Climate change expected to sharply increase Western wildfire burn area — as much as 175% by the 2050s

A major new study, “Impacts of climate change from 2000 to 2050 on wildfire activity and carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in the western United States” finds a staggering increase in “wildfire activity and carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in the western United States” by mid-century under a moderate warming scenario:

We show that increases in temperature cause annual mean area burned in the western United States to increase by 54% by the 2050s relative to theSource: Climate Progress RSS Feed

Afraid Of NRA, Conservative Democratic Senators Waffle On Sotomayor Vote

Noting Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s record on the Second Amendment, Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) told Roll Call that that he is “undecided” on her nomination to the Supreme Court (although he added that he is “leaning toward voting in favor”). Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) expressed similar uncertainty:

“I accept her judicial philosophy of fidelity to the law,” Nelson said during a telephone conference call from Washington.

Nelson said he also believes Sotomayor isSource: Think Progress RSS Feed

North Korean Propaganda

It is amazing.

I was watching an interview with a gentleman who helped people escape North Korea. The propaganda there is incredible. The people are starving, and the country has convinced the average citizen that they get more food than we do. There are posters of Americans torturing people and drowning babies. Posters of North Korean missiles destroying Washington. It is a bizarre world were what the people know and reality completely fail to match up.

Source: One Utah RSS Feed

Is UKIP continuing to get a free ride?

How much of their June 4th publicity is still in place?

Unlike most of of the other parties a key part of UKIP’s communications strategy at both the June 4th elections and ahead of last week in Norwich has been the heavy reliance on paid-for billboard advertising.

The party did not join the massive leaflet extravaganza in the by-election but invested a lot in creating a presence on the streets through posters and innovative placings such as on telephone kiosksSource: Political Betting RSS Feed