Harvard Climate Denier backed by Energy Industry

The scientific community agrees that climate change is happening, although not every single scientist agrees that it is man-made. Those that tend to say it is caused by something else are Astronomers, Physicists and Astrophysicists – whose understanding and knowledge of the climate are little to none. Since most received their education from elite universities, their opinion carries a certain legitimacy to it. This is the case with a known climate denier currently at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics – Willie Soon. 

According to The Guardian, over USD 1.25 million of his research funds came – and possibly still do – from pro-oil, coal and natural gas companies, i.e. Exxon Mobil, Southern Company and the American Petroleum Institute – a Koch brothers-run foundation. This means that in exchange for funding his research, Soon would appear in national settings and give speeches on why climate change was happening due to solar activity rather than humanity's own ecological choices. 

His research on solar activity on the climate has even been cited by Congressmen looking to oppose legislation on lessening carbon emissions in the United States – among them is Senator James Inhofe from Oklahoma. Instead of basing their arguments on misleading research, politicians in Washington should look to credible organizations like the National Academy of Sciences in forming their policy debates. 

The Guardian notes that Soon is only a staff researcher and not on salary at Harvard. It seems that by using the organizations to which he works for – Harvard and the Smithsonian – Willie Soon has managed to mislead many on the true causes of climate change and continue to damage our planet. In order to stop individuals like Soon from misusing trust and the prestige of organizations like the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, an appropriate action should be taken to reveal others' funding sources and show the true motives of their research. 


Work of prominent climate change denier was funded by energy industry

TRAVEL: Wonderful, Charming, Granada

When you hear about Granada, people tell you how wonderful, charming and homey it is. With so many people in Spain having been there already, we made it our destination this past weekend (Feb. 13^th-Feb. 15^th). Although Shannon had been there twice, this time we both got to experience new things. Instead of flying to this Andalusian city, we decided to take a 5-hour bus ride there. Yes, it was long and a bit uncomfortable but ultimately pleasant. As you go further down from Madrid, you see more vegetation, and the landscape becomes more mountainous. 

We were lucky enough to stay near Plaza Nueva, a prime location to be at. Hungry after a long trip, we searched online for restaurant recommendations and found Cacho & Pepe – a small, Italian take-out place less than 2 minutes from where we stayed. The smell was heavenly, and the place – although small – was very homey. Shannon and I ordered a home-made pumpkin and almond lasagna, and let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it. 

 

 (source: http://slowhomes.es/blog/utiles-visitante/)

The next day we woke up early to secure tickets to the wonderful Alhambra (the most visited attraction in all of Spain by the way), and got our workout out of the way after an uphill climb to the ticket office. That was alright, as we headed to the Hammam Arab Baths a few hours later to indulge in a sequence of hot, warm and cold baths, while drinking tea and getting a massage towards the end.

  

The Alhambra was our next destination after securing our tickets, and having been rejuvenated from the Baths, we were ready for more walking. Composing several areas within it – such as the Nasrid Palace, Palace of Charles V and Generalife – this UNESCO World Heritage Site did not disappoint. The beautiful architecture and water fountains everywhere gave it a calm and cooling place that symbolized the dominance Arab culture had in Spain hundreds of years ago. Our favorite part was listening to music – possibly flamenco or jazz – played in the distance while we were overlooking the city on the towers of the Alhambra, as the city life passed by, birds flew and the wind moved the clouds overhead.

It was an electrifying experience that defines what traveling and learning about our world is all about.

Local Madrid Government to Enforce Pollution Controls

With 2015 set to be an important step in combating climate change for future generations, the European Union passed a series of environmental laws aimed at reducing its carbon footprint throughout its Member States. Spain used to be known as a leader in wind power generation in Europe - and the world - but because of the financial crisis, Spain is only a shadow of what it used to be. 

In the city of Madrid, progress has stalled to reduce its NO2 emissions. However, that has apparently changed according to El Pais. According to the Spanish newspaper, March 1^st will be the first day restrictions will be made on the amount of vehicles circulating in the capital of the country. Looking to maintain NO2 levels within 400 micrograms per cubic meter, the city of Madrid will apply restrictions in several phases spanning three days. 

Madrid follows the examples of Lisbon, Paris, and London which have already established measures aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gases within their bustling, city centers. Specifically in Madrid, if the amount of NO2 exceeds a certain threshold, parking in the city center will be restricted to only local residents. This will (hopefully) motivate those looking to go to the center to take public transport and ultimately reduce contamination in the center. Living in Madrid and seeing these measures are great news for the environment, both because it will motivate businesses to change or improve their portfolio to be more sustainable. 

Madrid endurece las restricciones de tráfico en días de alta contaminación

What’s going on in Seattle? Police arrest black man because of golf club

It seems that police actions against minorities have proliferated in the past few months in the United States. As true as that may look like with the incidents involving Michael Brown, Garner and many others, many who have been victims of such actions say otherwise. Barack Obama said recently, “racial tensions surfacing ‘probably is healthy’.” That is because according to the president, this kind of mistrust is “hardly new.”

I agree with him. 

There is a higher interest from the media to these interactions between the police and minorities. It came a little late, but several individuals around the United States have been saved from better media coverage, and cameras used by patrol vehicles. Seattle, WA. is the most recent example. The Washington Post reported a few days ago that in July of 2014, Cynthia Whitlatch, a Seattle officer, arrested a then 69 year old because he was using a golf club as a cane. 

Yes, a golf club. 

You can watch the video in the link found below, and see that Mr. William Wingate was just standing on a corner of a four-way intersection minding his own business, when Whitlatch approaches him telling him that he has a weapon. While the golf club could be used as a weapon, so could a pencil, a pocket knife, a computer, the list goes on. What this officer was thinking is beyond my imagination, but to simply stop your patrol car next to a 69 year old man who is not doing anything and is black creates many questions. 

To go even further, Whitlatch says that Wingate swung the golf club at her, using it as her main excuse to arrest him. A video footage never lies, and Wingate never tried to hurt anyone. Unfortunately he was in the wrong place, and at the wrong time. The country’s racial wounds will always be there, but we can always try to make them hurt a little less every day. 

Video shows Seattle cop arresting elderly black man using golf club as cane 

Obama: Racial tensions surfacing 'probably is healthy'