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As Seen from Afar 11/11/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 4:27 pm Politics

Nov 112021

COP26 Day 11 | ‘Not there yet’

Euronews Green delivers a Special COP26 email to my mailbox every day during the two weeks it is running (01-12 November 2021). I’ll publish it in its entirety for those who are interested. This is the eighth in the series.

Today’s takeaway

Waves of tentative optimism were sweeping through COP26 today after the US and China announced a bilateral deal to redouble their climate efforts.

The joint statement issued by Washington and Beijing called for “enhanced climate action in the 2020s”, including a new, stronger emission cuts target in 2025 and a pledge by China to follow the US lead in slashing methane emissions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and others hailed it as “an important step in the right direction.” But some analysts thought the deal “lacked meat” on concrete commitments besides those on methane.

Whether or not this spirit of cooperation will be reflected in the final agreement of COP26 is another story. Difficult negotiations involving almost 200 countries continued in Glasgow after a draft cover deal was released yesterday.

“We’re not there yet. There is still much more work to be done,” said COP26 chairman Alok Sharma as he briefed delegates on the progress of the talks, urging another “gear shift” in the final hours of the summit.

The UK presidency said it planned on publishing the next draft of the cover deal overnight, with a new meeting of ministers planned for tomorrow morning.

COP26 is due to end on Friday evening, but an extension has not been ruled out.

In other news, Denmark and Costa Rica launched an ambitious alliance today to phase out coal and gas. Six full members, France, Greenland, Ireland, Quebec, Sweden and Wales also joined the group known as the ‘Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance‘.

Campaigners hailed the move as a “turning point” while urging more countries to join.

“The creation of this alliance puts to shame claims of climate leadership among countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States, and Canada, all of which have yet to answer this simple question: Where is your plan to stop producing the fossil fuels that are driving the climate crisis?” asked Romain Ioualalen of Oil Change International.

In case you weren’t able to follow along on Wednesday, here are five takeaways from Day 10.

Some additional bad and good news

Deforestation in Australia: a wanton assault on wildlife – in pictures

More than 100 nations including Australia have signed up to stop or reverse deforestation by 2030. The pact, hailed as one of the main achievements of COP26, put the spotlight on an issue that combines carbon emissions and threatened species. These images reveal some of the shocking impacts of deforestation.

(From: The Canopy, Greenpeace Australia Pacific)

At a glance

Major European countries pledge to phase out oil and gas

A “first of its kind” alliance of governments has committed to phasing out the production of oil and gas. Led by Costa Rica and Denmark, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) saw six members join.
Read more

Local councils trusted more than world leaders on climate, poll finds

British people trust local councils more than the government when it comes to taking action on climate change, a new survey has revealed.
Read more

Frustrated doctor diagnoses woman with ‘climate change’ in world first

A Canadian woman has become the first patient in the world to be diagnosed as suffering from ‘climate change’, after she developed breathing difficulties following a historic heatwave. But what are her symptoms?
Read more

Social exclusive

Video Thread 11/11/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:19 pm Open Thread, Politics

Nov 112021

Glenn Kirschner – It’s Raining Congressional Subpoenas; Now More Than Ever, DOJ Must Indict Steve Bannon

Meidas Touch – GOP Lies

The Lincoln Project – Rebuild

Robert Reich – Is This Fall’s Labor Strike Wave a Tipping Point?

Rob Rogers – Melting Agenda (from 11/3)

Brent Terhune – Sesame Street Muppet Speaks Out (Brent is so good at this, I feel the need to remind everyone that this is ]

Beau – Let’s talk about a message to conservative parents….

Open Thread for November 11, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:41 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 112021

Yesterday, we were a bit shorthanded here. Pat took the day off for her birthday, and SoINeedAName’s computer suffered the Blue Screen Of Death so he was just able to post a short comment from his phone. Never a dull moment!

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Black Girl Dies by Suicide in Utah School District Rife With Racism
Quote – A 10-year-old Black girl who was a student in a Utah school district that had been the subject of a federal racism investigation hanged herself over the weekend, leaving her family distraught over what they say were unanswered calls to address bullying. The girl’s mom, Brittany Tichenor, said she had contacted the Davis School District “multiple times” to discuss how her daughter Isabella was mistreated by her peers after starting fifth grade just months ago. Through sobs, Tichenor described during a news conference the relentless teasing that her daughter—one of just a few Black students at the Foxboro Elementary School—had endured without much help from school administrators.
Click through for background and story – if you can stand to. Rest in peace, sweet Izzy.

Crroks and Liars – Wait Until You Hear Why Cop Didn’t Render Aid To Ahmaud Arbery
Quote – Former Officer Ricky Minshaw was asked by prosecutor Larissa Ollivierre how Ahmaud Arbery appeared when he arrived at the scene. Minshew said he was face-down and looked “unresponsive to his surroundings, he appeared to be deceased.”
Click through for a little more and a video.

KSL (Salt Lake City) – District investigates after teacher turns Veterans Day talk into message against vaccine, socialism
Quote – “It was just basically full of anti-Asian rhetoric talking about how people getting free handouts like food from the grocery store is anti-American and for lazy people….” The parent also claimed Law expressed his support for the Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C., and that the “government telling us we should get vaccinated is the government being a bully and we need to fight back against the bullies.”
Click through for the whole disturbing tale. The station will not back up Linked in’s claim that he attended the Air Force Academy, but it’s certinly not impossible. The AFA has a long and notorious history of denyong church-state separation.

Food for Thought –

As Seen from Afar 11/10/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 5:18 pm Politics

Nov 102021

COP26 Day 10 | The beginning of the end

Today’s takeaway

COP26 entered a new phase of negotiations on Wednesday after a first draft of the summit’s final decision was circulated early this morning.

The seven-page document urges countries to strengthen their climate plans by the end of next year and, for the first time, calls for the phasing out of coal and fossil fuel subsidies.

This draft text isn’t the end of the story yet in Glasgow but it marks the beginning of the end for the summit.

Diplomats from the nearly 200 countries represented at COP26 have now begun to negotiate the text hoping to strike a final deal before proceedings are meant to come to a close on Friday.

But the draft deal has had mixed reviews so far – especially from climate activists. A Greenpeace executive compared it to a “polite request that countries maybe, possibly, do more next year.” That’s “not good enough,” she said.

The COP26 Chairman expects a “near-final text to be published overnight,” as negotiations continue.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the trip to Glasgow to press negotiators to find a compromise. “We know what needs to be done but we just need the courage to get on and do it,” he said.

Today was also Transport Day at COP26 and there was a raft of announcements about zero-emissions vehicles.

A group of countries and companies signed a pledge to switch to emissions-free cars by 2040 and by no later than 2035 in leading auto markets.

Critics pointed out that large countries including the US, Germany, China and Japan stayed out of the deal, along with some of the world’s biggest car manufacturers.

The International Energy Agency says that 60 per cent of new car sales need to be battery-electric by 2030 and internal combustion engine cars need to be phased out by 2035 to keep below 1.5C. Many believe this pledge is not ambitious enough to achieve that.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Tuesday, here are five takeaways from COP26 Gender Day.

Some additional bad news

Australia among nations trying to soften COP26 declaration

Australia has joined a coalition of countries working to water down a key proposal from the Glasgow climate summit which would pressure the Morrison government to overturn its opposition to a more ambitious 2030 emissions reductions target. (From: The Canopy, Greenpeace Australia Pacific)

Some additional good news

‘Existential crisis’: United States and China stun COP26 with joint climate change pact

China and the United States have made a shock joint statement at the Glasgow climate talks, declaring climate change to be an existential crisis demanding co-operation between the superpowers.
(From: The Canopy, Greenpeace Australia Pacific)

At a glance

UPDATED: First draft of COP26 climate deal is released

The seven-page document is the first version of the agreement that will outline how countries plan to cut emissions and keep global warming below 1.5°C.
So what does it say?
Read more

Meet the climate group who have published a guide on how to sue Shell – and win

Their victory was the first judgement where a multinational corporation was held responsible for its contribution to climate change.
Read more

This cheeky 12-year-old activist is the perfect antidote to COP26 doom and gloom

Francisco Vera is not your ordinary kid. The Colombian primary school student is among the foremost climate activists at COP26, where he is calling for world leaders to include young people in the ongoing talks and negotiations.
Read more

Social exclusive

Video Thread 11/10/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:21 pm Open Thread, Politics

Nov 102021

Glenn Kirschner – Garland’s “Enviable” Position as Attorney General; The Decision to Prosecute Bannon is an Easy One

Meidas Touch – Josh Hawley HUMILIATES himself with bizarre rant on porn and masculinity

MSNBC – Prosecutor In Trump Camp’s Effort To Reverse Georgia Result Considering Special Grand Jury

Ring of Fire – California History Teacher Removed For Telling Students Trump Is Still President

Really American – Gosar Posts Bizarre Video Threatening Biden and AOC

John di Domenico- Trump’s Foul-Mouthed Netflix Comedy Special Trailer

Beau – Let’s talk about Texas, schoolbooks, and the Attorney General’s race….

Open Thread for November 10, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 102021

Yesterday, I received the package with the black rayon crochet thread I ordered through etsy ti knit (probably) or crochet (maybe) a barbie-sized Justice’s robe. It came all the way from Bulgaria, where it was made. Rayon thread is quite thin, so I may use it doubled. I have no deadline, so there’s plenty of time to think about it (and thinking usually gets the best results.) Yes, I’ll manage pictures somehow, when the time comes.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

GWN – Snow plow driver shortage could lead to winter problems for U.S. motorists
Quote – “It’s not just for the traveling public, but it’s also for emergency services, ambulances, police and firefighters and all that,” said Mark Geib, administrator of the management operations division. transportation systems at the Michigan Department of Transportation. “We need to keep the roads clear so people can move around, especially in emergency situations.”
Click through for the states (one of which is mine). Not a lot of material here, but it’s nice to know the state is thinking of my safety.

NPR – The U.S. Navy has christened a ship named after slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk
Quote – Naming the ship after an icon of the LGBTQ rights movement represents a symbolic milestone for the military following a long history in which gay service members were unable to serve openly. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said it helps right the wrongs of the past and shows a commitment to current and future LGBTQ service members. It’s estimated that 100,000 veterans have been discharged from military service because of their sexual orientation.
Click through for story. Just in time for Veterans’ Day. (sniffle.)

The New Yorker (Borowitz) – Oscar the Grouch Cuts Ties with Ted Cruz
Quote – “Don’t get me wrong—I can’t stand Big Bird,” he said. “His relentless sunniness, to me, is intolerable. But that’s no excuse for Ted Cruz to go off like an asshat.
Click through for more. The video which offended Cruz, and the one showing Cruz offending everyone else, were both in yesterday’s video thread.

Food for Thought –

Today is also Pat’s birthday, although she is considerably younger.

As Seen from Afar 11/09/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 6:18 pm Politics

Nov 092021

COP 26 Day 9 | ‘Climate change is sexist’

Today’s takeaway

On Gender Day, COP26 turned its focus to the disproportionate climate impacts suffered by women and girls across the world.

“Climate change is sexist,” a US government official put it on Tuesday. 80 per cent of people displaced by climate change are women and children, according to UNFCC.

“But women and girls are also leading efforts to tackle climate change in communities around the world,” said COP26 chairman Alok Sharma as he outlined pledges for gender-responsive climate finance.

The puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian girl known as Little Amal made the journey to Glasgow to “represent all girls who could not be here,” at COP26, said Samoan activist Brianna Fruean as she opened the Gender Day lead event with Amal.

Meanwhile, the hard work on the summit’s cover decision continued in negotiation rooms. The UK presidency said it will publish a first draft of the summit’s final decision overnight. New texts have been tabled on time frames, transparency, finance and adaptation so far.

“We still have a mountain to climb,” warned Sharma as the clock ticked to strike a deal that will help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

New forecasts released on Tuesday suggest the world is still far off that number. Think tank Climate Action Tracker said current climate policies put us on track to a scary 2.7 degrees Celsius warming – or 2.4 C if all governments met their 2030 targets.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Monday, here are five takeaways from Day 8.

At a glance

Five reasons climate change affects women more than men

Women and girls experience violence and a lack of access to education as a direct result of the climate crisis.

What is land inequality and how does it threaten women?

Land inequality is directly threatening 1.4 billion of the world’s poorest people including women, according to a recent report.
Read more

COP26: Why has a speech by Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister gone viral?

Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister Simon Kofe spoke to Euronews after a video of his speech at COP26 showing him standing knee-deep in seawater took the internet by storm.
Read more