Latest news with #TheCoolDown
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservative blasts Senator Mike Lee for 'secretly trying to sell' US land: 'It's a loser issue to the American people'
A top conservative environmentalist is calling out a Republican U.S. senator as a "liar" and igniting a fiery public debate about whether America's public lands should be for sale. Benji Backer, founder of the nonprofit environmental organization Nature Is Nonpartisan, has publicly condemned Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah for his attempt to reintroduce a controversial proposal into the Senate reconciliation bill that would sell public lands for development. In a post earlier this week, Backer accused Lee of "a secret mass sell-off (of some of America's most sensitive areas)." When Lee responded, arguing that Backer was wrong about the land eligible for development, Backer called Lee a "liar" and pleaded with other Republican senators not to "let this man ruin our legacy on conservation." X's Community Notes moderation tool also called out Senator Lee's response to Backer as "incorrect," fact-checking him with a confirmation of Backer's allegations that Lee's proposal would sell off some of America's most precious lands. In an exclusive interview with The Cool Down, Backer said that while Senator Lee's office has reached out to him about the public spat, he's still not planning to back down. "I'm representing the vast majority of conservatives, and I'm willing to go to the mat on this — I stand by what I said," Backer told The Cool Down. "The American people do not support the mass sell off of public land. It's critical for the future of America that we stop this," he added. "Public lands are part of our legacy." During negotiations in the House of Representatives around the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," Utah Representative Celeste Maloy introduced a proposal that would allow 10,000 acres of public lands in Utah and about 500,000 acres in Nevada to be sold off for the development of affordable housing. That proposal received significant criticism from conservatives and environmental advocates, and it was struck from the bill before it moved to the Senate. But when the Bill moved to the Senate, Utah Senator Mike Lee, the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced the proposal at an even larger scale, expanding the sale of up to 3 million acres of public lands to provide additional housing across 11 states. "He put it in there hoping that no one was going to notice it, adding even more acres for sales than the House bill," Backer said in the interview. While Senator Lee's proposal doesn't allow the sale of national parks, it would allow the sale of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service across 11 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Backer linked to an interactive map on X and displayed screenshots in an Instagram carousel. Sen. Lee argues that, in addition to creating revenue, the proposal would give states like Utah, where two-thirds of the land is managed by the federal government, more control over their land. "We're opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C., out of the way of communities that are just trying to grow," Lee said in a video. "Washington has proven, time and again, it can't manage this land. This bill puts it in better hands." The bill would require the Interior and Agriculture secretaries to publish a list of lands for sale and consult with local officials and tribes. Proceeds would go to the U.S. Treasury, with 5% of each sale given to the local government to support local housing development and 5% towards maintenance on other BLM and Forest Service land. The proposal also includes plans to expand gas, coal, geothermal, and timber leasing on public lands. The problem, Backer says, is that there are no specifics provided about exactly which lands would be eligible for sale or who would be allowed to buy the lands. "As a conservative, it's also really worrisome that it doesn't say who can and can't buy [this land]," he told The Cool Down. "You're telling me that China can't come in and develop it — you're telling us that they're not going to take this opportunity to buy these lands?" As Republicans such as Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia has expressed concern about, companies from China, some state-run, have been buying American agriculture land and businesses over the last decade. NPR reported the figure to be near 400,000 acres of land in 2023. Backer argued that the areas under threat are some of the most pristine wilderness in our country. National polling of 4,000 Americans surveyed this spring from YouGov showed that 71% of those surveyed oppose selling lands. "This is a non-starter, it's a loser issue to the American people," he said. The proposal is also receiving serious backlash from hunters, fishers, anglers, and leaders in the outdoor recreation industry, who sent a letter to Sen. John Thune and Sen. Chuck Schumer encouraging them to omit federal public land sales from the budget reconciliation bill. "While we appreciate the desire to address federal land management challenges and respond to local community needs, we ask that any public land disposal be considered within transparent, public channels and that funding from sales be reinvested back into habitat and access," the letter said. In fact, the existing bipartisan Federal Land Transaction Act already requires that proceeds from public land sales be reinvested in conservation or ecological restoration. The letter to Thune and Schumer also outlined several concerns about the public lands sell-off proposal: It wouldn't allow for public engagement among hunters, anglers, recreationalists, and other stakeholders The proceeds from land sales would go toward economic development instead of land conservation and would "likely lower the ecological and recreational value of our public lands." Sales could have a negative effect on rural economies and cultural heritage, noting that the outdoor recreation industry has demonstrated a $1.2 trillion economic output nationally. Underneath the public land dispute is a real challenge around the availability of affordable housing for Americans and the protection of our natural resources. But Backer argues that there is another way to tackle these issues without sacrificing the country's natural beauty. "Affordable housing is a real challenge, and the lack of space for cities to grow is something that is challenging," he said. "At the same time, we aren't managing our national lands very well. But the answer to those challenges is not to sell off millions of acres of land secretly with places for sale being the most pristine." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Backer argues that any considerations around public land sales should be supported by local buy-in and data — and any land sales should focus on non-ecologically sensitive areas. Backer also warns that the proposal is "a very slippery slope." Selling off even a limited number of acres now could set a troubling precedent for the future. That, Backer says, risks triggering a cascading effect of land sale and development, which could "impact conservation for the rest of our lives." "We don't get these lands back," he said, "This is our legacy." Backer, whose organization is working with the current administration and other national leaders to advance nonpartisan environmental policy, is hoping that speaking out will inspire people to reach out to their Senators to voice their opposition to the proposal and demand stronger protections for public lands. "There is nothing 'conservative' or 'American' about selling a massive chunk of our nation's most beautiful landscape to developers," Backer wrote on X. "This should always transcend partisan politics…always." While he told The Cool Down that he's willing to have a conversation with any Senator who wants to discuss solutions, he added that he's "not willing to back down until lawmakers are willing to 'try a different approach' to tackling challenges like access to affordable housing alongside the protection of our national lands." "Americans don't want their public lands to be developed for economic gain," he said. "That's not what Teddy Roosevelt intended. That's not what Ronald Reagan intended. That's not what Richard Nixon intended. That's not what President Trump intended in his first term," he said. "Public lands have always been for the public's benefit. They are one of our best ideas." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Scottish Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Cheap 16p hack helps to repel ants from your garden this summer – but be careful to avoid an easy mistake
A SIMPLE step can help protect your plants from an ant infestation this summer. And you won't have to worry about your flowerbeds because this hack is all-natural and budget-friendly. 2 A handy hack helps to repel ants from your plants this summer (stock image) Credit: Getty Adding this affordable item to your garden can help to repel unwanted pests all summer long. The scent of bananas is said to work as a natural repellant for insects such as aphids. According to the experts at The Cool Down, placing banana peels in the soil around your plants can work as a barrier for ants. They recommend simply covering your peels with a thin layer of soil for this hack. Alternatively, you can cut the peel into small pieces and evenly distribute them throughout your garden. And since you can pick up bananas for just 16p a-piece from Sainsbury's, this step won't break your budget. There are important steps to remember when carrying out this unique hack. When burying banana peels, make sure to fully cover them in soil so as not to attract animals to your garden. You should also make sure not to leave the peels exposed as it can attract flies to your garden. As well as burying the peels, you can also use them to create a banana water spray. Top Hacks to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden First, place a banana peel in five cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has cooled down, add it to a spray bottle and spritz the mixture directly on the leaves and stems of your plants. Severe infestations can cause plant leaves to turn yellow and die as aphids transmit viruses from plant to plant. You can also use soap and tights to repel flies from your home this summer. A budget-friendly hack can help to banish slugs and snails from your garden. Tips for keeping pests from your garden Plant companion plants such as peppermint to repel rats. Place Garden Netting Pest Barrier, over your flowerbeds. Fill open-top containers with beer and place in soil to repel slugs. Spray plants with Neem Oil, to repel ants, flies, and spiders. Dust your flowerbeds with Diatomaceous Earth. Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil, and 4 cups water and spray on flowerbeds. Place eggshells around your plants to protect from slugs and snails. You can also use a £1.40 household item to deter ants from entering your home. A 49p hack helps to keep wasps from your garden, but you'll want to act soon. Another trick prevents squirrels from digging up your garden and all you need is a kitchen staple. And common storage mistakes may be attracting rodents to your garden shed. A £7 Waitrose buy helps to repel insects from your garden while keeping you cool at the same time.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Cheap 16p hack helps to repel ants from your garden this summer – but be careful to avoid an easy mistake
A SIMPLE step can help protect your plants from an ant infestation this summer. And you won't have to worry about your flowerbeds because this hack is all-natural and budget-friendly. Adding this affordable item to your garden can help to repel unwanted pests all summer long. The scent of bananas is said to work as a natural repellant for insects such as aphids. According to the experts at The Cool Down, placing banana peels in the soil around your plants can work as a barrier for ants. They recommend simply covering your peels with a thin layer of soil for this hack. Alternatively, you can cut the peel into small pieces and evenly distribute them throughout your garden. And since you can pick up bananas for just 16p a-piece from Sainsbury's, this step won't break your budget. There are important steps to remember when carrying out this unique hack. When burying banana peels, make sure to fully cover them in soil so as not to attract animals to your garden. You should also make sure not to leave the peels exposed as it can attract flies to your garden. As well as burying the peels, you can also use them to create a banana water spray. Top Hacks to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden First, place a banana peel in five cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has cooled down, add it to a spray bottle and spritz the mixture directly on the leaves and stems of your plants. Severe infestations can cause plant leaves to turn yellow and die as aphids transmit viruses from plant to plant. You can also use soap and tights to repel flies from your home this summer. Tips for keeping pests from your garden Plant companion plants such as peppermint to repel rats. Place Garden Netting Pest Barrier, over your flowerbeds. Fill open-top containers with beer and place in soil to repel slugs. Spray plants with Neem Oil, to repel ants, flies, and spiders. Dust your flowerbeds with Diatomaceous Earth. Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil, and 4 cups water and spray on flowerbeds. Place eggshells around your plants to protect from slugs and snails. You can also use a £1.40 household item to deter ants from entering your home. A 49p hack helps to keep wasps from your garden, but you'll want to act soon. Another trick prevents squirrels from digging up your garden and all you need is a kitchen staple. And common storage mistakes may be attracting rodents to your garden shed. A £7 Waitrose buy helps to repel insects from your garden while keeping you cool at the same time. 2
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Vanishing May Beetles: Scientists Issue Dire Warning
Costa Rican scientists are sounding the alarm as a once-abundant insect species edges toward collapse. Known locally as abejones de mayo, or May beetles, these beetles have long been a sign that the rainy season is near. But this year, they're conspicuously absent. According to The Cool Down, the May beetle population has reportedly plummeted by as much as 95% over the past 40 years, University of Costa Rica biologist Andres Arias told The Tico Times. 'For many Costa Ricans, spotting abejones buzzing around porch lights marked the start of the rains,' he said. 'Now, they're a fleeting memory.' Researchers point to a combination of rising global temperatures, rampant pesticide use, and rapid urbanization as the culprits behind this sharp decline. Costa Rica's heavy pesticide use, reportedly the highest per capita in Latin America, has been especially damaging. As warming alters rainfall patterns and disrupts seasonal cues the beetles depend on, their population struggles to recover. Arias and his colleagues warn that if action isn't taken soon, May beetles could vanish entirely. 'Losing them means losing a piece of who we are—and a warning we can't ignore,' he emphasized. Their disappearance mirrors a troubling global trend: insect populations worldwide have been dropping at alarming rates. A 2023 study from the University of California, Riverside, found that insect numbers globally have fallen by approximately 45% over the last four decades. The World Wildlife Fund has warned that as many as 40% of insect species could face extinction by century's end. Insects make up roughly 80% of Earth's animal life and play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems. They pollinate plants, feed on pests, and provide nourishment for countless other species. The loss of a single species can ripple through entire ecosystems. Costa Rican lawmakers are now considering a bill to ban pesticides deemed highly toxic by the World Health Organization, a move conservationists hope will help preserve the May beetles and other threatened insect species. The stakes couldn't be higher. As Arias put it, 'Losing them means losing a piece of who we are.' Vanishing May Beetles: Scientists Issue Dire Warning first appeared on Men's Journal on May 26, 2025
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft makes game-changing $760 million investment in pursuit of ambitious goal: 'It just seemed like a no-brainer'
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Microsoft is continuing its push to achieve carbon negative, announcing that it is buying removal credits for 3.7 million metric tons of carbon. The carbon removal agreement will stretch over 12 years during its project to capture and store carbon emissions from a pulp and paper mill on the Gulf Coast. The project is in partnership with carbon dioxide removal developer CO280, and Microsoft cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report on the need for carbon removal in a statement to The Cool Down. "It just seemed like a no-brainer that everyone had missed," CO280 co-founder and CEO Jonathan Rhone told TechCrunch. CO280 sells its carbon removal credits at around $200 per metric ton, making the deal worth $760 million. In Microsoft's 2024 environmental sustainability report, the company disclosed that its pollution continued to rise. "In 2023, we saw [direct operational emissions] decrease by 6.3% from our 2020 baseline. This area remains on track to meet our goals," the report reads. "But our indirect emissions increased by 30.9%." Altogether, Microsoft reported that its "emissions are up 29.1% from the 2020 baseline." It said this is the result of the construction of more data centers and its building materials and hardware components. Carbon removal credits allow companies to offset their pollution. Carbon capture prevents carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. It involves capturing CO2 from industrial processes or power plants, transporting it, and storing it, typically deep underground. This method is a patchwork option for reducing emissions and mitigating damages, and there are drawbacks. The high cost, safety risks such as leaks and human health hazards from high CO2 concentrations, and the energy penalty associated with the carbon capture process limit the method's long-term viability. Additionally, carbon capture fails to address the overarching concern of our reliance on fossil fuels. Legislation to become carbon neutral or negative typically focuses on seeking renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing transportation pollution. As noted by the Carbon Removal Alliance, the carbon removal industry is equipped to remove around 100 million metric tons of carbon emissions every year. This can account for up to 130,000 additional jobs across the United States. In 2020, Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith announced that the company would become carbon negative by 2030. "The scientific consensus is clear. The world confronts an urgent carbon problem," Smith wrote. "The carbon in our atmosphere has created a blanket of gas that traps heat and is changing the world's climate." According to Smith, the rise in carbon pollution had become too significant to ignore. "Already, the planet's temperature has risen by 1 degree centigrade," Smith added. "If we don't curb emissions, and temperatures continue to climb, science tells us that the results will be catastrophic." Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Microsoft's goals from carbon neutral to carbon negative, meaning it intends to be responsible for more net carbon removal from the atmosphere than what it emits. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
