Gloriously accurate.

Also, f Paxton, Abbott, Cruz, Roy, and whichever other cretin I didn’t call out that deserves it.

I’m even more hopeful than ever seeing locals showing up to vote for common sense policies and representatives. I’ve felt a distinct lack of interest in civic responsibility and political activism from most folks in Texas for years, although some groups are definitely making up for the broader public apathy in the way they show up. I’m unfairly comparing Texas to other politically active places like New York is in the way people are civically engaged, but this is good news to me overall. The tide continues to turn…

For San Antonio being a purple to somewhat blue city, I’m surprised to hear there was no event there, especially given the proximity to Austin.

I’m very meh on the AWD as someone in the north. Not needed, but a/c is definitely helpful!

My colleague introduced me to the term Traditional Ecological Knowledge today, which is very reminiscent of what you’re describing. This should be standard practice to learn everywhere!

This is the way.

Awesome anecdote and wise words to live by. We all have a part to play, no matter how small we perceive it to be. Our friends, family, and neighbors all need to know that we don’t capitulate to the pressure of bullies.

Every single person I talk to just wants a normal life - to put food on the table, and to be able to have a decent existence in their short time on this planet.

We’re all struggling to understand this chaos we exist in now. Let’s all try to be as understanding as we can with each other… that is, all except for the N@zis at the Fed right now. They can most certainly get f’d.

This comment is further motivating me to get back to lifting heavy things. I miss body building… and also raves! It’s been too many years since I’ve engaged in either.

This was a great synopsis of the tour and a focus on some of the key points.

On the matter of Dems that aren’t fighting for the people, there are indeed a few but they’ve been pushed out by big money campaigns, such as Jamààl Bowman. He is an authentic leader that is constantly making the rounds with folks on the ground, and ÀIPÀC ran a smear campaign against him that cost him his congressional seat.

What stings is that Dems don’t come to the defense of their own, and the few that are actually doing anything good just get forced out, lack press, or are outright silenced. There’s no unity within the party because they’re all bought by different interests, competing for the same kickbacks.

If I can give you any small kernel of hope, there are a lot of people in the world, including non profits, government workers, community champions, and people that talk to their friend networks about living for and facilitating a more sustainable and respectful life on this planet - that care about people and the environment, and are fighting every day of their lives, dedicated to mitigation and adaptation regarding climate change. They may not have very much power, but they are surely standing up right now against this brain drain, and I feel confident that the tide will eventually turn. Will it be in the time we need it to? Absolutely not, but all is not lost.

It’s happening - people are tired of the bullshit and are putting differences aside to tackle the world’s foremost problem that we know how to solve. I’m so grateful, and despite the dumpster fire that is the US government right now, there’s so much hope to be found here!

This was awesome! So much history I didn’t know. Proud to be among this group! Mountain biking is my favorite sport, and ebikes are my primary choice for commuting (when I can safely). So grateful for those that paved the way.

I really enjoyed this article and had no idea that the Tamaulipan forest was even a thing. It’s encouraging to see that there are efforts to reforest the area; I hope that the areas not yet seeded aren’t repurposed for development. It seems like building our urban centers in the RGV more densely, perhaps rezoning single family for mixed use, could be helpful to prevent urban sprawl there, as Texas is notorious for that. I’m encouraged to support the efforts there, and hope this chaos of current disinvestment in our climate mitigation/adaptation is only a tiny blip in our future of stewarding the lands.

We really should be doing more to get kids outdoors to see what it could be - get them to nature preserves, into environmental education programs, and internships that get them into tree planting, soil and water testing, and get them excited to learn about the natural world before we lose more of it. I’ve seen with my own eyes how impactful those can be on the trajectory of their careers, and it makes for an incredible, well-rounded experience for them that can build lasting friendships with humans and the ecosystem alike.

Cyclists have known this and promoted this idea for years. There’s just so few protections for them in the legal system in practice, and on the flip side, so few consequences for drivers that harm cyclists and pedestrians. That’s one of the things that keeps people away that are even remotely interested in cycling as transportation. That’s not to mention the lack of interest/funding in cycling infrastructure.

Smart approach to go to the union, didn’t think to do that. Thanks!

You’re at least making up for my inability to step away from it atm. I wouldn’t have bought into the environment had it not been for my partner, and work of course. I grew up on PS and PC gaming, just recently started using Xbox. Damn it.

I’d like to think I’m pretty decent at sticking to boycotts, but holy hell, my work platform is Microsoft and their products, and I run gaming servers for my friends online and play through game pass. This is going to be so hard for people to step back and not use their platforms and software if they’re in it like me. Not sure how to proceed.

We might not have them as you see them today, but there is building science that is centuries old that works with the environment to have architectural solutions that don’t even rely on electricity to retain heat or cool a space. There’s also the more modern passive house design. As someone born and raised in a hot climate like you mentioned, had we created a built environment like this instead of crippling ourselves to use fossil fuels and refrigerants with high global warming potential, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I agree that a/c changed the world. That change could have been a much more positive one had we taken a more practical approach!

Holy f. This piss poor administration is showing just how incompetent they truly are. Everyone will suffer for their actions. I had no idea just how much the US gained in having peaceful relations with traditional allies, and so many Americans have been blissfully unaware just how f’d that all has become in record time. Way to go, a holes.

Reading that Denmark lost just as many soldiers post-9/11 as the US did, I’m in shock as to how idiotic our education system is that it wasn’t highlighted how brave contributions allies have provided over the years has helped us, and of course not just in war time. As an American, I’m truly sorry to the rest of the world for not knowing the great extent of solidarity and kindness allies have shown over the years. Of course, I understand why that’s likely no longer going to be the case.