[GWSG] Criollo cattle; Totten Glacier; federal moves; 100%ers; FL DEP craziness; sustainable education

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Criollo cattle came to the Americas with Columbus.  They are a little more than half the weight of Angus or Herefords, are hardier, graze on scrub, and require much less water.  Drought-stricken areas may be able to maintain successful cattle ranches with them.  http://www.climatecentral.org/news/drought-stricken-west-gives-rise-to-old-world-cows-18762?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+climatecentral%2FdjOO+Climate+Central+-+Full+Feed



2.  A Nature Geoscience article fills in last month's story on the East Antarctic's Totten Glacier, which has been destabilized by warm water flowing into its base.  Eventually the glacier will add over eleven feet of sea level rise, but the process is expected to take centuries.  It is news that the East Antarctic is unstable and appears to be already contributing to sea level rise.  http://climatecrocks.com/2015/03/17/warm-oceans-wearing-away-antarcticas-plug/



3.  President Obama gave VICE News an eighteen minute interview.  In the first half he shared his thoughts about dealing with climate change.  The President understands that the situation is urgent, and intends to lay the base for effective action.    http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/17/obama-interview-vice-shane-smith/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=3272bd8eb8-Top_News_3_17_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-3272bd8eb8-85965093  The President has ordered the federal government to cuts its emissions 40% over the next decade, and to generate 30% of its power renewably.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/19/obama-to-cut-federal-governments-carbon-emissions/



4.  Georgetown, Texas (pop. 50,000) is moving to power itself 100% renewably because that is cheaper and more reliable, and uses less water, according to the city's municipal utility.  http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/texas-city-to-go-100-solar-wind-because-its-cheaper-more-reliable-75098  Costa Rica was powered 100% renewably for the first 75 days of this year.  http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/costa-rica-powered-100-by-renewables-for-first-75-days-of-2015



5.  Earlier this month the Florida Department of Environmental Protection put scientist Barton Bibler, Director of Coastal Planning, on involuntary personal leave for recording a discussion of climate change at a public meeting on coastal management.  The DEP required him to remove mention of the climate issue from records of the meeting and to secure a mental health evaluation from his doctor for unspecified "personality issues" before he returned.  http://climatecrocks.com/2015/03/19/florida-climate-scientist-state-imposes-psych-evaluation/



6.  Ecologist and university president Stephen Mulkey says in this interview why divestment from fossil fuels and a curriculum organized around sustainability has been a success at Unity College in Maine and deserves imitation elsewhere.  http://www.pressherald.com/2015/03/19/a-word-with-the-boss-unity-college-president-advances-sustainability-science-by-degree/
The new sustainability center at UMass Lowell (enrollment 17000) demonstrates how such a focus might begin at an established state university.  http://www.uml.edu/News/stories/2015/Office-of-Sustainability.aspx
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