#Renewable Energy Convention

[enerhy-meetings]

Discover innovative insights at the International Primary Healthcare Conference. Engage with global experts as we explore diverse perspectives on primary health care systems.

[themonsterp]

The Universe, in some sense, must have known we were coming—Roger Penrose

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

APAC Is Dominating Hybrid Power Solutions Market

In 2023, the global market value for hybrid power solutions was approximately USD 2,506.2 million. Forecasts suggest that by 2030, this figure could double, reaching around USD 5,020.3 million, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% during the period from 2024 to 2030. The need for power is growing mainly because of the rising extent of industrialization. Amidst this…

[sunforgrace]

the thing about cockles is of course if one is going to interpret the funniest option remains that jensen ackles (texan, former cheerleader and male model, dad said straws are too gay, probably made some queer teenagers cry circa 2010’s superantural conventions)

was on set when some freak guy rocked up (democrat, former white house intern, gen x version of a van life kid, renewed vows in drag, carefully crafted image of sexually adventurous ambiguous #ally)

and immediately responded to Acting Choices by trying to out butch him and the new england liberal is here to stay. so now bloggers are posting close up gifs of the texan’s pupil dilation while staring at dmitri’s lips and analyzing on stage boners. all the while the temporarily bi wife energy guy is experiencing workplace homophobia including jensen ackles gay lisping him and 14 year old girls are declaring that his performance has cemented that his character - who ushered in the birth of omegaverse - wants to fuck men for real.

with of course the culmination being that misha collins has to formally come out as straight and as long as jensen ackles stays in schrödinger’s straight box jury’s out. maybe if he had kneed misha collins in the nuts as his choice of strange and offputting homosocial ritual like jared padalecki rather than being straddled on stage.

[reasonsforhope]

Scientists have developed a new solar-powered system to convert saltwater into fresh drinking water which they say could help reduce dangerous the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera.

Via tests in rural communities, they showed that the process is more than 20% cheaper than traditional methods and can be deployed in rural locations around the globe.

Building on existing processes that convert saline groundwater to freshwater, the researchers from King’s College London, in collaboration with MIT and the Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energy Systems, created a new system that produced consistent levels of water using solar power, and reported it in a paper published recently in Nature Water.

It works through a process called electrodialysis which separates the salt using a set of specialized membranes that channel salt ions into a stream of brine, leaving the water fresh and drinkable. By flexibly adjusting the voltage and the rate at which salt water flowed through the system, the researchers developed a system that adjusts to variable sunshine while not compromising on the amount of fresh drinking water produced.

Using data first gathered in the village of Chelleru near Hyderabad in India, and then recreating these conditions of the village in New Mexico, the team successfully converted up to 10 cubic meters, or several bathtubs worth of fresh drinking water. This was enough for 3,000 people a day with the process continuing to run regardless of variable solar power caused by cloud coverage and rain.

[Note: Not sure what metric they're using to calculate daily water needs here. Presumably this is drinking water only.]

Dr. Wei He from the Department of Engineering at King’s College London believes the new technology could bring massive benefits to rural communities, not only increasing the supply of drinking water but also bringing health benefits.

“By offering a cheap, eco-friendly alternative that can be operated off the grid, our technology enables communities to tap into alternative water sources (such as deep aquifers or saline water) to address water scarcity and contamination in traditional water supplies,” said He.

“This technology can expand water sources available to communities beyond traditional ones and by providing water from uncontaminated saline sources, may help combat water scarcity or unexpected emergencies when conventional water supplies are disrupted, for example like the recent cholera outbreaks in Zambia.”

In the global rural population, 1.6 billion people face water scarcity, many of whom are reliant on stressed reserves of groundwater lying beneath the Earth’s surface.

However, worldwide 56% of groundwater is saline and unsuitable for consumption. This issue is particularly prevalent in India, where 60% of the land harbors undrinkable saline water. Consequently, there is a pressing need for efficient desalination methods to create fresh drinking water cheaply, and at scale.

Traditional desalination technology has relied either on costly batteries in off-grid systems or a grid system to supply the energy necessary to remove salt from the water. In developing countries’ rural areas, however, grid infrastructure can be unreliable and is largely reliant on fossil fuels...

“By removing the need for a grid system entirely and cutting reliance on battery tech by 92%, our system can provide reliable access to safe drinking water, entirely emission-free, onsite, and at a discount of roughly 22% to the people who need it compared to traditional methods,” He said.

The system also has the potential to be used outside of developing areas, particularly in agriculture where climate change is leading to unstable reserves of fresh water for irrigation.

The team plans to scale up the availability of the technology across India through collaboration with local partners. Beyond this, a team from MIT also plans to create a start-up to commercialize and fund the technology.

“While the US and UK have more stable, diversified grids than most countries, they still rely on fossil fuels. By removing fossil fuels from the equation for energy-hungry sectors like agriculture, we can help accelerate the transition to Net Zero,” He said.

-via Good News Network, April 2, 2024

[msmysticfail]

Pluto in Aquarius

I'll give you a dose But it will never come close To the rage built up inside of me Fist in the air, in the land of hypocrisy

✶November 19, 2024 to January 19, 2044✶

Aquarius/Uranus rules: rebellion, innovation, thinking outside the box, youth, young adults, community, contribution to the community, groups, breaking conventions, dreams, ideas, surprises, accomplishments, social networks, social causes, social problems, dissatisfaction, uniqueness, agitation, fighting for ideals, fighting for ideas, new, future, future plans, technology, artificial intelligence, online groups, internet, unpredictability, rebellion, innovation, revolt, radicalism, chaos, revolution, turbulence, dissatisfaction, future, astrology, astronomy, gender equity, outer space, UFOs, programming, camaraderie, visionary, questioning, recycling, social responsibility.

Maybe we will feel like a new chapter is beginning because it is, however I would like to say that it is not yet the definitive end of an Era, that will only happen when Pluto enters Pisces and then begins its cycle again with Aries (2068–2098). Only then will we have the beginning of a new Era for humanity. That’s why it’s important for us to pay close attention to how we handle the pending social issues of this Era, such as: global warming, water resources, non-renewable energy sources (oil), gender inequality, humanitarian crises, hyperconnection, artificial intelligence, fake news, deep fakes.

I believe with all my being, with all my intuition, that if we do not take care of our planet now, when we are about to feel the force of Pluto in Aquarius acting on the collective (Earth), future generations—my children, your children, our grandchildren—will suffer greatly from the scenario that Pluto in Taurus (2097–2129) will bring. This generation will certainly pay for all the irreversible damage we have caused to the Earth. This is my intuition and my premonition, and I believe in it with my life. We must take care of this planet while there is still time.

Aquarius is also the opposite (opposition) of Leo, so leonine figures, as well as leonine themes, will go through certain challenges—this is a time of change.

When Pluto was last in Aquarius (1777–1798)

Lenormand was alive;

Yes, the creator of the Lenormand tarot was alive when Pluto was last in Aquarius, with the gift of vision running through her veins. Pluto in Aquarius guided this incredible seer through the paths of divination. Moreover, Marie Anne was part of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era.

French Revolution;

Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen by Olympe de Gouges;

Creation of the guillotine;

The “fall” of the monarchy;

The “fall” of absolutism;

Creation of the United States of America as an independent country;

The Enlightenment as the “predominant form” of thought.

Predictions

Return of Cicada 3301

This is a more personal prediction. I feel that with Uranus entering Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius, we will see a boom in all matters related to the internet. Pluto rules sects and secret groups, which is exactly what Cicada 3301 is.

More violent protests

Protests will become more violent due to Pluto’s influence, which acts as an “amplifier” (similar to Jupiter), but Pluto intensifies extreme emotions. Therefore, if the collective is very dissatisfied, this dissatisfaction will be tripled, and as a result, the protests will become more intense.

Advancement or colonization of Mars

Elon (Mars in Aquarius in the 8th house) and his team will certainly make great progress when it comes to advancing the colonization of Mars, as outer space is ruled by Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius. Thus, I believe that we, as humanity, will move forward toward space-related achievements.

Changes regarding misogyny in India (Parts of Asia)

There is still a dramatic scenario in 2024 occurring in parts of India and East Asia, where baby girls are abandoned or killed simply for being girls. Korean women still face a great deal of gender disparity in the workplace.

Behavioral shift in South Korea

South Korea still has a social landscape that does not favor gender equality.

New social network emerging

Yes, a new social network (or more) is on the horizon, as Uranus in Gemini (Air) and Pluto in Aquarius (Air) have joined forces to bring many innovations.

Social network ceasing to exist

Pluto speaks about death, and in this case, since it rules the internet, apps, and social networks, a certain social network has a high probability of ceasing to exist.

Change in beauty standards

Pluto in Aquarius will make a direct opposition to Leo, which, like Libra, dictates beauty standards and trends. The Aquarius-Leo axis deals with fashion, trends, individual tastes, and collective style.

Growth of astrology

Aquarius literally rules astrology, predictions, and our starry sky full of planets. With Pluto in Aquarius, the market is likely to see a boom in books, courses, and debates about astrology. Its importance will grow significantly.

Growth in the quality of electronic music

DJs, in particular, will be producing music and melodies that will “touch” the audience on a deeper level. As a result, we will have higher-quality music and new electronic hits emerging.

Hollywood will undergo a drastic transformation

Hollywood is literally one of the biggest symbols of Leo (with a strong influence from Neptune, as Neptune rules cinema and cinematic art). With Pluto in Aquarius making a direct opposition to this sign, we will see major transformations in aspects I can’t yet predict concerning Hollywood and its actors and actresses.

Aquarian figures gaining power and fame

Whether they have personal planets in Aquarius or simply embody this archetype.

Gigantic growth of AI

We will end Pluto in Aquarius with so many innovations and machines compared to what we have now. The question arises: could AI ever gain self-awareness? (...who knows?)

The masses will be more dissatisfied/questioning

We will be unconsciously reevaluating the rules imposed by society. As a result, feelings of dissatisfaction may arise at various times, leading to rebellion, strikes, and protests.

Greater contact with Space

Aquarius rules the starry sky, space, and everything strange to Earth. With Pluto in Aquarius, we will be more inclined to explore space, and we may even finally receive confirmations regarding extraterrestrial life.

Places most affected:

Argentina – Moon in Aquarius 27°03’

São Paulo – Sun in Aquarius 14°51’

China – Ascendant in Aquarius 5°56’

United States – Moon in Aquarius 26°58’

Brazil – Ascendant in Aquarius 28°10’

Cuba – Ascendant in Aquarius 17°30’

India – Midheaven in Aquarius 14°49’

South Korea – Sun in Leo 21°40’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Los Angeles – Midheaven in Leo 1°26’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Tokyo – Moon in Leo 6°06’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

India – Sun in Leo 21°07’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

Mexico City – Sun in Leo 3°11’ (opposition to Pluto in Aquarius)

To conclude, I want to make it very clear that I feel a significant event of large proportions will occur when Pluto in Aquarius, at its final degrees, opposes Uranus in Leo, starting around 2038 or 2039. This movement will greatly impact society.

“Ideas are bulletproof!”

— V for Vendetta

[femboypussy420]

Hey holy shit?

Press Release Rooster Teeth to Find a New Home with the Brand’s Original Creator Burnie Burns at Box Canyon Productions Nine months ago, Rooster Teeth announced that it would shut its doors after 21 years of creating content. Today, the Rooster Teeth brand and much of its remaining assets have been acquired by founder Burnie Burns, and his independent company, Box Canyon Productions. Austin, TX – February 5, 2025 – Burnie Burns, founder of the online media outlet Rooster Teeth, has officially acquired the beloved entertainment brand. This milestone marks a new chapter for Rooster Teeth as it returns to the hands of its original creator as part of his company Box Canyon Productions. Under Burns’ leadership, the historic brand plans to renew its focus on innovation, community engagement, and the spirit of creativity that first defined its success. Burns started Rooster Teeth in 2003 with the breakout success of Red vs. Blue, the longest-running web series in history. Over the years, Rooster Teeth expanded into a multimedia powerhouse, producing hit shows like RWBY and the international RTX convention series, while fostering a passionate global fanbase. With this acquisition, Burns aims to reignite the collaborative and community-driven energy that made Rooster Teeth a trailblazer in digital entertainment. “I am excited at the challenge of bringing Rooster Teeth back to its roots,” said Burns. “The heart of this brand has always been its fans, and I look forward to writing a new chapter together.” As an early pioneer of online video content, Rooster Teeth set the standard for how fan-first entertainment could thrive in the digital age. With Burns back at the helm, fans can anticipate a renewed dedication to Rooster Teeth’s original mission: to entertain, inspire, and connect. Along with the acquisition, Box Canyon announced a new development slate of productions for 2025, including renewed production of some of the platform’s classic shows, a new original audio adventure Again, and an untitled reimagining of Burns’ first film The Schedule.

Posted 2/5/2025

This audio is also on the RT main site

[slavicafire]

once you free yourself from the convention of what is allowed to be perceived and promoted and sold as attractive you will find yourself surrounded with people to go batshit crazy about every second step you take. today I passed a person I would pity a couple of years ago for being rather ugly and off-putting and today the awe and lust that overcame me could solve the global renewable energy issue

[girlactionfigure]

Sara Salkahazi was a Hungarian Catholic journalist who saved one hundred Jews during the Holocaust and paid the ultimate price for her bravery.

Born to a German family in Kassa, Hungary (now Slovakia) in 1899, Sara was described by her brother as a “tomboy with a strong will and a mind of her own.” A high-energy woman who spoke several languages, Sara worked as an elementary school teacher, a bookbinder and a hatmaker before becoming a journalist and editor of the National Christian Socialist Party of Czechoslovakia. She wasn’t particularly religious and considered herself agnostic or even atheist.

In 1929, Sara’s life changed when she discovered the Sisters of Social Service, a Catholic religious order founded in Hungary in 1923. After World War I, social upheaval and economic disaster created widespread poverty and suffering, and the SSS’s mission was to alleviate human suffering, especially among women and children. Sara attended a meeting of the group, and was deeply inspired. These women of faith were truly making a difference, and Sara knew she had to be part of it. Sara didn’t do anything in life halfway, and within a year of that first meeting, Sara took her first vows on Pentecost 1930. Her personal motto became, “Here I am; send me!”

Sara began working at the Catholic Charities office in her hometown, where she managed the bookstore, organized charitable drives, and published a magazine called “Catholic Women.” Never afraid of undertaking ambitious projects, she organized all the Catholic women’s groups into a Catholic Women’s Association. As part of this effort, Sara also started the National Girls Movement. As a working woman, Sara had a particular affinity for other girls and women who worked, either out of necessity or choice. She started a women’s vocational college, a home for working girls, and a series of training courses. Meanwhile Sara continued writing, including a popular play on the life of St. Margaret of Hungary.

Unfortunately, as a chain-smoking ex-atheist journalist, Sara didn’t fit in with the other Sisters and this became a problem. The more she achieved, the more others unfairly suspected she was just trying to draw attention to herself. They doubted she truly had a vocation to lead the religious life, and they actually refused to allow her to renew her vows or to wear the habit for a year. Stung by the rejection, Sara considered leaving the order, but ultimately decided to continue her work as a Sister of Social Service, even without an official vow or a habit. She made plans to relocate to Brazil, where a Hungarian Benedictine convent was looking for Sisters to assist their mission, but before she could move, World War II broke out and Sara found a new mission, which would define the rest of her life.

As Hitler rose to power in the 1930’s, so did his close ally the Hungarian Nazi party, also known as the Arrow Cross. Around this time, as a form of protest, Sara changed her German-sounding name to the Hungarian version.  The Arrow Cross’ path to power in Hungary began with recruiting the poorest and most marginalized members of society, including alcoholics, ex-cons, career criminals, sex offenders, and those with mental health issues that made it impossible to hold down a job. The Arrow Cross whipped up their followers to commit violence against Jews, intellectuals, and others who spoke out about their fascist reign of terror. 

In response to the growing persecution of Jews, Sara sprang into action. She turned her Working Girls Homes into safe havens for Jews desperate to escape the Arrow Cross. She housed at least a hundred Jews in buildings belonging to the Sisters of Social Service, often right under the nose of the Gestapo. Absolutely devoted to the cause of saving Jews, Sara made a formal pledge to God to sacrifice herself if the other Sisters weren’t harmed. This text survived the war.

Tragically, Sara was betrayed by a woman working in one of the safe houses. While Sara was out, the Arrow Cross stormed the building. Sara heard about what was happening, and could have run away and stayed safe. Instead she made the fateful decision to return. Sara was arrested by the Gestapo that day, along with four Jewish women and a Christian co-worker. The six women were marched to the bank of the Danube River on December 27, 1944, where they were shot and dumped into the water. Sara’s body was never recovered. She was 45 years old.

This horrific event was kept secret until 1967, when the belated trial of some Arrow Cross members revealed the details of their crimes against humanity. Two years later, the daughter of one of the Jews killed alongside Sara nominated her to Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem as a Righteous Gentile, and she received this posthumous honor in 1969.

In 2006, Sara was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, who said “She was willing to assume risks for the persecuted in days of great fear. Her martyrdom is still relevant, and represents the foundations of our humanity.” Abraham Foxman, a Holocaust survivor saved by his Catholic nanny, said “The honor bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI on Sister Sara Salkahazi for risking and eventually giving her life to save Jews in peril is an important statement by the church. It is unfortunate that there were not more individuals like Sister Sara, but her example must be held up to demonstrate how lives can be saved when good people take action to confront evil.”

For sacrificing her life to save a hundred Jewish strangers, we honor Sara Salkahazi as this week’s Thursday Hero.

[ofmdrecaps]

06/01-06/04/2025 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; OFMD Dates; David Jenkins; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Nathan Foad; Samba Schutte; Vico Ortiz; Dominic Burgess; Craft Fair For Pride; Our Flag Means Pride Reminders; Siren Events - The New-Unicon Advent Calendar!; Fan Spotlight: OFMD Mermay 2025: Mer-Izzy!, OFMD Fic Club; Big Gay Energy Pod; Our Flag Means Fanfiction; Garlic Soup Week; Love Notes;

== OFMD Dates ==

A few people have mentioned some key OFMD dates so I thought it would be good to include them! Let me know if I've missed any!

06/01/2025 - Third Anniversary of S2 Renewal Announcement

06/03/2025 - June the 3rd, An Excellent Day! The day that Stede and crew plundered the plant in the pilot! Mentioned by Lucius in Act Of Grace

= David Jenkins =

Chaos Dad Decided to start pride month off making all of us cry <3

Source: David's Bsky

And Chaos Dad reblogged this all too true line posted by AnnaaCoola

Source: David's Bsky

= Rhys Darby =

Rhys is super busy out in Cardiff!

Source: Rhys' IG Stories

Two new Daily Darby's!

June 2 / June 3 / June 4

Source: Rhys' Free Substack

Rhys has been being a complete menace again if you can't tell.

Source: Rhys IG Stories

He was also featured in TheTime.Com! Check out the article here!

Annnnnd Good news, The Cryptid Factor is live at Appleton Tower - Orchard, 05-10 Aug at 16:15! You can get tickets at gildedballoon.co.uk

Source: Rhys IG

= Taika Waititi =

Taika is in Africa with NVFilmStudiosAfrica's Chairman Simo Kubheka!

Source: NVFilmStudioAfrica's IG

= Nathan Foad =

Lots of Nathan sightings lately! Out with a friend <3

Source: Nathan's IG Stories

= Samba Schutte =

Samba is NOT happy with the heat going on!

Source: Samba's IG

= Vico Ortiz =

Vico's busy with their show Rise of a King! They're announcing an ASL interpreter at the show, and discounts for hard of hearing and deaf fans! Check out the video below!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vico Ortiz (@puertoricaninja)

Source: Vico's IG

= Dominic Burgess =

Our dear Jeffrey Fettering is sending us some love for pride with his fiance! He's out in Chicago this week!

Dominic has a lot in the works right now! Below is a screenshot from Caged, and a trailer for XY!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stephan Fleet (@stephanfleet)

Source: Dominic's IG

= Craft Fair for Pride =

Our lovely friends that worked on the OFMD Craft Fair are participating in another craft fair-- while not OFMD Themed, it is Pride themed! Check it out here if you'd like to grab some pride swag!

Source: @ghostalservice's Bsky!

= Our Flag Means Pride =

Reminder! You can still sign up (no purchase necessary) for many of the Giveaways going on for Our Flag Means Pride!

Source: AOC Bsky

Current Milestones Hit, and the forms you can use to enter them!

$250 - Form

$500 - Form

$750 - Form

$1000 - Form

$1500 - Form

$2000 - Form

$2500 - Form

$3000 - Form

$3500 - Form

$4000 - Form

$5000 - Form

$6000 - Form

Source: Adopt Our Crew Bsky

= Siren Events - The New Uni-Con =

Our lovely con-hosts over at @siren-events-uk have got a A Very Piratey Advent calendar up and running as the Countdown to The New Uni-Con has begun! The New Uni-Con will be going on at the Hilton London Gatwick, 20th - 22nd of June! Each day of the advent, there's a new announcement or discount so be sure to follow them on their socials to catch the updates! Tumblr / Instagram / Bsky

Day 2

"Advent treat number two isn't just for today, but for two whole weeks! Any purchase of convention extras or merch from June 1st through to the online store closing at midnight (bst) on June 15th, will give you the chance to win one of the following #TNUC extras, which you can keep for yourself or gift to a friend! * David Jenkins Coffee Break * Group Photo * Welcome Meet & Greet * Breakfast Meet & Greet Winners will be behind doors 16 through to 19!"

Source: Siren Events Day 2 Advent Calendar Page

Day 3

Some cool news -- Gypsy will be judging the costume contest! 😱

Source: Siren Events Day 3 Calendar Page

Day 4

There's a flash discount code for 20% off Meet and Greets going on until Until noon (bst) on Saturday 7th June. 👀 Check it out here!

Source: Siren Events Day 4 Calendar Page

= Fan Spotlight =

= OFMD Mermay 2025 =

I know we're in June, but I wanted to highlight this really gorgeous fan art of Mer-Izzy by @volkradugiart! I love the detail on the tail!

Source: Volkradugiart's Tumblr

= OFMD Fic Club =

I know many of you are already aware and partake in the fabulous OFMD Fic Club Discord Server, but for those who don't I wanted to make sure to highlight this month's featured Author as well as their monthly server plans!

The Featured Author for this month is El aka BonnyPitty! The fic the club is highlighting this month is Even Lovers Drown! You can join them to discuss the fic in the appropriate channel, found in #Announcements, and they'll be chatting with El on Saturday, June 14, 2025! Their featured topic this month is The Queer Muse and they'll be having a chat later on in the month on Friday, June 27, 2025 to explore the theme in depth! Wanna join in the fun? You can join the OFMD Fic Club Server here!

Source: KaraWrites, OFMD Fic Club Admin

= Big Gay Energy Pod =

There's a new episode of Big Gay Energy Pod - and this episode our dear Jim, Vico Ortiz is on the pod talking about Drag, Vulnerability, and "Rise of a King"! Check it out here!

Source: Big Gay Energy Podcast

= Our Flag Means Fanfiction =

New episode of OFMFF! Check out the episode on your favorite listening platform by visiting their linktr.ee!

Source: OFMFF IG

= Garlic Soup Week =

Reminder! Garlic Soup Week is coming up fast! June 22-28, 2025 remember to share all your lovely celebrations of our favorite polycule with the #GarlicSoupWeek on the various platforms! Wanna learn more? Visit @garlicsoupweek on Tumblr or Bluesky!

Source: Garlic Soup Week Bsky

== Questions / Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies. Wow, so many recaps in a couple of days, there's just so much going on. I would love some feedback when you have time -- I don't know if life will make it harder for me to do recaps for a while-- so I would love it if I could chat with a few of you that read regularly about some ideas I have regarding a discord server that might serve the same purpose. If you're interested in brainstorming with me, please feel free to DM me here or @gentlebeardsbarngrill!

Sorry for taking up a bit of the love notes for that! I saw this love note from TheLatestKate today and it made me think of you all. I know we're all trying really hard to fix all we can, but remember that it doesnt have to happen all at once. You'll get there.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @thelatestkate

Source: The Latest Kate IG / Linktr.ee

[batboyblog]

The United States is experiencing scorching new levels of heat fueled by climate change this summer, with dozens of people dying in the West, millions sweating under heat advisories and nearly three-quarters of Americans saying the government must prioritize global warming.

But as the Republican Party opens its national convention in Milwaukee with a prime-time focus on energy on Monday night, the party has no plan to address climate change.

While many Republicans no longer deny the overwhelming scientific consensus that the planet is warming, party leaders do not see it as a problem that needs to be addressed.

“I don’t know that there is a Republican approach to climate change as an organizing issue,” said Thomas J. Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative research group focused on energy. “I don’t think President Trump sees reducing greenhouse gases, using the government to do so, as an imperative.”

When former President Donald J. Trump mentions climate change at all, it is mockingly.

“Can you imagine, this guy says global warming is the greatest threat to our country?” Mr. Trump said, referring to President Biden as he addressed a rally in Chesapeake, Va., last month, the hottest June in recorded history across the globe. “Global warming is fine. In fact, I heard it was going to be very warm today. It’s fine.”

He went on to dismiss the scientific evidence that melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are causing seas to rise, threatening coastal communities around the world. He said it would result in “more waterfront property, if you’re lucky enough to own.” And he lapsed into familiar rants against windmills and electric vehicles.

At the televised debate with Mr. Biden in June, Mr. Trump was asked if he would take any action as president to slow the climate crisis. “I want absolutely immaculate clean water and I want absolutely clean air, and we had it,” Mr. Trump responded, without answering the question.

Mr. Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, later declined to clarify the former president’s position or discuss any actions he would take regarding climate change, saying only that he wants “energy dominance.”

The United States last year pumped more crude oil than any country in history and is now the world’s biggest exporter of natural gas.

A clear majority of Americans, 65 percent, wants the country to focus on increasing solar, wind and other renewable energy and not fossil fuels, according to a May survey by the Pew Research Center. But just 38 percent of Republicans surveyed said renewable energy should be prioritized, while 61 percent said the country should focus on developing more oil, gas and coal.

“Their No. 1 agenda is to continue producing fossil fuels,” said Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric sciences and the director of the Texas Center for Climate Studies at Texas A&M University. “Once you understand their main goal is to entrench fossil fuels regardless of anything else, everything makes sense.”

The party platform, issued last week, makes no mention of climate change. Instead, it encourages more production of oil, gas and coal, the burning of which is dangerously driving up global temperatures. “We will DRILL, BABY, DRILL,” it says, referring to oil as “liquid gold.”

By contrast, Mr. Biden has taken the most aggressive action of any president to cut emissions from coal, oil and gas and encourage a transition to wind, solar and other carbon-free energy. He has directed every federal agency from the Agriculture Department to the Pentagon to consider how climate change is affecting their core missions.

If Mr. Biden has taken an all-of-government approach to fighting climate change, Mr. Trump and his allies would adopt the opposite: scrubbing “climate” from all federal functions and promoting fossil fuels.

Mr. Trump and his allies want to end federal subsidies for electric vehicles, battery development and the wind and solar industries, preferring instead to open up the Alaskan wilderness to oil drilling, encourage more offshore drilling and expand gas export terminals.

Project 2025, a lengthy manual filled with specific proposals for a next Republican administration, calls for erasing any mention of climate change across the government. While Mr. Trump has recently sought to distance himself from Project 2025, he has praised its architects at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative research organization, and much of the plan was written by people who were top advisers during his first term and could serve in prominent roles if he wins in November.

When pressed to discuss climate change, some Republicans say the country should produce more natural gas and sell it to other countries as a cleaner replacement for coal.

While natural gas produces less carbon dioxide than coal when burned, it remains one of the sources of the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change. Scientists say that countries must stop burning coal, oil and gas to keep global warming to relatively safe levels. Last year, at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the United States and nearly 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels.

But if elected, Mr. Trump has indicated he would pull back from the global fight against climate change, as he did when he announced in 2017 that the United States would be the first and only country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. (The United States subsequently rejoined under Mr. Biden.)

And it’s possible he would go even further. Mr. Trump’s former aides said that if he wins in November, he would remove the country altogether from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the international body that works on climate policy and created the 2015 Paris deal.

When it comes to international relations, Project 2025 calls for an end to spending federal funds to help the world’s poorest countries transition to wind, solar and other renewable energy.

The blueprint also calls for erasing climate change as a national security concern, despite research showing rising sea levels, extreme weather and other consequences of global temperature rise are destabilizing areas of the world, affecting migration and threatening American military installations.

Federal research into climate change would slow or disappear under Project 2025, which recommends dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which conducts some of the world’s leading climate research and is also responsible for weather forecasting and tracking the path of hurricanes and other storms.

NOAA, according to the authors of Project 2025, is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” At the agency’s research operation, which include a network of research laboratories, an undersea research center, and several joint research institutes with universities, “the preponderance of its climate-change research should be disbanded,” the blueprint said.

Project 2025 also calls for the president to issue an executive order to “reshape” the program that convenes 13 federal agencies every four years to produce the National Climate Assessment, the country’s most authoritative analysis of climate knowledge. The report is required by Congress and details the impacts and risks of climate change to a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, health care and transportation. It is used by the public, researchers and officials around the country to inform decisions about strategies and spending.

Project 2025 also calls for the elimination of offices at the Department of Energy dedicated to developing wind, solar and other renewable energy.

Waleed Abdalati, a former NASA chief scientist who is now at the University of Colorado Boulder, said downgrading climate science would be a disservice to the nation. “That’s a loss of four years in pursuit of creative solutions,” he said.

As president, Mr. Trump tried to replace top officials with political appointees who denied the existence of climate change and put pressure on federal scientists to water down their conclusions. Scientists refused to change their findings and attempts by the Trump administration to bury climate research were also not successful.

“Thank God they didn’t know how to run a government,” Thomas Armstrong, who led the National Climate Assessment program under the Obama administration, said at the end of Mr. Trump’s presidency, adding, “It could have been a lot worse.”

Next time, they would know how to run the government, Mr. Trump’s former officials said. “The difference between the last time and this time is, Donald Trump was president for four years,” Mr. Pyle said. “He will be more prepared.”

[centrally-unplanned]

I wanna get this one out before the election since I think that is going to "cast in stone" some takes when it shouldn't given how much of a coinflip it is; Biden really fumbled the ball in the second half of his presidency. I was very pro-Biden at the beginning, I thought he did a great job. I don't think the stimulus was a huge source of inflation and meanwhile the economy came back roaring; obviously not mainly due to him but he did a good job on renewing Jerome Powell (a Trump appointee!) to the Fed, controlling the Strategic Oil Reserve, and "getting out of the way" on a bunch of issues from trade to Covid policy. His environmental policy around the energy transition was stellar, I approve of CHIPS, etc. And in foreign policy he is never going to get the credit he deserves for ending the Afghanistan debacle, and meanwhile the US response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine was about as good as you could possibly expect it to be out the gate.

He actually proved the haters wrong on his promise to "get things done in Congress" using his expertise - he did in fact get bipartisan bills passed and work with centrists like Manchin to get party bills over the line. It was a solid showing; I thought he was clearly better than Obama & Clinton.

But as time went on the wheels really came off. You can almost see the "ideas" running out, like once they had done the Covid drawdown and BBB/IRA, and the midterms made congress more unfavorable, "what's next?" left a void. There was a bunch of bad "party handout" stuff that is completely at odds with how things work today. Foolish moves like the student debt relief - unpopular, unwise in an inflationary environment, a handout to the wealthy, and dubiously legal - or all the kowtowing to the worst unions in the US that still resulting in declining labor vote share! A lack of follow-through on the bills showed the admin's lack of policy chops; the IRA is severely hampered by the lack of permitting reform for energy projects, but the admin applied virtually no pressure to making that happen because, eh, not their vibe I guess? The huge holes in procurement that Ukraine war exposed has been met with very tepid responses as well, just a sort of "throw money at it" default that has fixed little.

Israel is of course peak inertia. I am a realist, I understand fully that there is no world where the US responds to a terrorist attack on an ally by cutting them off - and I think the Biden admin has had its wins in this category, the amount of aid entering Gaza is certainly higher due to US pressure. But it is just embarrassing how obviously Biden himself treated Netanyahu and co as like, credible partners, when they just aren't? Again, Trump would just happily support them doing w/e no matter how many the killed, it wouldn't be embarrassing for him to watch that happen. For Biden, with his stated goals, it is weakness. He could have easily done better.

And we can't ignore the responsibility to the next generation - it is your job as President to set up your successor for victory. Immigration is a classic policy example of that dropped ball - a fear of seeming "Trump-like" in the face of an unsympathetic electorate and an admin itself not actually committed to massive increases in admitted asylum cases. It would be one thing if it was Biden's hill to die on, but it wasn't; just years of muddle before finally doing in ~2024 what they could have done in ~2021, too late to move the needle on the backlash.

Which leads us to the elephant in the room, as all things must. He did end his nomination in the end, again I don't think he is some awful president. But he took a lot of heavy pressure to get there. And the weirdest thing is...he is the one who scheduled a debate before the convention? That isn't normal! It was very obviously a test, to show he was fit - and he failed it. And then refused to admit it. What if George Clooney didn't aim for his head in the press at the 11th hour? What if Nancy Pelosi didn't bring out the big guns? Would he have not bowed down to reality?

And while I have been quite impressed by Harris's campaign so far, and not having a primary has been an advantage, it has still been very rushed. Orgs take time to emerge, you can't actually just snap your fingers and get 30 interviews booked or a docket of vetted VPs. I think Tim Walz a mistake, personally! Not a big one, but a weak choice when someone like Josh Shapiro is right there and "pivot to the center" is your stated strategy. But it is hard to blame her when she probably threw it together in a few weeks while also doing 20 stump speeches a month and debate prepping and all that! I can't say that specific decision would change, but others would. Hell, time could have helped - her favourables in a ton of categories have slowly been ticking up, if she was the candidate since January things could be different. We will never know of course, but the more distance from Biden the better.

I think in 2023 and 2024 it is in fact very hard to find any solid wins for the Biden administration. I can think of a few but they outnumbered handily by the missteps. And I think that, if Kamala wins, a lot of this is going to be papered over. All the political missteps will be like "eh, who cares! We won, right?" But that is not how effective strategy works. For one, if Kamala wins it is only because Trump is the opponent; a normie Republican would probably have trounced her. But more importantly your strategy should pretty much never be "eh whatever" to maximizing your electoral odds. Every action should either be A: this will keep us winning, or B: this won't but it will make the world a better place and so it is where we are spending our points. Biden has had a lot of "neither option" these past two years; too many, in my opinion, to be considered a good president anymore.

But I will give him decent at least, it is a tough job!

[astrolocherry]

Aquarius - The Distributer of a Magical Elixir

The archetypal experience of Aquarius ties deeply into the myth of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth and the cupbearer of the gods. Her role as the cupbearer of the gods reflects an Aquarius tendency to serve others emotionally or intellectually without always feeling seen or appreciated. Aquarians often pour their physical, mental, and emotional energy into causes, relationships, or communities, acting as emotional "cupbearers" who sustain others. The role as the cupbearer speaks to this sense of equality—serving all gods, high and low, with the same reverence and care.

This style of youthful energy is the Hebe/Aquarius breath of fresh air, and as above so below, there is an ever-renewing ripeness and vitality in the Aquarius that produces an ever prolific visionary. However, this dutiful cupbearer was also a siren of the counter culture and a rebel. Just as Hebe cannot be catagorised into a single female archetype, the Aquarius is equally resistant fitting pre-ordained definitions or accepting the conventions. As Queen, She did not undertake the conventional roles of other Goddess - her status and essence was her immortal youth and ability to restore this to others. It allowed her enter roles that defied the traditional archetypes, and therefore places the Aquarius in this liminal space outside of the mythic roles preassigned to women.

This is where the nectar is free flowing because it is this energy in direct control, it suggests that immense power accompanied Hebe's her servility, she controls the powers to renew and restore and keep promising eternity. As Aquarius are carrying out this role on earth instead, the water bearer supplies a magical elixir in a healing nectar to be distributed equally to inspire collective elevation and change. Hebe's essence of immortal youth allows the Aquarius to maintain a bright, idyllic, and unblemished vision of the future that is filled with hope and renewal.

~ Cherry

[talonabraxas]

“Intuition is the innate ability in everyone to perceive truth directly - not by reason, logic, or analysis, but by a simple knowing from within. That is the very meaning of the word “intuition”: to know, or understand from within - from one’s own self, and from the heart of whatever one is trying to understand. Intuition is the inner ability to see behind the outer forms of things to their inner essence.” ― Goswami Kriyananda

Hekate ☽🌑 ☾ Talon Abraxas

New Moon in Aquarius 2025: Renewal and Transformation

On January 29, 07:35 AM EST, we experience a New Moon at 9º50’ of Aquarius: this is the first New Moon of 2025 and also the event that inaugurates the Lunar New Year, widely celebrated in many Asian cultures that follow the lunar calendar.

While last year was the year of the Dragon, in 2025 we enter the year of the Snake according to the Chinese Zodiac. The Aquarius New Moon, coinciding with the beginning of the Year of the Snake, encourages us to welcome renewal and embrace the dance of transformation.

The Aquarius New Moon is particularly significant for those born with placements in Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). The individuals personally impacted by this event will feel its transformative energy more intensely in one or more areas of their lives: they are more likely to experience opportunities to make significant changes and break free from stagnation and inertia.

New Moon in Aquarius: Envisioning a New Reality

New Moons mark the beginning of the lunar month and represent a time to start something new, plant seeds, and set intentions for the future. After slowly waning for the past two weeks, since the Full Moon took place, the Moon is still invisible from our perspective: we have an opportunity to turn inward and deepen our introspection before starting to move forward again. The Sun and the Moon are currently forming a 0º angle from our perspective on Earth, which in Astrology is technically known as a conjunction: when two planets are conjunct, their energies blend and express as one.

As the month of January comes to an end, the Sun and the Moon meet in the sign of the Water Bearer. The Aquarius New Moon begins a lunar cycle focused on envisioning a new reality, breaking free from old patterns, and releasing our attachment to the past. This event encourages us to welcome new possibilities, move toward the unknown and the unfamiliar, and create a reality aligned with our truth.

Aquarius, as the sign of innovation and collective progress, asks us to challenge conventions, think outside the box, and approach change with an open mind. This New Moon motivates us to question societal expectations, norms, and rules, and explore unconventional paths that might bring us closer to the truth of who we are.

New Moon conjunct Pluto: Renewal and Transformation

The Sun and the Moon in Aquarius are conjunct with both Pluto and Mercury, which emphasizes the theme of transformation during both the upcoming lunar cycle and the lunar year ahead. Pluto has a strong connection to the symbolism of the Snake, one of the animals associated with the sign of Scorpio: both Pluto and Scorpio correlate to transformational processes, shedding skin, and death and rebirth cycles.

The Snake is associated with the first evolutionary stage of Scorpio and precedes the Eagle and the Phoenix in the evolutionary trajectory of this sign. This symbolism emphasizes the focus on shedding skin and releasing what no longer serves us in order to renovate and transform our lives from the inside out.

Pluto’s activation, just a couple of months after his final ingress into Aquarius, brings the spotlight on our personal and collective evolutionary journeys. This New Moon conjunct with Pluto brings the spotlight on areas of our life that need to be radically transformed and shows us how and where we are being asked to evolve and grow.

These days, unconscious content can emerge into our conscious awareness and we can have glimpses of deep, hidden truths that have been buried within us for some time. Pluto’s transformative energy illuminates shadows we don’t normally see and invites us to confront what we may have avoided or suppressed. Meanwhile, the prominence of Aquarian energy helps us witness whatever comes up with objectivity and a neutral, observational awareness.

Around this time, emotions, thoughts, desires, needs, and patterns that have been operating in the background may now come to light: we have an opportunity to let go of our attachment to the past and the familiar and gain awareness of what needs to be transformed.

[tantramassageindia]

The Art of Tantra Massage

The Art of Tantra Massage: A Gateway to Deep Healing and Connection

Tantra Massage is more than just a physical experience—it is a sacred practice that nurtures deep relaxation, intimacy, and spiritual awakening. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Tantra, this transformative massage technique combines touch, breathwork, and energy flow to cultivate a profound sense of connection with oneself and others.

What is Tantra Massage?

Tantra Massage is a holistic practice that integrates mindful touch, energy activation, and meditative presence. Unlike conventional massages that focus solely on muscle relaxation, Tantra Massage engages the body's subtle energy centers, known as chakras, to release emotional and energetic blockages. This allows for a deeper state of relaxation, heightened pleasure, and a renewed sense of vitality.

The Benefits of Tantra Massage

Emotional Healing: Tantra Massage helps release stored emotions, past traumas, and stress, creating space for emotional clarity and freedom.

Deep Relaxation: The slow, intentional strokes combined with breathwork bring a state of deep relaxation, reducing anxiety and promoting mental peace.

Enhanced Intimacy: Whether received individually or as a couple, Tantra Massage fosters deeper emotional and physical intimacy, enhancing relationships.

Increased Energy Flow: By stimulating energy points and chakras, this practice awakens dormant energies and promotes a heightened state of awareness and pleasure.

Self-Discovery: Tantra Massage is a journey inward, allowing individuals to connect with their own sensuality, desires, and spiritual essence.

What to Expect in a Tantra Massage Session

A Tantra Massage session is a guided experience in a safe and sacred environment. It may include:

Gentle and mindful touch using warm oils.

Guided breathing techniques to enhance energy flow.

Chakra activation and energy work to restore balance.

Deep relaxation practices to dissolve stress and tension.

Every session is uniquely tailored to individual needs, ensuring a comfortable and enriching experience.

Experience Tantra Massage in India

If you are looking to explore the profound benefits of Tantra Massage, our experienced practitioners offer personalized sessions in India. Whether you seek relaxation, healing, or a deeper connection with your inner self, Tantra Massage can be a transformative experience.

Any female, male, or couple can book a session with us.

Connect with us on Telegram to learn more and book a session: Join Here

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and bliss through the sacred art of Tantra Massage.

#tantra #tantramassage #massage #intimacy #couple#sexy and beautiful #hot as hell #so hot and sexy #sexy pose #beautiful body #amazing body #india #mumbai #bangalore #ahmedabad

[reasonsforhope]

No-paywall version.

"You can never really see the future, only imagine it, then try to make sense of the new world when it arrives.

Just a few years ago, climate projections for this century looked quite apocalyptic, with most scientists warning that continuing “business as usual” would bring the world four or even five degrees Celsius of warming — a change disruptive enough to call forth not only predictions of food crises and heat stress, state conflict and economic strife, but, from some corners, warnings of civilizational collapse and even a sort of human endgame. (Perhaps you’ve had nightmares about each of these and seen premonitions of them in your newsfeed.)

Now, with the world already 1.2 degrees hotter, scientists believe that warming this century will most likely fall between two or three degrees. (A United Nations report released this week ahead of the COP27 climate conference in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, confirmed that range.) A little lower is possible, with much more concerted action; a little higher, too, with slower action and bad climate luck. Those numbers may sound abstract, but what they suggest is this: Thanks to astonishing declines in the price of renewables, a truly global political mobilization, a clearer picture of the energy future and serious policy focus from world leaders,

we have cut expected warming almost in half in just five years.

...Conventional wisdom has dictated that meeting the most ambitious goals of the Paris agreement by limiting warming to 1.5 degrees could allow for some continuing normal, but failing to take rapid action on emissions, and allowing warming above three or even four degrees, spelled doom.

Neither of those futures looks all that likely now, with the most terrifying predictions made improbable by decarbonization and the most hopeful ones practically foreclosed by tragic delay. The window of possible climate futures is narrowing, and as a result, we are getting a clearer sense of what’s to come: a new world, full of disruption but also billions of people, well past climate normal and yet mercifully short of true climate apocalypse.

Over the last several months, I’ve had dozens of conversations — with climate scientists and economists and policymakers, advocates and activists and novelists and philosophers — about that new world and the ways we might conceptualize it. Perhaps the most capacious and galvanizing account is one I heard from Kate Marvel of NASA, a lead chapter author on the fifth National Climate Assessment: “The world will be what we make it.” Personally, I find myself returning to three sets of guideposts, which help map the landscape of possibility.

First, worst-case temperature scenarios that recently seemed plausible now look much less so, which is inarguably good news and, in a time of climate panic and despair, a truly underappreciated sign of genuine and world-shaping progress...

[I cut number two for being focused on negatives. This is a reasons for hope blog.]

Third, humanity retains an enormous amount of control — over just how hot it will get and how much we will do to protect one another through those assaults and disruptions. Acknowledging that truly apocalyptic warming now looks considerably less likely than it did just a few years ago pulls the future out of the realm of myth and returns it to the plane of history: contested, combative, combining suffering and flourishing — though not in equal measure for every group...

“We live in a terrible world, and we live in a wonderful world,” Marvel says. “It’s a terrible world that’s more than a degree Celsius warmer. But also a wonderful world in which we have so many ways to generate electricity that are cheaper and more cost-effective and easier to deploy than I would’ve ever imagined. People are writing credible papers in scientific journals making the case that switching rapidly to renewable energy isn’t a net cost; it will be a net financial benefit,” she says with a head-shake of near-disbelief. “If you had told me five years ago that that would be the case, I would’ve thought, wow, that’s a miracle.”"

-via The New York Times Magazine, October 26, 2022