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Sunday, December 13, 2015

An Exercise in Futility

Now, you no longer need to wade through the analyses of COP21, whether critical or congratulatory, - as we all try to forget the obscene excesses of the misguided activists.

In one brief cathartic series of his signature limericks, Benjamin the Donkey has the most astute commentary imaginable.  Dramatized in poignant settings with inimitable disarming sincerity and humor, enjoy his latest foray into the world of youtube, and hope for many more.

   

11 comments:

  1. That's tellin' 'em Ben! Keep up the humorous truth - maybe something will stick when the politicians get around to realizing how stupid and useless they really are (this coming year).

    Tom

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  2. Is it just me or does Ben bear a striking resemblance to John The Baptist? Perhaps it is the baying at the end that struck the chord of familiarity in me.

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  3. Could the word "futility" actually be a contraction of the words "fucked" and "utility"? Things that make me go, "Hmmm?" :)

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  4. Downed trees causing major problems in North Bay

    http://news.yahoo.com/video/downed-trees-causing-major-problems-022058743.html

    Trees are down and one North Bay neighborhood is basically cut off as a result. It isn't the rain but the wind and wet soil causing the problems. [video]

    Tom

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  5. http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2015/12/scientists-say-climate-change-could.html

    Scientists say climate change could cause a ‘massive’ tree die-off in the U.S. Southwest

    In a troubling new study just out in Nature Climate Change, a group of researchers says that a warming climate could trigger a “massive” dieoff of coniferous trees, such as junipers and piñon pines, in the U.S. southwest sometime this century.

    The study is based on both global and regional simulations — which show “consistent predictions of widespread mortality,” the paper says — and also an experiment on three large tree plots in New Mexico. The work was led by Nate McDowell of the Los Alamos National Laboratory who conducted the research along with 18 other authors from a diverse group of universities and federal agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey.

    “We have fairly consistent predictions of widespread loss of piñon pine and juniper in the southwest, sometime around 2050,” said McDowell. The paper concludes that the consequences could be vast, citing “profound impacts on carbon storage, climate forcing, and ecosystem services.” [more]

    Tom

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  6. Merry murray and Happy hoppy . . .

    http://www.sott.net/article/309234-Newly-discovered-fungus-is-killing-trees-critical-to-Hawaiis-water-supply

    Newly discovered fungus is killing trees critical to Hawaii's water supply

    A newly discovered fungus is killing a tree that's critical to Hawaii's water supply, endangered native birds and Hawaiian cultural traditions like hula.

    The disease called rapid ohia death has hit hundreds of thousands of ohia lehua trees on the Big Island. As of last year, it was found to have affected 50 percent of the ohia trees across 6,000 acres of forest, but it's believed to have spread further since then. To date, it's been found primarily in Puna but also in Kona and Kau. It hasn't been seen anywhere else in the world. [more]

    Tom

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tom! Best of the holiday season to you! The world is acidifying and fungus is rampant. I'll be getting a post done next week - so far, I think this is one of the most important studies indicating an overall decline in vegetation - there is no climate reason for browning. Plants that prefer warmer temperatures should replace those that like colder temperatures...but they're not.

      http://www.climatechangenews.com/2015/12/21/green-tundra-turning-brown-as-arctic-warms/

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    2. Hmmm, that does seem to be a "new" cause for concern. Nonetheless, I find it curious that, given the title of the article and the photo, there is really only 1 paragraph in the article that actually "addresses" the browning. I guess "we" will have to try a search or two for further elucidation. I wonder if the GOP wingnuts will want to erect a "northern wall" to keep that "brown stuff" from invading from the North? :) I hope your holiday season is passing safely and with as much merriment as possible. Personally, I detest this time of year.

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    3. "only 1 paragraph" - because they haven't a clue. Continued warming should = more greening absent some pernicious influence. It is a difficult time of year.

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