Climate Lynx

Madagascar is a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world, with 32 million people, most of whom identify religiously as Christians. Its economy is primarily centered on agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining. Much of the mining is done to export nickel and cobalt, two minerals essential for clean energy.  Interestingly, half the world's sapphires come from Madagascar, and 80% of the world's vanilla. Despite these riches, 29 million people, or 92% of the population, live in poverty. But there is a hint of economic optimism. The tourist business is increasing because of Madagascar's unique plants, animals, and marine life. It specializes in ecotourism. Before the pandemic, Madagascar saw 486,000 tourists in a year. They hope to earn back these eco-tourists, which greatly boosts their economy. Why ecotourism in Madagascar? If you go to Madagascar, you will see plants and animals seen nowhere else. While walk...

Summary: Humanity, via massive consumption, has pushed the Earth to its limits.  If we do not change, the planet may not recover. Scientists are giving us remedies. Over 60 researchers in the Lancet Planetary Health–Earth Commission report titled "A Just World on a Safe Planet: The Earth Commission's Report on Earth-System Boundaries, Translations, and Transformations" updated the work begun in 2009 assessing what key physical limits of Earth will challenge planetary health, environmental sustainability, and social equity. They use the term "Earth System Boundary" (ESB) to describe these limits. The goal is to help humankind maintain the environment and societies within safe operating parameters. The risk of collapse by exceeding these boundaries is rising. Suppose we breach one of these boundaries, such as climate, biodiversity, water cycles, or nutrient flow. In that case, we will impose irreversible damage to that Earth system. The goal of the report is...

When you read this, the election is over, the votes have been cast, and so, too, the course of Earth has been profoundly directed. I recently watched the Economist Richard Wolff’s video on this year's election theatrics. He called it a Punch and Judy Show with politicians, the media, and the citizenry unable to face the critical issues threatening our survival. As a student of climate change, I agree with Professor Wolff. Unfortunately, the latest report by World Weather Attribution (WWA) confirms my worries. The 31 October report by the WWA examines the profound impact of human-induced climate change by examining the ten deadliest climate disasters over the past two decades. The WWA attributes more than 570,000 deaths to climate-intensified weather phenomena, like tropical cyclones, heatwaves, floods, and droughts. The report warns that no region is immune to such impacts. The WWA report highlights that all ten of the most catastrophic weather events studied—such as Cyclone Na...

Since my column is a climate column, I have stayed in my lane. Since climate change will continue to impact everything we experience, the "lane" is a multi-lane freeway. The cure to climate change will come down to international, national, and local government policy. Policy is set by and directed by politicians.  In a democracy,  the voters have the power. In direct opposition to 10s of thousands of climate scientists and all reputable science organizations, Donald Trump tells us climate change is a hoax. As a person who respects science and has sourced the best science materials available, it is well within my climate lane to say he is scientifically incompetent to lead the United States of America. We have warmed the earth past 2 degrees Fahrenheit and feel the repercussions. We had the hottest El Nino year last year and experienced the warmest year on record. For a person who does not winter down south and loves winter, last year was a bust. It was a bust for my frien...

This a letter of apology to our kids. I am a 73-year-old climate activist who has had a charmed life by being educated by public funds, privileged to serve in the armed forces, and blessed to see much of the world by helicopter. In my living room is a library of over 600 science magazines. I have hung onto only the ones with climate articles. All of them tell us climate change is a threat to your happiness and well-being. But, they also tell us climate change is solvable if we act.   With ten years of diligent study with all the world’s best science organizations in agreement, I should have been posting on social media. I have not. I apologize since your future is a stake. Social media is not my kind of place but, as my Dad would tell me when there was something we had to do I did not like, “Son, sometimes there are things you do not like.” I’ll be back on social media but for now, just know the only major climate legislation ever passed was done by the Democrats and it is ...

  There is a bit of dark humor among climate scientists.  You cannot blame them. They have known the physics of climate change for over a hundred years and have been warning us about the risks. As we have discovered, the cost of dealing with natural disasters is expensive and will increase.   The scientists, seeing little was being done to cease burning fossil fuels and themselves becoming targets of fossil fuel-sponsored misinformation, simply said, "If you cannot understand the science, you will when you get your home insurance bill."   Today, people's insurance bills are going up. In some places, you are unable to even get insurance.  A relative of mine has a modest family vacation trailer in Naples, Florida. Over the years, they have kept a keen eye on the requirements of their insurance companies.  Your contract may not be renewed if you do not meet the insurance company's requirements. My relatives still have insurance, while many of their nei...