Cool stuff that’s too small for a big article
Just like it says, Popcorn Shorts is about the kind of things we think are really interesting, but don’t really need a large article to explain them. From the sublime to the ridiculous, check in here for crunchy bits of info you’ll love to munch. By the way, much (but not necessarily all) of our delicious Popcorn comes from articles we’ve posted on our Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, please stop by and “Like” us and we’ll keep a fairly-constant-but-not-frequent-enough-to-be-annoying stream of these coming to your virtual door!
The US spends 10 times more on fossil fuel subsidies than on education
from Forbes Magazine, Jun 2019– “Despite nations worldwide committing to a reduction in carbon emissions and implementing renewable energy through the Paris Agreement, the IMF’s findings expose how fossil fuels continue to receive huge amounts of taxpayer funding. The report explains that fossil fuels account for 85% of all global subsidies and that they remain largely attached to domestic policy. Had nations reduced subsidies in a way to create efficient fossil fuel pricing in 2015, the International Monetary Fund believes that it “would have lowered global carbon emissions by 28 percent and fossil fuel air pollution deaths by 46 percent, and increased government revenue by 3.8 percent of GDP.”
Kids’ Climate Lawsuit: CASE DISMISSED!
from KQED Science, Jan 2020– “A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit by 21 young people who claimed the U.S. government’s climate policies and reliance on fossil fuels harms them, jeopardizes their future and violates their constitutional rights… The Oregon-based youth advocacy group Our Children’s Trust filed the lawsuit in 2015 in Eugene on behalf of the youngsters. It sought an injunction ordering the government to implement a plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide emission. The case had bounced around the federal courts for five years and multiple trial dates were canceled…It wasn’t immediately clear if any further legal avenues were open to the plaintiffs and their attorneys. Our Children’s Trust and Earth Guardians did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment.”
“Xenobots” made by AI from living cells… but don’t worry, they’re cute
from Gizmodo, Jan 2020- “With the help of a supercomputer, scientists have built tiny machines comprised entirely made of biological materials. “These are novel living machines,” said Joshua Bongard, a roboticist from the University of Vermont and a co-leader of the new study, in a press release. “They’re neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal. It’s a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism.” these xenobots are remarkably lifelike in that they’re comprised entirely of biological materials, feed off energy supplied by their cells, move with intent, and even repair their injuries.”
Our national parks are ending right now
from the Guardian, Jan 2020- “For more than 100 years, professional management of our national parks has been respected under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Yes, they have different priorities… but the career public servants of the National Park Service (NPS), charged with stewarding America’s most important places, such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Statue of Liberty, were left to do their jobs. This time is different. The change began within 24 hours of the inauguration when Donald Trump complained that the NPS was reporting smaller crowds on the National Mall than Obama had drawn…
