We’re at the end of September and Atlanta has now seen 17 straight months of above normal temperatures.
Should Georgia Pay People to Keep Their Yards Wild?
Weekly Links: Minnesota will pay people to make their yards more pollinator-friendly, the Supreme Court will decide if Georgia can copyright its laws, and the southeastern hurricane shield may be coming to end.
Georgia Lawmakers Look to Ban Offshore Drilling
Weekly Links: Led by coastal lawmakers, a bi-partisan group in the Georgia Legislature pushes for a ban on offshore drilling. And, western US cities may soon look a little more like New York. Plus, new poll numbers show a minority of Gwinnett residents oppose MARTA expansion – unfortunately those people are most likely to get their voices heard.
While Athens Bans E-Scooters, Atlanta Opts for $12,000 Permits
Weekly Links: In the ongoing regulatory wars over e-scooters, Atlanta imposes mostly permit fees. And, during the government shutdown farmers must make important projections without critical weather and crop data. Plus, the Supreme Court is fine with Exxon being forced to release documents about its climate change deception.
Ice Displaces Water, So Melting Ice Won’t Cause Oceans to Rise
Weekly Links: water does expand when it freezes, but this theory is missing some critical facts. Plus, the Supreme Court isn’t buying the argument that advertising toxic substances is a protected speech under the 1st Amendment. And, more parking is needed for the Olympics, so Tokyo’s famous fish market has to go.
Why Does the Media Feel Like it Wasn’t Warned About Hurricane Michael?
Major media outlets said they had no warning about Hurricane Michael’s intensity. While the storm’s strength was unexpected, the real culprit is the media’s disinterest in understanding and reporting on the intricacies and difficulties of weather forecasting.
Should 92°F in October Be Considered a Heat Wave?
The term “heat wave” and excessive heat warnings are generally reserved for unusually uncomfortable and hazardous conditions. The weather doesn’t really meet that criteria right now, but perhaps we should still issue advisories for when temperatures are simply abnormal.
Oh Yeah, Transit is Supposed to Go On The Beltline
Weekly Links: This week, facing pressure, MARTA adds more light rail for the Beltline while cutting funding for Emory rail. Also, this month is on pace to be the hottest September on record in Atlanta. Plus, Georgia finally got its very own model solar zoning ordinance!