No Paywall Version Here.

nytimes.com

Opinion | I’m a Climate Scientist. I’m Not Screaming Into the Void Anymore.

Something has changed in the United States, and not just the climate.

No paywall version here.

"Two and a half years ago, when I was asked to help write the most authoritative report on climate change in the United States, I hesitated...

In the end, I said yes, but reluctantly. Frankly, I was sick of admonishing people about how bad things could get. Scientists have raised the alarm over and over again, and still the temperature rises. Extreme events like heat waves, floods and droughts are becoming more severe and frequent, exactly as we predicted they would. We were proved right. It didn’t seem to matter.

Our report, which was released on Tuesday, contains more dire warnings. There are plenty of new reasons for despair. Thanks to recent scientific advances, we can now link climate change to specific extreme weather disasters, and we have a better understanding of how the feedback loops in the climate system can make warming even worse. We can also now more confidently forecast catastrophic outcomes if global emissions continue on their current trajectory.

But to me, the most surprising new finding in the Fifth National Climate Assessment is this: There has been genuine progress, too.

I’m used to mind-boggling numbers, and there are many of them in this report. Human beings have put about 1.6 trillion tons of carbon in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution — more than the weight of every living thing on Earth combined. But as we wrote the report, I learned other, even more mind-boggling numbers. In the last decade, the cost of wind energy has declined by 70 percent and solar has declined 90 percent. Renewables now make up 80 percent of new electricity generation capacity. Our country’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling, even as our G.D.P. and population grow.

In the report, we were tasked with projecting future climate change. We showed what the United States would look like if the world warms by 2 degrees Celsius. It wasn’t a pretty picture: more heat waves, more uncomfortably hot nights, more downpours, more droughts. If greenhouse emissions continue to rise, we could reach that point in the next couple of decades. If they fall a little, maybe we can stave it off until the middle of the century. But our findings also offered a glimmer of hope: If emissions fall dramatically, as the report suggested they could, we may never reach 2 degrees Celsius at all.

For the first time in my career, I felt something strange: optimism.

And that simple realization was enough to convince me that releasing yet another climate report was worthwhile.

Something has changed in the United States, and not just the climate. State, local and tribal governments all around the country have begun to take action. Some politicians now actually campaign on climate change, instead of ignoring or lying about it. Congress passed federal climate legislation — something I’d long regarded as impossible — in 2022 as we turned in the first draft.

[Note: She's talking about the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Act, which despite the names were the two biggest climate packages passed in US history. And their passage in mid 2022 was a big turning point: that's when, for the first time in decades, a lot of scientists started looking at the numbers - esp the ones that would come from the IRA's funding - and said "Wait, holy shit, we have an actual chance."]

And while the report stresses the urgency of limiting warming to prevent terrible risks, it has a new message, too: We can do this. We now know how to make the dramatic emissions cuts we’d need to limit warming, and it’s very possible to do this in a way that’s sustainable, healthy and fair.

The conversation has moved on, and the role of scientists has changed. We’re not just warning of danger anymore. We’re showing the way to safety.

I was wrong about those previous reports: They did matter, after all. While climate scientists were warning the world of disaster, a small army of scientists, engineers, policymakers and others were getting to work. These first responders have helped move us toward our climate goals. Our warnings did their job.

To limit global warming, we need many more people to get on board... We need to reach those who haven’t yet been moved by our warnings. I’m not talking about the fossil fuel industry here; nor do I particularly care about winning over the small but noisy group of committed climate deniers. But I believe we can reach the many people whose eyes glaze over when they hear yet another dire warning or see another report like the one we just published.

The reason is that now, we have a better story to tell. The evidence is clear: Responding to climate change will not only create a better world for our children and grandchildren, but it will also make the world better for us right now.

Eliminating the sources of greenhouse gas emissions will make our air and water cleaner, our economy stronger and our quality of life better. It could save hundreds of thousands or even millions of lives across the country through air quality benefits alone. Using land more wisely can both limit climate change and protect biodiversity. Climate change most strongly affects communities that get a raw deal in our society: people with low incomes, people of color, children and the elderly. And climate action can be an opportunity to redress legacies of racism, neglect and injustice.

I could still tell you scary stories about a future ravaged by climate change, and they’d be true, at least on the trajectory we’re currently on. But it’s also true that we have a once-in-human-history chance not only to prevent the worst effects but also to make the world better right now. It would be a shame to squander this opportunity. So I don’t just want to talk about the problems anymore. I want to talk about the solutions. Consider this your last warning from me."

-via New York Times. Opinion essay by leading climate scientist Kate Marvel. November 18, 2023.

Palestinian men and boys in Gaza describe the torture, humiliation, and dehumanization that they suffered during their time as captives of the Israeli occupation forces. “They forced us to make dogs’ sounds,” one man tells the camera. “If you refused to do so, they would beat you.” Another tells the reporter, “When they saw us falling asleep, they would come with a lighter and burn our backs with it.”

“Every hour was like years,” the same man says. “The torture was unbelievable.” Reports have emerged in recent days of mass roundups, torture, and execution of men and boys in Beit Hanoun and other parts of north Gaza. Detainees were identified by loved ones and others in the community who recognized them from the photos the occupation forces have been releasing.

As more footage and testimony are released, the depth of the horrors inflicted upon our people in Gaza are being brought to light. While we may never know the full extent of those horrors, what we already know is enough for any person of conscience to be able to identify as war crimes that are as depraved as they are systematic.

“My message for the world is to look at those detainees,” the final detainee tells viewers. “We are respected people. We are not animals.”

Via palestinianyouthmovement

Video Aljazeera

You'll never know how strong you are until strength is your only option."

From the heart of Gaza, these words become more true than ever. I am Bilal Abed Rabou, and I stand before you as a survivor of five wars, an academic student at Al-Azhar University and a software developer from the besieged Gaza Strip. I witnessed the devastating effects of these conditions firsthand

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gofundme.com

Donate to Help me to complete my education In Gaza, organized by Mohammed Asfour

"You'll never know how strong you are until strength is your only option." … Mohammed Asfour needs your support for Help me to complete my

We were a family, living in peace, love and warmth. But everything changed when conflict and despair swept through our lives. Living in Gaza means confronting ongoing conflict, struggling against poverty and the lack of basic necessities to live. Life is very difficult, and even the simplest tasks seem impossible. Yet, despite all the chaos and pain, we remained grounded by the warmth of our love and the strength of our spirits.

Even six months ago, everything changed. Our once home turned into a mess and everything we cherished. Since then, we have been lost, clinging to a world of uncertainty and despair. We left our badly damaged home with only a few things. Since then, our lives have been threatened

with every passing minute.

But now, there is no longer a reason to stay in this place full of suffering, where we are deprived of even the most basic and important rights, education, security and peace.

Our hearts hurt because of all this injustice. We were willing to endure anything to keep our family together and provide comfort and care for our father in his time of need.

With each passing day, our despair grows and our burdens grow heavier. We need your help to break the cycle of suffering, rebuild our shattered dreams, pave the way to a better future, and reunite with our family. Your support is not just a lifeline; Rather, it is a beacon of hope in our darkest moments.

Here you will find our whole story

And here is the direct donation's link

gofundme.com

Donate to Help me to complete my education In Gaza, organized by Mohammed Asfour

"You'll never know how strong you are until strength is your only option." … Mohammed Asfour needs your support for Help me to complete my

When @noor-alanqar shared her fundraiser with me, I wanted to help her Gofundme spread by drawing her three beautiful children. She, her husband, and their three children Rajaa (5 years old), Youssef (10 months old), and Hussein (6 years old) all need to rebuild and stay safe.

Here is Nour's campaign, she is halfway to her goal, with €20,558 raised of €40,000!!

gofundme.com

Donate to Rebuilding Live: A Mother's Plea for Hope and Safety in Gaza, organized by Nour Alanqar

Hello, I'm Nour Alanqar, and reaching out to you during a… Nour Alanqar needs your support for Rebuilding Live: A Mother's Plea for Hope

If you cannot donate, I would really appreciate it if you could share her campaign. Let’s help her reach her goal!!

As I have messaged her, she has also asked me to mention the people below:

@timetravellingkitty @deathlonging @briarhips @mazzikah @mahoushojoe @rhubarbspring @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationisms @sawasawako

@feluka @terroristiraqis @irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria

@deepspaceboytoy @post-brahminism @junglejim4322 @kibumkim @neechees

@mangocheesecakes @kyra45-helping-others @marnota @7bitter @tortiefrancis

@toiletpotato @fromiannah

@omegaversereloaded @vague-humanoid @evillesbianvillain

@aristotels @komsomolka @neptunerings @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @heritageposts @ot3 @amygdalae @ankle-beez @communistchilchuck @dykesbat @watermotif @stuckinapril @violentrevolution @mavigator @lacecap

@socalgal @chilewithcarnage @ghelgheli @sayrug @northgazaupdates2

@papenathys @slicedblackolives @heliopixels @nimbooz @hiveswap

@irhabiya @feluka @anneemay @tumkaafiho @fleshdyk3

@balaclava-trismegistus @heritageposts @ripley-stark @paandaan

@itsfookingloosah @rooh-afza @shesnake @akajustmerry @himejoshikaeya

@rainbowsnowflake @saint-oleander @f4rfields @cassandragemini @fitzfunnymoments @skunkes @asharestupid @jonpertwee

Thank you for reading and sharing!

Hello everyone I hope you are all well 👋🤍

we need your support to provide a safe travel opportunity to safety for my aunt the elderly woman who needs food and healthy food, medical care 💔💔.

Also my friends we lost our only home in northern Gaza Strip due to Israeli bombing we hope you can help us rebuild it even with a little bit 💔🙏.

Thank you I hope you are all well 🌹

gofundme.com

Donate to Rebuilt our only House in Gaza and get out my aunt from Gaza, organized by Mohammed Darabaih

Hello everyone, I am Ghazi Younis Shahato from Palestine, Gaz… Mohammed Darabaih needs your support for Rebuilt our only House in Gaza and g

As you can see from the pictures above, being in Gaza at the moment is dangerous. Bombs threaten to fall at any moment and when they do, they suffocate your lungs and senses. You will see the places you love rendered into ash and rubble. You will see your dreams crushed. You will constantly fear for your family. You will be forced to part with your loved ones. You will see the lifeless bodies of your people everywhere. Basic necessities are horrifically expensive. Even the electricity needed to charge your phone costs money. You could be shot while gathering something as simple as water. Not a single place in Gaza is safe.

In essence, living in Gaza now is a nightmare.

My friend @mohammedayesh calls on you to help him and his family survive while they remain in Gaza.

Please focus on donating to Mohammed on PayPal, as this will allow him to purchase everyday necessities to support his family. They need sufficient food etc just to survive. If you want to support his GFM for his evacuation as well, you can find it on his blog.

If you spent a few dollars less on something like leisure, there is a high chance most of you would still have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in. However, for Palestinians, that amount could quite literally be life-changing. Please, please, help them if you can. Help them survive.