A mass methane release could begin an irreversible path to full land-ice melt. NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images
By Peter Giger
The speed and scale of the response to COVID-19 by governments, businesses and individuals seems to provide hope that we can react to the climate change crisis in a similarly decisive manner - but history tells us that humans do not react to slow-moving and distant threats.
<p>Our evolution has selected the "fight or flight" instinct to deal with environmental change, so rather like the metaphor of the frog in boiling water, we tend to react too little and too late to gradual change.</p><p>Climate change is often described as global warming, with the implication of gradual changes caused by a steady increase in temperatures; from heatwaves to melting glaciers.</p><p>But we know from multidisciplinary scientific evidence - from geology, anthropology and archaeology - that climate change is not incremental. Even in pre-human times, it is episodic, when it isn't forced by a human-induced acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions and warming.</p><p>There are parts of our planet's carbon cycle, the ways that the earth and the biosphere store and release carbon, that could trigger suddenly in response to gradual warming. These are tipping points that once passed could fundamentally disrupt the planet and produce abrupt, non-linear change in the climate.</p>
A Game of Jenga
<p>Think of it as a game of Jenga and the planet's climate system as the tower. For generations, we have been slowly removing blocks. But at some point, we will remove a pivotal block, such as the collapse of one of the major global ocean circulation systems, for example the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), that will cause all or part of the global climate system to fall into a planetary emergency.</p><p>But worse still, it could cause runaway damage: Where the tipping points form a domino-like cascade, where breaching one triggers breaches of others, creating an unstoppable shift to a radically and swiftly changing climate.</p><p>One of the most concerning tipping points is mass methane release. Methane can be found in deep freeze storage within permafrost and at the bottom of the deepest oceans in the form of methane hydrates. But rising sea and air temperatures are beginning to thaw these stores of methane.</p><p>This would release a powerful greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, 30-times more potent than carbon dioxide as a global warming agent. This would drastically increase temperatures and rush us towards the breach of other tipping points.</p><p>This could include the acceleration of ice thaw on all three of the globe's large, land-based ice sheets – Greenland, West Antarctica and the Wilkes Basin in East Antarctica. The potential collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet is seen as a key tipping point, as its loss could eventually <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/324/5929/901" target="_blank">raise global sea levels by 3.3 meters</a> with important regional variations.</p><p>More than that, we would be on the irreversible path to full land-ice melt, causing sea levels to rise by up to 30 meters, roughly at the rate of two meters per century, or maybe faster. Just look at the raised beaches around the world, at the last high stand of global sea level, at the end of the Pleistocene period around 120,0000 years ago, to see the evidence of such a warm world, which was just 2°C warmer than the present day.</p>Cutting Off Circulation
<p>As well as devastating low-lying and coastal areas around the world, melting polar ice could set off another tipping point: a disablement to the AMOC.</p><p>This circulation system drives a northward flow of warm, salty water on the upper layers of the ocean from the tropics to the northeast Atlantic region, and a southward flow of cold water deep in the ocean.</p><p>The ocean conveyor belt has a major effect on the climate, seasonal cycles and temperature in western and northern Europe. It means the region is warmer than other areas of similar latitude.</p><p>But melting ice from the Greenland ice sheet could threaten the AMOC system. It would dilute the salty sea water in the north Atlantic, making the water lighter and less able or unable to sink. This would slow the engine that drives this ocean circulation.</p><p><a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/atlantic-conveyor-belt-has-slowed-15-per-cent-since-mid-twentieth-century" target="_blank">Recent research</a> suggests the AMOC has already weakened by around 15% since the middle of the 20th century. If this continues, it could have a major impact on the climate of the northern hemisphere, but particularly Europe. It may even lead to the <a href="https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/39731?show=full" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cessation of arable farming</a> in the UK, for instance.</p><p>It may also reduce rainfall over the Amazon basin, impact the monsoon systems in Asia and, by bringing warm waters into the Southern Ocean, further destabilize ice in Antarctica and accelerate global sea level rise.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUwNjQ0MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTgwMjY2MX0.IvCzVigFTmY5avYrfi_Muh47dXM1TvLwTPFv5Zs95Pk/img.png?width=980" id="b580e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="491f17ca2d159ebbc564d9c4a6771983" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1222" data-height="1324" />
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation has a major effect on the climate. Praetorius (2018)
Is it Time to Declare a Climate Emergency?
<p>At what stage, and at what rise in global temperatures, will these tipping points be reached? No one is entirely sure. It may take centuries, millennia or it could be imminent.</p><p>But as COVID-19 taught us, we need to prepare for the expected. We were aware of the risk of a pandemic. We also knew that we were not sufficiently prepared. But we didn't act in a meaningful manner. Thankfully, we have been able to fast-track the production of vaccines to combat COVID-19. But there is no vaccine for climate change once we have passed these tipping points.</p><p><a href="https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-risks-report-2021" target="_blank">We need to act now on our climate</a>. Act like these tipping points are imminent. And stop thinking of climate change as a slow-moving, long-term threat that enables us to kick the problem down the road and let future generations deal with it. We must take immediate action to reduce global warming and fulfill our commitments to the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paris Agreement</a>, and build resilience with these tipping points in mind.</p><p>We need to plan now to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, but we also need to plan for the impacts, such as the ability to feed everyone on the planet, develop plans to manage flood risk, as well as manage the social and geopolitical impacts of human migrations that will be a consequence of fight or flight decisions.</p><p>Breaching these tipping points would be cataclysmic and potentially far more devastating than COVID-19. Some may not enjoy hearing these messages, or consider them to be in the realm of science fiction. But if it injects a sense of urgency to make us respond to climate change like we have done to the pandemic, then we must talk more about what has happened before and will happen again.</p><p>Otherwise we will continue playing Jenga with our planet. And ultimately, there will only be one loser – us.</p>
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Climate Crisis Will Shift Tropical Rain Belt and Create Food Insecurity for Billions, Study Finds
19 January
Climate
Madagascar has been experiencing ongoing droughts and food insecurity since 2016. arturbo / Getty Images
Nearly 1.6 million people in the southern part of Madagascar have faced food insecurity since 2016, experiencing one drought after another, the United Nations World Food Program reported.
<p>A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-00963-x" target="_blank">study</a> published Monday found billions more could face food insecurity as Earth's tropical rain belt shifts in response to climate change, causing increased drought stress and intensified flooding.</p>
<p>"Our work shows that climate change will cause the position of Earth's tropical rain belt to move in opposite directions in two longitudinal sectors that cover almost two thirds of the globe, a process that will have cascading effects on water availability and food production around the world," lead author Antonios Mamalakis, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, told <a href="https://news.uci.edu/2021/01/18/uci-researchers-climate-change-will-alter-the-position-of-the-earths-tropical-rain-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UCI News</a>. </p>
<p>Researchers at the University of California, Irvine and other institutions analyzed how the tropical rain belt would respond to a future where greenhouse gas emission continued to rise through 2100, UCI News reported. Their <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-00963-x#Abs1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">findings</a>, published in Nature Climate Change, revealed the rain belt will shift northward over the Eastern Hemisphere, impacting countries in southeastern Africa. </p>
<p>In Madagascar, these impacts are already being felt. </p>
<p>"We only had one day of rain in December in the whole region. And the thunderstorms have been blasting… and destroying and burying the crops that were there," Lola Castro, the United Nations World Food Program regional director for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States, <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081892" target="_blank">told UN News</a>. "The result is famine-like conditions."</p><p>Madagascar's vulnerability to the climate crisis, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has left people with little to eat, Castro said. "Cactus mixed with mud, roots, whatever they can find, leaves, seeds, whatever is available."</p><p>The rain belt is projected to shift toward a warming atmosphere, co-author James Randerson, UCI's Ralph J. & Carol M. Cicerone Chair in Earth System Science, explained. "In Asia, projected reductions in aerosol emissions, glacier melting in the Himalayas and loss of snow cover in northern areas brought on by climate change will cause the atmosphere to heat up faster than in other regions," he told UCI News. </p><p>Since 2000, glaciers in the Himalayas are losing more than a vertical foot and half of ice every year, <a href="https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2019/06/19/melting-himalayan-glaciers-doubled/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Columbia University's Earth Insititute</a> reported, double the amount from 1975 to 2000. </p>
<p>"We know that the rain belt shifts toward this heating, and that its northward movement in the Eastern Hemisphere is consistent with these expected impacts of climate change," Randerson told UCI News.</p>
<p>In the Western Hemisphere, the rain belt is expected to move in the opposite direction by shifting southward, the study found. This will cause greater drought stress to Central America, a region which is experiencing more than five years of recurring drought, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-central-america-drought-migration/hunger-driving-migration-in-drought-hit-central-america-u-n-idUSKCN1V423J" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> reported.</p>
<p>By combining an engineering approach to both climate science and data analytics, the team of researchers found previously unknown consequences associated with global warming. They also saw how much more there is to learn.</p>
<p>"The complexity of the Earth system is daunting, with dependencies and feedback loops across many processes and scales," author Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, UCI Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, told UCI News.</p><p>Determining how these changes will impact flooding, droughts, infrastructure and ecosystems can inform adaptation strategies and policies, Foufoula-Georgiou told UCI News. But time may be running out. </p>
<p>"What we are saying here is that the situation we're facing in southern Madagascar is not normal," Lola Castro told UN News, regarding the humanitarian crisis. "It's very different to any normal year of crisis and that we really need to act immediately." </p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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How to Stay Safe With a More Contagious Coronavirus Mutation on the Loose
18 January
Health + Wellness
The new variant, known as B.1.1.7, spread quickly through southeastern England in December, causing case numbers to spike and triggering stricter lockdown measures. Hollie Adams / Getty Images
By Suresh Dhaniyala and Byron Erath
A fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been found in at least 10 states, and people are wondering: How do I protect myself now?
<p>We saw what the new variant, known as B.1.1.7, can do as it <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/mutant-coronavirus-united-kingdom-sets-alarms-its-importance-remains-unclear" target="_blank">spread quickly through southeastern England</a> in December, causing case numbers to spike and triggering stricter lockdown measures.</p><p>The new variant has been estimated to be <a href="https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/uk-novel-variant.html" target="_blank">50% more easily transmitted than common variants</a>, though it <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7003e2.htm?s_cid=mm7003e2_e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">appears to affect people's health in the same way</a>. The increased transmissibility is believed to arise from a <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.29.424708v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">change in the virus's spike protein</a> that can allow the virus to more easily enter cells. These and other <a href="https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.24.20248834" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">studies on the new variant</a> were released before peer review to share their findings quickly.</p><p>Additionally, there is some evidence that patients infected with the new B.1.1.7 variant may have a <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.24.20248834v1.full" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">higher viral load</a>. That means they may expel more virus-containing particles when they breathe, talk or sneeze.</p><p>As professors who study <a href="https://www.clarkson.edu/people/byron-erath" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fluid dynamics</a> <a href="https://www.clarkson.edu/people/suresh-dhaniyala" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">and aerosols</a>, we investigate how airborne particles carrying viruses spread. There is still a lot that scientists and doctors don't know about the coronavirus and its mutations, but there are some clear strategies people can use to protect themselves.</p>
Airborne Particles Are Still the Biggest Problem
<p>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-that-the-coronavirus-is-changing-and-what-this-means-for-vaccine-effectiveness-152383" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SARS-CoV-2 variants</a> are believed to spread primarily through the air rather than on surfaces.</p><p>When someone with the coronavirus in their respiratory tract coughs, talks, sings or even just breathes, infectious respiratory droplets can be expelled into the air. These droplets are tiny, predominantly in the range of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021850211001200?casa_token=KtyrsEfbeqcAAAAA:vv10sSxm33tzg0EQvNMIFtV7GCu5gE9QAzuyzHKr2_4Cl0OFkUJoGwzn4d0ZnEWS19NsOTuH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1-100 micrometers</a>. For comparison, a human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter.</p><p>The larger droplets fall to the ground quickly, rarely traveling farther than 6 feet from the source. The bigger problem for disease transmission is the tiniest droplets – those less than 10 micrometers in diameter – which can remain suspended in the air as aerosols for <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/50/5/693/325466" target="_blank">hours at a time</a>.</p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bb67b83dcafe589f350daf3df60fa29d"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UNCNM7AZPFg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<p>With people possibly having more virus in their bodies and the virus being more infectious, everyone should take extra care and precautions. Wearing face masks and social distancing are essential.</p><p>Spaces and activities that were previously deemed "safe," such as some indoor work environments, may present an elevated infection risk as the variant spreads.</p><p>The concentration of aerosol particles is usually highest right next to the individual emitting the particles and decreases with <a href="https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0025476" target="_blank">distance from the source</a>. However, in indoor environments, aerosol concentration levels can quickly build up, similar to how <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-a-smoky-bar-can-teach-us-about-the-6-foot-rule-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-145517" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cigarette smoke accumulates within enclosed spaces</a>. This is particularly problematic in spaces that have poor ventilation.</p><p>With the new variant, aerosol concentration levels that might not have previously posed a risk could now lead to infection.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ5Njc1My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MTg5MzExM30.2KlkIn9wVomwIkIEvkEpjx9alJ61pU4Onv54-nS-Ric/img.png?width=980" id="7052f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="64f0b78347b7911d5eee1f15d7999b22" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1290" data-height="932" />
Daily case reports and 7-day rolling average as of Jan. 16, 2021.Chart: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: COVID Tracking Project Get the data
What Can You Do to Stay Safe?
<p>1) Pay attention to the type of face mask you use, and how it fits.</p><p>Most off-the-shelf face coverings are not 100% effective at preventing droplet emission. With the new variant spreading more easily and likely infectious at lower concentrations, it's important to select coverings with materials that are most effective at stopping droplet spread.</p><p>When available, N95 and surgical masks consistently perform the best. Otherwise, face coverings that use <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352431620301802?casa_token=-Dj6nGBAm24AAAAA:qq9BpbzCKaPDFcV73ohA2fCnhE_Zlkss6Bei3kUwq9QYndhHj0Vafbbd-ef_855lx6knDfUt" target="_blank">multiple layers of material</a> are preferable. Ideally, the material should be a tight weave. High thread count cotton sheets are an example. Proper fit is also crucial, as gaps around the nose and mouth can <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">decrease the effectiveness by 50%</a>.</p><p>2) Follow social distancing guidelines.</p><p>While the current social distancing guidelines are not perfect – <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-a-smoky-bar-can-teach-us-about-the-6-foot-rule-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-145517" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">6 feet isn't always enough</a> – they do offer a useful starting point. Because aerosol concentrations levels and infectivity are highest in the space immediately surrounding anyone with the virus, increasing physical distancing can help reduce risk. Remember that people are infectious <a href="https://medical.mit.edu/faqs/COVID-19#faq-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">before they start showing symptoms</a>, and they many never show symptoms, so don't count on seeing signs of illness.</p><p>3) Think carefully about the environment when entering an enclosed area, both the ventilation and how people interact.</p><p>Limiting the size of gatherings helps reduce the potential for exposure. Controlling indoor environments in other ways can also be a highly effective strategy for reducing risk. This includes <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-a-smoky-bar-can-teach-us-about-the-6-foot-rule-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-145517" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">increasing ventilation rates</a> to bring in <a href="https://theconversation.com/keeping-indoor-air-clean-can-reduce-the-chance-of-spreading-coronavirus-149512" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fresh air and filtering existing air</a> to dilute aerosol concentrations.</p><p>On a personal level, it is helpful to pay attention to the types of interactions that are taking place. For example, many individuals shouting can create a higher risk than one individual speaking. In all cases, it's important to minimize the amount of time spent indoors with others.</p><p>The CDC has warned that B.1.1.7 could <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7003e2.htm?s_cid=mm7003e2_w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant</a> in the U.S. by March. Other fast-spreading variants have also been found in <a href="https://virological.org/t/genomic-characterisation-of-an-emergent-sars-cov-2-lineage-in-manaus-preliminary-findings/586" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brazil</a> and <a href="https://www.who.int/csr/don/31-december-2020-sars-cov2-variants/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Africa</a>. Increased vigilance and complying with health guidelines should continue to be of highest priority.</p>From Your Site Articles
- FDA Approves First In-Home Test for Coronavirus - EcoWatch ›
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The "DEMON" at home stands for: D - Device Addiction, E - Eye strain, M - Mental health problems, O – Obesity, N - Neck and Back pain. nensuria / Getty Images
By Alisha Moopen
As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic gains strength in many parts of the world, it is evident that the old normal has slipped, and a new sense of normalcy is setting in. This has been evident with the arrival of the work-from-home, study-from-home and socialize-from-home model, whenever possible.
<p>But while we retreat into the safety of our houses, we must stay vigilant as the battle has not been won yet. Rather, there are an array of dangers lurking within our own four walls, brought about by this pandemic, which can negatively impact our health. These dangers are the DEMON – Device addiction, Eye strain, Mental health, Obesity, and Neck and back pain – and if left unchecked, can quickly escalate into lifelong challenges.</p><h2>1. Device Addiction</h2><p>While the use of electronic devices has enabled work, study and communication with family and friends, the move into the digital world from the physical world has come with a price. We are ever more dependent on our screens.</p><p>From Zoom (which <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/LWNvCYMZyhLVWDps0kSy1?domain=engadget.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">surpassed 300 million daily meeting participants </a>in 2021) and Microsoft (which saw its productivity suite users generate <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/DU-KCZWgzs5Kq78HjSXdE?domain=microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more than 30 billion collaboration minutes in a single day</a>) to Netflix (which <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9-TNC19MGTMJA6Bfp7uBI?domain=fool.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">added nearly 26 million subscribers in the first half of this year</a>) and Google Classroom (which saw <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/8z-0C29X7Tp52VZF2XcpS?domain=bloombergquint.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the number of users double compared to last year as quarantines spread</a>), we have become dependent on a small number of apps provided by these tech companies to enable the basic functioning of our lives.</p><p>"Nomophobia," or the fear of being without a mobile device, became more entrenched in the global vocabulary during 2020. In such scenarios, a routine conscious digital detox that involves disconnecting from smart devices for short periods can be the answer.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTI2NDgwMy9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjE5NTI2M30._amjulAi144FRM00J3V4ZO6ijF1HbuTPHvP8wJ-Z97s/img.png?width=980" id="64914" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ac369d8dd7ef5ce38901b5f70c393fa0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1704" data-height="1052" />
The effects of COVID-19 on workers' lives. Ipsos-World Economic Forum
<h2>2. Eye Strain</h2><p>A direct consequence of device addiction and increased screen time is eye strain which can result in eyesight problems. For students, the advent of online learning – which supplemented existing screen time for gaming and entertainment – has been paired with the significant increase in the probability of developing myopia or near-sightedness. In fact, the rate of <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/nSWFC393yTpDgX9FQAdHo?domain=theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">myopia has been rising globally</a> with its prevalence among children in 6 to 19 years bracket estimated at around 40% in Europe and North America and even higher in Asia. Among adults, the "computer vision syndrome" or digital eye strain is becoming more prevalent with symptoms like dry eyes, persistent headaches, blurred vision or reduced visibility. To keep this at bay, one should factor in regular eye-health check-ups while also embedding a break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away, and reducing screen time when possible.</p><h2>3. Mental Health Deterioration</h2><p>The third issue – and one that has been widely discussed – has been the deterioration of mental health for many people. The past year has seen challenges for all ages and groups. Students have been unable to interact physically with their peers and teachers and they have suffered growing anxiety about their futures. Many people have not been able to see parents or loved ones. For working adults, <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/covid-19-work-mental-health-world-economic-forum-ipsos-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more than half globally</a> have experienced anxiety relating to job security and stress due to changes in their working patterns. Entrepreneurs have also had to make significant changes to try and keep their businesses afloat.</p><p>Last year undoubtedly saw turmoil as worries and fear for the future have crept into our everyday reality. The World Health Organization expects that <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9z-DC492zTB42z9SMGl9v?domain=who.int" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the need for mental health and psychosocial support will substantially increase in the coming months and years</a>. Hence, it is paramount that self-care strategies become a part of the daily routine to protect mental and physical health. Simple and effective measures include maintaining a daily rhythm, limiting exposure to negative news media, focusing on positive thoughts, setting priorities and staying busy, while also staying connected with family members.</p>
<h2>4. Obesity</h2><p>Obesity had been highlighted as a global problem even before the heightened risks of COVID-19 were apparent. Various factors have contributed to a rise in obesity, including <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/OegVCmEkYUjyopPFxtppu?domain=pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inexpensive calorie-dense food, screen dependance and the changing structure of communities that reduces or replaces physical activity, and inexpensive nonphysical entertainment</a>. With quarantine and stay-at-home guidelines becoming normal, the opportunity to step out of the house for exercising and simple activities like walking dwindled.</p><p>But, while staying home might have been safe in the short-term, it runs the risk of aggravating diseases like diabetes and hypertension in the long-term, which in turn increase our vulnerability to COVID-19. In fact, just a few years ago, <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/OegVCmEkYUjyopPFxtppu?domain=pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more than $400 billion of excess direct health care expenditure was due to obesity in the United States</a>.</p><p>To ward off obesity, simple steps like getting 8 hours of sleep every day, regular exercise (even if it is at home), a well-balanced and healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and setting some time to relax and recharge can make the difference.</p>
<h2>5. Neck and Back Pain</h2><p>The final challenge is the neck and back pain from the long hours spent in the home office. Limited movement can stiffen neck and back muscles, causing severe pain and discomfort. If left unchecked, this can result in permanent pain which may transform into numerous visits to doctors and chiropractors for healing. Moreover, this can also be aggravated by make-shift workstations which may not always be appropriate for long-term regular work. A few solutions include standing and working as a part of the work set-up through adjustable stands and tables, investing in a chair that provides good lumbar support and taking frequent breaks to stretch arms, neck and back. A small break, perhaps once an hour, does the trick.</p><p>Given we are in for the long-haul, people need to recognize the DEMON lurking in their homes – and stay away from it.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/household-demons-to-be-mindful-about/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Online meetings have become the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic. fizkes / Getty Images
Taking business trips – or even just commuting to work – can produce a lot of carbon pollution. But for a long time, many people resisted the alternative of remote work and virtual meetings.
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<p>Elise Keith is the founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lucidmeetings.com/">Lucid Meetings</a>, an online meeting management and consulting company.</p><p>"People enjoy coming and being together in the same place whenever possible, in fact to the degree that everybody believed that that was really the only way to have an effective meeting," she says.</p><p>But the COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to give virtual meetings a serious and sustained try.</p><p>Keith says that after people got comfortable with the technology, they started realizing that with good planning and organization, online meetings can be effective. They can even help build community.</p>
<p>"The CEO would show up from their home just like they were and their kids would walk in," Keith says. "And people began to look at that and connect, like, 'Oh these are real people I work with who really care about what we're doing.'"</p><p>So Keith expects that even after it's safe to meet in person again, many companies will choose to rely more often on virtual meetings.</p><p>She says employees enjoy them, they can save companies money, and they're better for the climate.</p>
<p class=""><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/01/covid-19-pandemic-may-lead-to-wider-acceptance-of-online-meetings/" target="_blank">Yale Climate Connections</a>.</em></p>
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Lehigh Gorge State Park with River and cyclist on Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail path, Poconos Mountains, near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Jumping Rocks / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
By Natalie Marchant
- The Great American Rail-Trail will be almost 6,000km when complete, and will serve 50 million people within 80km of the route.
- Trails have proved invaluable for recreation and transport during lockdown.
- Cycling and safe routes are vital for cities planning their post-pandemic recovery.
Stretching almost 6,000km and crossing 12 states, the Great American Rail-Trail will enable cyclists, hikers and riders to traverse the entire US.
<p>The multi-use trail will run from Washington DC in the east to Washington state on the Pacific coast. Launched in May 2019, the route will eventually connect more than <a href="https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">145 existing paths. So far more than 3,200km of it has been completed</a>.</p><p>Decades in the making, the project is led by the Rail-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), which has raised <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2020-progress-on-cross-country-great-american-rail-trail-includes-4-million-in-new-funding-and-2-000-miles-completed-301188644.html" target="_blank">more than $4 million in public and private funds</a>. It will serve <a href="https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/vision/" target="_blank">50 million people within 80km of the trail</a> once finished.</p>
COVID-19 Lockdown Proves Rail Trails Invaluable
<p>Rail trails – paths built on disused railway tracks – and other recreational routes have proved invaluable respites for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing alternative commuting routes and space for people to exercise, often near built-up urban areas.</p><p>"This year has proven how vital projects like the Great American Rail-Trail are to the country. Millions of people have found their way outside on trails as a way to cope with the pandemic," said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.</p><p>"As the Great American Rail-Trail connects more towns, cities, states and regions, this infrastructure serves as the backbone of resilient communities, while uniting us around a bold, ambitious and impactful vision."</p><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTE3Mzc4NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzYyODMyNH0.8jvrW-qlKrYTgiZ1orRe_0kbr_WsWskk3DURX5-MVY8/img.png?width=980" id="d763e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cc17db7e72e05d662013da4a5f3768af" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1194" data-height="726" />
Great American Rail-Trail. Rails-to-trails
Cycling Increasingly Popular During Pandemic
<p>While multi-use trails can be used by anyone from joggers to horse riders, cycling has become particularly popular during lockdown both as a form of exercise and a method of transport. <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-commuting/boost-for-bikes-as-europeans-gear-up-for-coronavirus-commute-idUKKBN22N1NK" target="_blank">Bike sales soared across the world</a> as people sought to avoid public transport.</p><p>There are the obvious <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-top-5-benefits-of-cycling" target="_blank">health benefits of traveling by bike</a>. Not only does it provide an aerobic workout and trigger the body's feel-good chemicals, endorphins, cycling is also easy on the joints, builds muscle, increases bone density and helps with everyday activities. Cycling is also seen as a way of handling post-pandemic pollution levels.</p><p>Paris is just one place <a href="https://www.weforum.org/videos/paris-is-planning-to-become-a-15-minute-city-897c12513b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">planning to become a '15-minute city'</a>, where everything you need is within a 15-minute radius by foot or by bike.</p><p>Milan is implementing a similar program, while Buenos Aires has introduced free bike rental schemes. Europe has spent <a href="https://fr.weforum.org/videos/20195-this-is-covid-19-s-positive-effect-on-cycling-across-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 billion euros on cycling infrastructure</a> since the pandemic began, according to the European Cyclists' Federation.</p>Cycling Routes Across the World
<p>At around 5,955km, the Great American Rail-Trail may be particularly ambitious in terms of scale, but it is one of many innovative cycling projects across the world. The <a href="https://en.eurovelo.com/ev6" target="_blank">4,450km EuroVelo 6 route</a> runs through 10 countries as it crosses Europe between the Atlantic and the Black Sea.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/?doing_wp_cron=1608492448.9104659557342529296875" target="_blank">346km Transpennine Trail</a> across the north of England, which opened in 2001, uses disused railway tracks left empty after the decline of the coal industry and passes through city centers, heritage sites and national parks on its way between coastlines.</p><p>Last year, the UK launched the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/09/the-uk-has-opened-a-1-300-km-cycle-trail-linking-england-and-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1,300km Great North Trail</a> running from the Peak District in the north of England to John O'Groats at Scotland's north-eastern tip.</p><p>In the Belgian province of Limburg, the <a href="https://www.visitlimburg.be/en/cycling-through-water" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cycling Through Water path</a> enables cyclists to cut through the ponds of Bokrijk. The 200-meter path is at eye-level with the water, allowing riders to glide across the lake.</p><p>Meanwhile the 7.6km Xiamen bicycle skyway is the world's <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/06/these-are-the-5-most-exciting-cycling-projects-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">longest elevated cycle path</a> and runs above the Chinese city's road network. It has capacity for about 2,000 cyclists during rush hour, with much of it suspended under an elevated bus lane, providing shelter from the weather.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8a5f1521c3cba807297f04763c18e1ba"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1337884276572551" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><em><a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/us-rail-trail-cycling-covid-19-recovery/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez pose at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India on January 21, 2020. Pawan Sharma / AFP / Getty Images
By Julia Conley
Bloomberg's year-end report on the wealth of the world's billionaires shows that the richest 500 people on the planet added $1.8 trillion to their combined wealth in 2020, accumulating a total net worth of $7.6 trillion.
<p><span style="background-color: initial;"><br/></span></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/" target="_blank">Bloomberg Billionaires Index </a>recorded its largest annual gain in the list's history last year, with a 31% increase in the wealth of the richest people.</p><p>The historic hoarding of wealth came as the world confronted the coronavirus pandemic and its corresponding economic crisis, which the United Nations last month warned is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/pandemic-tipping-point-un-warns-1-billion-more-people-headed-extreme-poverty-2030" target="_blank">"tipping point"</a> set to send more than 207 million additional people into extreme poverty in the next decade—bringing the number of people living in extreme poverty to one billion by 2030. </p><p>Even in the richest country in the world, the United States, the rapidly widening gap between the richest and poorest people grew especially stark in 2020.</p><p>As Dan Price, an entrepreneur and advocate for fair wages, tweeted, the 500 richest people in the world amassed as much wealth in 2020 as "the poorest 165 million Americans have earned in their entire lives."</p>
<div id="17792" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4e47c2660765d2c5c246640b499d0387"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1345183419341410312" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">This is all U.S. wealth. If you squint, you can see a blue line showing every dollar half of Americans have.
Riche… https://t.co/pFNxiGkZqO</div> — Dan Price (@Dan Price)<a href="https://twitter.com/DanPriceSeattle/statuses/1345183419341410312">1609551694.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Nine of the top 10 richest people in the world live in the United States and own more than $1.5 trillion. Meanwhile, with more than half of U.S. adults living in households that lost income due to the pandemic, nearly 26 million Americans reported having insufficient food and other groceries in November—<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/10/pass-damn-covid-relief-bill-shoplifting-essentials-rise-millions-struggle-feed" target="_blank">contributing</a> to a rise in shop-lifting of essential goods including diapers and baby formula. About 12 million renters were <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/millions-tenants-headed-absolute-disaster-after-new-year-owing-average-nearly-6000" target="_blank">expected to owe </a>nearly $6,000 in back rent after the new year.</p><p>Tesla CEO Elon Musk enjoyed an historic growth in wealth last year, becoming the second richest person in the world and knocking Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates down to third place. Musk's total net worth grew by $142 billion in 2020, to $170 billion—the fastest creation of personal wealth in history, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-31/elon-musk-jeff-bezos-smash-records-as-world-s-richest-people-add-1-8-trillion" target="_blank">according to </a><em>Bloomberg. </em></p><p>Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is at the top of the list, with a net worth of $190 billion. Bezos added more than $75 billion to his wealth in 2020, as the public grew dependent on online shopping due to Covid-19 restrictions and concern for public health.</p>
<p>While Bezos and a select few others in the U.S. have amassed historic gains in personal wealth in the last year, the federal government has yet to extend much in the way of meaningful assistance to struggling Americans. The Republican-led Senate on Friday<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/01/81-senators-vote-override-trump-veto-ndaa-gop-continues-block-2000-relief-checks" target="_blank"> continued to stonewall </a>a vote on legislation that would send $2,000 checks to many American households.</p><p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) denounced the proposal as "socialism for rich people" even though the plan includes a phaseout structure and individuals making only up to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/30/stimulus-checks-2000-dollars/" target="_blank">$115,000 per year</a>—not those in the <a href="https://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/tax-brackets.aspx#:~:text=The%20tax%20code%20has%20seven,highest%20earners%20pay%2037%20percent." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">highest tax brackets</a>—would receive checks.</p><p>"Surging billionaire wealth hits a painful nerve for the millions of people who have lost loved ones and experienced declines in their health, wealth, and livelihoods," Chuck Collins, director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies,<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-31/elon-musk-jeff-bezos-smash-records-as-world-s-richest-people-add-1-8-trillion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> told</a> <em>Bloomberg</em> this week. "Worse, it undermines any sense that we are 'in this together'—the solidarity required to weather the difficult months ahead." </p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/02/amid-warnings-surging-worldwide-poverty-planets-500-richest-people-added-18-trillion" target="_blank">Common Dreams</a>.</em></p><span></span><a href="https://commons.commondreams.org/t/amid-warnings-of-surging-worldwide-poverty-planets-500-richest-people-added-1-8-trillion-to-combined-wealth-in-2020/85597" target="_blank"></a>From Your Site Articles
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By John R. Platt
Let's be honest: This has been a truly exhausting year.
We started 2020 already worn thin by three years of the Trump administration, with its constant assaults on the environment and human decency on display almost every single day — and it got worse from there.
<p>In February the coronavirus pandemic hit and took off like a wildfire, killing hundreds of thousands of people in this country and leaving millions underemployed or without jobs, healthcare, homes or beloved family and friends.</p><p>The virus would have been bad enough on its own, but the willful, outrageous failure of the Trump administration to address it, and the failure of many state and local elected officials as well, made it all much worse — and so much more exhausting.</p><p>But then, that failure shouldn't have come as a surprise. The denial of climate science from just about everyone on the far right — fueled by corporate influencers, Fox News, social-media platforms and their soul-draining ilk — had already showed us that science denial could rear its ugly head the next time we faced a crisis.</p><p>And it did, in spades.</p>
<p>Of course, COVID-19 wasn't the only thing to sap our strength this year. The pandemic came alongside seemingly countless racial injustices, angry protests, violence and intimidation by right-wing extremists, and the worst election season this country has ever seen — one characterized more than anything else by a bloviating, habitual liar seeking reelection.</p><p>His performance in the first presidential debate — like watching a rabid dog on stage — may be what pushed my own exhaustion past the breaking point. From then on the election kept going downhill, my doomscrolling went into hyperdrive, and our collective grief continued to swell while more and more people got sick and died.</p><p>And yet it kept getting worse. Spurred on by Trump's lies about the virus, people and communities "debated" whether they should or should not wear masks, stay home, stop partying, stop coming to the office — an endless fuel of "free-dumbness" driven once again by the increasingly righter-than-ever right-wing media and what passes for leadership in the Grand Old Party.</p><p>And through it all, the world experienced record temperatures, species went extinct, millions were displaced by the world's worst hurricane season and endless fires, and…and…and…</p><p>…and a record 81 million people stood up and voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. More voters turned out this year than any election in history, and many of us had to fight to get our votes and our voices recognized.</p><p>Maybe we weren't so exhausted, after all? Or maybe we tapped into some final reserve of strength, saved for just such an emergency.</p><p>So here's where we are now: Although the shockwaves of 2020 will be felt for a long time, and we're all obviously still exhausted, this devastating year is nearly over. Now's the time to heal, to rest, and to take all the energy we would normally have poured into the holidays and pour it into taking care of ourselves and our loved ones.</p><p>And while we're at it, stay safe and physically distant, wear masks, share scientifically accurate information, and help others to recover from the ravages of the pandemic so we can get back to the greater task of saving the planet.</p><p>And the Biden win — assuming it's not stolen at the last minute by Trump operatives and Republican legislators committed to a coup — sets us up for a lot of success.</p><p>"Biden has put forward a bold climate plan with ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and support for both regulatory and market-driven policy measures," climate scientist Michael C. Mann tells me. "If Democrats take back the Senate, there is real opportunity for meaningful climate action by the U.S. — and not a moment too soon. A Biden win will stop the hemorrhaging, but there is a lot of work that will need to be done in repairing our reputation on the world stage."</p><p>Heck, there's still a lot of work and repairing to do in general — more than ever, in fact, since we're now four years behind where we should have been by this point.</p><p>But that work won't be possible without taking care of ourselves. That's why our team here at <em>The Revelator</em> is about to take a couple of weeks off to recuperate and recharge. We've published hundreds of articles and commentaries over the past year and we're going to do it again next year — but if we don't rest up now, we won't make it very far.</p><p>I sincerely hope you also get a chance to rest the final few weeks of the year. I know that kind of rest is a privilege not everyone has.</p><p>So do our best to reboot and meet back here the first week of January. We already have a lot of good stories in development for the New Year, and we're excited to share them with you.</p><p>Of course, before we get that far, we'll have one more source of exhaustion to contend with: the drawn-out, sore-loser end of the Trump era. Just as the post-election period was filled with Trump shenanigans, malarkey and the attempted reversal of the election, so will the very last weeks be a chance for the outgoing White House occupants and their enablers to tear every bite they can out of the government and the environment.</p><p>So keep an eye out for tomfoolery — we will, too.</p><p>Rest up, exhausted readers. The fight to save our planet and everything that lives here will keep up in 2021 — and far beyond.</p><p><em><a href="https://therevelator.org/author/john/" target="_blank">John R. Platt</a> is the editor of The Revelator. An award-winning environmental journalist, his work has appeared in Scientific American, Audubon, Motherboard</em><em>, and numerous other magazines and publications. His "Extinction Countdown" column has run continuously since 2004 and has covered news and science related to more than 1,000 endangered species. He is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the National Association of Science Writers. John lives on the outskirts of Portland, Ore., where he finds himself surrounded by animals and cartoonists.</em></p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://therevelator.org/2020-forward-resilience/" target="_blank">The Revelator</a>. </em></p>
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Amber Tobias, left, and Melody Conour are seated inside Fable & Spirit as their table is sanitized about an hour after California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the immediate resumption of indoor dining for Orange County in Newport Beach on Sept. 8, 2020. Jeff Gritchen / MediaNews Group / Orange County Register via Getty Images
By Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Kathleen C. Brown, Ryan Huerto, Sue Mattison and Thomas A. Russo
Earlier this fall, many of the nation's restaurants opened their doors to patrons to eat inside, especially as the weather turned cold in places. Now, as COVID-19 cases surge across the country, some cities and towns have banned indoor dining while others have permitted it with restrictions. Still other geographies have no bans at all.
<p>
The restaurant and hospitality industry has reacted strongly, filing <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-restrictions-virginia-maryland-dc/2020/12/16/96c303be-3fa8-11eb-9453-fc36ba051781_story.html" target="_blank">lawsuits challenging indoor dining bans</a> and, in New York state, pointing to data that showed restaurants and bars <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/restaurants-bars-account-less-2-percent-new-covid-19-cases-new-york-1554206" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">accounted for only 1.4% of cases there</a> – far lower compared with private gatherings.
</p><p>
We asked five health professionals if they would <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/coronavirus-risk-restaurant-advice-2646105752.html">dine indoors at a restaurant</a>. Four said no – and one had a surprising answer.
</p>
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Not an Option
<p><strong>Dr. Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Virgina</strong></p><p>No. March 12, 2020 was the last day I ate indoors at a restaurant. At the time, there was mild apprehension – but much changed that week. The COVID-19 pandemic altered many aspects of "normalcy," and for me eating inside at a restaurant is one of those activities. I loved eating out and typically would eat out three times a week (sometimes more!). But understanding how the COVID-19 infection is transmitted, I feel that being inside without a mask on – even just to eat – is not an option for me. I strongly believe that we need to support our community through these challenging times, so we still get curbside pickup or delivery from our favorite local restaurants at least three times a week – sometimes more! – but it will be a while before I'm back inside. When I do return I'm definitely getting dessert.</p>Great Risk
<p><strong>Dr. Thomas A. Russo, Chief of Infectious Disease Division, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo</strong></p><p>No. And it's been "no" right from the beginning.</p><p>We have a little more information now, but what I <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-lower-your-coronavirus-risk-while-eating-out-restaurant-advice-from-an-infectious-disease-expert-138925" target="_blank">said in the spring</a> hasn't really changed. The <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.28.20029272v2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">greatest risk</a> of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 is being indoors with people who aren't using masks at all times. The concern isn't just big respiratory droplets when close to someone talking; it's also the <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-covid-19-superspreaders-are-talking-where-you-sit-in-the-room-matters-145966" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tiny aerosols</a> that linger in the air.</p><p>Making it even riskier is the generally poor ventilation in many restaurants. The key differences between indoor dining and shopping in a big box store or grocery store are: 1) big stores have more ventilation and greater air space; 2) everyone can wear a mask at all times; 3) you're not fixed in space, so if you see someone who just has a bandanna or their mask drops down below their nose, you can steer clear of them; and 4) it should take less time than dinner out. At a restaurant, you're stuck at that table. If a party near you is having an animated conversation, they could be generating a lot of respiratory secretions.</p><p><a href="https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e415" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Some interesting studies</a> have looked at the airflow and air currents in restaurants in relation to <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0764_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">where people became infected</a>. In one, a person was <a href="https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e415" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">20 feet away</a> from the source for only about 5 minutes, but the person was directly in the airflow and became infected. It's a reminder of what we've been saying – there's <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-a-smoky-bar-can-teach-us-about-the-6-foot-rule-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-145517" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nothing magical about 6 feet</a>. The high degree of community disease in the U.S. right now increases the likelihood that another diner in the restaurant is infected. If you are tired of cooking and need a break, takeout is the way to go.</p>Careful Mixed With Trust
<p><strong>Sue Mattison, Provost and Professor in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Drake University</strong></p><p>Yes. As an epidemiologist, my response may seem surprising or hypocritical: I do eat at local restaurants, but only because in April, like more than <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">17 million Americans since that time</a>, I tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered. According to the <a href="https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2020/12/08/study-of-healthcare-workers-shows-covid-19-immunity-lasts-many-months/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">latest evidence</a>, I believe I have immunity for now, and perhaps longer. But I am not pushing my luck.</p><p>I have my own list of four restaurants where I eat. I trust these restaurants because each has drastically reduced their number of tables and spaced them at least 6 feet apart, and everyone inside is diligent about wearing a mask. My husband and I also order takeout a lot. It is important to reiterate, however, that evidence shows <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6936a5.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">restaurants are a significant source of infection</a>, and those who have not recovered from COVID-19 should refrain from eating at restaurants until the community gets a better handle on the spread of infection.</p>Short-Term Sacrifices
<p><strong>Dr. Ryan Huerto, Family Medicine Physician, Health Services Researcher and Clinical Lecturer, University of Michigan</strong></p><p>No. While I understand many factors contribute to indoor dining, such as the mental health toll of social isolation, the opportunity to support small businesses and cold weather, I strongly recommend against indoor dining.</p><p>The risk of contracting COVID-19 from indoor activities is far greater than from physically distanced outdoor activities. The recent spike in COVID-19 infections, deaths and ICU bed shortages is <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-post-thanksgiving-covid-19-surge-is-here-what-to-expect-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">likely linked to indoor gatherings during Thanksgiving</a>.</p><p>On Dec. 22, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">201,674 infections and 3,239 deaths</a> due to COVID-19 were reported. This death toll is equivalent to approximately 20 Boeing 737 aircrafts crashing in a single day.</p><p>Even with a COVID-19 vaccine approved, staying home, physically distancing, wearing a mask and good hand hygiene are as important as ever. Think of these as short-term sacrifices to help protect your friends, family, neighbors and essential workers.</p><p>Instead of dining in, please consider exponentially safer alternatives such as ordering delivery or curbside pickup.</p>Restaurants Pose Big Risk
<p><strong>Kathleen C. Brown, Associate Professor of Practice and MPH Program Director, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee</strong></p><p>No. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6936a5.htm" target="_blank">reported that patients testing positive were twice as likely</a> to have eaten in a restaurant than those testing negative in the 14 days preceding their test. I regularly get takeout but do not eat in restaurants.</p><p>What I cannot control poses a risk. I have very open and honest conversations with family and friends about where we have been and who we have been with. From there, our risk is pretty clear but still not at zero. The more people I come into contact with, the greater the risk.</p><p>In a restaurant, I am not able to assess the risk posed by other patrons or the staff. Each person in that restaurant has a network of others that, taken together, increases my risk of contracting COVID-19. Currently, Tennessee, where I live, is the <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">second-leading state for cases per 100,000</a>, which means community spread is high.</p><p>In plain language, that means there is an increased likelihood that I may come into contact with someone who is infectious – symptomatic or not – if I eat inside a restaurant. I will continue to pick up my takeout for now.</p><p><em>Disclosure Statement: </em><em>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</em></p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/would-you-eat-indoors-at-a-restaurant-we-asked-five-health-experts-152300" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>From Your Site Articles
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There are signs of climate action hope for 2021. R_Tee / Getty Images
By Kristy Dahl
In early January of this year, fresh off the experience of writing a year-end blog post for 2019, I started a project that I thought would make writing this year's year-end post easier. I created a little 2020 calendar on which I planned to record the one big thing that happened in the climate change space each day. In my mind I called it "The Daily Big Deal," and I could envision myself sitting here, as I am, on December 17, reviewing the year's climate-related events and deftly knitting them together in the blog post equivalent of a beautiful scarf made of reclaimed yarn. Or an ugly sweater. Or whatever.
<p>You can see where this is going, of course. The calendar has exactly 17 entries, almost all of them before mid-March, when the U.S. shut down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and <a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/this-is-fine-dumpster-fire-floating-1rNWZu4QQqCUaq434T?utm_source=iframe&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=Embeds&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fstlmotherhood.com%2F" target="_blank">2020</a> began its seemingly never-ending nosedive. The story of 2020 will forever be one of the COVID-19 pandemic: a story of the lives lost, the heroic commitments of medical professionals, essential workers, and vaccine researchers, the deep crises of unemployment and hunger, the months of isolation from friends and family, the loss of normalcy, the failure of our federal government to stanch the spread of this deadly virus.</p><p>Despite my abandoned efforts to chronicle it, though, climate change was also deeply woven into the story of 2020. As we close out this year, these are the five climate lessons I'll be taking with me into 2021.</p><h3>1. Climate change is showing up in our daily lives whether we recognize it or not</h3><p>Climate change was on full display this year as a parade of extreme events marched its way around the globe. In what was a record-breaking wildfire year across the western U.S., <a href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/" target="_blank">over 4.2 million acres</a> of California's land burned—an area larger than the state of Connecticut and more than burned during the entire decade of the 1990s. As dire as California's fires were, consider this: The year began with wildfires in Australia that burned 10 times more land than that (about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666449620300098" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">46 million acres</a> in all). Combined with a record-breaking Atlantic <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/astrid-caldas/rapid-intensification-unprecedented-number-of-storms-make-2020-a-record-hurricane-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hurricane season</a> with multiple direct hits to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/10/hurricane-delta-louisiana-creole-lake-charles-damage" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Louisiana</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/11/17/nicaragua-eta-iota-landfalls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nicaragua</a>, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/eastern-kentucky-is-underwater-but-you-probably-didnt-notice/606973/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">flooding</a> in the U.S. Midwest, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phe-heatwave-mortality-monitoring/heatwave-mortality-monitoring-report-2020#excess-all-cause-mortality-summer-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heat waves in the UK</a> associated with more than 2,500 excess deaths, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200806-the-biblical-east-african-locust-plagues-of-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">locust swarms</a> in East Africa, devastating back-to-back typhoons in the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/12/asia/typhoon-vamco-philippines-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philippines</a>, and countless other climate-related events, it's clear that climate change was staring us in the face—or more like screaming at us—all year long.</p><p>But climate change isn't just here in the form of these extreme events. It's here in the winter coats cast aside for a few days in the Northeast in January, when places like Pittsburgh hit 70°F. It's here in the strange, early blooms of confused spring flowers. And it's here in the <a href="https://eos.org/features/coastal-fog-climate-change-environment" target="_blank">lack of summertime fog</a> in my <a href="https://twitter.com/fog_karla/status/1318715094872715265" target="_blank">notoriously/gloriously foggy neighborhood</a>.</p><p>Indeed, one of the year's most chilling and powerful <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0666-7" target="_blank">new studies</a> concluded that from 2012 onward, the fingerprints of climate change can be detected from any single day in the global record. Whether it is glaringly obvious or not on any given day, climate change is already shaping our everyday lives in ways big and small.</p>
<h3>2. When it comes to cascading risks, we need to be thinking much more broadly</h3><p>Against the backdrop of the pandemic, this year's climate extremes exposed the many ways in which climate change intersects with civil unrest, water quality, financial insecurity, racial inequities in access to health care and secure housing, and countless other issues that might otherwise be perceived as being wholly unrelated.</p><p>Like pandemic preparedness, effective climate adaptation and planning will require us to think much more broadly about what climate change means than we have before.</p><p>For example, we have long recognized the interconnectedness of extreme weather and our energy systems—thousands if not millions of people lose power every year during snowstorms, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and the like. But when we look at what happened when Hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles, Louisiana, this summer, we can see that the cascading risks of climate-change-driven extreme weather extend far beyond the reach of our electricity system.</p><p>In the aftermath of Laura, hundreds of thousands of people were without <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/more-than-750000-still-without-power-in-hurricane-lauras-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">power <strong>and water</strong></a> for days while a severe heat wave rode in on the storm's heels. Lake Charles' residents—about half of whom are Black and about 20 percent of whom live below the poverty line—had to somehow try to rebuild their homes and lives; keep themselves safe from the heat despite not being able to run their air conditioners or fans; and avoid contracting COVID-19 despite being unable to wash their hands. Add to that the financial insecurity many were experiencing after having been laid off during the pandemic shutdown, and we can see that the impacts of climate change reach deeply into so many different systems.</p>
<h3>3. COVID-19 and climate change are racial injustices</h3><p>The pandemic has touched all of our lives this year, but has taken a particularly devastating toll on Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities. In just one example, as of June, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/almost-one-third-of-black-americans-know-someone-who-died-of-covid-19-survey-shows/2020/06/25/3ec1d4b2-b563-11ea-aca5-ebb63d27e1ff_story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nearly one in three</a> Black Americans personally knew someone who had died from COVID-19 compared with roughly one in 10 white Americans.</p><p>The disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color are a crystal-clear manifestation of the deep racial inequities that have built up over centuries of systemic racism in the U.S. Millions of people around the world rose up this summer to protest another manifestation of those inequities: the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other Black people by the police.</p><p>The disproportionate impacts of climate change are yet another injustice that racism inflicts on communities of color. My colleagues and I have <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/adrienne-hollis/researchers-find-deadliest-aspect-of-covid-19-for-people-of-color-racism" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">written</a> <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/adrienne-hollis/we-need-a-new-normal-post-covid-19-thats-not-a-death-sentence-to-black-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">extensively</a> <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/kristy-dahl/new-covid-19-testing-data-reveal-70-more-positive-results-in-non-white-us-counties" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">about</a> <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/juan-declet-barreto/mapas-mostrando-donde-los-mas-vulnerables-estan-azotados-por-covid-19-en-eeuu-senalan-una-injusticia-creciente" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">these</a> <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/juan-declet-barreto/hurricane-laura-and-the-inequities-of-evacuating-to-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issues</a> recently, and, personally, I'm closing this year out with a deeper understanding of the fact that we cannot and will not be able to address challenges like climate change and COVID-19 without addressing the systemic racism that results in the disproportionate suffering of Black and brown people.</p>
<h3>4. When it comes to emissions reductions, we need profound change, but not the kind of devastating change we experienced this year</h3><p>This year we expect that carbon dioxide emissions—the primary contributor to human-caused climate change–will have dropped by about <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/global-carbon-project-coronavirus-causes-record-fall-in-fossil-fuel-emissions-in-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">7 percent globally</a> and about <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46196" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">11 percent in the U.S</a><a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46196" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">.</a>, primarily as a result of the widespread economic and emotional pain caused by the pandemic. This is not the kind of transformative change, driven by deep and sustained policies, that we need to meet our climate goals—and it is likely to be short-lived.</p><p><a href="https://www.unenvironment.org/emissions-gap-report-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Studies</a> show that we'll need to accomplish decreases of roughly that same magnitude every year for the next 10 years to be on track to limit future warming to 1.5-2°C, and we'll have to do so in ways that encourage economic stability, improve the quality of life for people around the globe, reduce—rather than exacerbate—racial inequities, and ensure a just transition to safe, well-paying jobs for those whose livelihoods have been entwined with the production of fossil fuels.</p><p>It's a task that looks more and more daunting by the day, particularly because emissions are on track to increase by 2 percent per year globally between now and 2030 if we continue on a business-as-usual path.</p><p>But there are <a href="https://environmenthalfcentury.princeton.edu/" target="_blank">multiple technically feasible pathways</a> to get to net-zero emissions by 2050, with steep near-term reductions in emissions. And economic recovery packages that invest in clean energy rather than continuing to prop up the loathsome fossil fuel industry (as they have thus far) could <a href="https://www.unenvironment.org/emissions-gap-report-2020" target="_blank">put us on a path</a> toward accomplishing near- and long-term emissions reductions.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk4NDM3Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNzMzOTk0MX0.mb2piF1FO6XN1l8xv4tiYU8mgunEtt5f6WG9K8njyCY/img.png?width=980" id="3c97a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7ece568f6eef39e6fc196db23aa8b00c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1024" data-height="824" />
Financial commitments to the fossil fuel industry have far outpaced commitments to clean energy in G20 countries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
<h3>5. In the U.S. and around the world there is <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/john-rogers/clean-energy-2020-year-in-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cause for hope<br></a></h3><p>In a clear signal of the importance of climate change in U.S. voters' minds, climate change was a prominent topic in the presidential and vice-presidential debates. Indeed, <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/06/how-important-is-climate-change-to-voters-in-the-2020-election/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pre-election surveys</a> showed that, particularly for voters identifying as Democrats climate change was a high-priority issue despite the many immediate challenges the country faces.</p><p>The country then went on to elect a president and vice president who understand the science behind climate change and embrace the need for rapid, transformative climate action. President-elect Biden has affirmed his commitment to climate action in announcing an exciting slate of nominees and appointees who have long focused on issues of climate change and justice, including <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/17/937259525/in-historic-move-biden-to-pick-native-american-rep-deb-haaland-as-interior-secre" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deb Haaland</a>, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/biden-names-john-kerry-climate-envoy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Kerry</a>, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/politics/gina-mccarthy-joe-biden/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gina McCarthy</a>, and <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/biden-selects-michael-regan-north-carolina-environmental-chief-head-epa-n1251598" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mike Regan</a>.</p><p>On the international front, China's <a href="https://www.iea.org/commentaries/china-s-net-zero-ambitions-the-next-five-year-plan-will-be-critical-for-an-accelerated-energy-transition" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pledge</a> to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 along with <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/rachel-cleetus/five-years-on-keeping-the-hope-of-the-paris-agreement-alive-and-strong" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">signals</a> of similarly ambitions pledges from the EU, UK, Japan, and South Korea all serve as challenges for other countries—particularly developed countries like the U.S.—to commit to aggressive emissions reduction plans.</p><p>While we can't erase the past years and decades of climate inaction, all of these are signs that we may begin to right our path in earnest in 2021.</p><p>I think I can speak for many in the climate community when I say that the last four years have been grueling. Many of the drastic climate impacts we've long been warning about are coming to pass sooner than we had expected yet we've had to continue to fight for the issue of climate change to be named and recognized at all by our federal government. But there's been a heartening crescendo of calls over the last few years for intersectional solutions to climate change, and the incoming Biden Administration seems to be hearing those calls. There is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us as individuals, as a nation, and as a global society. But for the first time in years, I find myself hopeful that we'll start to see more meaningful progress on climate action in 2021.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/kristy-dahl/5-climate-change-lessons-from-2020" target="_blank">Union of Concerned Scientists</a>.</em><a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/r/entryeditor/2649587161#/" target="_self"></a></p>From Your Site Articles
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Trump EPA Issues Last-Minute Rule Making it Harder for Biden to Address Climate and Pollution
10 December 2020
Climate
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is seen during a hearing on May 20, 2020 in Washington, D.C, addressing legal challenges and criticism for easing enforcements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Al Drago-Poo / Getty Images
By Jessica Corbett
With President Donald Trump's first term soon coming to an end, the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday finalized a rule that critics are calling a last-minute attempt to "sabotage" future efforts by President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration to tackle the intertwined climate and pollution crises.
<p>Capping off nearly four years of Trump and members of his administration working to roll back<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks-list.html" target="_blank"> over 100</a> environmental and public health protections in the service of corporate polluters, the new rule changes how the EPA calculates the costs and benefits of new policies on air pollution under the Clean Air Act.</p><p>The new requirements, as the <em>Washington Post</em> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/09/trump-air-pollution/" target="_blank">reports</a>, "instruct the agency to weigh all the economic costs of curbing an air pollutant but disregard many of the incidental benefits that arise, such as illnesses and deaths avoided by a potential regulation. In other words, if reducing emissions from power plants also saves tens of thousands of lives each year by cutting soot, those 'co-benefits' should be not be counted."</p>
<div id="79e9e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="10dec355a3d65196f053839e555b698e"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1336748228654587904" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Speaking to @CoralMDavenport @nytimes about the rule announced today by @EPAAWheeler, EPN member Roy Gamse said, "I… https://t.co/nQDJ5Pl66R</div> — Environmental Protection Network (@Environmental Protection Network)<a href="https://twitter.com/EnvProtectioNet/statuses/1336748228654587904">1607540587.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Former coal lobbyist and current EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the finalization during a virtual event with the Heritage Foundation, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-benefit-cost-analyses-procedures-increase-consistency-honest-accounting" target="_blank">saying</a>, "thanks to President Trump's leadership, we are ensuring that future rulemakings under the Clean Air Act are transparent, fair, and consistent with EPA governing statutes."</p><p>Environmental and public health advocates pushed back against Wheeler's framing, blasting the rule as not only yet another piece of the outgoing administration's deregulatory agenda but also a blatant attempt to hamstring Biden, who ran on <a href="https://joebiden.com/environmental-justice-plan/" target="_blank">a promise to deliver</a> environmental and climate justice.</p><p>"For four years, this administration has waged war on public health by kowtowing to polluters," Environmental Working Group president Ken Cook <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/09/new-rule-makes-it-harder-epa-fight-air-pollution-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> of Trump's first term. "Now, on the way out the door, this amounts to sabotaging the efforts of the incoming administration to protect Americans from dirty air."</p><p>"It will literally be a breath of fresh air to soon have a president and an EPA working each day to make Americans and the planet healthier and safe," he added of Biden's planned January 20 inauguration. "But Administrator Wheeler and President Trump are hellbent on making that job as difficult as possible."</p>
<div id="a96f2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3d5be0826b85983df331ef552ed4573a"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1336807701171605507" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">This rule will distort @EPA analysis by discounting the health benefits of air pollution standards & prioritizing t… https://t.co/UnJjArprPn</div> — Rep. Frank Pallone (@Rep. Frank Pallone)<a href="https://twitter.com/FrankPallone/statuses/1336807701171605507">1607554767.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p><a href="https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/amid-pandemic-epa-proposal-distorts-benefits-reducing-air-pollution?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=tweet&utm_campaign=CleanAirPolicy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Proposed</a> in June, the final rule comes in the midst of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/09/trump-cost-benefit-rule-harms-public-health-born-out-corruption" target="_blank">noted</a> Chris Saeger, a spokesperson for Accountable.US. Early research <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2258774-air-pollution-linked-to-greater-risk-of-dying-from-covid-19-in-the-us/" target="_blank">has tied</a> air pollution to a heightened risk of dying from Covid-19, which had killed over 288,700 people in the United States, <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">according to</a> John Hopkins University's tracker.</p><p>"Donald Trump must be held accountable for selling out Americans' air quality to big oil companies and fossil fuel lobbyists during a public health emergency," Saeger said. "To restore our nation, the Biden administration must raise standards for the air we breath by rejecting these irresponsible policies that reward the special interests the Trump administration used to work for."</p><p>Emily Davis, senior attorney in the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate & Clean Energy Program, also <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/201209" target="_blank">called on</a> the next administration to forge a new path on pollution policy.</p><p>"This is an egregious 11th-hour attempt to handcuff the incoming administration and undercut the benefits of clean air—in the worst days of a global health crisis," she said of the new rule. "Our country is struggling to address racial injustice and a deadly pandemic magnified by pollution, which all heavily impact Black, Latino, and low-income people."</p><p>"The Biden administration should deep-six this dishonest and dangerous rule—and allow EPA to re-embrace its core mission, which is to protect public health and our environment," Davis added. "We'll use every tool, and look forward to working with the Biden team, to ensure that healthier future for all."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/eco-sabotage-trump-epa-issues-last-minute-rule-make-action-climate-and-pollution" target="_blank">Common Dreams.</a></em></p>From Your Site Articles
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A photo illustration of Florida's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard, created by Rebekah Jones, is displayed on a computer screen on May 19, 2020. Paul Hennessy / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
Rebekah Jones, the Florida data scientist who said she was fired in May after refusing to manipulate data on a widely praised coronavirus dashboard that she designed, had an even more dramatic encounter with the state government Monday when the police raided her Tallahassee home.
<p>Jones said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoRebekah/status/1336065787900145665" target="_blank">Twitter thread</a> that police entered her home at 8:30 a.m., confiscated all of her computer hardware and technology and pointed guns at both her and her children.</p><p>"This is what happens to scientists who do their job honestly," Jones <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoRebekah/status/1336066309482754049" target="_blank">tweeted</a>. "This is what happens to people who speak truth to power."</p><p>Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Rick Swearingen confirmed that the raid occurred in a statement reported by <a href="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/police-raid-home-of-former-florida-data-scientist-rebekah-jones/2338530/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NBC6 South Florida</a>. However, he denied that weapons were pointed at anyone during the incident. He said that agents knocked and called Jones, but that she hung up on them and refused to answer the door for 20 minutes.</p><p>In a video of the incident posted by Jones on Twitter, police officers appeared at the door with guns drawn and asked Jones who else was in the house, the <a href="https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/12/07/agents-raid-home-fired-florida-data-scientist-who-built-covid-19-dashboard-rebekah-jones/6482817002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tallahassee Democrat reported</a>. When she said her husband and children were inside, one agent entered the home with his gun still drawn and told her husband to come downstairs. At one point, an agent told Jones to calm down.</p><p>"He just pointed a gun at my children!" she responded.</p>
<div id="57a30" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a7e2c2d30b597bb9502b68ce3806f84f"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1336065787900145665" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">1/ There will be no update today. At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardwa… https://t.co/GXDz5hd6Wh</div> — Rebekah Jones (@Rebekah Jones)<a href="https://twitter.com/GeoRebekah/statuses/1336065787900145665">1607377881.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The FDLE said they went to Jones's home to carry out a search warrant based on a complaint from the Department of Health (DOH), Jones' former employer.<br></p><p>"FDLE began an investigation November 10, 2020, after receiving a complaint from the Department of Health (DOH) regarding unauthorized access to a Department of Health messaging system which is part of an emergency alert system, to be used for emergencies only," FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said in a statement reported by the Tallahassee Democrat.</p><p>The case revolves around a message sent by an unidentified individual to the emergency alert system.</p>
<p>"It's time to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead," the message read. "You know this is wrong. You don't have to be a part of this. Be a hero. Speak out before it's too late."</p><p>AN FDLE investigator said he traced the message to an IP address linked to Jones' Comcast account. While an IP address shows where an internet connection was made, it does not prove Jones sent the message, tech experts told the Tallahassee Democrat.</p><p>Jones denied sending the message in an interview with <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/us/florida-search-warrant-raid-rebekah-jones-invs/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>. She said she lost access to government accounts when she was fired and did not have the skills to hack into them. She also denied the phrasing and data in the message were hers.</p><p>"The number of deaths that the person used wasn't even right," Jones told CNN. "They were actually under by about 430 deaths. I would never round down 430 deaths."</p>
<p>Jones <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/florida-coronavirus-database-scientist-fired-2646052460.html" target="_self">helped to design</a> Florida's highly praised coronavirus database before being fired in May. She said her dismissal came because she had refused to alter data on the dashboard in order to bolster support for re-opening. The DOH claimed she was fired for insubordination.</p><p>After she was fired, she developed her own <a href="https://floridacovidaction.com/" target="_blank">website</a> that tracks Florida coronavirus data, according to CNN. It is operated by one of the computers seized Monday. Jones said the police also took flash drives that contained "proof that [state officials] were lying in January about things like internal reports and notices from the CDC" and "evidence of illegal activities by the state." She said she accessed the reports legally and received some from others after she left the DOH.</p> <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429" target="_blank">DOH data</a> shows that Florida has experienced a total of 1,065,785 coronavirus cases and 19,282 resident deaths. Jones' <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bcfddbc51de6493e819db001274317e8/" target="_blank">website</a>, which was last updated Dec. 6, puts the totals at 1,153,415 cases and 19,423 deaths since March 1.
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