The Post-Normal Times

Earlier today, the Lorax made an appearance in Montreal at the COP 11 climate meetings, to speak for the trees. In case you missed it, a few months ago I posted an ode to the Lorax by Jesse Ribot. I now have a video version that features the full set of illustrations that I will post as soon as I can figure out how to get it to a manageable size for downloading.

I have been to frantic to write any substantive posts and will be for at least a few more days but, for some live reporting from COP 11, and to find out who won the fossil of the day award this time, see the daily Climate Action Network newsletter
. And, of course, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin. Meanwhile, at the new blog launched by EcoEquity, Paul Baer challenges factually challenged reporters. I nominate CNN, MSNBC, and any other media source that spread the incomplete version of the AP story in which “[US Negotiator Harlan] Watson said… that Bush had committed to cutting greenhouses gases some 18 percent by 2012″ for a fossil of the day award. As Paul points out, the full story also quoted Alden Meyer from UCS, who corrected that assertion.

Chris Mooney is back from his book tour and is in the process of reading and reviewing “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science” by Tom Bethell, from which he has extracted this quote:

All science based on dire warnings about the future should be suspect, and all such science is almost by definition politicized–if only because democracy as presently constituted responds with undue haste to any and all claims of crisis. (p. ix)

Now I’m trying to remember any policy response at all to anything that is not a crisis. Maybe Chris can ask him that when he debates him tomorrow on the Fox radio show, 11 ET. I can hardly wait. A listing of local radio stations can be found here.As for the politicization of science, there has been a lot of comment in the blogosphere by those more prolific than me, that I have barely had time to keep up with. But a download on that is coming in my next post

If you think that almost 100 years of experience might improve response time for a disaster that is well anticipated, see this post by the Questionable Authority (and comments), regarding response to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Once the first responders to a disaster have done their job, and media coverage begins to fade, comes the hard and perhaps the most critical part – the reconstruction, which in the case of the Gulf Coast will shape the future of the whole country. So there is another new blog worthy of a regular read is the Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch, part of a project of the Institute for Southern Studies, to keep this process accountable and constructive. They are also accepting anonymous tips and monetary contributions towards an Investigative Fund so as to be able to provide comprehensive coverage of both the good and the bad, and identify actions that are needed.

Lastly, for those of you in the DC area, Margie and her band, Disaster Relief, continue their Round the Beltway Tour to raise Katrina relief funds. Next stop, Domku, tomorrow, Wednesday the 16th, 8:30 pm – in Margie’s words:

Hey y’all!!!

Just wanted to let you all know me and my band Disaster Relief are continuing our Refugees Round the Beltway tour. Next stop: deej out at Domku! If you haven’t been to Domku, now’s your chance to munch on some great food, drink butt kicking Belgian beers, and hang with great friends on a Wednesday night! It’s at 821 Upshur St NW in Petworth. Kickoff is at 830p! Join me and my unusual suspects: LT King on Drums, Don Fede on bass, the fabulous Sandy Bishop on vocals, and guest performers Bruce Blaylock on guitar, Paul Hyland of the Oxymorons and Moshe Adler on percussion, and very special guest John Penovich on guitar. (You might know him from a little ol band called the Cravin Dogs!!!) Not that the rest of my band isn’t very special, but you know what I mean. Anyone else want to join the band? Let me know!!!! Doornation is $5 most of which is going to MusiCares cuz they were kind enough to hook me up after the storm [that would be Katrina, you short-memory freaks --ed] Also: Save the date of Tuesday December 13! We’re planning a Christmas Extravaganza at Bangkok Blues with Disaster Relief and the Oxymorons!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your support. So far we’ve managed to raise over $3,700 for Share Our
Strength, Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Blues Queen Marva Wright. Your contributions are
greatly appreciated. Hope to see you Wednesday!!!!

I just stumbled over another related blog during some late night surfing – Resilience Science - which seems to have started around the same time as PNT – the more the merrier! For your reading pleasure, a good post discussing regime change that may be underway – but not the kind any one wants. It is in the arctic. Roger Pielke Sr. also elaborates. I have added both to the blogroll – along with the blog of James Annan, who has been challenging so-called climate skeptics to put their money where their mouth is, and Stoat (aka, William Connolley) who “takes science by the throat” with good discussion of the latest findings in climate science. In other additions to the sidebar, James Risbey has been added to the PNT Board of Advisors. PNT has also joined the Circle of Science Assessment, where you can find links to more science and policy blogs. Given that I have had some deadlines, this blog has gone off on a few tangents lately – but a number of actual science and policy posts are brewing.