Biden Designates Two New National Monuments in California

Biden Designates Two New National Monuments in California

Biden Designates Two New National Monuments in California

On January 7, 2025, President Biden designated two new national monuments in California: Chuckwalla National Monument in the southern California desert and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in the state's northern mountainous interior. This action protects a combined 848,000 acres of land with significant ecological, cultural, historical, and scientific value. The move is lauded by environmental groups and California officials as a major victory for conservation efforts, while drawing criticism from some as a politically motivated attempt to thwart the agenda of incoming President Trump.

Key Themes:

  • Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation: The monument designations are framed as key components of the Biden Administration's ambitious conservation agenda and commitment to tackling climate change. These actions protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and contribute to the “America the Beautiful” initiative, aiming to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
  • Tribal Sovereignty and Cultural Heritage Preservation: Both monuments encompass ancestral lands and sacred sites of Indigenous peoples. The designations prioritize tribal co-management and recognize the importance of Indigenous knowledge in land stewardship. Notably, the Sáttítla Highlands Monument protects the Medicine Lake Volcano, a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Pit River Tribe.
  • Political Legacy and Inter-Party Conflict: The timing of the monument designations, just days before the inauguration of President Trump, suggests a strategic maneuver to solidify Biden's environmental legacy and potentially limit his successor's ability to pursue resource extraction in these areas. Trump has criticized the move, vowing to revoke the protections on his first day in office, setting the stage for potential legal battles.
  • Scale of Protection: “With today’s designations and yesterday’s actions to protect the East and West coasts and the Northern Bering Sea from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, President Biden has now protected 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters.” (White House Fact Sheet)
  • Conservation Corridor: “Establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California is President Biden’s capstone action to create the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental United States, covering nearly 18 million acres stretching approximately 600 miles. This new Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor protects wildlife habitat and a wide range of natural and cultural resources along the Colorado River, across the Colorado Plateau, and into the deserts of California.” (White House Fact Sheet)
  • Economic Benefits: "National monuments do more than preserve beautiful and culturally significant places; they also drive substantial economic benefits for surrounding communities. Studies have consistently shown that conservation of public lands correlates with growth in local economies, particularly through tourism and recreation." (California Governor's Office press release)
  • Trump's Opposition: “They took away 625 million acres of offshore drilling... nobody else does that. I’m going to have it revoked on day one. If we need to we’ll go to the courts, if they try to be sneaky... remember this is a man who said he wants the transition to be smooth. You don’t do those kind of things... We’re going to be drilling soon.” (President Trump, quoted in Yahoo News article)

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EC-AIFS AI Euro Model Blows Away the Competition with Hurricane Milton Forecast

EC-AIFS AI Euro Model Blows Away the Competition with Hurricane Milton Forecast

Advancements in hurricane forecasting with the introduction of the ECMWF EC-AIFS, a new artificial intelligence model does incredible job with Milton prediction. It boasts significantly higher accuracy compared to other models, predicting the landfall of Hurricane Milton with an error margin of only 13 miles. We emphasize the model's potential to save lives, resources, and time by pinpointing the most accurate landfall location. Additionally, the importance of continuously improving forecasting skills by analyzing past predictions and current atmospheric conditions to make the most informed decisions is an important part of hurricane forecasting today that need a human touch.

14 Okt 20244min

Climate Change Impacts on Hurricane Milton: Wetter, Windier & More Destructive

Climate Change Impacts on Hurricane Milton: Wetter, Windier & More Destructive

World Weather Attribution examines the effects of climate change on Hurricane Milton, which recently made landfall in Florida. The report from WA analyzes the hurricane's intensity, rainfall, and wind speeds, concluding that climate change significantly increased the likelihood and intensity of the storm. The report also discusses the impact of Hurricane Milton on Florida's infrastructure and preparedness, highlighting the vulnerability of low-income and minority communities. It then provides an overview of the effects of climate change on hurricanes globally, emphasizing the growing trend of more intense storms and the need for better preparedness and adaptation measures.

12 Okt 20248min

Was Mar-a-lago Open to Trump Supporters to Evacuate for Hurricane Milton?

Was Mar-a-lago Open to Trump Supporters to Evacuate for Hurricane Milton?

Claims are circulating on social media that former President Donald Trump is offering free lodging at his properties, including Mar-a-Lago, to Trump supporters displaced by Hurricane Milton. There are various posts from social media users, some claiming that Trump is offering shelter and others stating that the claims are false. It also includes a statement from a representative of Trump National Doral, saying that the hotel is fully booked. Do you think the claims about free lodging for Trump supporters at Mar-a-Lago are true?

12 Okt 20248min

Hurricane Milton Conspiracy Theories: Putting Lives at Risk

Hurricane Milton Conspiracy Theories: Putting Lives at Risk

We explore the spread of misinformation surrounding hurricanes, particularly the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton.A Broward County School Board member has been spreading false claims about FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene, including that the agency was withholding aid and diverting funds. There are harmful effects of misinformation, specifically focusing on meteorologists who are facing threats and harassment from individuals who believe the government controls weather events. This misinformation is amplified during times of political polarization and heightened anxiety, particularly during election years. Brian McNoldy, a University of Miami meteorologist and reaseach scientist debunks conspiracy theories surrounding Hurricane Milton, including the claim that the government is manipulating weather patterns to steer the storm towards specific locations. These issues demonstrate the dangers of spreading misinformation during natural disasters, which can negatively impact relief efforts and potentially endanger lives. Cover photo from Miami New Times

11 Okt 20248min

Hurricane Milton - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Hurricane Milton - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida yesterday, and its impacts on different parts of the state will be memorable for years to comeThe storm's three phases, with intense tornadoes in the first phase, storm surge in the second, and strong winds and heavy rain in the third highlight that Hurricanes are not always one dimensional. The accuracy of the National Hurricane Center's forecasts, particularly for the storm's track were phenomenal, but challenges in predicting rapid intensification still exist. Florida hurricanes can come rapid fire, and while that’s not new, sea level rise and warming sea surface temperatures are bringing us new challenges. Increased preparedness and better construction standards should be the focus in order to weather these recurring hurricane threats.

11 Okt 20246min

Hurricane Milton - Florida Hazards Include Storm Surge, Flash Flood, High Wind, & Tornados 🌪️

Hurricane Milton - Florida Hazards Include Storm Surge, Flash Flood, High Wind, & Tornados 🌪️

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the West Coast of Florida, bringing with it the threat of dangerous storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for the entire Florida peninsula, urging residents to prepare for the storm by evacuating low-lying areas, securing their homes, and stocking up on essential supplies. The storm's impact is expected to be particularly severe in the Tampa Bay Area and Southwest Florida where the surge could reach up to 13 feet. With saturated soil from the preceding rain, the storm is expected to cause extensive tree damage and power outages.

9 Okt 20247min

Hurricane Milton - Storm Surge Height Forecast Scenarios

Hurricane Milton - Storm Surge Height Forecast Scenarios

SummaryHurricane Milton is headed for the state of Florida and we dissect the analysis of the potential storm surge impact, drawing comparisons to Hurricane Michael's landfall in 2018. Counterclockwise rotation of hurricanes, the storm surge is significantly lower on the left side of the eye (north side in Milton's case). Two scenarios are presented, one with Milton making landfall north of the Skyway Bridge and the other with Milton making landfall south. Meteorologist Bryan Bennett, who came up with this analysis gives us surge heights for various locations under both scenarios, highlighting the significant difference in surge flooding depending on Milton's landfall location. Including places like Sanibel Island, Ana Maria Island, downtown Tampa, St. Petersburg, Madeira Beach, Tarpon Springs and New Port Richey.Ultimately, please remember the importance of staying informed by following official forecasts and evacuation orders.

8 Okt 202410min

Hurricane Milton: Tampa Bay & Florida West Coast Flood Scenarios

Hurricane Milton: Tampa Bay & Florida West Coast Flood Scenarios

Hurricane Milton, a rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane yesterday, and is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast late Wednesday/Early Thursday. The storm is predicted to cause significant storm surge, especially in the Tampa Bay area, with potential for flooding up to 15 feet above normal. The storm's forecast increase in size will also produce widespread strong winds and heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding. The local emergency managers have issued evacuation orders for areas in the path of the storm, and it is imperative that residents heed these warnings and prepare for extended power outages.

8 Okt 20246min

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