264. From seeds to grizzly bears

When most people think of the significance of climate change, they are concerned with the human consequences of melting ice, rising sea levels and changing weather patterns—sometimes resulting in prolonged droughts and severe storms. However, climate change also affects ecosystems as the slightest variation can have a domino effect on the organisms within the system.  Ecosystems that include plants, animals, microorganisms and non-living components, such as air, water, temperature and minerals, can be vulnerable to even minor disturbances.

One example, the Mountain pine beetle, only measures approximately five millimeters, but it is wreaking havoc on large Whitebark pines and the mighty Grizzly bear that rely on them.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, “(The) Whitebark pine is typically found in cold, windy, high elevation or high latitude sites in western North America and as a result, many stands are geographically isolated.  It is a stress-tolerant pine and its hardiness allows it to grow where other conifer species cannot.” It is also considered “. . . a keystone species because it regulates runoff by slowing the progress of snowmelt, reduces soil erosion by initiating early succession after fires and other disturbances, and provides seeds that are a high-energy food source for some birds and mammals.”

Rising temperatures have allowed the beetle to move into higher elevations where the Whitebark pine used to thrive. Research by Evan Esch showed that “climate change was causing temperatures to rise in the cold mountain elevations where the whitebark pine grow, creating ripe conditions for the destructive beetle to spread.”

And because ecosystems can be complex, the impact on species are not always easy for scientists to predict.

In a Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation (WPEF) climate change white paper, Keane et al, writes, “While there is little debate that atmospheric C02, is increasing and this increase will cause major changes in the climate, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the magnitude and rate of change.”

Grizzly bears rely on the seed because they are large, easy to eat and provide valuable calories. There is also evidence that the seeds of Whitebark pines increase the reproductive success of the bears—resulting in reproducing at a younger age with larger litters.

Thus, if we connect the dots, the small increase in temperature caused by climate change moves the tiny beetle north into the forests of Whitebark pines, whose seeds both feed and help Grizzly bears reproduce.

“While it is true that whitebark pine forest are likely to become more vulnerable under warming climates, the same is true for all ecosystems from prairie grasslands to arctic tundra,” the WPEF white paper warned.

Climate change is happening now; it is not going to wait four to eight years until we elect an educated president.  It should not be a political debate in which Republicans deny its existence to preserve corporate profits. Myron Ebell, advisor to the Trump transition team, recently said, “The environmental movement is, in my view, the greatest threat to freedom and prosperity in the modern world.” It’s a shortsighted, anti-science perspective—whose consequence may be irreversible ecological harm.  This year was the warmest year on record for the third straight year.

To make matters worse, Trump has nominated Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. Pruitt is a climate change denier who has sued the EPA 14 times. Talk about putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

263. Trump isn't draining the swamp

Donald Trump is our president and regardless of how absurd I believe that to be, there is no going back now and what’s done is done.

Moving away from Trump the person to Trump the president, it’s time to consider the direction he and the Republican Congress will take this country.

Many folks will eventually realize that they voted against their interests when they elected Trump. And regardless of why they voted for Trump, they need to realize that their political involvement doesn’t end there. They need to become politically active and demand that Trump follow thought not only on the campaign promises they found appealing, but that he also respects the Constitution, our democracy and our influence in the world. Trump voters who have enjoyed sticking it to society must realize it doesn’t end with guns and a wall. You did this, now you are also accountable.

There is already much to be concerned about.

One of Trump’s first tasks is to appoint cabinet members to his administration. Despite promising to “drain the swamp,” Trump has chosen many questionable individuals, most of them old, white and very rich. It sure doesn’t seem like a group of people who are overly dedicated in propelling the middle and lower classes into prosperity. Here is a small sampling:

Ben Carson, who has been nominated for secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is completely unqualified and previously said he had no interest in running a federal agency. Carson knows as much about housing and urban development as I do about brain surgery.

Nominated to run the Treasury, former Goldman Sachs executive (one of many nominated), Steven Mnuchin made millions by foreclosing on reverse mortgages, as many as 16,000 of them. The seizure of these homes was often named “widow foreclosures.”

Betsy DeVos, the nomination for Education Secretary, essentially bought her nomination and is no friend of public education. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said, “In nominating DeVos, Trump makes it loud and clear that his education policy will focus on privatizing, defunding and destroying public education in America.  The sum total of her involvement has been spending her family’s wealth in an effort to dismantle public education . . . ."

Labor Secretary nominee, Andrew Puzder, is no friend of labor—fighting against raising the minimum wage and even mandatory employee breaks. Puzder’s companies have paid out millions in claims for not paying overtime to store managers. He said he likes “beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis.” Sound like anybody?

Rick Perry has been nominated as Energy Secretary, a department he once wanted to abolish. Go figure.

Sadly, I could go on, and I didn’t even mention healthcare, climate change, or Medicare/Medicaid.

The theme running through Trumps cabinet and policies is money. While economics is very important to the success of our country, and particularly the middle and lower classes, sometimes it comes with a cost—and ruining the environment, increasing the inequality of wealth, depriving people of healthcare or starting a nuclear war is not a price worth paying.

And then there is the media.

Trump has been setting the country and his followers up with his consistent complaining about the media—calling them dishonest and fake news. The media has a job do, and the freedom of the press is imperative for a democracy to survive. Of course, news channels can maintain a bias, particularly when it comes to which stories are covered and how much time is spent on them. But for Trump it is a psychological victory if he can convince the country that every time the media reports negatively on him it is because they are being dishonest and he is actually the victim. It is a built-in buffer against any major criticisms or scandals.

Also, Trump has consistently tried to steer the media away from Russia. Often where there is smoke there is fire. For example, the was lots of smoke when Trump kept refusing to release his taxes (which he still has not released). Later we learned that he may not have paid taxes for up to 18 years. There is probably more to the Russia and their relationship with Trump than has already been revealed.

The underlying theme is that people need to pay attention. Kellyanne Conway, in trying to dodge another question, said the lies already coming out of the White House were “alternative facts.” Well, of course, how can you live in an alternate universe without alternative facts? It’s unfortunate to say that Trump tells a lot of lies. Politifact research indicates as much as 50 percent of the time. I just ask, rather I beg, that people to do their own research, verify the facts, consider the consequences and hear both sides, because there is much at stake.

262. Quick hits from the Browns to ‘optional’ red lights

I have wanted to try a “quick hits” column for some time now. Not all ideas or opinions need a full column devoted to them—either because it’s a popular topic or the subject matter doesn’t require much depth. It’s more water cooler talk and a chance to bounce around several subject matters.

• My wife wonders why I continue to watch Browns games and, unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer for her. They are so bad that when I watch other NFL games I wonder if they are playing the same game. You would think that Jimmy Haslam would have learned something about continuity during his time with the Steelers. The turnover in the front office and among coaches and coordinators means that the team starts over every couple of years—with new players and new systems. Haslam runs the Browns like a spoiled rich kid who is CEO of a billion-dollar business his father founded—stomping his feet every time things don’t go his way. Although it has been painful to watch, let’s hope Haslam has learned his lesson and commits to the process.

• I am convinced more than ever that Republicans just don’t understand economics. After spending the primary season of telling the nation how well Ohio is doing, Governor John Kasich is now warning that a recession may be coming to Ohio.  Tax cuts don’t help much when communities can’t afford to function and must raise local taxes to make up the difference. Republicans just keeping moving money back and forth, but ignore that the only way to ensure growth is to implement higher taxes on the wealthy. This money should then be reinvested into community infrastructure. The jobs this investment creates will further rejuvenate local communities by putting money in the hands of people who will spend it—creating even more jobs and generating more tax revenue.

• The debate over “Merry Christmas” continues.  As a non-Christian, wishing me a "Merry Christmas" is like wishing me a “Happy Birthday" on a day other than my birthday. I regard it as a kind sentiment, presumably with good intentions and I am no way offended. It just doesn’t apply. However, wishing someone "Happy Holidays" is like saying “Have a Great Day!” It is inclusive and welcoming to almost everyone. I have a lot of obsessions but whether someone says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" is not one of them. "Merry Christmas" is a bit presumptuous, but it is received in the spirit of the season.

• In the words of Sarah Silverman, “You’re being ridiculous!” That’s what comes to mind regarding the several years’ battle over the Lorain County sales tax increase. When state funding to local communities is cut, there are only a couple of options—raise taxes (in this case only so lightly), reduce community services or lay off employees. I completely understand the stand against more taxes, but it is such a small tax and the money improves our community.

• Polar bears, penguins and North Atlantic cod are three of many species that are in the most danger due to the consequences of global warming. Trump who once said one of the most oblivious things I ever heard about climate change, stating "They say, 'Don't use hair spray, it's bad for the ozone.' So I'm sitting in this concealed apartment, this concealed unit . . .It's sealed, it's beautiful. I don't think anything gets out. And I'm not supposed to be using hair spray?" Based on some of Trump’s cabinet choices, it seems he is trying to destroy the environment as quickly as possible. His ignorance is, quite frankly, appalling.

• Did red lights suddenly become optional, or maybe merely a suggestion? I don’t remember seeing so many people not only running red lights, but also going through red lights after coming to a stop. One driver in front of me actually turned left while sitting a red light. The texting of drivers, both young and old, also continues to be a concern.  It is so dangerous and such an unnecessary risk, I just don’t get it. And, by the way, it makes other drives mad when “texters” are drifting into another lane, sitting at green lights or driving well below the speed limit. A little patience is worth the increase in safety and avoidance of “road rage.”

• President-elect Donald Trump won the swing states (and the electoral college) by the slimmest of margins (less than the capacity of football stadium combined) and lost the popular vote by nearly a stunning three million votes. Only an oblivious narcissist would continue to say that he won in a “landslide.”

261. The changing tides of 2016

As this year ends, so ends a remarkable year for Cleveland and around the country. For me, 2016 will be remembered as the year of sports and politics. This year had some moments of jubilation, while other events brought great despair.

For sports fans, 2016 will be the year Cleveland ended its championship drought when the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the heavily favored Golden State Warriors. The Warriors entered the playoffs with the best regular season in NBA history. I watched game 7 at sister’s house; we projected the game outside, she invited a few friends and it’s a moment we’ll never forget. Suddenly, when it came to Cleveland sports, the city could breath. My father was not a big Cavaliers fan, nonetheless, I wish he could have been there to share in the joy.

Cleveland hosted the Republican Convention after a wild primary season. No matter what Donald Trump did, didn’t do or was revealed about the man, he kept winning. On the Democratic side, things we also heating up as Bernie Sanders brought life and energy to the party. Like Trump, he packed venues with passionate supporters. Sanders finally offered everything I thought this country needed and I was very disappointed when he lost—due in large part to the undemocratic notion of Super Delegates.

The Cleveland Indians surprised the country when, despite several critical injuries, roared to a division title and through the playoffs. After taking a 3-1 lead on America’s team, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland fans wondered—could we really win two championships in one year?

At the same time, it appeared that Hillary Clinton would be our next president. She was leading comfortably in the polls and Trump was busy embarrassing himself with one scandal after another. What could be better than two Cleveland championship and another Democrat in the White House?

And then everything changed.

I remember looking at the pitching match-ups for the last three games, two of which were in Cleveland, and being concerned. But I thought momentum was on our side—we needed just one win. Anything could happen.

Hillary wasn’t my first choice, but in comparison to Trump, there was no choice. It wasn’t until the Comey letter that I had much concern. Her campaign continued to lack energy, meanwhile each Trump supporter seem to have not one, but several signs in their yards. Trump supporters were digging in, but this country wouldn’t really elect someone like Trump, would we?

It was at this time that I felt the tide changing for both the Indians and Clinton. I remember going to work for a week with an uncomfortable and sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t quite identify why, nothing bad had happened yet, but I could feel it. Trouble was brewing.

The Indians started to falter, eventually losing in extra-innings in game seven. Even though they overcame significant adversity and overachieved, to get that close was heartbreaking—though probably not as heartbreaking it would have been had the Cavaliers not won. And then, less than a week later the unthinkable happened. Whether it was due to decades worth of despise for Clinton, a referendum against intellectualism, racial tensions, misguided fear of terrorism or a rebellion against political correctness, voters in three swing states and by slim margins, decide to overlook dozens of person and professional character flaws and elect Trump.

To make matters worse, the farce continued after the election—with protests, broken promises to Trump supporters even before he takes office, deplorable cabinet choices and a refusal to take serious the conflict of interest his businesses present. Disappointed in the values and morals of this country, I have rarely watched the news since the election. After all, for the sake of ratings, the media created this monster. The future seems ominous and I feel empty inside. Thank goodness for Saturday Night Live.

Although it was not an uninteresting year, 2017 can’t get here fast enough. I can’t accept this “new normal” in our political landscape. We’re better than that and maybe our country will find its way again. And maybe Ohio State will ring the new year with a national championship, the Cavaliers will repeat or the Indians will finally win that World Series. Maybe, just maybe, the Browns will even win a game.