Geothermal energy production releases less carbon emissions than a coal power plant, but it is far from benign. In this video I report from the site of the proposed "Baltazor" geothermal energy

Geothermal energy production releases less carbon emissions than a coal power plant, but it is far from benign. In this video I report from the site of the proposed "Baltazor" geothermal energy project in northeastern Nevada, west of Denio. In my book "Bright Green Lies," myself and my co-authors explain some of the issues. Here's an excerpt: ---- "In Kenya, geothermal energy development is destroying a national park, where more than 90 new geothermal wells were drilled between 2014 and 2017, meaning more roads were punched across the park and more habitat was destroyed or fragmented. Maasai people have been violently evicted en masse. [Geothermal] drilling releases mercury, arsenic, and boron into groundwater. And water for drilling wells—about 8 million gallons per month, a number expected to rise sharply—is taken from a local lake which is part of a wetland of international importance. ... Geothermal drilling in Nevada is threatening a newly discovered toad species, the Dixie Valley toad. Its habitat, which measures only about four square miles, would be obliterated by a proposed geothermal power expansion. Another example: Iceland is volcanically active, and the country has become a center of geothermal-energy-harvesting facility construction. This industrialization is pushed relentlessly by bright greens, corporate green organizations and foundations, mining interests, climate activists, and pretty much everyone else who cares more about industry than life on the planet. This construction has been opposed by local environmentalists, who call it “geothermal ecocide.” The group Saving Iceland writes that “the exploitation of the Reykjanes peninsula’s geothermal areas spells the end of this magnificent nature of the peninsula as we know it. Test drilling and boreholes, endless roads and power lines, power plants and other infrastructure; all this would turn the Reykjanes peninsula—this unique land of natural volcanic wonders ... into a large industrial zone. But these are only the very visible impacts of the planned large-scale exploitation. Other environmental catastrophes are in fact inevitable with large-scale geothermal industry, becoming increasingly visible to the public as the green reputation of geothermal energy slowly decreases.” ... Geothermal facilities are also directly linked to pollution in Iceland. Between 1999 and 2012, levels of sulfur dioxide rose 71 percent in the Reykjavik area due mainly to geothermal plants. This is causing acid rain and respiratory conditions, and worsening heart problems. Elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide from geothermal-energy-harvesting facilities have also been linked to higher death rates. Geothermal waste fluid, which contains “high concentrations of heavy metals and other toxic elements including radon, arsenic, mercury, ammonia, and boron,” has been released into groundwater. Iceland is currently planning or building at least 21 major geothermal-energy-harvesting facilities, some of them in the highlands, the largest wilderness in Europe. The technology for drilling geothermal wells was developed primarily by the oil and gas industry. Geothermal brine injection shares many techniques and problems with fracking. In fact, a relatively new technology called “enhanced geothermal systems” (EGS) borrows fracking technology directly, using the same method of injecting high-pressure slurries to fracture subterranean rock formations. The only difference is that fracking releases gas, while EGS releases superheated water and steam. Like fracking for gas, geothermal fracking poisons groundwater and causes earthquakes. And like fracking for gas, geothermal fracking typically uses a wide range of toxic chemicals. At one site in Oregon, these include naphthalene, safranin, rhodamine, lithium, cesium, rubidium, fluorescein, plastics, and any number of trade-secret compounds. This technology is already used in Nevada, Oregon, Australia, Europe, and elsewhere." ---- #Greenwashing #BrightGreenLies #Geothermal #Ecocide #Waste #Overconsumption More about the Baltazor project: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/humboldt-river-field-office-publish-final-environmental-assessment-baltazor More about the book Bright Green Lies: https://www.maxwilbert.org/books/

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On September 18, 2024, two sessions will explore the critical impact of digital transformation on jobs and skills. The first, "Digital skills for jobs," will address global challenges and opportunities, focusing on strategies to enhance workforce skills for diverse demographics. Experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Stanford, and other organizations will discuss best practices for digital skills development.

The second session, "Industry perspective on skills needs," will feature leaders from companies like Microsoft, Huawei, and SAP. They will discuss core skills for digital transformation, identify growth sectors, and share how companies adapt through skilling programs and talent acquisition. This aims to inform policymakers and training institutions on market demands.

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Bret Baier's *To Rescue the Republic* explores Ulysses S. Grant's critical role from the Civil War through Reconstruction and the 1876 electoral crisis. Grant led the Union Army to victory, advanced Reconstruction as President, and forged a compromise that saved the nation, albeit at a cost to civil rights.

This program, featuring Bret Baier and moderated by Melissa Caen, was part of The Commonwealth Club's Good Lit series. Founded in 1903, the Club is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, hosting diverse speakers and over 400 annual events.

For more content: Subscribe, Upcoming Events, Become a Member, Donate, and Watch & Listen.

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Human rights activists and business leaders Alex Gladstein and Fadi Elsalameen discussed Bitcoin's significance in the Middle East. Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and co-author of "The Little Bitcoin Book," connects dissidents with leaders to promote free societies.

Elsalameen, a critic of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, is known for pro-democracy and anti-corruption work, facing death threats. He is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the American Security Project. Jonathan Curiel moderated this October 18, 2021 event.

The Commonwealth Club of California, the nation's oldest public affairs forum, hosted this discussion. Explore more: Videos, Events, Membership, Donate.

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Growing concern about beef's environmental impact faces political backlash, driving new climate commitments. Food and climate experts will discuss the climate science of beef, exploring effective solutions, regenerative practices, and emission reduction strategies. They will also examine carbon markets, consumer awareness, and how cultural factors influence the debate.

Renowned experts Dr. Jonathan Foley (Project Drawdown), Dr. Matthew Hayek (NYU), and Dr. Silvia Secchi (University of Iowa) will lead this discussion. Sign up for our Food X e-newsletter: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/food-x/

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Full Episode Drops Sat. July 25th Here: https://ccl.podbean.com/e/ccr-50-big-climate-problems-require-bigger-global-solutions/ Think of this CCR episode as a patchwork quilt. Instead of one long

Full Episode Drops Sat. July 25th Here: https://ccl.podbean.com/e/ccr-50-big-climate-problems-require-bigger-global-solutions/ Think of this CCR episode as a patchwork quilt. Instead of one long main segment, the Art House, and the Puzzler Question, we have sewed together five shorter segments from around the world that each stand alone. Together they tell a larger story. Olivia Oguadinma in Nigeria discusses the role of storytelling in motivating her peers to meaningful action. Through her Gems on Earth podcast she reaches young people throughout Western Africa and beyond. Doerte Wihan, a mother of five and a kindergarten teacher in Berlin, Germany, had not given climate change much of a thought. Then she attended a student climate strike with one of her children. This one event launched her into the world of extreme climate change activism. She is now a member of the climate protest group, Extinction Rebellion. She talks about her dramatic transformation and the strength she has found being in community with fellow climate activists. Artist Shane Petzer in Barrydale, South Africa talks about turning trash into art. Through the Magpie Art Collective, he and fellow artists create breathtakingly beautiful chandeliers all made from trash. Two of these hung in the White House in the Obama’s private quarters. During this time of Coronavirus lockdown, Magpie Art Collective have partnered with the Quakers in the Western Cape to create #QuakerPeaceDoves. Find out about how you can take part in the collective remotely and turn your trash into art. And in the USA we feature Solomon Goldstein-Rose. In 2017 at the age 22 Solomon was elected to Massachusetts legislature. After a two year term, he decided he would not run again. Instead he has been ramping up his efforts to get us thinking and acting about climate change. In March just as the Covid-19 Global Pandemic shut everything down, Solomon published his first book: The 100% Solution. A Plan for Solving Climate Change. The book is filled with whimsical and technically accurate illustrations by visual artist and writer, Violet Kitchen. She tells us about the role art can play in change movements.

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