International Scientists Warn: Time to Fight Climate Change is Now

By Suzanne Potter

Story and photo from California News Service, originally published April 5, 2022

April 11, 2022 (Sacramento) --State and international reports on the effects of climate change are out this week, urging government efforts fighting climate change to speed up significantly if the world is to avoid the worst effects, from megafires and drought, to sea level rise and floods.

In a report released April 4, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said countries need to cut carbon emissions by 43% in the next eight years.

Lauren Sanchez, senior climate adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom, said California is taking a "whole-of-government approach."

"The world's leading climate scientists have made it clear," Sanchez asserted. "Our window to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis is narrowing faster than expected, and success requires unprecedented collective effort and transformational change."

Source: County Parks and Recreation

April 10, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot, and the daily actions of the County Parks and Recreation team help to safeguard our region's native plants and trees, air and water quality, and unique habitats for hundreds of species.

Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate these efforts and connect residents to the public spaces where wildlife thrives. The theme this year is Committed to Caring for Our Earth.  Below are Earth Day events in county parks, including several in East County.

Aztecs remain in first place in the Mountain West standings at 11-1

Source:  goaztecs.com

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

April 10, 2022 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team downed UNLV 7-6 in 11 innings to capture the weekend series Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs improved to 27-11 on the season and remain in first place in the Mountain West standings at 11-1, while the Rebels dropped to 28-9 and 6-3. 

April 10, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• COVID-19 infection increases your risk for diabetes, a new study says (NPR)

• I’m eligible for a second COVID-19 booster shot. Should I get it? (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Zoos across North America are moving birds indoors to protect them from avian flu (NPR)

• A worrisome new bird flu is spreading in American birds and may be here to stay (NPR)

• Patients with Covid and flu double the risk of dying, say scientists (Guardian)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Climate change: Wind and solar reach milestone as demand surges (BBC)

• Facebook users angry after accounts locked for no reason (BBC)

• Amazon workers at New York warehouse vote to form company's first US union (CNN)

• Stunning images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (Washington Post)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

Photo by Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2022 (Alpine) -- Would you like to be part of creating your own special garden where Monarch Butterflies can thrive? You’re invited to learn more on Saturday April 30th at 1 p.m. at the Alpine Town Hall (Alpine Woman’s Club), 2156 Alpine Blvd in Alpine.

By Matthew Manosh

Photo: Mark Z. Danielewski, from his website

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) -- On Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m., A Conversation with Mark Z. Danielewski will be held in the IPJ Theatre at the University of San Diego. The event will be free and open to the public. Mark Z. Danielewski is known most for his horror novel House of Leaves. Other books he has written are the Familiar series, The Little Blue Kite and The Fifty Year Sword.

Aztecs score six in the sixth but see 12-game winning streak snapped

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

April 9, 2022 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning but couldn’t get the tying run across the plate in an 8-7 loss to UNLV Saturday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs (26-11, 10-1 MW) lost for the first time in Mountain West play and had their 12-game winning streak snapped.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Border fence, cc by ND

Update April 23, 2022: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the lifting of Title 42 restrictions.

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) – At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Trump administration began expelling migrants without access to asylum hearings under Title 42.  Now, after lifting of most other pandemic mandates, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control director has announced that suspending migrants’ rights is “no longer necessary” after “considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19, such as highly effective vaccines and therapeutics,” the CDC announced in a statement.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, cc by SA

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) – “Every child deserves a loving family, and for many that will not be with their biological parents. Fostering or adopting children can be one of the most rewarding things to do so children can have the loving home they deserve,” says Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “Foster families are a vital way for these children to be supported and cared for in a chosen family,” he said in the Sate of the County address.

The County’s Faith in Motion program right now works with 19 local congregations to help youth in the foster system find families. But Fletcher, who has two adopted children, says, “We’re looking for more.” You can  schedule a presentation for your congregation on the Faith in Motion program by calling 1-877-792-KIDS (5437) or visit them online.

By Miriam Raftery

April 9, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Jacumba is known for its hot springs. But now the Jacumba Community Service District wants to build two swimming pools and a clubhouse at a community park for residents and guests to stay cool on those sweltering hot days.  The community is urged to attend a meeting April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Highland Senior Citizens Center to show support for this proposal.

By J.W. August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo by Robert Gehr

April 3, 2022 (San Diego) - For editors and reporters, access to the police scanner is a critical — and immediate — news source when covering breaking news, be it a massive fire raging through a community or rescue workers trying find a child swept away in a creek.

East County News Service

April 8, 2022 (San Diego) -- Starting this week, California State Parks will be distributing the California State Library Parks Pass to public libraries across the state for checkout by library patrons. The new pass will allow free vehicle day use entry at more than 200 participating state parks.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2022 (Mt. Helix) – The amphitheater atop Mt. Helix has been holding Sunrise Easter Service since 1917 and the tradition continues this year on April 17. Now for the first time, the venue will also hold a “Good Friday Under the Stars” on April 15.

Center offers older adults free one-on-one sessions and technology demos, low-cost mini workshops for smartphones, tablets, and personal devices

Source: Oasis

April 7, 2022 (La Mesa) -- San Diego Oasis has teamed up with Cox Communications to make technology affordable and accessible for its members aged 50+ to address their specific needs. The nonprofit and the technology company hosted a grand opening celebration in March to launch the new “Tech Tank,” a one-of-a-kind center  in Grossmont Center, La Mesa powered by Cox Communications that will give San Diego seniors an opportunity to advance their technology skillset and reduce social isolation, all to help bridge the “digital divide” among older adults.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, CC by SA, H2rty

April 7, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Senate voted 53-47 today confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, the first Black woman named to the nation’s highest court. Jackson, a descendant of slaves, received the support of all 50 Democrats as well as Republicans Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine.

Kamala Harris, former California Senator and the first Black woman to serve as Vice President, presided over the historic vote. Harris told reporters afterword that she felt “overjoyed, deeply moved,” adding, “I do believe it is a very important statement about who we are as a nation, that we have just made a decision to put this extraordinary jurist on the highest court of our land.

View video of standing ovation when Judge Jackson was confirmed in Senate: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/04/07/ketanji-brown-jackson-con...

California’s current Senators, both Democrats who voted in favor, also praised the action. Senator Alex Padilla posted on Twitter, “Today marks an inspiring, and long awaited, milestone for the United States of America.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein called today “a great day for our country” and noted that the nomination also gives the Supreme Court near-gender parity for the first time in 233 years, with four women on the bench. She added, “The Supreme Court should look like the country it serves, and with this confirmation, we move closer to that ideal.”