Good for Business -- World's Largest Shipping Company Heads Into Arctic As Global Warming Opens The Way

World's Largest Shipping Company Heads Into Arctic As Global Warming Opens The Way

Maersk, the world's largest container line, is about to test the frigid waters of the Arctic in a trial of shorter shipping lanes that could become viable as warmer temperatures open up the Northern Sea Route. On or around Sept.

The Atlantic Ocean is Invading the Arctic - and Winning

The Atlantic Ocean is invading the Arctic - and winning

The big picture: The Arctic is warming at a faster rate than any other region on Earth, and scientists have been documenting sweeping changes to the native ecosystems in this vast region. The fastest warming area of the Arctic is a remote expanse of stormy waters located north of Europe and Asia: The Barents and Kara Seas.

The Rapidly-Thawing Permafrost is Full of Mercury

The rapidly-thawing permafrost is full of mercury

As the Frozen North becomes, well, less-frozen, plenty of ancient and unsettling things could emerge from the great permafrost thaw, like giant viruses and vast stores of greenhouse gases. Apparently we need to add the neurotoxin mercury to that list.

Some Arctic Ground No Longer Freezing-Even in Winter

Exclusive: Some Arctic Ground No Longer Freezing-Even in Winter

Nikita Zimov was teaching students to do ecological fieldwork in northern Siberia when he stumbled on a disturbing clue that the frozen land might be thawing far faster than expected. Zimov, like his father, Sergey Zimov, has spent years running a research station that tracks climate change in the rapidly warming Russian Far East.

Arctic's Strongest Sea Ice Breaks Up for First Time on Record

Arctic's strongest sea ice breaks up for first time on record

The oldest and thickest sea ice in the Arctic has started to break up, opening waters north of Greenland that are normally frozen, even in summer. This phenomenon - which has never been recorded before - has occurred twice this year due to warm winds and a climate-change driven heatwave in the northern hemisphere.

A Village in India Where Clean Living Became a Tourist Attraction

A Village in India Where Clean Living Became a Tourist Attraction

SURFACING Mawlynnong, a village in northeastern India, attracts throngs of visitors eager for a slice of village life, lush gardens and a tradition of cleanliness. Hidden in the lush greenery of the East Khasi hills of Meghalaya State along the Indian border with Bangladesh lies the pristine village of Mawlynnong.

Join Durham's New Grannies and Grandpas Against Global Warming

If you are “of a certain age*” you are invited to help in the founding of a new activist environmental organization—Durham’s Grannies and Grandpas Against Global Warming!

Grannies and Grandpas will seek to engage decision makers on a personal level, focusing on a simple message: If politicians and the leaders of corporations and energy companies really care about their children and grandchildren (or anybody’s children and grandchildren), they need to take action to slow global warming now!

Twenty years from now, when the chaos created by unchecked global warming will really be hitting home, are they going to be able to look their offspring in the eye and say that back in the day, they did everything they could? Or for that matter when they come home from work tomorrow will they be able to look their offspring in the eye and say they are doing everything they can?

Grannies and Grandpas will bring this message—in person, whenever possible—to elected officials, government employees, corporate leaders. Even here in progressive Durham, there is much that needs to be done.

*Requirements for membership:

--at least some silver hair—or a note from your hairdresser explaining why you don’t have any!

--grandchildren are nice (very nice, actually) but not absolutely required.

The first meeting of Durham’s Grannies and Grandpas Against Global Warming will be held downstairs at The Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth Street, Tuesday August 28, starting at 7:00. We will get to know each other, decide on our initial local projects, and take some beginning steps at getting organized. When the formal meeting ends, those that wish to can continue the conversation at a nearby location serving food and drink--there are a number to choose from!

If you plan on coming, please email, off-list, so we have a rough idea of how many people to expect. If you can’t make this meeting but would like to stay informed of future activities, please email that as well. And please help spread the word!

Let’s pass on a livable world to our children and grandchildren!

Thanks,

Tom Campbell,

(a.k.a. Grandpa Tom), recently retired co-owner of The Regulator Bookshop tcnc66@gmail.com