Clif @Clif@qoto.org

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would suck for the whole globe economically but would be especially disastrous for China - even if they 'succeeded' in their attempt at reunification. If Xi Jinping is a rational actor the consequences should be enough to deter him from acting, but is he and will he remain rational?

This Center for Strategic and International Studies report describes potential pre, active, and post conflict global impacts of China invading Taiwan.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/reunification-taiwan-through-force-would-be-pyrrhic-victory-china

Famine propelled by conflict and climate change threatens millions in Somalia.
#climate #climatechange #somalia #Africa
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/famine-propelled-by-conflict-and-climate-change-threatens-millions-in-somalia

I wrote up a blog post in an "intelligence brief" style for Meedan (where I work) talking about the current situation around verification of journalists and trusted institutions on federated social media.

https://meedan.com/post/users-are-moving-to-the-decentralized-web-after-musks-twitter-takeover-heres-what-that-means-for-verification

(Please read the whole thing before replying to me here, thanks. I will try to respond to replies but might not have time because this week is shaping up to be my busiest in a long time.)

Looking for climate visualizations? Start here:

POLAR CLIMATE CHANGE FIGURES

@ZLabe

https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-figures/

France launches a consultation to scale retrofits of combustion engine vehicles to electric (€ 20 million budget). Interesting addition, especially with so many iconic French vehicles. Image an electric Citroën HY or DS, a Peugeot J7 or 504, a Renault 5, Espace, Avantime…

#EV #retrofit

https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/fr/actualites/industrie/consultation-retrofit-pour-passer-vehicules-thermiques-l-electrique

Last week, I was delighted to give a talk on Bill C-11 at @yaleisp@twitter.com. My new @lawbytespod@twitter.com podcast features an audio version of the talk, titled Canada’s Battle over Internet Streamers – A Cancon Story of Freedom of Expression, Algorithms and Cultural Policy
https://www.michaelgeist.ca/2022/11/law-bytes-podcast-episode-147/

This site makes me feel guilty about the fact I didn’t let mastodons on the Ark.

Freedom of speech does not include freedom to overthrow the government.

Hello Mastodon! I'm starting to transition over from Twitter, where I began posting laboratory papers on paleoclimate and isotope geochemistry in 2012, evolving to political and DEI issues in between laboratory milestones. My interest in climate made me a scientist, and that is inseparable from politics and DEI issues. I hope to find some of my fave follows and followers here, as well as developing a new network.

What if the universe is set up just like the Fediverse, but we don’t know about the existence of any other life because our Earth instance was preemptively blocked for hateful conduct.

#DeepThoughts #universe #fediverse

The exodus continues...

Another 90,000 new users joined Mastodon on Sunday.
Mastodon stats from Nov 20, 2022: 7,322,292 accounts +91,771 in the last day +616,895 in the last week

#twittermigration #NewUsers #Welcome #mastodonmigration #mastodonstats

After using Mastodon for just one day, I gotta feeling this platform is going to give Twitter a run for its $8.

Related.
---
RT @rahmstorf
My view: The climate loss&damage fund should also be filled by those companies who knowingly sell a dangerous product and actively mislead the public about the risks and lobby against climate policy. Precedent is the tobacco companies’ case.
https://twitter.com/rahmstorf/status/1594362507887611913

Today, #Ukraine marks Dignity and Freedom Day in memory of the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2014, while in the middle of a full-on attack to destroy their freedom and crush their aspirations for freedom and democracy. U.S. support for Ukraine is currently under attack by extreme right-wing politicians. We must not fail in our support for this vital and vibrant country’s fight for it’s very life as a free and democratic nation. 🇺🇦

In news that will surprise no-one, former Federal Labor MP and vocal defender of the Australian fossil fuel industry - Joel Fitzgibbon - has scored a six figure post-parliamentary job with a company that is heavily invested in Australian coal.
#Coal #Australia #ClimateCrisis
https://reneweconomy.com.au/joel-fitzgibbon-appointed-to-board-of-coal-mine-investor-as-profits-flood-in/

Without any binding commitments to rapidly and immediately reduce greenhouse gases, the world stands no chance to deliver on the 1,5°C limit, and by doing so minimising risks of uprooting the life supporting systems we all depend on and endangering countless human lives.
#COP27