Mary Soderstrom's Blog, page 84
May 15, 2013
Melting Glaciers: a Sign of Things to Come?
The Swansea University scientists say that this is not, in and of itself, evidence of climate change, but it sure is change of some kind.
In this video, posted May 14, 2013, a five km front of ice calves off from the Helheim Glacier in Greenland over a two hour period. Simply spectacular--and very thought provoking....
In this video, posted May 14, 2013, a five km front of ice calves off from the Helheim Glacier in Greenland over a two hour period. Simply spectacular--and very thought provoking....
May 14, 2013
Do You Really Need a Car? Seems That Not All Younger Folk Think So.
When I grew up in Southern California, getting a driver's license was a rite of passage. I actually got mine before I was 16, and Lee didn't even ask me out when we were at Berkeley until he could take me some place in a car (where that was is a story for another time!)
But ease of public transportation was a major reason behind choosing where we live. Lee could walk to work, and, even though Elin was only 7 months old when we moved in, I foresaw that it would be easier to control drinking and driving in adolesence if the kids could catch a bus home (or walk as Lukas did frequently.) The result was that neither one of them were in a hurry to get a license: Elin was 26 before she got hers, even though she's 5'3" and plays an instrument whose case comes up to her shoulder. Lukas and Sophie actually own a car, since she needs it because she teaches in the 'burbs, but Lukas is still working on his learner's permit.
It seems though that they may be "early adopters." At least, The New York Times today reports that Americans are driving less, and that the trend is being led by the Millennials, young people who've come of age in this century.
Always knew I had cool kids....
The photo, BTW, was chosen to show the waves of the future--buses and "he force that through the green fuse drives the flower."
But ease of public transportation was a major reason behind choosing where we live. Lee could walk to work, and, even though Elin was only 7 months old when we moved in, I foresaw that it would be easier to control drinking and driving in adolesence if the kids could catch a bus home (or walk as Lukas did frequently.) The result was that neither one of them were in a hurry to get a license: Elin was 26 before she got hers, even though she's 5'3" and plays an instrument whose case comes up to her shoulder. Lukas and Sophie actually own a car, since she needs it because she teaches in the 'burbs, but Lukas is still working on his learner's permit.It seems though that they may be "early adopters." At least, The New York Times today reports that Americans are driving less, and that the trend is being led by the Millennials, young people who've come of age in this century.
Always knew I had cool kids....
The photo, BTW, was chosen to show the waves of the future--buses and "he force that through the green fuse drives the flower."
Do You Really Need a Car? Seems That Not All Younger Folk This So.
When I grew up in Southern California, getting a driver's license was a rite of passage. I actually got mine before I was 16, and Lee didn't even ask me out when we were at Berkeley until he could take me some place in a car (where that was is a story for another time!)
But ease of public transportation was a major reason behind choosing where we live. Lee could walk to work, and, even though Elin was only 7 months old when we moved in, I foresaw that it would be easier to control drinking and driving in adolesence if the kids could catch a bus home (or walk as Lukas did frequently.) The result was that neither one of them were in a hurry to get a license: Elin was 26 before she got hers, even though she's 5'3" and plays an instrument whose case comes up to her shoulder. Lukas and Sophie actually own a car, since she needs it because she teaches in the 'burbs, but Lukas is still working on his learner's permit.
It seems though that they may be "early adopters." At least, The New York Times today reports that Americans are driving less, and that the trend is being led by the Millennials, young people who've come of age in this century.
Always knew I had cool kids....
The photo, BTW, was chosen to show the waves of the future--buses and "he force that through the green fuse drives the flower."
But ease of public transportation was a major reason behind choosing where we live. Lee could walk to work, and, even though Elin was only 7 months old when we moved in, I foresaw that it would be easier to control drinking and driving in adolesence if the kids could catch a bus home (or walk as Lukas did frequently.) The result was that neither one of them were in a hurry to get a license: Elin was 26 before she got hers, even though she's 5'3" and plays an instrument whose case comes up to her shoulder. Lukas and Sophie actually own a car, since she needs it because she teaches in the 'burbs, but Lukas is still working on his learner's permit.It seems though that they may be "early adopters." At least, The New York Times today reports that Americans are driving less, and that the trend is being led by the Millennials, young people who've come of age in this century.
Always knew I had cool kids....
The photo, BTW, was chosen to show the waves of the future--buses and "he force that through the green fuse drives the flower."
May 13, 2013
Some Monday Photos from the Jardin botanique
The more I think about the plan to charge high fees to visit Montreal's Jardin botanique, the more annoyed I get. When we first came here eons ago, it was completely free. Then they added charges for the greenhouses. Fees to enter the outside gardens followed, although residents who had the Accès Montréal card, could visit free. 
But now, because there's some special show this summer, very high fees are going to be charged--$18.75 for Accès Montréal card holder, and more for others. A few friends and I have begu campaigning to stop the idea in its tracks. Here's the Facebook page:
And here the photos are some that I've taken over the year--the Jardin is a lovely place, a real outdoor living room for city dwellers.
May 12, 2013
Saturday Photo: Say No to Fees at the Jardin botanique
Once upon a time you could get into Montreal's Jardin botanique for nothing, anytime. Then fees were added for the greenhouses, and for non-Montrealers who wanted to visit the outside gardens.Until this year, residents of the city had the option of buying a $8 Accès Montréal card which gave free entry to the outside gardens, as well as reduced rates at municipal pools and other resources.
But this summer, because some fancy floral show will be on, everybody is going to have to pay, and pay a lot--$18.75 for card holders, even more for those who don't.
This policy is starting to be criticized and with any lucky municipal officials will change their minds. Check out the Facebook page designed to register you disaccord with the idea.
May 10, 2013
A New Generation Discovers Robert Nelson
Robert Nelson has new fans! The leader of the 1838 phase of Lower Canada's Rebellion and president of the Republic of Lower Canada has his own page and song produced by the Quebec hip hop group Alaclair.Well, it helps that one of the leaders of the group has taken on the persona of the original Nelson, born in 1793. There's video below of the new Nelson urging people to vote before last September's provincial elections.
More power to him. Maybe Robert Nelson the Elder, who was great Patriot and champion of democracy and civil rights, will finally get his due. I tried with a fictionalized biography that made a small splash, but the word needs to proclaimed far and wide.
May 9, 2013
Trees Offer Hope in the Climate Change Battle
I may have mentioned that I'm working on a new non-fiction project--rather vague at the moment, but having to do with time, roads and the traces that humans leave on the landscape. At the moment, my reading is leading me into the woods, literally.
And one of the amazing research I've come across has to do with what reforestation can do to sequester carbon dioxide. One group of researchers led by scientists at Stanford have found evidence that the decimation of Native North Americans after first contact with Europeans led to an incredible increase in forests cover, enough to account for part of the 16th and 17th century cooling called the Little Ice Age.
Another group, also including Stanford scientists as well as some from the Max Planck Institute add that Genghis Khan's ravages in the 13th century also led to depopulation of great tracks of Eurasia. When land that had previously been farmed grew back as forest, the carbon balance was substantially changed.
Julia Pongratz, the lead author of the second articel, says the study has relevance for the world's current climate crisis: "Today about a quarter of the net primary production on the Earth’s land surface is used by humans in some way, mostly through agriculture. […]. In the past we have had a substantial impact on global climate and the carbon cycle, but it was all unintentional. Based on the knowledge we have gained from the past, we are now in a position to make land-use decisions that will diminish our impact on climate and the carbon cycle. We cannot ignore the knowledge we have gained."
Plant a tree? Maybe a little study of this low tech option would help, along with stopping deforestation and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
And one of the amazing research I've come across has to do with what reforestation can do to sequester carbon dioxide. One group of researchers led by scientists at Stanford have found evidence that the decimation of Native North Americans after first contact with Europeans led to an incredible increase in forests cover, enough to account for part of the 16th and 17th century cooling called the Little Ice Age.
Another group, also including Stanford scientists as well as some from the Max Planck Institute add that Genghis Khan's ravages in the 13th century also led to depopulation of great tracks of Eurasia. When land that had previously been farmed grew back as forest, the carbon balance was substantially changed.
Julia Pongratz, the lead author of the second articel, says the study has relevance for the world's current climate crisis: "Today about a quarter of the net primary production on the Earth’s land surface is used by humans in some way, mostly through agriculture. […]. In the past we have had a substantial impact on global climate and the carbon cycle, but it was all unintentional. Based on the knowledge we have gained from the past, we are now in a position to make land-use decisions that will diminish our impact on climate and the carbon cycle. We cannot ignore the knowledge we have gained."
Plant a tree? Maybe a little study of this low tech option would help, along with stopping deforestation and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
May 8, 2013
The Best Music for Summer Weather: Sketches of Spain with Signs of
One of my few claims to cool is that I've been a Miles Davis fan since infancy, or thereabouts. I remember buying this on vinyl one glorious summer Saturday in Berkeley and taking it home to listen with all the windows open.
Definitely: the perfect good weather music.
And of course there's a little political connection: Spain and Italy may actually get it together to tell the big bankers that austerity doesn't work. Associated Press reported Monday that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italian Premier Enrico Letta urged :the eurozone to focus more on spurring economic growth instead of just reducing debt....
"Europe must focus on getting more young people into the workforce and alleviating the financial hardships ordinary people are facing, Letta said. In particular, he warned, if an upcoming June EU summit ends with another "bureaucratic, routine, formal" result, the 2014 elections for the European Parliament could see a rise in victory for anti-European parties."
Maybe this is good music for cool action too.
Definitely: the perfect good weather music.
And of course there's a little political connection: Spain and Italy may actually get it together to tell the big bankers that austerity doesn't work. Associated Press reported Monday that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italian Premier Enrico Letta urged :the eurozone to focus more on spurring economic growth instead of just reducing debt....
"Europe must focus on getting more young people into the workforce and alleviating the financial hardships ordinary people are facing, Letta said. In particular, he warned, if an upcoming June EU summit ends with another "bureaucratic, routine, formal" result, the 2014 elections for the European Parliament could see a rise in victory for anti-European parties."
Maybe this is good music for cool action too.
May 7, 2013
Charles Ramsey's Analysis of What's Wrong with America
Far too much stuff this morning--a day when there are huge stories on the international scene--about the bizarre escape of three young women after, it would seem, about 10 years of captivity. But, curiously, one of the most telling criticisms of American culture came out in an interview with Charles Ramsey, the neighbor who knocked the door down to get Amanda Berry out.
Pressed by TV reporters to explain what happened, he ended by saying: “Bro, I knew something was wrong when a little pretty white girl run into a black man’s arms. Something is wrong here. Dead giveaway.”
And
“She homeless or she got problems. Only reason she runnin’ to a black man.”
Yeah. That just about sums it up. There are a lot of disturbed people out there living in a racist society, and, despite having a president who is a man of colour, the path the country is taking is toward greater inequality on many fronts.
Pressed by TV reporters to explain what happened, he ended by saying: “Bro, I knew something was wrong when a little pretty white girl run into a black man’s arms. Something is wrong here. Dead giveaway.”
And
“She homeless or she got problems. Only reason she runnin’ to a black man.”
Yeah. That just about sums it up. There are a lot of disturbed people out there living in a racist society, and, despite having a president who is a man of colour, the path the country is taking is toward greater inequality on many fronts.
May 6, 2013
The Edible Urban Gardener: Ron Finley in South LA
Okay, how do you bring gardens to the city? Here's one man's crusade. Ron Finley gardens in South Los Angeles, and if he can do it, you can do it.
