http://twitchy.com/amy-curtis/2024/09/08/environmentalists-chain-saw-joshua-trees-to-make-way-for-solar-panels-n2400654
In what world does it make sense to destroy thousands of once-protected Joshua trees -- you know, trees: the epitome of green and environmentalism -- to make way for a solar field?
Oh, the world run by eco-loons. That's where:
Melody Petersen (@MelodyPetersen) ~ Crews have begun chainsawing and shredding thousands of protected Joshua trees to make way for a sprawling solar field in the Mojave Desert. Century-old trees become a pile of dust. “Once the trees go through the shredders, they vanish.”
http://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-09-06/california-desert-town-protests-solar-energy-project
Genuinely heartbreaking to see this.
More from The Los Angeles Times:
When Roy Richards spotted workers cutting down and shredding Joshua trees for a sprawling solar energy project near his Mojave Desert home last week, he started taking photos.
“Once the trees go through the shredders, they vanish,” he said, showing a reporter an image of a small pile of brown dust left by the crews.
The developer of the Aratina Solar Center has government approval to fell all of the thousands of trees on the site. The solar energy farm won a controversial exemption from rules protecting Joshua trees four years ago after closed-door meetings between industry executives and state wildlife officials.
On Saturday, residents of nearby Boron and Desert Lake, as well as other opponents of the project, will rally to demand a halt to the project.
Dogshouse (@Dogshouse2000) ~ Why do they do this when there are plenty of roofs and parking lots (not to mention highway medians, canals, etc.) that are already on the grid waiting for panels? Profit, of course, but so stupid and short sighted.
Benza (@Benzassnow) ~ So the energy is being shipped out and trees cut down. Who are the Kern County supervisors? Where’s the Sierra Club on this?
Because "environmentalists" don't really give a sh!t about the environment ... all they care about is a power grab for statists.
Sig, tap rack bang Tomasky (@RudyUsed) ~ This above is the true threat to nature - pretending this is a cure when it just provides more issues. Or did I miss the part where the panels take in CO2 and release O2?
And if CO2 is the problem, wouldn't we want more trees to take it in?
This writer is old enough to remember when planting trees was the goal of the environmental movement.
You know, as opposed to full on Socialism.
teabelly (@OgTeabelly) ~ This is an atrocity! WHY are they doing this?!
Because their eco agenda is more important than nature. Or logic.
A #1, Emperor of the North Pole (@railboss) ~ Anyone know what the fine was previously if someone cut one down prior to the being sacrificed to the Eco-Gods.
Funny you should ask.
This writer consulted Google, and according to the search results the penalty is $4,100 per tree and up to six months in jail.
Fusilli Spock (@awstar11) ~ Seems like an interesting environment trade.
Sure does.
Rufus T Firefly (@hoggomcswineass) ~ Tell me again that it's about the environment.
Can't. That would be a lie.
Veterans for Liberty (@Vets4AP) ~ Cutting down protected trees that are also habitats for endangered species doesn't seem very eco-friendly.
Judith Curry (@curryja) ~ So painful and unnecessary. I love the Joshua trees in NV and CA desert.
Ari Schulman (@AriSchulman) ~
Any environmental proposal that doesn't put nuclear energy at the top of the list is unserious.
Sean Bannion (@SeanBannion) ~ “We had to destroy the environment in order to save it.”
neil turkewitz (@neilturkewitz) ~ Aratina says it “will produce clean, affordable & reliable energy.”
But ... “Boron, where the poverty rate is twice the state average, won’t get access to that green energy. Instead it will be sent hundreds of miles away to wealthier Central Coast & Silicon Valley communities.”
Fallor Ergo Sum (@SlagOffTwits) ~ Natural habitat is NOT just rain forest. It is everywhere - land, sea, and sky - that life is adapted to that niche. Desert environments are extremely fragile. Disturbances can take centuries to recover. Destroying nature to save it is OBVIOUSLY idiotic to all but "green" zealots.
Because they don't care about nature. Just their agenda.
The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence
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