Climate Crisis :: 12 years to save the planet? Make that 18 months
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48964736
… [T]here’s a growing consensus that the next 18 months will be critical in dealing with the global heating crisis, among other environmental challenges.
Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5C this century, emissions of carbon dioxide would have to be cut by 45% by 2030.
But today, observers recognise that the decisive, political steps to enable the cuts in carbon to take place will have to happen before the end of next year.
…
Donald Trump has attacked a majority-black district represented by an African-American lawmaker as a ‘disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess’.
Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi accused the president of ‘racist attacks’ after a stream of tweets targeting congress critic representative Elijah Cummings.
Mr Trump lashed out at the powerful House Oversight Committee chairman, claiming his Baltimore-area district in Maryland, US, is ‘considered the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States’.
Ms Pelosi was among Democrats to slam the tweets, saying Mr Cummings was a ‘champion in the Congress and the country for civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague’.
She added: ‘We all reject racist attacks against him and support his steadfast leadership.’
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Comment by dizzy: What an a*****e
Trump says he’s considering declaring Antifa an ‘Organization of Terror,’ and that it would ‘make it easier for police to do their job’
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-antifa-tweet-organization-terror-2019-7?r=US&IR=T
President Donald Trump took aim at the radical left-wing movement Antifa on Twitter Saturday, writing that the organization was being considered for dedication as a terror organization.
Trump waved off the group as a collection of “gutless Radical Left Wack Jobs” who had enacted violence on “only non-fighters.”
“Consideration is being given to declaring ANTIFA, the gutless Radical Left Wack Jobs who go around hitting (only non-fighters) people over the heads with baseball bats, a major Organization of Terror (along with MS-13 & others),” Trump wrote. “Would make it easier for police to do their job!”
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Comment by dizzy: What an a*****e
THE STATE WE’RE IN :: Capitalism
We can’t escape the fact that we all exist under the all-encompassing system known as Capitalism. Capitalism is about concentrating power in and enriching a tiny minority at the expense of the vast majority. Capitalism involves huge inequalities so that the vast majority of people are denied any opportunity to realise their potential.
The climate crisis – the state we’re in – has developed under Capitalism. Capitalism is concerned only with creating and accumulating private and corporate wealth. Capitalism has no concern for the environment or the climate crisis it has created. Big oil knew fifty years ago that it was destroying the planet and did it regardless. There were groups and projects promoting ‘alternative’, renewable energy in the 1970s.
There is a huge problem that many people cannot even imagine a system other than Capitalism. It is regarded as the natural order because it is so pervasive. Business as usual continues despite the climate crisis because people are so set in their ways/thinking.
There is the further huge problem that we are constrained by Capitalism. Capitalism is creating wealth by destroying the planet through burning fossil fuels. This is the reason for calls for system change.
Real wealth is about having good health, friends and relationships, about leading a good life, caring for others and enjoying a healthy, natural environment.
We should realise that Capitalism is not the natural order and that is is instead permitted, allowed [11.55am tolerated] to destroy the planet.
Likely to be revised.
[11.55am Police helicopter harassing me since I posted this. Policeman in car harassing me yesterday.]