Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Talking Climate Week

Robert Reich askes where are our past presidents and vice president? When it comes to the necessity of speaking out against this dangerous and detestable regime, where are Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and where are their vice presidents, Al Gore and Dick Cheney? Well, one did show up in San Francisco for Climate […]

Solar overtakes coal in EU power sector

As usual, Europe is way ahead of the US in minimizing many factors impacting the environment. The use of coal to generate electricity was cut in half (if I read the chart correctly). Solar overtakes coal in EU power sector, as gas declines for the fifth year in a row, Ember Brussels, 23 January – In […]

A Win for Louisiana Wetlands

“It’s a huge victory not only for the parish but for the coast of Louisiana. It’s huge because we finally can hold responsible (a) party who destroyed this coast, knowing that they could do better,” said trial lawyer John Carmouche. He spearheaded the Plaquemines lawsuits against Chevron and about three dozen others. On the other […]

For everything there is a season 

Positing that the purpose of an economy is to produce and equitably distribute the requisite goods and services for a given societal unit, that the purpose of government is to provide a societal unit essential services including a well functioning economy, that no form of either is ordained, that it is neither the duty nor […]

Trump wants you to pay higher utility bills

During his first term, Trump railed about energy-efficient plumbing. He claimed he had to flush his toilet 10-15 times and was forced to stand in the shower five times as long. I have no idea what he’s talking about. Sounds like what he needs is a plumber. In the event, the Biden Administration mandated resource-conserving […]

Dire Wolf “de-extinction” and investing in the planet

It isn’t that they can’t see the solution.It’s that they can’t see the problem.~ G. K. Chesterton There’s an article in the latest New Yorker about the genetics start-up Colossal and their “de-extinction” of the Dire Wolf. They’ve set their sights on resurrecting the dodo, the wooly mammoth and the thylacine as well. Actually, none […]

“Well Here’s Another Nice Mess You Got Us Into”

I guess threatening China did not work out as well as Trump planned it to be. China walked away from the US, starting with liquefied natural gas (LNG). China has just announced a complete halt on all liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the United States. A decision made abruptly with no prior indication, no […]

Arctic sea ice makes new record low annual max

“Arctic sea ice makes new record low annual max,” National Snow and Ice Data Center  – by New Deal democrat On Sunday I occasionally post about topics of interest unrelated to economics. So today, let’s take note of a significant milestone in global warming. Specifically, the arctic has just had its lowest peak ever for sea ice […]

Killing NOAA will kill Americans

Several years ago, I flew to Oklahoma city to serve on a panel reviewing state-funding research grant proposals. On the way in from the airport, a tornado touched down blocks from the hotel where I stayed and the meeting was held. When the meeting concluded a couple days later, I elected to stay an additional […]

U.S. Bird Populations Declining Sharply Across a Range of Habitats

Whether you are a birder or not, birds are interesting and entertaining creatures to watch. If they have the right and safe habitat in your yard or nearby, you can watch birds build their nests. With some luck in where the nests are placed, you may be able to watch them bring life into the […]