Climate tweets for 9 September 2014

Republican Party's Secret Stance on Climate Change: @io9:
http://io9.com/many-gop-politicians-privately-agree-climate-change-is-1632473961 
[denial]

How Global Warming Is Already Worsening Extreme Deluges In U.S.: @climateprogress:
http://thkpr.gs/3564989
[science, flooding]

U.N. Scientists See Largest CO2 Increase In 30 Years: ‘We Are Running Out Of Time’:
http://thkpr.gs/3564900
[science]

Almost Half North American Bird Species Threatened By Climate Change:
http://thkpr.gs/3564851 via @climateprogress
[birds, wildlife]

Mussels don't stick around in acidic ocean water: @TheDailyClimate:
http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2014/09/acidification-mussels
[acidification, oceans, food, fishing]

Why Tax On Carbon Can Help Climate Change - And Economy: http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2014/09/08/why-a-tax-on-carbon-can-help-climate-change-and-the-economy/
[carbon tax]

Deadly Once-in-1,000-Years Rains Wipe Out Roads in Arizona, Nevada: @mashable:
http://mashable.com/2014/09/09/arizona-nevada-deadly-rains/#:eyJzIjoidCIsImkiOiJfb3NhYmV0c3h1aWdoc2dnNCJ9
[flooding]

Heat waves America's deadliest weather disaster. They don't have to be.: @voxdotcom:
http://www.vox.com/2014/9/8/6121609/heat-waves-are-americas-deadliest-weather-disaster-they-dont-have-to

Arizona Drought Marches on Despite Record Rain in Phoenix: @NBCNews:
http://nbcnews.to/1ugiBHt
[water, flooding]

By Air, Land & Sea, U.S. Military Going Green to Save Lives, Money:
http://huff.to/WqKHTb 
[national security]

Climate Change May Drastically Increase Forest Fires in Europe:
http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/17050/20140908/climate-change-drastically-increase-forest-fires-europe.htm 
[wildfire]

Mosquito-Borne Viruses Hit Japan, U.S.: @nytimes:
http://nyti.ms/1lOmJgu 
[chikungunya, dengue fever, health]

RT Forecast The Facts @ForecastFacts:
#DisruptDenial in the news! Read Bill Moyers on our campaign to get green companies to drop climate deniers: 
http://billmoyers.com/2014/09/09/corporate-america-pays-to-send-global-warming-deniers-to-capitol-hill/ @SumOfUs

RT Bill McKibben @billmckibben:
Climate march by the numbers: 374 buses and trains on their way so far: http://350.org/peoples-climate-march-by-the-numbers/

Climate tweets for 27 August 2014

RT Leonardo DiCaprio @LeoDiCaprio:
Seeing the impacts of #TarSands first hand with @SierraClub was a wake up call. #CleanEnergy now! http://pic.twitter.com/OvTYsBwXxU

Climate Scientists Spell Out Stark Danger. Immorality Of Inaction In New Leaked Report:
http://thkpr.gs/1vnsu7Y
[IPCC, science]

Why Electric Vehicles Are Beating Hydrogen Cars Today:
http://thkpr.gs/1tCH1cS
[EV, transportation, fuel cells]

RT CitizensClimateLobby @citizensclimate:
Oh, crap: World’s Existing Power Plants Will Emit 300 Billion Tons Of CO2 In Their Lifetimes:
http://thkpr.gs/1tJPpHJ

Climate change may disrupt global food system w/i decade, @WorldBank says: @p_hannam @smh:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-change-may-disrupt-global-food-system-within-a-decade-world-bank-says-20140827-108w8x.html
[farming, agriculture, flooding, drought, water]

Obama Pursuing Climate Accord in Lieu of Treaty: @CoralMDavenport:
http://nyti.ms/1pEMccp

Full extent of global coal 'binge' is hidden: researchers: @BBCNews:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28942403

Russia’s warming faster than rest of planet—disease, drought, forest fires result: @qz:
http://qz.com/256020
[wildfire, health]

Will Iconic Sequoias Fall to Climate Change?: @LiveScience:
http://shar.es/113RDu
[trees, forests, drought, water]

.@EDF plans climate vote pledge campaign in Colorado:
http://wapo.st/1lcJSZy  via @washingtonpost 

Iowa GOP Senate Nominee, Climate Change Denier Says Koch Network ‘Started My Trajectory’:
http://thkpr.gs/1tL7zc2
[denial, Joni Ernst, Americans for Prosperity, American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC, Heritage Foundation, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, Marco Rubio, Mitch McConnell]

'Climate Change' and 'Global Warming': A pictorial history:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/climate-change-global-warming.html 
… via @skepticscience 
[denial]

6 Ways @WashingtonPost Could Show It’s Serious About Climate Change: @climateprogress:
http://thkpr.gs/1vmb8Zl 
[journalism, George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Sarah Palin, Bjoern Lomborg, Fred Hiatt, Volokh Conspiracy, denial]

Climate tweets for 21 August 2014

How Murdoch Pushed Australia Into Climate Change Retreat: @mmfa: 

http://mm4a.org/1nkCR8d

[journalism, denial, Media Matters for America]

If You Think Water Crisis Can't Get Worse, Wait Until Aquifers Are Drained: @natgeo:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/08/140819-groundwater-california-drought-aquifers-hidden-crisis/
[drought]

Climate change scientist calls on colleagues to speak up on global warming debate: @smh: 
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/climate-change-scientist-calls-on-colleagues-to-speak-up-on-global-warming-debate-20140819-105qtu.html
[science, denial, Michael Raupach]

In "incredible" finding, Greenland ice loss doubles from late 2000s: @BBCNews:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28852980
[glaciers, sea level]

Why I'm a Climate Change Alarmist: @EricHolthaus @FutureTenseNow:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/08/20/climate_change_alarmist_optimistic_realistic_not_na_ve_assessment_of_global.html?wpsrc=sh_all_tab_tw_top
[science, denial]

Africa to Add More Renewable Energy in 2014 Than Past 14 Years: @BloombergNews:
http://bloom.bg/1vkN467
[solar, wind energy, wind power]

Enjoy your coffee while you can. Climate change is coming to ruin it: @fastcoexist:
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3034411/the-future-of-coffee-looks-bitter-and-pricey-courtesy-of-climate-change
[food, farming, agriculture]

Environmentalists trading purity for pragmatism in 2014: @washingtonpost:
http://wapo.st/1BCPtgR
[politics, NextGen Climate Action, Tom Steyer, Joni Ernst, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, NRDC, EDF, Bruce Braley, Chris Gibson]

California ‘Woefully Unprepared’ for Sea Level Rise, Says New Report: @climateprogress: 
http://thkpr.gs/1tp7LO2

New Republican ploy: Florida Gov. Scott avoids global warming stand but "seeks solutions":
http://shar.es/1n9tmj 
[Rick Scott, denial]

How 'Tiny' SuperPAC Is Taking on Congress's Climate Apathy: @InsideClimate:
http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140820/qa-how-superpac-shoestring-taking-congress-climate-apathy 
[Climate Hawks Vote]

Heat accumulating deep in Atlantic Ocean has reduced surface global warming:
@ConversationEDU:
http://theconversation.com/heat-accumulating-deep-in-the-atlantic-has-put-global-warming-on-hiatus-30805 
[science]

Scientist in focus – meteorologist and climate communicator Paul Huttner: @guardian: 
http://gu.com/p/4vqxg/tw

Outlook 4 #climate talks: A deal--but not enough:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/global-climate-deal-may-fail-to-restrain-global-warming/ … via @sciam 

Climate change ‘major challenge’ to South Asia’s economic development: @CarbonBrief:
http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2014/08/climate-change-a-major-challenge-to-south-asia-development-report-claims/
[Asian Development Bank, economy]

RT 350 dot org @350:
One month to go. So much on the line.
http://peoplesclimate.org/march/  http://pic.twitter.com/bsv8x5w5bC
[People's Climate March]

RT Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann:
If climate change is a national security threat (@CoralMDavenport @NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/us/politics/climate-change-deemed-growing-security-threat-by-military-researchers.html?_r=0 ) then so too is climate change denial


#FF/join/contribute to: @mmfa @climateprogress @ClimateCentral @citizensclimate @350 @ClimateReality #climate #divest !
#FF @Lovemotherocean @HannahMurdockTX @algore @MartinScribbles @StephenLeahy @GWFotD @IdiotTracker @DanJWeiss #climate

#FF @TenneyNaumer @billbills @AdamPeretzman @johnlundin @TheEarthNetwork @FaunKime @alannogee @NobleIdeas #climate

#FF @Alex_Verbeek @climategeek @firebobbc @Lee_Tennant @bberwyn @suzyji @earthvisiontrst @DeSmogCanada #climate

#FF @DeSmogBlog @kkaufmann @chriscmooney @DRTucker @greenroofsuk @djspratt @climate_ice @dana1981 @TheDailyClimate #climate

Climate tweets for 15 August 2014

Human-Caused Global Warming Responsible for 70% of Recent Glacier Loss, Study Finds: @mashable:

http://mashable.com/2014/08/15/global-warming-glacier-loss/#:eyJzIjoidCIsImkiOiJfb3NhYmV0c3h1aWdoc2dnNCJ9

[science, sea level]

The $500/day "service charge" designed to kill Queensland solar: @Renew_Economy:

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/the-500-a-day-service-charge-designed-to-kill-solar-71705

[Australia, renewable energy, energy]

As Climate Changes, 'Underwater Mortgage' May Take on New Meaning: @BloombergNews:

http://bloom.bg/1BjwpnY

[sea level, insurance, risk]

Why Human Fossil Fuel Burning Must Swiftly Halt | robertscribbler:

http://robertscribbler.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/the-keystone-pipeline-arctic-methane-eruptions-and-why-human-fossil-fuel-burning-must-swiftly-halt/

[science]

Heavy rain and flooding: 'New normal' with climate change?: @CSMonitor: 

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2014/0814/Heavy-rain-and-floods-The-new-normal-with-climate-change

MT @CeresNews: Billions in oil investments at risk from low crude prices: @CarbonBubble: 
http://buff.ly/1t218lp
[investing, divestment]

RT @rtcc_megan: Is your pension fund investing in oil? Don't count on comfortable retirement:
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/08/15/oil-majors-gambling-us91bn-on-20-high-risk-projects/
[divestment]

Wisconsin conservative pushes back against GOP resistance to solar:
http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060004470
[energy, renewable energy]

RT Climate Reality @ClimateReality:
39 states have operating utility-scale wind energy projects equal to $15 bill. of investment annually in America:
http://pic.twitter.com/pW8uUZNbm4
[wind power, renewable energy, energy]

Rising CO2 levels will intensify algae blooms across globe:
http://phys.org/news/2014-08-co2-algal-blooms-globe.html
[science, oceans]

Australian PM's advisor warns of 'global cooling' threat: @guardian:
http://gu.com/p/4vm57/tw
[Maurice Newman, denial]

.@NASA to investigate climate impacts of Arctic sea ice loss: @physorg_com:
http://phys.org/news/2014-08-nasa-climate-impacts-arctic-sea.html
[science]

Colombia drought threatens indigenous group: @AjEnglish:
http://aje.me/1t650ko
[food, farming, South America]

Humans Overtake Ice Age Retreat As Main Driver Of Glacier Melt:
http://thkpr.gs/1uBq6ub

RT 350 dot org @350:
Leaders either stand with the fossil fuel industry or with our communities, our children & our future:
http://go.350.org/VrBGZq

Climate tweets for 18 March 2014

Food prices surge as drought exacts high toll on crops: @WSJ http://on.wsj.com/1kDRm42 
[farming, agriculture, water]

CO2 on Path to Cross 400 ppm Threshold for a Month: @ClimateCentral http://www.climatecentral.org/news/co2-on-path-to-cross-400-ppm-threshold-for-a-month-17189 
[science]

Science Society Seeks to Shift Dialogue on Climate Change by Showing "What We Know": @sciam http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-society-seeks-to-shift-dialogue-on-climate-change-by-showing-what-we-know/ 
[AAAS]

Global Transition tipping point has arrived - vive la révolution: @guardian http://gu.com/p/3njfd/tw 

Nature: Human Warming Now Pushing Entire Greenland Ice Sheet into Ocean: http://robertscribbler.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/nature-human-warming-now-pushing-entire-greenland-ice-sheet-into-the-ocean/ 
[science, glaciers, sea level]

Study: 2ºC Warming Enough to Seriously Hurt Crop Yields: @climateprogress http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/17/3411501/climate-change-detrimental-crop-yields-study/ 
[science, food, agriculture, farming]

Glaciers in W. Canada still receding despite cold, snow: @calgaryherald http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Glaciers%20Western%20Canada%20still%20receding%20despite%20cold%20snow/9624012/story.html 

Climate tweets for 13 January 2014

#GlobalWarming 'Pause' Not What #Climate Change Skeptics Say It Is: http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/no-hiatus-pause-global-warming-climate-change-heres-why-20140109 … #nosurprise #divest

As #drought grips #California, rain gauges can't measure desperation: @SFGate http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Rain-gauges-can-t-measure-desperation-5136884.php … #climate #divest

RT CitizensClimateLobby ‏@citizensclimate: Think it's time for Congress to enact solutions on #climate change? Join CCL's next intro call. http://ow.ly/sxWFL 

#Heatwave frequency increases as #climate change takes effect: @canberratimes http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/heatwave-frequency-increases-as-climate-change-takes-effect-20140113-30qz6.html … #globalwarming #divest

RT luca lombroso ‏@LucaLombroso: #Globalwarming impact on Le Piane ski resort #Appennino Italy http://pic.twitter.com/ukVWjJX2Dq

MT @LJSchweiger: In Defense of #Climate Scientists: http://wp.me/p3ERJq-i  #globalwarming #eco #divest

#Globalwarming & #energy: interwined problems in #Africa: @guardian http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2014/jan/12/global-warming-energy-intertwined-africa … #climate #divest

Giant #Antarctica #glacier beyond point of no return, research says: @physorg_com http://phys.org/news/2014-01-giant-antarctic-glacier.html … #climate

#California #drought may send Millerton Lake #water 2 west-side growers: @FresnoBee http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/11/3709634/calif-drought-may-send-millerton.html … #climate #divest

RT Steve Todd ‏@stevenwtodd: Radio Disney cancels O&G funded propaganda following 80,000-plus petition and Twitter campaign. via @ClimateProgress http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/01/09/3144321/radio-disney-ends-oil-gas-tour/ …

Global warming = Steroids for Weather

I've said some very positive things here about using "loading dice" to explain the effect of global warming on daily weather.  Now comes what may be an even better analogy: steroids in baseball.  This very, very well-done video lays it out very simply.  Watch it, save it, and share it.  The explanation about occasional cold days alone is worth the watch.

'Loading the climate dice': Why it's important

[UPDATED 6/23, 9:30 a.m.] Twenty years ago today, James E. Hansen testified before the Senate Energy Committee — in a room kept intentionally warm by committee staff — that the atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and forests was already perceptibly influencing Earth’s climate.

That's a quote from the New York Times' Andrew C. Revkin, dated June 23, 2008, memorializing a key 1988 turning point in the history of human-caused climate change. Dr. Hansen was then director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City. Revkin adds:

The video [shot by Revkin during a 2008 interview that is the subject of the article] begins with [Dr. Hansen's] explanation of a visual aid he created in 1988 with Jose Mendoza, an illustrator at Goddard in the days before PowerPoint: a pair of cardboard dice showing how humans were tipping the odds toward climate troubles. Notably, perhaps because of old glue, the paper black dots were falling off. (emphasis added)

The more I think about Dr. Hansen's metaphor, the more impressed I am.  In 1988, he was able to come up with a very simple explanation of how humans were affecting the climate--so simple that almost anyone could understand it.  My profession is communications, and I can tell you from long experience, that's not easy to do.

In addition to being simple, it's a very accurate (perfect?) description of a scientific phenomenon that is becoming more and more obvious as time goes on, and the perfect response to those who (1) point to a remarkably cold or snowy day as proof that global warming doesn't exist or (2) (accurately) state that any short stretch of weather doesn't prove the climate is changing.  No, a short stretch of record hot weather doesn't prove anything, but we are loading the climate dice, and it's exactly the type of weather that we'll be seeing more and more of as time passes, because we've changed the odds and the "old normal" no longer applies.

I'd like to encourage everyone who shares my concern about global warming, and about the remarkably poor job most mass media are doing of communicating the issue, to bring up the topic of "loading the dice" as often as possible.  It's simple, it's accurate, and there's not, to my knowledge, an easy and simple denier response.  Regrettably, after all this time, many newspaper and broadcast journalists still don't get this most basic explanation of the effect of human-caused climate change on weather.