a new view of the greenhouse effect, where more CO2 and other greenhouse gases have at most a minor role to play.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-05--Frequent flyer and multi-homeowner Barack Obama disapproves of your lifestyle

Barack Hussein Obama , the 44th President of the United States , is not pleased with the American people , who twice elected him president and just elevated his Vice President , Joe Biden , to the presidency .
At least one of the reasons for the former president ’ s displeasure is he believes Americans like “ cheap gas and big cars ” more than they care about the environment .
Mr. Obama made this criticism of the American public in his new memoir of his presidency entitled , A Promised Land .
This is the third autobiography from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected with a second volume on his presidency .
President Obama ’ s larger problem is with oil and gas , and the country ’ s reliance on them , which he wrongly views as zero-sum with a clean environment .
Americans ’ support both fossil fuels and the environment , which is not inconsistent .
The former president ’ s criticism of the public came in the context of his recounting of the explosion in 2010 of the Deep Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later , Mr. Obama now says he was even more concerned about the disaster than he let on at the time .
As he reread the transcript of his statement on the accident , he nonetheless manages to compliment himself : “ I ’ m struck by how calm and cogent I sound.
” Barack Obama never lacked in self-esteem , and still manages to impress himself with his abilities .
He notices nothing awry in revealing this self-infatuation .
Apparently , the then-President wanted to say and do more back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see , was frustrated because he could not do what was necessary to fight the oil spill and protect the environment because the electorate : [ B ] ought into the idea that government was the problem and that business always knew better and had elected leaders who made it their mission to gut environmental regulations , starve agency budgets , denigrate civil servants , and allow industrial polluters to do whatever the hell they wanted to do .
Thus does Obama inadvertently admit to his political cowardice in this instance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supposed insouciant view of government regulation and the environment .
Major oil spills make news because they are relatively rare .
Both the number of large spills and the quantity of oil lost has declined sharply in the last half century , according to the International Union of Marine Insurance .
The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 was a terrible and tragic accident that occurred not for lack of government funding and regulatory control .
Obama ’ s contention otherwise is political gaslighting ( pardon the pun ) .
President Obama ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , George H.W .
Bush , Bill Clinton and George W. Bush .
None of them starved or gutted anything .
In the two decades preceding Obama , the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s budget increased by 48 percent , while the number of pages in the Federal Register increased by 51 percent .
Under Obama , after a sharp increase in the EPA ’ s budget during his first year , the agency ’ s budget overall declined for the balance of his presidency .
Thanks to hydro-fracturing revolution , which excelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his credit ) , America has become energy independent , and fossil fuels are cheaper in real economic terms .
Indeed , the cost of filling your gas tank or heating your home is more affordable and requires a lower percentage of a paycheck for such essentials .
That means more personal income is available for other needs and desires .
For the 54 percent of American households making below $ 75,000 in annual income , especially , every bit of energy savings helps .
As for larger cars , Americans surely do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing to apologize .
They are safer , more useful and more enjoyable .
For example , full-size pick-up trucks from the Big 3 automakers are the top-selling vehicles in the country .
Like so many of his fellow climate change elites , Mr. Obama disdains fossil fuels and wants to transform the nation and the world to “ renewable ” energy .
But his criticism of Americans ’ desire for affordable energy and their preferred choice of vehicles is snobbish and hypocritical .
Barack Obama is cashing in from his presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surpass the Clinton ’ s in net worth , if he hasn ’ t already .
As president , he once said , “ there ’ s only so big a house you can have.
” As ex-president , he and Mrs. Obama figured 7,000 to 8,000 square feet was about right for them – for each of their homes .
It takes a lot of energy consumption to maintain four to five times the space of most Americans ; it takes even more for a second luxury home comprising 29 acres on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not to mention their frequent air travel .
Barack Obama is a talented and historic figure , as the first black man to become president .
He has attained a lifestyle in the top one percent of Americans that consumes exponentially greater resources than the average American .
It is all the more reason he should rethink such an obtuse and detached view of those far less wealthy for enjoying the benefits of “ cheap gas and big cars .
”

Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States, is not pleased with the American people, who twice elected him president and just elevated his Vice President, Joe Biden, to the presidency.
At least one of the reasons for the former president’s displeasure is he believes Americans like “cheap gas and big cars” more than they care about the environment.
Mr. Obama made this criticism of the American public in his new memoir of his presidency entitled, A Promised Land. This is the third autobiography from Obama, and at least one more is expected with a second volume on his presidency.
President Obama’s larger problem is with oil and gas, and the country’s reliance on them, which he wrongly views as zero-sum with a clean environment. Americans’ support both fossil fuels and the environment, which is not inconsistent.
The former president’s criticism of the public came in the context of his recounting of the explosion in 2010 of the Deep Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in the worst oil spill in history. Ten years later, Mr. Obama now says he was even more concerned about the disaster than he let on at the time. As he reread the transcript of his statement on the accident, he nonetheless manages to compliment himself: “I’m struck by how calm and cogent I sound.”
Barack Obama never lacked in self-esteem, and still manages to impress himself with his abilities. He notices nothing awry in revealing this self-infatuation.
Apparently, the then-President wanted to say and do more back in 2010, but refrained. Obama, you see, was frustrated because he could not do what was necessary to fight the oil spill and protect the environment because, he said, the electorate:
[B]ought into the idea that government was the problem and that business always knew better and had elected leaders who made it their mission to gut environmental regulations, starve agency budgets, denigrate civil servants, and allow industrial polluters to do whatever the hell they wanted to do.
Thus does Obama inadvertently admit to his political cowardice in this instance with this canard about the American public’s supposed insouciant view of government regulation and the environment.
Major oil spills make news because they are relatively rare. Both the number of large spills and the quantity of oil lost has declined sharply in the last half century, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance. The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 was a terrible and tragic accident that occurred not for lack of government funding and regulatory control. Obama’s contention otherwise is political gaslighting (pardon the pun).
President Obama’s three immediate predecessors spanned 20 years, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. None of them starved or gutted anything. In the two decades preceding Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget increased by 48 percent, while the number of pages in the Federal Register increased by 51 percent. Under Obama, after a sharp increase in the EPA’s budget during his first year, the agency’s budget overall declined for the balance of his presidency.
Thanks to hydro-fracturing revolution, which excelled during Obama’s presidency (to his credit), America has become energy independent, and fossil fuels are cheaper in real economic terms. Indeed, the cost of filling your gas tank or heating your home is more affordable and requires a lower percentage of a paycheck for such essentials. That means more personal income is available for other needs and desires. For the 54 percent of American households making below $75,000 in annual income, especially, every bit of energy savings helps.
As for larger cars, Americans surely do like those things, for which there is nothing to apologize. They are safer, more useful and more enjoyable. For example, full-size pick-up trucks from the Big 3 automakers are the top-selling vehicles in the country.
Like so many of his fellow climate change elites, Mr. Obama disdains fossil fuels and wants to transform the nation and the world to “renewable” energy. But his criticism of Americans’ desire for affordable energy and their preferred choice of vehicles is snobbish and hypocritical.
Barack Obama is cashing in from his presidency in rapid fashion, and will likely surpass the Clintons’ in net worth, if he hasn’t already. As president, he once said, “there’s only so big a house you can have.” As ex-president, he and Mrs. Obama figured 7,000 to 8,000 square feet was about right for them – for each of their homes. It takes a lot of energy consumption to maintain four to five times the space of most Americans; it takes even more for a second luxury home nestled on 29 acres of the island of Martha’s Vineyard, not to mention their frequent air travel.
Barack Obama is talented, and a historic figure as the first black man to become president. He has attained a lifestyle in the top one percent of Americans that consumes exponentially greater resources than the average American. It is all the more reason he should rethink such an obtuse and detached view of those far less wealthy for enjoying the benefits of “cheap gas and big cars.”


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-05--Madagascar charts a precarious trail through the timber trade

For two years , it has been illegal to trade “ ordinary ” wood logged from natural Madagascar forests .
That changed on October 21 , when the council of ministers reopened the domestic market for ordinary wood .
Ordinary wood refers to non-precious timber that is more common to the country , while precious timber in danger of disappearing refers to species like rosewood and ebony .
The ban on ordinary wood was initially put in place because Madagascar ’ s forests are shrinking , and corruption and illegal over-logging are the leading causes .
The shift in policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , including many of its buildings and a good amount of fuel .
Additionally , the logging industry had a large amount of inventory sitting that it was unable to sell .
New logging , as well as international exports , remain prohibited for all types of natural forest timber .
This ruling simply allows timber companies to sell the stockpiles they already have .
Stocks of what are called “ exotic ” wood , however , such as pine and eucalyptus , has been and remains legal .
“ The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communities continue to enjoy their traditional rights to harvest timber from natural forests for domestic consumption , such as fuelwood or home construction , provided they comply with the rules and never commercialize the wood .
‘ The hunting of wild animals and the destruction of any protected areas are crimes resulting in severe sanctions , ’ the environment ministry ’ s press release stated .
“ The move to reopen the Malagasy wood sector is the fruit of a series of negotiations between the industry and the government , said Rose Razanarisoa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators ’ trade group , GNEFM .
‘ The 2019 suspensions asphyxiated our activity , ’ she told Mongabay , and the group lobbied the government hard to lift them.
” While market forces would be the best route for recovering endangered tree species and shrinking forests by providing an economic incentive to keep planting and protecting trees , corruption and lack of enforcement continue to prove to be the Achilles ’ heel for Madagascar ’ s forests .
Decades of lawlessness and Malagasy politicians ’ persistent advocacy to let their constituents freely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s forestry administration , Raonintsoa said .
With a national average of one agent supervising 200,000 hectares ( 494,000 acres ) of forest , the government ’ s forestry workforce is severely understaffed .
To read the entire article in Mongabay , click here .

For two years, it has been illegal to trade “ordinary” wood logged from natural Madagascar forests.
That changed on October 21, when the council of ministers reopened the domestic market for ordinary wood. Ordinary wood refers to non-precious timber that is more common to the country, while precious timber in danger of disappearing refers to species like rosewood and ebony.
The ban on ordinary wood was initially put in place because Madagascar’s forests are shrinking, and corruption and illegal over-logging are the leading causes.
The shift in policy comes because Madagascar uses timber for many things, including many of its buildings and a good amount of fuel. Additionally, the logging industry had a large amount of inventory sitting that it was unable to sell.
New logging, as well as international exports, remain prohibited for all types of natural forest timber. This ruling simply allows timber companies to sell the stockpiles they already have.
Stocks of what are called “exotic” wood, however, such as pine and eucalyptus, has been and remains legal.
Mongabay reports that:
“The move only pertains to commercial timber use. Communities continue to enjoy their traditional rights to harvest timber from natural forests for domestic consumption, such as fuelwood or home construction, provided they comply with the rules and never commercialize the wood. ‘The hunting of wild animals and the destruction of any protected areas are crimes resulting in severe sanctions,’ the environment ministry’s press release stated.
“The move to reopen the Malagasy wood sector is the fruit of a series of negotiations between the industry and the government, said Rose Razanarisoa, head of Madagascar’s forest operators’ trade group, GNEFM. ‘The 2019 suspensions asphyxiated our activity,’ she told Mongabay, and the group lobbied the government hard to lift them.”
While market forces would be the best route for recovering endangered tree species and shrinking forests by providing an economic incentive to keep planting and protecting trees, corruption and lack of enforcement continue to prove to be the Achilles’ heel for Madagascar’s forests.
Mongabay explains:
Decades of lawlessness and Malagasy politicians’ persistent advocacy to let their constituents freely access forest resources have weakened the country’s forestry administration, Raonintsoa said. With a national average of one agent supervising 200,000 hectares (494,000 acres) of forest, the government’s forestry workforce is severely understaffed.
To read the entire article in Mongabay, click here.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-06--California Public Advocates Office “common interest agreement” with the Sierra Club to ban natural g

California Public Advocates Office “common interest agreement” with the Sierra Club to ban natural gas

The residents of California are struggling as the impacts of the global pandemic have impacted their working conditions , hours and in many instances , their household incomes and financial stability .
Despite having the highest poverty rate in the country , the California Public Advocates Office ( CalPA ) and the Sierra Club have joined forces , to continue pushing energy policies that benefit costal elites and drive up costs for low-income families .
California , with 0.5 percent of the world ’ s population ( 40 million vs 8 billion ) professes to be the leader of everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more electricity than any other state– currently at 32 percent from the Northwest and Southwest and dysfunctionally HOPES that other states will be able to generate enough power to meet the demands of the state , from the shuttering of nine ( 9 ) in-state power plants in a decade , that have been providing continuous uninterruptible electricity .
California ’ s high cost of electricity is already fifty percent higher than the national average for residents , and double the national averages for commercial , and are projected to go even higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more expensive as natural gas on an energy-equivalent basis .
Adding to the onerous problem of affordable electricity , California closed Southern California Edison ’ s San Onofre nuclear generating plant and will be closure of Pacific Gas & Electric ’ s Diablo Canyon generators by 2024 .
While the official numbers are not yet in , 2018 appears to have been a big year for natural gas power plant retirements in California with three in one year .
Natural gas power plant retirements in 2018 : Blackouts have forced Governor Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Governor has acknowledged that the transition away from fossil fuels has left California with a gap in the reliability of its energy system .
In addition to the announced closure of the Natural Gas Power Plant at Redondo Beach , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , known to desire the governorship of California recently announced forthcoming closures of three natural gas-powered plants at Scattergood , Haynes , and Harbor : In September 2020 , following blackouts from a lack of generated electricity being available , State officials threw a lifeline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California coast , deciding the facilities are still needed to provide reliable electricity even as they contribute to the climate crisis .
The four plants , that were given a shuttering deferral for the time being , that allows them to continue providing continuous and uninterruptable generated electricity were : • The 1 , 310 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Redondo Beach , that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2023 .
• The 823 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Scattergood in Playa Del Rey , that was scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 575 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Haynes in Long Beach , that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2029 .
• The 472 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Wilmington , that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2029 .
Ramifications from Governor Newsom ’ s recent Executive order to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 that will be devastating to the state ’ s economy and environment , as the Governor wants to add more electrical charging demands onto a dysfunctional energy program that has already shuttered one nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants in recent years ( total of 4 in recent years ) , and has five more to shutter in the cross hairs – the last nuclear plant at Diablo Canyon and four more natural gas power plants .
Trends throughout the state are aimed at banning the use of natural gas hook-ups to for cooking , heating , and cooling , and washing and drying clothes imposes a regressive energy tax on low- and middle-income consumers .
Prohibiting the direct consumption of natural gas in furnaces , stoves , clothes dryers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity , which in California is four times as expensive as natural gas on an energy-equivalent basis .
The growth of EV ’ s and the banning of natural gas hookups will further add to the electrical demand from the grid .
The inability to replace the closure of continuously uninterruptable electricity from nuclear , natural gas power plants , and hydroelectric plants with intermittent electricity from renewables of industrial wind and solar will cause the state to import more and more of its electricity and most likely continue to inflate the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seems that the Public Advocates Office which is an independent organization within the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC ) that advocates solely on behalf of utility customers and has a statutory mission to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels has become as dysfunctional as California ’ s energy policies .
If the state wants to do a better job at providing continuous uninterruptable power to its residents , they need to build power plants “ in ” California , which means natural gas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are the exact power plants that California wants to be rid of .
Can you see the dysfunctional conundrum the state is in ?

The residents of California are struggling as the impacts of the global pandemic have impacted their working conditions, hours and in many instances, their household incomes and financial stability. Despite having the highest poverty rate in the country, the California Public Advocates Office (CalPA) and the Sierra Club have joined forces, to continue pushing energy policies that benefit costal elites and drive up costs for low-income families.
California, with 0.5 percent of the world’s population (40 million vs 8 billion) professes to be the leader of everything and through its dysfunctional energy policies imports more electricity than any other state– currently at 32 percent from the Northwest and Southwest and dysfunctionally HOPES that other states will be able to generate enough power to meet the demands of the state, from the shuttering of nine (9) in-state power plants in a decade, that have been providing continuous uninterruptible electricity.
California’s high cost of electricity is already fifty percent higher than the national average for residents, and double the national averages for commercial, and are projected to go even higher especially with electricity being about four times more expensive as natural gas on an energy-equivalent basis.
Adding to the onerous problem of affordable electricity, California closed Southern California Edison’s San Onofre nuclear generating plant and will be closure of Pacific Gas & Electric’s Diablo Canyon generators by 2024.
While the official numbers are not yet in, 2018 appears to have been a big year for natural gas power plant retirements in California with three in one year. Natural gas power plant retirements in 2018:
Encina at 854 MW
Mandalay at 560 MW
Etiwanda at 640 MW
Blackouts have forced Governor Gavin Newsom to admit green everywhere is falling short. The Governor has acknowledged that the transition away from fossil fuels has left California with a gap in the reliability of its energy system.
In addition to the announced closure of the Natural Gas Power Plant at Redondo Beach, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, known to desire the governorship of California recently announced forthcoming closures of three natural gas-powered plants at Scattergood, Haynes, and Harbor:
In September 2020, following blackouts from a lack of generated electricity being available, State officials threw a lifeline to four natural gas power plants along the Southern California coast, deciding the facilities are still needed to provide reliable electricity even as they contribute to the climate crisis. The four plants, that were given a shuttering deferral for the time being, that allows them to continue providing continuous and uninterruptable generated electricity were:
The 1, 310 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Redondo Beach, that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2023.
The 823 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Scattergood in Playa Del Rey, that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2024.
The 575 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Haynes in Long Beach, that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2029.
The 472 mw Natural Gas Power Plant at Wilmington, that was scheduled to be shuttered in 2029.
Ramifications from Governor Newsom’s recent Executive order to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 that will be devastating to the state’s economy and environment, as the Governor wants to add more electrical charging demands onto a dysfunctional energy program that has already shuttered one nuclear power plant and three natural gas power plants in recent years (total of 4 in recent years), and has five more to shutter in the cross hairs – the last nuclear plant at Diablo Canyon and four more natural gas power plants.
Trends throughout the state are aimed at banning the use of natural gas hook-ups to for cooking, heating, and cooling, and washing and drying clothes imposes a regressive energy tax on low- and middle-income consumers. Prohibiting the direct consumption of natural gas in furnaces, stoves, clothes dryers, and water heaters forces consumers to buy electricity, which in California is four times as expensive as natural gas on an energy-equivalent basis.
The growth of EV’s and the banning of natural gas hookups will further add to the electrical demand from the grid. The inability to replace the closure of continuously uninterruptable electricity from nuclear, natural gas power plants, and hydroelectric plants with intermittent electricity from renewables of industrial wind and solar will cause the state to import more and more of its electricity and most likely continue to inflate the cost of electricity to residents and businesses.
Seems that the Public Advocates Office which is an independent organization within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that advocates solely on behalf of utility customers and has a statutory mission to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels has become as dysfunctional as California’s energy policies. If the state wants to do a better job at providing continuous uninterruptable power to its residents, they need to build power plants “in” California, which means natural gas, nuclear, or hydro, all of which are the exact power plants that California wants to be rid of. Can you see the dysfunctional conundrum the state is in?


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-07--Heat adaptation for a cooler future in hot cities

Climate change has been an important issue in politics and global governance during the past one decade .
However , not everyone believes that the world is doomed because of climate , at least not to the catastrophic levels projected in the mainstream media .
This is because the models—which we depend on to forecast future temperatures—continue to be faulty .
They lack the ability to predict real-world temperatures , mostly forecasting unrealistic and exaggerated temperatures , as confirmed by recent scientific studies .
But there is a non-climatic warming factor that all people agree on : it is Urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( UHI ) is a phenomenon where built infrastructure such as buildings , roads , automobiles , and other artificial structures cause the urban centers to become more warmer than the surrounding non-urban areas that are usually devoid of such built infrastructures .
Heat-trapping materials such as Burnt Brick , Stone , Slate , Concrete are common construction materials in cities across the globe .
These materials increase the internal air temperatures of rooms and spaces , especially when their roofs are exposed to sunlight .
UHI has been an increasingly common problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metropolitan cities are becoming denser with each passing year .
The situation is worse in poor neighborhoods where houses are crammed and built with materials that increase thermal discomfort .
The UHI effect induced increase in heat does not merely cause discomfort to the residents in the city , but also causes a spike in energy used for air-conditioning and other electrical appliances .
It is estimated that electricity demand in cities increases by 2–4 % for each 1°C increase in temperature .
Multiple factors are known to exaggerate the impact of heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea that heat waves tend to cause more mortality in city areas that were devoid of vegetation .
In London , heat wave mortality was found to be particularly high who lived in the outskirts .
Many cities , especially those in tropical countries , are getting warmer because of UHI and it is proving to be a real problem , threatening to increase heat-related morbidity and mortality .
It is necessary to have adaptive solutions that can reduce the impact of UHI effect on city dwellers and also prevent increase in energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovative solutions that cities have been exploring and implementing in the recent years .
Most of these methods help increase the thermal comfort for residents and commuters in the cities .
Cool-roofing involves covering the roof of a building with an appropriate coat of paint or a simple sheet that reduces the induction of heat onto the roofs .
Such a coating of paint or sheet usually have high thermal emissivity and solar reflective index , enabling them to reflect most of the heat and conduct less heat onto the roof .
Cool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures lower by 2 to 5°C on average .
have shown that internal ceiling surface temperature is reduced by an average of 6.8 °C and internal air temperature by 2.3 °C when cool paint coatings were used .
Cool-roofs are also affordable and can be utilized in slum areas where families can not afford expensive cooling solutions like air-conditioners .
Cool roofs could prove to be essential tool in enhancing the thermal comfort of the densely packed neighborhoods of cities that display a high vulnerability UHI effect .
Another innovative solution that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenery .
The term encompasses a large number of solutions that involves increasing the green cover in urban areas .
Some cities like Seoul in South Korea have incorporated waterways and greenery in the middle of the city , by .
Other like Singapore have implemented mandatory rooftop green infrastructure laws that requires the city ’ s buildings to have garden or green cover on their roofs .
European cities are beginning to implement green landscapes , including new urban parks to mitigate UHI .
Other cities are increasing the tree cover in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vertical walls—are aesthetic in appearance , they may not be as effective as other solutions .
Cities can also implement airflow-sensitive construction guidelines where the buildings are constructed in a way which enhances air circulation and help lower the UHI effect .
Cities can also build artificial water bodies as they are a well-known cooling source when accompanied by wind .
There is a likely a solution for every city .
Depending on the geography , population density , climatic factors , and nature of existing built infrastructure , city authorities can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help lower the thermal discomfort .
Instead of levying heavy carbon tax on businesses and spending billions to offset carbon dioxide emissions , cities and states can focus their efforts to fight real and existential climatic threats like UHI which have been sidelined because of the fanfare surrounding anthropogenic global warming .

Climate change has been an important issue in politics and global governance during the past one decade. However, not everyone believes that the world is doomed because of climate, at least not to the catastrophic levels projected in the mainstream media.
This is because the models—which we depend on to forecast future temperatures—continue to be faulty. They lack the ability to predict real-world temperatures, mostly forecasting unrealistic and exaggerated temperatures, as confirmed by recent scientific studies.
But there is a non-climatic warming factor that all people agree on: it is Urban Heat Island effect.
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a phenomenon where built infrastructure such as buildings, roads, automobiles, and other artificial structures cause the urban centers to become more warmer than the surrounding non-urban areas that are usually devoid of such built infrastructures.
Heat-trapping materials such as Burnt Brick, Stone, Slate, Concrete are common construction materials in cities across the globe. These materials increase the internal air temperatures of rooms and spaces, especially when their roofs are exposed to sunlight.
UHI has been an increasingly common problem globally as many of the 21st century metropolitan cities are becoming denser with each passing year. The situation is worse in poor neighborhoods where houses are crammed and built with materials that increase thermal discomfort.
The UHI effect induced increase in heat does not merely cause discomfort to the residents in the city, but also causes a spike in energy used for air-conditioning and other electrical appliances. It is estimated that electricity demand in cities increases by 2–4% for each 1°C increase in temperature.
Multiple factors are known to exaggerate the impact of heat waves in cities. Observations in South Korea showed that heat waves tend to cause more mortality in city areas that were devoid of vegetation. In London, heat wave mortality was found to be particularly high among the elderly who lived in the outskirts.
Many cities, especially those in tropical countries, are getting warmer because of UHI and it is proving to be a real problem, threatening to increase heat-related morbidity and mortality.
It is necessary to have adaptive solutions that can reduce the impact of UHI effect on city dwellers and also prevent increase in energy demand. There are a number of innovative solutions that cities have been exploring and implementing in the recent years. Most of these methods help increase the thermal comfort for residents and commuters in the cities.
Cool-Roofs
Cool-roofing involves covering the roof of a building with an appropriate coat of paint or a simple sheet that reduces the induction of heat onto the roofs. Such a coating of paint or sheet usually have high thermal emissivity and solar reflective index, enabling them to reflect most of the heat and conduct less heat onto the roof.
Cool Roofs have been known to reduce indoor temperatures lower by 2 to 5°C on average. Studies in Jamaica have shown that internal ceiling surface temperature is reduced by an average of 6.8 °C and internal air temperature by 2.3 °C when cool paint coatings were used.
Cool-roofs are also affordable and can be utilized in slum areas where families cannot afford expensive cooling solutions like air-conditioners. Cool roofs could prove to be essential tool in enhancing the thermal comfort of the densely packed neighborhoods of cities that display a high vulnerability UHI effect.
Urban Greenery
Another innovative solution that is becoming popular is green infrastructure or urban greenery. The term encompasses a large number of solutions that involves increasing the green cover in urban areas.
Some cities like Seoul in South Korea have incorporated waterways and greenery in the middle of the city, by reclaiming lost waterways . Other like Singapore have implemented mandatory rooftop green infrastructure laws that requires the city’s buildings to have garden or green cover on their roofs.
European cities are beginning to implement green landscapes, including new urban parks to mitigate UHI. Other cities are increasing the tree cover in the urban areas. Though green facades–plants on vertical walls—are aesthetic in appearance, they may not be as effective as other solutions.
Cities can also implement airflow-sensitive construction guidelines where the buildings are constructed in a way which enhances air circulation and help lower the UHI effect. Cities can also build artificial water bodies as they are a well-known cooling source when accompanied by wind.
There is a likely a solution for every city. Depending on the geography, population density, climatic factors, and nature of existing built infrastructure, city authorities can devise customized urban cooling solutions that will help lower the thermal discomfort.
Instead of levying heavy carbon tax on businesses and spending billions to offset carbon dioxide emissions, cities and states can focus their efforts to fight real and existential climatic threats like UHI which have been sidelined because of the fanfare surrounding anthropogenic global warming.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-07--EP 124: Westerman to Lead Nat Resources GOP, Corporations Want US to Rejoin Paris Accords, BLM Monol

EP 124: Westerman to Lead Nat Resources GOP, Corporations Want US to Rejoin Paris Accords, BLM Monolith Update

In Episode 124 of District of Conservation , Gabriella highlights three interesting stories from the conservation and energy space .
@ @ @ @ @ Rep. Bruce Westerman ( R-AR ) is incoming Ranking Member for House Natural Resources Committee @ @ @ @ @ 42 corporations urge incoming Biden admin and Congress to re-enter unenforceable , ineffective Paris Climate @ @ @ @ @ turnaround for the BLM Utah monolith .

In Episode 124 of District of Conservation, Gabriella highlights three interesting stories from the conservation and energy space. The three stories include: Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) is incoming Ranking Member for House Natural Resources Committee for the 117th Congress; 42 corporations urge incoming Biden admin and Congress to re-enter unenforceable, ineffective Paris Climate Accords; and an interesting turnaround for the BLM Utah monolith.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
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SHOW NOTES
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/district-of-conservation/support
Photo: Rep. Westerman / House of Representatives


Starship stakeout

Continual updates and live video as SpaceX prepares to launch its Starship space vehicle for an important test flight .
@ @ @ @ @ will take us to the Moon and Mars ?

Continual updates and live video as SpaceX prepares to launch its Starship space vehicle for an important test flight.
Is this the vehicle that will take us to the Moon and Mars?


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-08--Brace for nationwide blackouts under Biden

The power disaster unfolding in California will soon occur across the country , if Joe Biden gets his way .
The Golden State has been sweeping away the forms of energy that have provided reliable electricity for decades , under the same agenda the former Vice-President is planning for America as a whole .
Power outages are now commonplace in California .
Last summer , the state suffered its first rolling blackouts in nearly 20 years .
Imagine if this happened in Chicago in the middle of winter .
California ’ s trouble is explained by officials who now openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar power .
The governor said there was not enough wind to keep the turbines going , while cloud cover and nightfall restricted solar power .
The Los Angeles Times recognized the root of the problem : “ … gas-burning power plants that can fire up when the sun isn ’ t shining or the wind isn ’ t blowing have been shutting down in recent years , and California has largely failed to replace them … ” Consequently , the state has fallen thousands of megawatts behind its needs .
Governor Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict and plan for these shortages ” and took ( nominal ) responsibility for the rolling blackouts .
Now he wants everyone to conserve power , while the state looks for new sources of energy , most likely fossil fuel-generated power from neighboring states .
All this is happening while California continues its intention to transition to 60 % renewable energy by 2030 and 100 % “ climate-friendly energy ” by 2045 , as required by state law .
Indeed , in their October 6 open letter to Newsom , the heads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission wrote : “ We are unwavering in our commitment to meeting California ’ s clean energy and climate goals.
” Team Biden plans to go even further , committing to making the entire nation 100 % renewable within 15 years .
The United States would fall tens of millions of megawatts behind on its electricity needs .
Like the California government , the incoming Biden-Harris administration is acting entirely under the unfounded belief that climate change is a manmade calamity that can be stopped by eliminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unaware of the Climate Change Reconsidered series of reports of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change ( NIPCC ) .
These documents summarize thousands of studies from peer-reviewed scientific journals that either refute or cast serious doubt on the climate scare .
They conclude that we are not causing a climate crisis .
Yet , in their October 6 report , Preliminary Root Cause Analysis – Mid-August 2020 Heat Storm , the same heads of California ’ s Energy Commission , Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission highlighted the “ climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States ” as the first cause of the blackout .
In their view , apparently , shutting down coal , gas and nuclear power plants in California and in states from which California imports electricity played only minor roles .
California ’ s determination to shift to so-called “ green ” energy – which is actually anything but clean , green , renewable and sustainable – is being echoed by politicians across the nation .
The result , especially in states that don ’ t enjoy California ’ s mostly benign weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the poorest neighborhoods and those on fixed incomes may be forced to choose between heating and eating .
It also means people trying to run their homes , offices , factories , hospitals and schools on intermittent , weather-dependent , much more expensive wind and solar power will have to get used to never knowing when or for how long their electricity will be on or off .
Now in California ; soon in the entire USA .
Coherent energy systems are designed with the understanding that portions of the system will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Power companies compensate for this with reserve power at the ready .
However , California has closed its margin for error in response to anti-nuclear and anti-fossil fuel sentiments and climate change concerns .
Team Biden intends to do this for the entire United States .
Power outages can not always be avoided and are more common than one may think .
For example , between 2008 and 2017 , Illinois had 871 outages , the tenth most by state .
Texas had nearly twice as many , giving it the dubious distinction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But these pale in comparison to California which has the least reliable electrical power system in the nation .
It leads in power outages every year .
Between 2008 and 2017 , it had 4,297 power outages !
The origin of the problem is partly California ’ s Senate Bill 1368 , which in 2006 established the state ’ s emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases from power plants .
Following that year , eleven coal-fired power plants were closed and three were converted to biomass .
Only one coal-fired plant remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliance on energy from out of state coal plants .
Yielding to anti-nuclear activists , the state also closed all but one nuclear plant , Diablo Canyon .
That plant generates about 18,000 Gigawatt-hours of reliable electricity every year , fully 8.6 % of California ’ s total generation .
But Diablo Canyon will soon be closed too .
Not surprisingly , during its construction and operation , anti-nuclear protests were common ; nearly two thousand people were arrested for civil disobedience during a two-week period in 1981 .
In response , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved a Pacific Gas & Electric Joint Proposal to phase out the state ’ s remaining nuclear power .
That means the operating licenses for Diablo Canyon ’ s two units will not be renewed when they expire in 2024 and 2025 .
Ironically , the Commission did not approve Pacific Gas & Electric ’ s proposal for resources to replace the station ’ s output .
It does not appear to matter that nuclear reactors produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation .
They are hated by the enviro-radicals who drive California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting the state even further behind the 8-ball .
It gets worse .
California now requires that all new homes be nearly entirely electric .
It wants citizens to switch their natural gas stoves to electric , as part of their global warming initiatives .
More than 30 cities have already enacted bans on gas appliances , including San Francisco .
The state also hopes to eliminate all gasoline and diesel cars in favor of plug-in electric automobiles .
This means demand for reliable , affordable electricity will rise by leaps and bounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and partially replaced by expensive , intermittent , weather-dependent power .
Just as Mr. Biden promises for the nation as a whole , California is sacrificing reliable electrical power as part of its impossible crusade to “ stop climate change.
” Of course , this will have no impact on our planet ’ s climate , because ( a ) climate change is mostly natural and not driven by carbon dioxide , and ( b ) all those wind turbines , solar panels and backup batteries will be manufactured overseas , mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply moving the source of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions .
However , it will certainly spur sales of candles , flashlights , propane heaters , and natural gas , gasoline and diesel generators .
So , welcome to America ’ s future under a Biden-Harris-Kerry- AOC Administration .
America , the blackouts are coming .

The power disaster unfolding in California will soon occur across the country, if Joe Biden gets his way. The Golden State has been sweeping away the forms of energy that have provided reliable electricity for decades, under the same agenda the former Vice-President is planning for America as a whole.
Power outages are now commonplace in California. Last summer, the state suffered its first rolling blackouts in nearly 20 years. Imagine if this happened in Chicago in the middle of winter.
California’s trouble is explained by officials who now openly admit to an over-reliance on wind and solar power. The governor said there was not enough wind to keep the turbines going, while cloud cover and nightfall restricted solar power. The Los Angeles Times recognized the root of the problem:
“… gas-burning power plants that can fire up when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing have been shutting down in recent years, and California has largely failed to replace them …”
Consequently, the state has fallen thousands of megawatts behind its needs. Governor Gavin Newsom admitted, “we failed to predict and plan for these shortages” and took (nominal) responsibility for the rolling blackouts. Now he wants everyone to conserve power, while the state looks for new sources of energy, most likely fossil fuel-generated power from neighboring states.
All this is happening while California continues its intention to transition to 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% “climate-friendly energy” by 2045, as required by state law.
Indeed, in their October 6 open letter to Newsom, the heads of the California’s Energy Commission, Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission wrote: “We are unwavering in our commitment to meeting California’s clean energy and climate goals.”
Team Biden plans to go even further, committing to making the entire nation 100% renewable within 15 years. The United States would fall tens of millions of megawatts behind on its electricity needs.
Like the California government, the incoming Biden-Harris administration is acting entirely under the unfounded belief that climate change is a manmade calamity that can be stopped by eliminating fossil fuel use. They are clearly unaware of the Climate Change Reconsidered series of reports of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC).
These documents summarize thousands of studies from peer-reviewed scientific journals that either refute or cast serious doubt on the climate scare. They conclude that we are not causing a climate crisis.
Yet, in their October 6 report, Preliminary Root Cause Analysis – Mid-August 2020 Heat Storm, the same heads of California’s Energy Commission, Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission highlighted the “climate change-induced extreme heat storm across the western United States” as the first cause of the blackout.
In their view, apparently, shutting down coal, gas and nuclear power plants in California and in states from which California imports electricity played only minor roles.
California’s determination to shift to so-called “green” energy – which is actually anything but clean, green, renewable and sustainable – is being echoed by politicians across the nation. The result, especially in states that don’t enjoy California’s mostly benign weather, is going to be that those in the poorest neighborhoods and those on fixed incomes may be forced to choose between heating and eating.
It also means people trying to run their homes, offices, factories, hospitals and schools on intermittent, weather-dependent, much more expensive wind and solar power will have to get used to never knowing when or for how long their electricity will be on or off. Now in California; soon in the entire USA.
Coherent energy systems are designed with the understanding that portions of the system will be offline from time to time. Power companies compensate for this with reserve power at the ready. However, California has closed its margin for error in response to anti-nuclear and anti-fossil fuel sentiments and climate change concerns. Team Biden intends to do this for the entire United States.
Power outages cannot always be avoided and are more common than one may think. For example, between 2008 and 2017, Illinois had 871 outages, the tenth most by state. Texas had nearly twice as many, giving it the dubious distinction of ranking number two in the list.
But these pale in comparison to California which has the least reliable electrical power system in the nation. It leads in power outages every year. Between 2008 and 2017, it had 4,297 power outages!
The origin of the problem is partly California’s Senate Bill 1368, which in 2006 established the state’s emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases from power plants. Following that year, eleven coal-fired power plants were closed and three were converted to biomass. Only one coal-fired plant remains.
The state also reduced its normal reliance on energy from out of state coal plants.
Yielding to anti-nuclear activists, the state also closed all but one nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon. That plant generates about 18,000 Gigawatt-hours of reliable electricity every year, fully 8.6% of California’s total generation.
But Diablo Canyon will soon be closed too. Not surprisingly, during its construction and operation, anti-nuclear protests were common; nearly two thousand people were arrested for civil disobedience during a two-week period in 1981. In response, in 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a Pacific Gas & Electric Joint Proposal to phase out the state’s remaining nuclear power. That means the operating licenses for Diablo Canyon’s two units will not be renewed when they expire in 2024 and 2025.
Ironically, the Commission did not approve Pacific Gas & Electric’s proposal for resources to replace the station’s output. It does not appear to matter that nuclear reactors produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. They are hated by the enviro-radicals who drive California’s energy policy and are steadily putting the state even further behind the 8-ball.
It gets worse. California now requires that all new homes be nearly entirely electric. It wants citizens to switch their natural gas stoves to electric, as part of their global warming initiatives. More than 30 cities have already enacted bans on gas appliances, including San Francisco. The state also hopes to eliminate all gasoline and diesel cars in favor of plug-in electric automobiles.
This means demand for reliable, affordable electricity will rise by leaps and bounds, just as supplies are steadily reduced, and partially replaced by expensive, intermittent, weather-dependent power.
Just as Mr. Biden promises for the nation as a whole, California is sacrificing reliable electrical power as part of its impossible crusade to “stop climate change.” Of course, this will have no impact on our planet’s climate, because (a) climate change is mostly natural and not driven by carbon dioxide, and (b) all those wind turbines, solar panels and backup batteries will be manufactured overseas, mostly in China, using fossil fuels and simply moving the source of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
However, it will certainly spur sales of candles, flashlights, propane heaters, and natural gas, gasoline and diesel generators.
So, welcome to America’s future under a Biden-Harris-Kerry- AOC Administration. America, the blackouts are coming.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-08--SpaceX Starship Launch (Approx) 5:30 PM EST WATCH NOW (Tuesday 12/8)

UPDATE : Raptor engine auto-abort at 1.3 seconds .
“ Standing down for today.
” Check back for the next launch attempt .
The countdown has begun , the high altitude observation plane is up .
Crucial high altitude test of the spacecraft that could take us to the Moon and Mars .
As early as Tuesday , December 8 , the SpaceX team will make the first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 ( SN8 ) from our site in Cameron County , Texas .
The schedule is dynamic and likely to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development testing .
Today ’ s window for the test opened at 7:00 a.m. CST and goes through 5:00 p.m. CST , and we also have opportunities available on Wednesday and Thursday .
This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives , from how the vehicle ’ s three Raptor engines perform , and the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle , including its body flaps , to how the vehicle manages propellant transition .
SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver , which would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size .
With a test such as this , success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn as a whole , which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship .
This will be a live feed of the flight test and will start a few minutes prior to liftoff .
Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high altitude flight test of Starship !

UPDATE: Raptor engine auto-abort at 1.3 seconds. “Standing down for today.” Check back for the next launch attempt.
————-
The countdown has begun, the high altitude observation plane is up.
SpaceX Feed:
Watch now.
Crucial high altitude test of the spacecraft that could take us to the Moon and Mars.
Boca Chica, Texas.
Update from SpaceX:
Due to a Raptor engine auto-abort at T-1 second, the SpaceX team is standing down from Tuesday’s attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. We have additional test opportunities available on Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing. Stay tuned for more information on the next target test date and time. This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives, from how the vehicle’s three Raptor engines perform to the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle (including its body flaps) to how the vehicle manages propellant transition. SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size. With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship. This past year alone, SpaceX has completed two low-altitude flight tests with Starship SN5 and SN6 and accumulated over 16,000 seconds of run time during 330 ground engine starts, including multiple Starship static fires and four flight tests of the reusable methalox full-flow staged combustion Raptor engine. Additionally, with production accelerating and fidelity increasing, SpaceX has built 10 Starship prototypes. SN9 is almost ready to move to the pad, which now has two active stands for rapid development testing. SN8’s flight test is an exciting next step in the development of a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received. There will be a live feed of the flight test available here that will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Given the uncertainty of the schedule, stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high-altitude flight test of Starship!
From SpaceX:
As early as Tuesday, December 8, the SpaceX team will make the first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing. Today’s window for the test opened at 7:00 a.m. CST and goes through 5:00 p.m. CST, and we also have opportunities available on Wednesday and Thursday.
This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives, from how the vehicle’s three Raptor engines perform, and the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle, including its body flaps, to how the vehicle manages propellant transition. SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size.
With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn as a whole, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship.
This will be a live feed of the flight test and will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high altitude flight test of Starship!


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-08--Chuck Yeager — A hero has passed

Chuck Yeager — A hero has passed

First to break the sound barrier .
Fearless .
An incredible life will lived .
WATCH THESE GRIPPING ACCOUNTS IN @ @ @

First to break the sound barrier. Fearless. An incredible life well lived.
WATCH THESE GRIPPING ACCOUNTS IN HIS OWN WORDS


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-09--EP 125: Congresswoman-elect Kat Cammack (R-FL)

In Episode 125 of District of Conservation , Gabriella speaks with Kat Cammack – who ’ ll succeed her boss , Ted Yoho , as the congresswoman from Florida ’ s 3rd Congressional District .
Cammack grew up on a cattle ranch and is passionate about fishing , agriculture , and water issues in her state .
Kat will be the youngest Republican serving in Congress in the 117th Congress .
She also hopes her new Republican colleagues will join her in advocating for true conservation principles and sound environmental policies .
Kat Cammack is a small business owner who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third generation sandblaster , an alumnus of the United States Naval War College , and the longtime former Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager to Congressman Ted Yoho .
As a staunch defender of our second amendment rights , she sits on the board of the Friends of the Alachua County NRA , and as an advocate for our communities , she also is President of the Newberry Jonesville Chamber of Commerce .
As a fierce advocate for President Donald Trump , she joined the 2016 Woman for Trump Bus Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family business of monuments and commercial sandblasting , Kat learned early both the value of hard work and the pressures and challenges that small family businesses face ranging from labor challenges to regulations .
In 2011 , her family received the devastating news that they lost their cattle ranch due to a failed Obama program and was forced to evict .
After being homeless for months , Kat was contacted by Ted Yoho about joining his campaign .
Motivated by her recent personal experience with the failures of big government , she agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 .

In Episode 125 of District of Conservation, Gabriella speaks with Kat Cammack – who’ll succeed her boss, Ted Yoho, as the congresswoman from Florida’s 3rd Congressional District. Cammack grew up on a cattle ranch and is passionate about fishing, agriculture, and water issues in her state. Kat will be the youngest Republican serving in Congress in the 117th Congress. She also hopes her new Republican colleagues will join her in advocating for true conservation principles and sound environmental policies.
Listen on Apple Podcasts:
Watch a teaser clip on YouTube:
Here’s more about Rep-elect Cammack:
Kat Cammack is a small business owner who grew up on a cattle ranch, a third generation sandblaster, an alumnus of the United States Naval War College, and the longtime former Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager to Congressman Ted Yoho. As a staunch defender of our second amendment rights, she sits on the board of the Friends of the Alachua County NRA, and as an advocate for our communities, she also is President of the Newberry Jonesville Chamber of Commerce. As a fierce advocate for President Donald Trump, she joined the 2016 Woman for Trump Bus Tour.
As the 3rd generation in the family business of monuments and commercial sandblasting, Kat learned early both the value of hard work and the pressures and challenges that small family businesses face ranging from labor challenges to regulations. In 2011, her family received the devastating news that they lost their cattle ranch due to a failed Obama program and was forced to evict. After being homeless for months, Kat was contacted by Ted Yoho about joining his campaign. Motivated by her recent personal experience with the failures of big government, she agreed and joined Team Yoho in September of 2011.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-09--Send the Paris Climate Treaty to the Senate

Article II , Section 2 of the US Constitution is simple and direct : “ The President … shall have Power , by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate , to make Treaties , provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur.
” It served America well for 225 years .
Then , in 2015 , the UN ’ s “ international community ” of climate activists gathered in Paris to hammer out language requiring that developed nations slash their fossil fuel use , tighten greenhouse gas emission targets every five years , and become “ carbon neutral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a manmade climate chaos forecast by computer models but not supported by Earth history or real-world evidence .
Developing countries would be under no such obligations .
Most incredibly , economic , military and tech powerhouse China was included among the developing countries , and thus is under no such obligations .
In short , the Paris accords would force the United States to engage in a massive , painful transformation of its entire economy – electricity generation , transportation , manufacturing , agriculture and much more – under the aegis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country activists , politicians and bureaucrats .
Aside from ending major wars , what was concocted in Paris is probably the most far-reaching , impactful agreement this country was ever asked to sign .
It is the very embodiment of what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the language requiring Senate debate , advice and consent for all treaties .
However , President Obama unilaterally decreed that Paris was not a “ treaty , ” but merely an agreement , an accord – some lesser document that he could personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making an end-run around our constitutional and democratic process , and giving Congress and America no opportunity to examine , discuss and agree to or reject this intrusive , destructive treaty .
In so doing , Mr. Obama set the stage for coordinated efforts by liberal politicians , activists , bureaucrats , state attorneys general , forum-shopped judges and corporate CEOs to make the Paris language binding on every American .
President Trump recognized how unfair and disastrous the Paris Climate Treaty would be .
In 2017 , he announced that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became effective November 4 , 2020 .
Joe Biden has made it clear that he will recommit our nation to the Paris not-a-treaty , possibly within hours of being sworn in as president , if lingering vote issues are resolved in his favor .
Fortunately , President Trump can easily prevent this disaster .
As Paris Treaty experts have suggested , Mr. Trump could and should submit the treaty to the Senate for its advice and consent – and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should quickly schedule a debate and vote .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on record : for or against a treaty that would make the United States , and every individual state and family , subjects of unelected , unaccountable UN and foreign powers .
President Trump should do this posthaste – thereby preventing another unilateral executive action and what Government Accountability & Oversight lawyer Chris Horner has described as a well-coordinated “ climate litigation industry ” plan to commandeer our courts in an endless series of lawsuits to make every Paris Climate Treaty provision legally binding on every US state , industry , business and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maura Healey promised Michael Bloomberg ’ s State Energy & Environmental Impact Center that , if its deep coffers provided her office with privately hired lawyers whom she could utilize as “ Special Assistant Attorneys General , ” she would put them to work “ ensuring that Massachusetts and neighboring states meet the long-term commitments set forth … in the Paris Agreement ” – whatever those might be or could be creatively interpreted to be .
She ’ s already doing it .
Another scheme involves reviving the reviled Obama era practice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sue government agencies to implement and impose rules that the litigators and regulators both want but aren ’ t clearly supported by law or would face strong public opposition if they went through a normal rulemaking process .
The parties select a usually cooperative court and , instead of fighting the lawsuit , the government agency caves in , agrees to settle the case , and consents to whatever demands were made by the agency ’ s handpicked pseudo-adversary .
The citizenry and parties impacted by the new rules never get their day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the rule until it is imposed on them .
The schemes are audacious , outrageous , an abuse of law and authority , and in many minds treasonous .
Activists will employ them and the Paris Climate Treaty as weapons of mass destruction against America ’ s energy , economy , living standards and freedoms .
Horner also notes that rejoining the Paris Treaty would subject America ’ s energy and economic policy to a UN climate “ conciliation commission ” that could allow “ antagonistic ” nations and parties to file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , block infrastructure development , and impose carbon taxes .
He and Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow Marlo Lewis also point out that : * allowing the Obama “ climate coup ” to stand would allow future presidents to adopt any treaties they and foreign elites want , without Senate review and ratification , simply by deeming them “ not a treaty.
” * the Paris Treaty would imperil American self-government – by empowering administrations to make long-term commitments without congressional authorization , and by making US energy and economic policies beholden to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bureaucrats and international pressure groups .
If We the People ultimately decide we do want to transform our energy and economic system , reduce our living standard , curtail our liberties , and subject ourselves to international governance , we can do so through proper nationwide debates and legislative processes .
We should not have these decisions imposed on us via collusion , corruption , chicanery and unconstitutional power grabs .
Too many of our ruling elites disdain business , industry and working classes ; rarely if ever did serious manual work ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party that once stood up for workers , but now has turned its back on working men and women .
These elites would help ensure that same families pummeled hardest and longest by Covid lockdowns will be punished in perpetuity by Paris Climate Treaty edicts .
All that red on county-by-county 2020 voting maps is where jobs , economies and living standards will hammered hardest .
Many of these counties have manufacturing jobs … farmlands , forests , scenic and open spaces , habitats where birds , bats and wildlife flourish … and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is where land will be blanketed with millions of wind turbines , solar panels , battery complexes and transmission lines , to “ replace ” billions of megawatt-hours of reliable electricity with intermittent power – decimating many rare , threatened , endangered and just plain magnificent species .
It ’ s where new dust bowls will arise , as biofuel crops replace today ’ s grasslands .
It ’ s where factories will close , because the Paris Treaty will make electricity intermittent and expensive , and petrochemical raw materials too costly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senator McConnell let a Biden-Harris Administration – in league with squads of America-denigrating politicians and Deep State activists – do this to our country ?
Or will they preserve the Constitution , the Trump energy , economic , employment and military legacy – the livelihoods , living standards and liberties , not only of MAGA Trump voters , but of all Americans ?
This may be their last opportunity to do so .
I therefore urge them – and I ’ m certain I ’ m joined by tens of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate Majority Leader : Present this defective , destructive Paris Climate Treaty to the Senate .
Let the assembled Senators debate it , vote on it – and send it to history ’ s dustbin , where it belongs .

Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution is simple and direct: “The President … shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur.” It served America well for 225 years.
Then, in 2015, the UN’s “international community” of climate activists gathered in Paris to hammer out language requiring that developed nations slash their fossil fuel use, tighten greenhouse gas emission targets every five years, and become “carbon neutral” within a few decades – to prevent a manmade climate chaos forecast by computer models but not supported by Earth history or real-world evidence.
Developing countries would be under no such obligations. Most incredibly, economic, military and tech powerhouse China was included among the developing countries, and thus is under no such obligations.
In short, the Paris accords would force the United States to engage in a massive, painful transformation of its entire economy – electricity generation, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and much more – under the aegis of the United Nations and UN and foreign country activists, politicians and bureaucrats.
Aside from ending major wars, what was concocted in Paris is probably the most far-reaching, impactful agreement this country was ever asked to sign. It is the very embodiment of what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the language requiring Senate debate, advice and consent for all treaties.
However, President Obama unilaterally decreed that Paris was not a “treaty,” but merely an agreement, an accord – some lesser document that he could personally sign, committing the US to it, making an end-run around our constitutional and democratic process, and giving Congress and America no opportunity to examine, discuss and agree to or reject this intrusive, destructive treaty. In so doing, Mr. Obama set the stage for coordinated efforts by liberal politicians, activists, bureaucrats, state attorneys general, forum-shopped judges and corporate CEOs to make the Paris language binding on every American.
President Trump recognized how unfair and disastrous the Paris Climate Treaty would be. In 2017, he announced that the United States was withdrawing; the withdrawal became effective November 4, 2020.
Joe Biden has made it clear that he will recommit our nation to the Paris not-a-treaty, possibly within hours of being sworn in as president, if lingering vote issues are resolved in his favor. Fortunately, President Trump can easily prevent this disaster. As Paris Treaty experts have suggested,
Mr. Trump could and should submit the treaty to the Senate for its advice and consent – and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should quickly schedule a debate and vote. Every Senator will have an opportunity to go on record: for or against a treaty that would make the United States, and every individual state and family, subjects of unelected, unaccountable UN and foreign powers.
President Trump should do this posthaste – thereby preventing another unilateral executive action and what Government Accountability & Oversight lawyer Chris Horner has described as a well-coordinated “climate litigation industry” plan to commandeer our courts in an endless series of lawsuits to make every Paris Climate Treaty provision legally binding on every US state, industry, business and family.
For example, Massachusetts AG Maura Healey promised Michael Bloomberg’s State Energy & Environmental Impact Center that, if its deep coffers provided her office with privately hired lawyers whom she could utilize as “Special Assistant Attorneys General,” she would put them to work “ensuring that Massachusetts and neighboring states meet the long-term commitments set forth … in the Paris Agreement” – whatever those might be or could be creatively interpreted to be. She’s already doing it.
Another scheme involves reviving the reviled Obama era practice of sue-and-settle lawsuits, under which environmentalist groups sue government agencies to implement and impose rules that the litigators and regulators both want but aren’t clearly supported by law or would face strong public opposition if they went through a normal rulemaking process. The parties select a usually cooperative court and, instead of fighting the lawsuit, the government agency caves in, agrees to settle the case, and consents to whatever demands were made by the agency’s handpicked pseudo-adversary. The citizenry and parties impacted by the new rules never get their day in court, and rarely find out about the rule until it is imposed on them.
The schemes are audacious, outrageous, an abuse of law and authority, and in many minds treasonous. Activists will employ them and the Paris Climate Treaty as weapons of mass destruction against America’s energy, economy, living standards and freedoms.
Horner also notes that rejoining the Paris Treaty would subject America’s energy and economic policy to a UN climate “conciliation commission” that could allow “antagonistic” nations and parties to file complaints about alleged US non-compliance with Paris, block infrastructure development, and impose carbon taxes. He and Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow Marlo Lewis also point out that:
* allowing the Obama “climate coup” to stand would allow future presidents to adopt any treaties they and foreign elites want, without Senate review and ratification, simply by deeming them “not a treaty.”
* the Paris Treaty would imperil American self-government – by empowering administrations to make long-term commitments without congressional authorization, and by making US energy and economic policies beholden to the demands of foreign leaders, UN bureaucrats and international pressure groups.
If We the People ultimately decide we do want to transform our energy and economic system, reduce our living standard, curtail our liberties, and subject ourselves to international governance, we can do so through proper nationwide debates and legislative processes. We should not have these decisions imposed on us via collusion, corruption, chicanery and unconstitutional power grabs.
Too many of our ruling elites disdain business, industry and working classes; rarely if ever did serious manual work; and most often belong to a Democrat Party that once stood up for workers, but now has turned its back on working men and women. These elites would help ensure that same families pummeled hardest and longest by Covid lockdowns will be punished in perpetuity by Paris Climate Treaty edicts.
All that red on county-by-county 2020 voting maps is where jobs, economies and living standards will hammered hardest. Many of these counties have manufacturing jobs … farmlands, forests, scenic and open spaces, habitats where birds, bats and wildlife flourish … and the best wind and solar sites.
This is where land will be blanketed with millions of wind turbines, solar panels, battery complexes and transmission lines, to “replace” billions of megawatt-hours of reliable electricity with intermittent power – decimating many rare, threatened, endangered and just plain magnificent species.
It’s where new dust bowls will arise, as biofuel crops replace today’s grasslands. It’s where factories will close, because the Paris Treaty will make electricity intermittent and expensive, and petrochemical raw materials too costly or simply unavailable.
Will President Trump and Senator McConnell let a Biden-Harris Administration – in league with squads of America-denigrating politicians and Deep State activists – do this to our country?
Or will they preserve the Constitution, the Trump energy, economic, employment and military legacy – the livelihoods, living standards and liberties, not only of MAGA Trump voters, but of all Americans?
This may be their last opportunity to do so. I therefore urge them – and I’m certain I’m joined by tens of millions of my fellow Americans in urging the President and Senate Majority Leader:
Present this defective, destructive Paris Climate Treaty to the Senate. Let the assembled Senators debate it, vote on it – and send it to history’s dustbin, where it belongs.


Starship flies!

Successful flight with exceptional control .
They got ambitious and even went for a soft landing .
On Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ number 8 ( SN8 ) lifted off from our Cameron County launch pad and successfully @ @ @ @ @ and performed its landing flip maneuver with precise flap control to reach its landing point @ @ @ @ @ fuel header tank during the landing burn led to high touchdown velocity resulting in a @ @ @ @ @ ) landing .
Thank you to all the locals supporting our efforts in Cameron County @ @ @ @ @ the entire Starship and SpaceX teams on today ’ s test !
Serial number 9 @ @ @ @ @ next – Mars , here we come !
Advance to 1:47:30 for blastoff and landing @ @ @ @ @ itself and make a controlled descent .
The level of control SpaceX has over its @ @ @ @ @ a major leap forward for America in space .
CFACT looks forward with confidence to @ @ @ @

Successful flight with exceptional control. They got ambitious and even went for a soft landing.
Next time.
From SpaceX:
On Wednesday, December 9, Starship serial number 8 (SN8) lifted off from our Cameron County launch pad and successfully ascended, transitioned propellant, and performed its landing flip maneuver with precise flap control to reach its landing point. Low pressure in the fuel header tank during the landing burn led to high touchdown velocity resulting in a hard (and exciting!) landing.
Thank you to all the locals supporting our efforts in Cameron County and beyond. Congratulations to the entire Starship and SpaceX teams on today’s test! Serial number 9 (SN9) is up next – Mars, here we come!
Advance to 1:47:30 for blastoff and landing
At 1:52:55 watch Starship reorient itself and make a controlled descent. The level of control SpaceX has over its rockets is remarkable and represents a major leap forward for America in space. CFACT looks forward with confidence to softer final landings.


committeeconstructivetomorrowcfactorg--2020-12-09--SpaceX fueled for imminent launch – Trying again!

Now targeting 5:40 PM EST for Starship test flight .
The launch window expires at 6 PM EST .
History @ @ @ @ @ — Watch right now !
This high altitude test flight is a crucial learning moment @ @ @ @ @ on the Moon and Mars .
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN .
Take your time SpaceX , @ @ @ @ @ carry all our hopes .
Here ’ s the official SpaceX feed which only goes @ @ @ @ @ imminent , but don ’ t miss the NASA commentary in the live feed above @ @ @ @ @ a blast .

Now targeting 5:40 PM EST for Starship test flight. The launch window expires at 6 PM EST.
History awaits — NASA is live — Watch right now!
This high altitude test flight is a crucial learning moment as we move towards landings on the Moon and Mars. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.
Take your time SpaceX, get it right. You carry all our hopes.
Here’s the official SpaceX feed which only goes live as the launch is imminent, but don’t miss the NASA commentary in the live feed above, they’re having a blast.