Update about blogCa

Who knew all this would happen afterwards! Flat Creek in Feb. 2024. Much changed by the force of the hurricane floods in Sept. 2024.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Sustainability vs mining cost, and art, and gun violence measures

 From this article by PBS "How Mining affects people and the planet" - on 

PBS NewsHour follow@newshour.org via mcc.mcsv.net 

Before a solar panel can be installed on a roof or an electric bus can hit the streets, manufacturers first have to get their hands on key metals and minerals.


But to meet the demands of the transition away from fossil fuels, experts say more sustainable approaches are needed to minimize the effects the mining industry can have on the planet, people and their communities.




The question of how to pull off this balancing act is one of the many topics that world leaders, policymakers, researchers and others will discuss at the ongoing COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

Experts say it’s crucial to figure out how we can mine more responsibly and efficiently to meet the needs of the clean energy transition, and some note that part of the answer also requires consumers to think more critically about their energy demands.
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A link to an artist's miniature landscapes: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2023/12/house-of-wonders-miniatures/ by Caroline Dewison.


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And for those who [still] hope to curb gun violence in America...

The only thing that students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas should have been worried about yesterday was studying for their final exams.

Instead, a day of studies turned into a day of terror when a shooter opened fire on campus—just hours after extreme members of the U.S. Senate blocked votes on key gun safety legislation.

I am heartbroken. I am devastated. I am angry. How many more innocent lives must be stolen until our elected officials decide that enough is enough?

My heart aches for the Las Vegas community—a city that is already all too familiar with the devastating impacts of gun violence. In 2017, we grieved alongside them when 60 people were killed and over 800 others wounded when a gunman opened fire at a music festival. Today, we must stand with them in mourning once again.

Our young people deserve so much better. That’s why I will not rest until we see a future where we can all live freely without the threat of gun violence.

Please, keep standing with me in this fight.

Sincerely,
Gabby Giffords

Yes, I've not posted about all the gun violence lately, because until we get a better body to represent the American public in state legislatures and Congress, it's a moot point.

Today's quote:

We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.

THICH NHAT HANH





hAPPY SECOND NIGHT OF HANUKKAH



10 comments:

  1. Hello,
    The gun violence is increasing every day, it is devastating. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. I and my grandchildren and my daughter-in-law aren't at all happy about the gun violence.

      Delete
  2. Gabby Giffords knows what she’s talking about. 😢

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A survivor of gun violence, and she has a voice. However those currently in power don't seem to really have any power to change a thing.

      Delete
  3. Love the cartoon! The more you think about sustainability the more difficult it seems - and more certain that it has to be achieved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I visualize this earth having a sustainable much smaller population of humans, without any of our technological devices at all. I just would hope for a peaceful way to resolve conflicts rather than violence.

      Delete
  4. Somehow, I cannot log in and comment under my name, but this is Sabine from interim arrangements.

    A cousin of my father was involved in developing one of the earlier photovoltaic systems, the so-called metal insulator silicone inversion layer cell. This was sometime in the 1990s and when he visited he would bring a collection of small toys like cars and windmills etc. fitted with that cell that he held into the sunlight so they would move. I remember my husband grilling him about precious metals then. Anyway, the cousin and my father are now dead but a member of the younger generation of my family has been involved in researching alternatives to precious metals, mostly silver, in the manufacturing of solar cells.

    The news are good: https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2022/september-2022/out-with-the-silver-in-with-the-copper-a-new-boost-for-solar-cells.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the minerals on earth are limited, except maybe iron. Finding ways to continue to recycle the ones we have already mined would be nice. I'm going to check your link now.

      Delete

There is today, more than ever, the need for a compassionate regenerative world civilization.