NPR

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Reducing Climate Pollution Saves Lives, Study Finds : NPR

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions quickly would save tens of millions of lives worldwide, a new study finds. It's the latest indication that climate change is deadly to humans, and that the benefits of transitioning to a cleaner economy could be profound.

In recent years, the connection between a hotter planet and human death and disease has become clearer, thanks to a series of research papers. A study published in 2021 found that about a third of heat-related deaths worldwide can be directly attributed to human-caused climate change. A 2020 Lancet report warned that climate change is the biggest global public health threat of the century.

But those findings have not been factored into one of the three major computer models that scientists, economists and the federal government use to calculate the societal costs of carbon emissions. That means economists and policymakers may be underestimating the cost of climate change to human life.

Many Nights Sunsets

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Often you can get the best sunset looking down from Hector Backbone. But all week, the sunsets have been very dull, because the sun has been setting into the haze and clouds far above the horizon. Kind of a bummer, but the sun sure was red.

Taken on Sunday July 25, 2021 at Finger Lakes National Forest.

Census won’t release key annual survey because of pandemic’s impact on data

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Census won’t release key annual survey because of pandemic’s impact on data

The Census Bureau announced Thursday that it will not produce its annual American Community Survey, which provides detailed demographic data widely used for research and billions of dollars in federal funding decisions, because of how the coronavirus pandemic skewed survey results.

The data for the 2020 ACS did not meet agency standards, Census officials said. Instead, the agency will release an “experimental” dataset that includes less information than the normal release.

As a result of the pandemic, ACS responses skewed toward wealthier, more educated individuals — too many to account for with statistical adjustments, Donna Daily, chief of the bureau’s ACS office, told reporters. The Census Bureau could not move ACS data gathering from the height of the pandemic lockdowns last spring, unlike the delay the agency used for the decennial census.

The stupidity of the Capitol Insurrection Hearings ✊🏻🇺🇲✊🏿🏦

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It’s dumb that the focus on the Capitol Insurrection Hearings so far has been about the failure to protect the building made of gold and marble and the disorderly environment the millionaires who dominate the halls of congress faced.

The real problem is why wasn’t there sufficient policing and crowd management to ensure Stop the Steal and other protestors could get out their message in an orderly, safe fashion that minimized harm to people and property. Arrests and violence by the police should be the last resort but also protestors shouldn’t be allowed to get into dangerous situations where they can harm themselves or others.

Hatred of the message makes it easy for law enforcement and politicians to abuse the protestors. But no matter how idiotic their message is, they have the right to be heard. Stop the Steal is dumb and conspiracy minded but they still have a message worth hearing but maybe not taken seriously. We the taxpayers pay cops to keep everyone safe – and keep protests relative orderly. Not just to guard the people in the house of gold, but the protestors too.

What happened at the US Capitol was very bad, but it’s not the fault of the protestors primarily but that of law enforcement and those who deprived them of the necessary resources to keep people safe. The trumped up charges against protestors is unjustified when the people ultimately responsible are those who work at the Capitol and failed to create a safe environment for people – many very unhappy with the election result – to get out and be heard.

July 29, 2021 – Looking Ahead This Week

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I think we are done with the heaviest rain now, 💦 but maybe we will get some more. I think I am going to go for a quick afternoon swim later on at Watkins Glen Park and then get groceries and head back to camp.

I am a bit disappointed with Friday’s weather, but I think it will improve as the day goes on. Kind of like yesterday. ⛅ Maybe I can just have another lazy morning, although I’m watching as vacation quickly fades away before my eyes.

Saturday sure looks nice, but cold. Maybe good weather for hiking. 🚶‍♀️ I know the parts of the trip that are most memorable are those places that are unique and different. The trick is to think up new places to hike. Alternatively, I could go to Taughannock Falls State Park, swim, paddle and fish there. I do need to take the kayak off my truck, clean off any hydrilla 🌱 and maybe wash it down with a light bleach solution before I take it anywhere else in the water.

Sunday, if it’s not real nice, I might leave earlier, but I am in no rush to get back home.

Weather Summary
This Afternoon.
Feels like …
September 17th.		 Heavy Rain and 74 degrees , 8:29 sunset.
Tonight.
Feels like …
August 20th.		 Chance of T-storms then Chance of Showers and 60 degrees , 5:58 sunrise.
Friday.
Feels like …
October 7th.		 Chance of Showers and 65 degrees , 67 max dew point, 8:29 sunset.
Friday Night.
Feels like …
September 24th.		 Mostly Clear and 49 degrees , 5:59 sunrise.
Saturday.
Feels like …
September 19th.		 Sunny and 73 degrees , 48 max dew point, 8:28 sunset.
Saturday Night.
Feels like …
September 6th.		 Chance of Showers and 56 degrees , 6:00 sunrise.
Sunday.
Feels like …
September 21st.		 Showers is likely and 72 degrees , 55 max dew point, 8:27 sunset.
Sunday Night.
Feels like …
September 9th.		 Showers is likely then Chance of Showers and 55 degrees , 6:01 sunrise.
Monday.
Feels like …
September 21st.		 Mostly Sunny and 72 degrees , 59 max dew point, 8:25 sunset.
Monday Night.
Feels like …
September 12th.		 Mostly Clear and 54 degrees , 6:02 sunrise.
Tuesday.
Feels like …
September 14th.		 Mostly Sunny and 75 degrees , 56 max dew point, 8:24 sunset.
Tuesday Night.
Feels like …
September 3rd.		 Partly Cloudy and 57 degrees , 6:03 sunrise.
Wednesday.
Feels like …
September 5th.		 Mostly Sunny then Chance of T-storms and 78 degrees , 59 max dew point, 8:23 sunset.

AG James reaches deal with EPA to combat smog

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AG James reaches deal with EPA to combat smog

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday reached a tentative multi-state agreement that is aimed at reducing smog.

The agreement must still be finalized by a court.

Under the deal, federal environmental regulations would take final action on "good neighbor" plans by a half-dozen states meant to limit ground-level ozone emissions that can produce smog. The agreement also includes New York City as well as Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Jersey in addition to New York state.

It's estimated that on bad air quality days, nearly two-thirds of New York's population — about 12.5 million people — are subjected to unhealthy levels of smog.