I knew this would be here when I got to the comments. Thanks for making me smile!

This is literally my partner lol

We finally got authorized for 2 more staff in our office, and one started this week! It’s been amazing to start training in earnest. Still so much that needs to be done, but the help and potential is incredible and gives us hope.

Otherwise, we’re getting ready for winter, got home repairs done just in time, and ready to tackle seasonal yard work so we don’t have a ton to do in the spring. Best wishes to everyone for a restful weekend!

I’m pumped! Used to be in this industry. Glad progress is being made and cheers on your efforts!

quietly, in the distance … 🎶 Do you hear the people sing… 🎶

I realize not close ones, but my partner is for sure my #1. Hard to rely on the one for everything, and social anxiety trying to make new friends as I get older is even more daunting. Lesson to the youth - take care to have friends as you age!

More milk per milk

Throwing the suggestion in there to check out Democracy Now!

Extreme highs and lows all in the past week, and trying not to get whiplash from it. Otherwise it’s the usual grind. I’m really taking weekends and nights to be as peaceful as possible, reserving one day a week for all the really annoying chores and things that need attention. It helps to make it feel like I’m not on the Struggle Bus Express but a few days a week. Sending well wishes to everyone out there.

Nice, now add environmental education where they’re furthest from a screen and touching grass, learning about native plants and wildlife, and exploring environmental careers.

This was a well written article – and boy, we’re in for a hell of a ride. We need to start shaping cities to withstand larger bursts of precipitation with rain gardens, permeable surfaces, green infrastructure, and enhanced storm water systems. Fortunately, we have many non profits trying to address this with climate corps type jobs, but not as many young folks getting into the trades that we need (construction, plumbing, electric, architecture, engineering, carpentry, metalwork, etc.).

If you’re reading this and want to help in these fields, look into getting some basic certifications. Here’s a starter link. Also, look up your local environmental organizations and get involved! I’ve found that if you’re not interested in committing to a long term gig, you can find a grant funded position (or be the one who seeks grants on behalf of an organization). Getting involved can look like a lot of different things, and the variety of roles is vast.

I never stopped being fascinated with atmospheric physics. Although I miss being paid to be a researcher, I’m still trying to help on the other end by understanding the economy of green/sustainable industries to bring the two together.

More, more growth, more more billion more

In short, no. We’re just rounding the corner on the “fuck around and find out” roller coaster, and the drop is about to happen. Between all the distractions and chaos, the small improvements are still happening - they need amplifying and more people to get involved.

Always good to reiterate these points - you’re absolutely spot on. We just need to be the ones to remind ourselves of this, and sign up to fight the good fight. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s required to repair the damage done.

Additionally, each state has an environmental permitting process, often managed by whatever state regulatory agency that exists, some programs much more robust than others. The best of them require that any proposed project that wants a permit to build must go through a public notice process where the locals get to participate in a public comment period before a permit is considered. If the public can demonstrate significant opposition and good reasons to deny the permit, it won’t get built.

This is the part that all of us have to play in how this shakes out. If you don’t know much about your state’s permitting process and don’t get involved, you’re silently accepting whatever comes your way. Learn about how you can get involved and show up! Numbers matter at City council meetings, at demonstrations, and for submitted comments to local officials. If you’re already doing this, keep it up! It’s making a difference!

Thank you for your kind words, and I agree about it being an honor! Also, it’s tough that I don’t see them often, but the beautiful thing about long term friendships is that they survive these long stretches of time before we find each other again. 😊 Cheers, friend!

This is awesome, thank you so much for posting it!

I just got a never ending loop of captchas… And the original link doesn’t work for me either. Anyone able to paste the article text here?

There was an article linked at the bottom of this one for the truck I really want - the Telo MT1. I’m willing to pay more to have a compact and capable vehicle. And there’s an option for a full solar panel roof.

I came to this realization in 2020 and thus started my journey of distancing myself from passive visible harms (especially social media, aside from Lemmy, ofc). News was coming in fast, and it felt like everyone was paying attention to the pandemic. It was in many respects a global unifying moment, but our collective mental health was also in new territory.

If you’re committed and intentional about how you decide to change your approach to life, it can alienate you from your friends, and it takes a lot of effort. The change was mainly in how I use my phone, and how often and how quickly I respond to texts and emails, and I definitely relapsed a few times using Meta products along the way. Those that understand and work with you in that journey are worth bringing closer, and I’m in a better headspace with being mindful on how much time I spend on things that give me anxiety. Just paying attention to my body and emotional response has saved me. It’s what I can control.