Burying The Lede: Ice Shelf Collapses In East Antarctica

With corporate media paying nonstop attention to the proxy war in Ukraine and the flood of refugees (at least, those refugees who look like well-fed Europeans) and moderate attention to galloping inflation, and economic sanctions against Russia with consequent fuel and food shortages yet to come, who noticed this catastrophic news?

This morning I had to scroll through a couple of screens of my big daily newspaper to find an article on the subject after I'd seen the headline on Twitter yesterday. I went looking for it because it was a headline that stayed with me, a reminder that the most pressing security threat to humans -- no matter what wars are raging -- is climate crisis.

Both poles experienced temperatures 70 degrees Farenheit (21 degrees Celsius) higher than normal last week, and scientists speculate that their previous belief in the relative stability of the eastern ice sheet may have been in error. 

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet holds so much frozen water that, if it goes, the melting will cause planetary oceans to rise 160 feet (48.768 meters).

That seems like a hell of a lede to me, but what do I know?

One thing I do know is that militarism, and in particular U.S. militarism, is a major driver of global warming and climate crisis.

I've been collecting research and reporting on this for years. It's a little know fact that is routinely ignored in the corporate press, even when they are cheerleading for war.

Space exploration including rocket launches are also in the news, consistently reported in tones of breathless excitement, but it also contributes to climate change as well as other environmental harms (think PFAS and toxic rain) and damage to the ozone layer.

We ignore these realities at our peril. Because one thing I know for certain:

our planet's atmosphere is not patriotic and there are no good or bad emissions.

Scientific information is routinely subject to political control, but that does not change facts on the ground. 

Ground that is not yet underwater, at least for now.

Source: https://atlas-for-the-end-of-the-world.com/images/World_Maps/sea-level-rise.pdf

War Capitalism Is Driving Climate Crisis And Unless We Stop It, Humans May Be On The Way Out As A Species

War capitalism is driving climate crisis. Until we stop it, climate will continue to deteriorate for humans. 
Subway station in Harlem flooded this week in torrential rain from Tropical Storm Elsa (images from video shared by Twitter user @PaulleeWR.)

While sports fans and their kids watch pro-military displays during U.S. professional sporting events, the reality of war capitalism that is driving climate crisis threatens their existence.

Patriotism won't save us from global warming's effects.

But, go Yankees!

Some subway system ya got there. This is the 157th St. 1 line right now. @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio pic.twitter.com/xyfTAUPPNu

— Paullee 🤠 #TaxTheRich (@PaulleeWR) July 8, 2021

On the other coast, thousands of miles from NYC, a new heat wave is shaping up where an estimated one billion sea creatures like mussels cooked to death in the unprecedented heat wave just a few days ago. 

Source: CBS News, July 9, 2021

According to marine biologist Chris Harley as reported in Yahoo! News, 

“A mussel on the shore in some ways is like a toddler left in a car on a hot day,” Harley told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. “They are stuck there until the parent comes back or, in this case, the tide comes back in.

We're all the toddler in the car now. 

Protect your children: tell them the truth about military climate crimes. 

Stop glorifying the war machine for fear of being seen as unpatriotic. You're going to have to risk it in order for humans to survive as a species. 

Here's an idea -- how about we put the indigenous people back in charge of decisions about how to live on this planet? They were doing well until militarized capitalism came along. 

(Ok, I know militarized capitalism is redundant. Thanks for reading!)

Military Falsely Posited As Solution To Climate Crisis When It Is Actually A Major Cause

Screenshot from this morning's weather check in

A young parent in my family shared an article yesterday from the I Fucking Love Science website. "New Report Warns 'High Likelihood Of Human Civilization Coming To An End' Within 30 Years" drew on findings in a report out of Australia last month, "Existential climate-related security risk: A scenario approach." 

It is impossible to read such reports without thinking of the dire future for 4 years old you love.

What struck me about the report, though, was the strong flavor of military "leadership" invoked to address climate catastrophe. The introduction by the now retired chief of the Australian Defense Force (1998-2002) set the tone:

In particular, our intelligence and security services have a vital role to play, and a fiduciary responsibility, in accepting this existential climate threat, and the need for a fundamentally different approach to its risk management, as central to their considerations and their advice to government. The implications far outweigh conventional geopolitical threats.

This did not surprise me as internet search terms "climate change Pentagon" turn up links to how the U.S. military is planning for mitigation of sea level rise on their many coastal bases. 

Such articles NEVER mention the key role of the U.S. military in accelerating carbon loading in the atmosphere.

Nor did the Australian report mention this.

So while the U.S. federal government rebrands fossil fuels as "freedom gas" and "freedom molecules" the carbon loading proceeds apace. Almost no one looks toward the Pentagon to find the solution to our worsening problems: stop waging wars for oil, stop burning highly polluting jet fuels, and stop exploding bombs which besides killing mostly civilians are also killing the atmosphere as a life support system.

On behalf of 4 year olds, it's time for us to get busy.

Educate:
You can read my collection of reports on the Pentagon's role in hastening climate catastrophe here on the Maine Natural Guard website.

Advocate:
Consider taking the MNG pledge to connect the dots between Pentagon funding and climate change.

Join us for the Conversion Campaign news conference if you're in still lovely, cool and wet Maine on June 21.

Join us at General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works shipyard on June 22 to protest the celebration of yet another carbon belching war ship. Call for BIW to build sustainable energy solutions instead.

Before it's too late.

Protesters Arrested Demanding BIW Convert To Building For Climate Solutions, Not Carbon Belching War Ships #LBJ25

Most of us who were arrested at Bath Iron Works war ship "christening" 4/28/19, after our release from the Bath Police Department. 

Jim Anderberg, who supported the protest as a photographer, posted this comment: 

The last Zumwalt class destroyer was launched at Bath Iron Works today. 25 people were arrested in a protest. A $7.5 billion boondoggle. 

Think what that money could be used for to alleviate our use of fossil fuels and address the global warming crisis.

The #LBJ25 are mostly Mainers: Natasha Mayers, Whitefield; Ginny Schneider, South Portland; Jim Freeman, Verona Island; Connie Jenkins, East Blue Hill; Meredith Bruskin, Swanville; Suzanne Hedrick, Nobleboro;  Dixie Searway, Parsonsfield; Ridgely Fuller, Belfast; Dud Hendrick, Deer Isle; Dan Ellis, Brunswick;  Carolyn Coe, Orland; The Reverend Mair Honan, Freeport; Ethan Hughes, Belfast (who returned home from Bath by bicycle!); Russell Wray, Hancock; Judy Robbins, Sedgwick;  Robert Shetterly, Brooksville; Jason Rawn, Lincolnville; Mike Donnelly, Brunswick; Mary Garvey-Donnelly, Brunswick; Mark Roman, Solon; and Lisa Savage, Solon.

We were grateful to be joined by several Veterans for Peace who traveled to Maine for the protest: Ellen Barfield, Baltimore, Maryland; Don Cunning, Old Bridge, NJ; Julius Orkin, Bergenfield, NJ; and Roy Pingel, Queens, NY.

Other supporters of the protest: Peter Baldwin of Waldo County Peace & Justice who brought his drum; VFP members Ellen Davidson and Tarak Kauff, who designed and produced the banners pictured above; VFP's John Morris and Ian Collins, logistical and jail support; song leader Rosie Paul of Peaceworks; BIW stalwarts Maureen and George Oestensen of Smilin' Trees Disarmament Farm and Akemi Wray of Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST); photographers Peter Robbins, Roger Leisner, Regis Tremblay, and Richard Kane (who was on hand filming for a documentary on portraitist Rob Shetterly of Americans Who Tell The Truth) and a sound technician with Kane whose name I didn't catch before I was arrested.

It would be impossible for me to name all of the 75 or so folks who turned out yesterday, but I love you all!

Suzanne Hedrick, the eldest of those arrested, was featured in this great video by Peaceworks.


(If you're unable to view the embedded video, you can see it here on YouTube.)

I departed suddenly from my role as MC at the rally where speakers noted the urgency of the need for conversion as the Pentagon and General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works barrel full speed ahead toward the cliff of climate catastrophe. I look forward to videos sharing both the first half of the rally and the second half, which I missed after moving into Washington Street to help halt traffic.



A partial list of the news coverage:

"Twenty-five protesters arrested near Bath Iron Works" Darcie Moore, Times Record & Portland Press Herald

"BIW Christening" Kennebec Journal & Waterville Morning Sentinel

Dud Hendrick, VFP, engaged in civil resistance (Photo credit: David Sharp, Associated Press)

"LBJ's Daughters Christen BIW Destroyer Ship Bearing Their Father's Name" Caitlin Troutman, carrying water for the military industrial complex at Democrat leaning news service Maine Public.

The LBJ 25 were charged with obstructing a public way and ordered to appear in court on June 18 at 1pm in West Bath. 

If you're in the area, we hope to see you there!

Maine Natural Guard At Peace Hub In Portland Climate Action Saturday, September 8 Noon

Calling all Maine Natural Guard members to help bring the essential message that the Pentagon is the biggest polluter on the planet to a climate action being organized by 350 Maine:

RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice

Saturday Sep 8 -- noon

Portland, Maine

The Maine Natural Guard will display our MNG t-shirts and messaging:

Click here to order your shirt

or other costumes:

That's Natasha Mayers holding her giant (cardboard) carbon footprint

That's Cynthia Howard as a polar bear who recognizes the largest cause of carbon polluting

We will carry signs such as:

​image: Suzanna Lasker

Image: Lisa Savage

Image: Jason Rawn 

Bruce Gagnon in action for life on the planet

Last Run (serigraph by Kenny Cole)

Also, since part of the call by organizers is for jobs (i.e. RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice) messages about the urgent need for conversion of the military-industrial mess we're in would also be a great fit. For example:

Mary Beth Sullivan showing that public transportation light rail could be built at Bath Iron Works instead of warships.

Jenny Gray sharing her conversion vision

You can join the Natural Guard campaign by signing the pledge here.

Be a communication worker and help bring news of the path of real resistance to people befuddled by corporate media messaging.

Add your name to join the Natural Guard effort from wherever you are!

I pledge to speak out about the effects of militarism on our environment, because the commons we all share that sustain life are valuable to me. 

In discussions about security and safety, I will remind others of the need to count in the cost in pollution and fuel consumption of waging wars all around the planet.

In discussions about acting soon to protect our loved ones from the effects of climate chaos, I will remind others of the need to examine the role of the Pentagon and its many contractors in contributing to planetary warming.

Mark Roman, Ridgely Fuller and other climate activists at Bath Iron Works bridge banner drop

We welcome all who want to help bring this important message on September 8, one which is very often omitted from climate events.  FMI call me at 399-7623

thanks!

Lisa

For more information on the September 8 event:

This is our invitation to participate in a joint action as part of the global RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice  in Portland on Saturday, September 8th beginning at noon. It’s  part of a worldwide mobilization taking place four days before the  Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. 350 Maine is  coordinating the event focused on the rising and warming waters of  the Gulf of Maine, but we expect the Maine Chapter of the Sierra  Club to join us as co-sponsors. Our goals for the event are to move the state legislature toward  climate action; get voters to ask what candidates in the November  election are going to do to take action on climate change; and to  register new voters. We want people to see and understand how much is at stake and how important it is to elect people willing to  work seriously on environmental issues as well as jobs and justice.    

The New Orleans Style Funeral procession we are planning will  pass through the center of town and end at a point currently being  determined, but at a place where a modest and active rally can take  place combined with voter registration.  We want as many people  as possible to be involved in the action with individual groups  taking responsibility for a specific components of the overall  program.  This should be a fun event that carries a serious message  and purpose.      Accordingly, some of the ideas being considered include:  ● The Leftist Marching Band to lead the funeral procession  ● A coffin containing a Gulf of Maine codfish and/or other  endangered species inside   ● Puppets, cheerleaders and dancers  ● People in costumes that emphasize mourning or sea level  rise  ● Floats or similar (e.g. Noah’s Ark, a giant lobster, fishermen  with empty nets, etc.)  ● Fishermen & lobstermen with empty traps and nets (income  & job loss)  ● Symbols of rising, warming seas (e.g. blue ribbon)  ● Children, teens, college students participating in any way  they see fit  ● Rally point activities that are lively and active:  o With local performers (singers, dancers, band)  o Limited talks that include funeral orations or memorial  addresses  o Tables with displays of Portland areas likely to be  flooded, climate action plans (simple, easy things  everyone can do), Children’s Trust, etc.  o Voter registration  ● YOUR IDEA PLEASE

The event wants to be big and memorable.  Would you be  interested in helping us pull it off?  Will you get involved and help  make it happen?    You, ------, are invited to play an active role in the overall  planning and event coordination and/or to simply take an active role  in the event itself.  Since we are working on a tight schedule, we’d  like to hear from you a.s.a.p. one way or another.     Let us know what you think.

With best regards, Espahbad Dodd & Chuck Spanger, 350 Maine 

Take the Natural Guard pledge 

to connect the dots between 

militarism and environmental harm.

Addicted To Militarism Means Addicted To Climate Change #PentagonClimateCrime

It would be extremely challenging to quantify the Pentagon's lifetime carbon footprint. But it is a number worth reckoning.

We are approaching the 70th anniversary of the shameful bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the planet's first nuclear weapons. Of course radioactive pollution is the kind of harm to the environment and living beings that we think of in connection with these events.  But I also wonder, how much did those bombs and all the others dropped since then contribute to climate change? 

The Pentagon does not want you to know.

Nagasaki, Japan   August 8, 1945 

Ukawa village, Japan

Meanwhile, friends are in Japan right now supporting local residents who object to having U.S. military bases ruin their coastline and livelihood. Ukawa village has mounted a spirited resistance to having a missile "defense" site aimed at China located on their land. 

Besides CO2 emissions, the Pentagon also blankets the planet in noise pollution.  As reported by Bruce Gagnon:

A historic Buddhist temple was our first stop which is now virtually surrounded by the military base barbed wire fences.  We were told that the public now largely avoids the once popular temple because of the extreme noise coming from the generators providing power to the radar. 

CO2 price tag for all the generators used by the Pentagon? Probably part of the overall carbon emitted from burning 90,000,000 barrels worth of petroleum fuel each year i.e. approximately 38,700,000 metric tons in 2013.

Warmer oceans and other waterways are bad for many species. This week brought news that Sockeye Salmon are dying in droves as they try to spawn in water that is the wrong temperature. About half have died this season, and wildlife experts predict as many as 80% will ultimately perish.

Tomorrow I'll blog about the many, many ways that my fellow Americans rationalize their inability to reckon the Pentagon's impact on catastrophic climate change.

Fiddling While Rome Drowns

I woke up in the belly of the beast this morning -- Washington DC, where oligarchs have our "democratic" government hurtling toward WWIII at an ever more rapid pace.

After attending a depressingly enlightening talk yesterday by Finnish education expert Pasi Sahlberg I slept restlessly, then awoke to news that Stratfor, known to some as the shadow CIA, has plans for partitioning Russia drawn up already. Ukraine and NATO's backing of neo-Nazi militias there has been on my mind lately, along with the sense that the U.S. now wages wars against the poor on so many fronts that it's hard to focus on any one spot. Ferguson, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Ukraine, pivot to Asia -- which is the most urgently dangerous?

Since Stratfor's forward planning is depressingly accurate at predicting where my tax dollars will be deployed on wars instead of educating our young, I am taking their plan seriously. All the nuclear weapons that will come loose if NATO succeeds in breaking up the Russian empire is one thing to worry about.

Here's another:

The hypocrisy of people like freshman Senator Angus King scolding Iran for even thinking about developing nuclear weapons can be astonishing. Though King doesn't mention Israel in his directives for Iran, the hand of AIPAC is clear enough behind his threatening rhetoric.Who is more bellicose:  Iran, or Israel with its repeated bombing of Gaza and its completely uninspected nuclear arsenal?

Even without counting nuclear pollution, the Pentagon is the biggest polluter on the planet; its carbon footprint is larger than any other organization on Earth. The wars it fights for access to fossil fuel deposits and their transport rage on and on, expanding every year since 9/11 was staged. Polar ice is melting rapidly, coastal areas and islands are flooding, and many environmental scientists feel we passed the tipping point for reversing this trend some time back.

Somewhere I'm sure Stratfor has made plans for how the empire will continue to operate when Washington DC, Wall St., Boston, Miami, San Diego and Houston are all under water.


You would think this crisis would call for urgent action by our elected government. Instead, lavish campaign contributions by Pentagon contractors and calls for more war by our "representatives" roll on.