Summer 2007
"With California fires and the heatwave in southern Europe... we should've been trying to fix this years ago."
"Anyone else have a bad feeling on the banking stuff going on in Europe?"
The summer of 2007 was one felt with some mild concerns and worry, even if it was still mitigated by the pre-existing ride of good feelings and optimism for a better tomorrow. There was a new sort of cycle. Many new weather phenomena and trends were being attributed or at least possibly linked to climate change. While the debate on human-driven climate change has died down after the fall of Exxon-Mobil and the admission of defeat by fossil fuel companies and their paid-off scientists, the scope and scale remained a discussion trend. The heat wave over in southern Europe was a large example, as tempatures shot up beyond the normal range and remained there for an extensive period of time. Greece in particular suffered due to the spread of heatstroke, the outbreak of wild fires and the near collapse of the power grid due to demand. Like many other climate-related phenomena, the Gore administration took note alongside the rest of the world. It seemed like a glimpse into a potential future where if things were not changed, then it would go for the worse. This hit closer to home due to the wildfire happening in California in South Lake Tahoe. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this led to the massive participation of the Live Earth event. Inspired by the Live Aid concert of years ago, Live Earth was a series of large-scale events aimed to increase environmental awareness and climate change through entertainment. Through a series of integrated events and media, it brought more attention and awareness. While more people were driven to become aware of the concerns, Live Earth served to try and be as comprehensive and expansive as possible. Beyond just media, panels and debates were held, serving as an examination of such matters. Perhaps one of the largest contributers to Live Earth was Project MAY, allowing people to access the videos and screenings through Youtube, discuss through Myspace and donate through ArtistShare. While a majority were up and coming talent or indie bands who threw in the lot, a few other voices on Youtube made their way here or in discussions. One prominent discussion was on long-term sustainability, criticizing the corn industry and certain other "agribuisnesses" who were contributing to climate change through deforestation to grow crops. Another meanwhile used video games as a way to promote environmentalism and pointed out several examples, such as Final Fantasy VII, the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and Mother 3, all of whim have evironmentalist themes and motifs central to the plot though others noted their Japanese origin and perhaps was a nudge for western developers to try and capitalize on this potential. Beyind that, it also was a large success for Project MAY, showing off the contribution people of the internet could make for a cause without necessarily having to rely on large companies.
Live Earth logo 2007
Of course, despite the growing optimism underlined by urgency, life continued on over for people to work. At the same time, there was a sense of unease developing. The housing market had been looking pretty unwell for a while now and then there was the growing news of banking stuff going on over in Europe. The French global bank BNP Paribas in the United Kingdom blocks withdrawals from three hedge funds heavily committed in sub-prime mortgages. While many people were not paying attention, there was a sense of concern about it and something the Gore administration also took note of to try and prevent or at least minimize the results. After all, the Clinton yearsd manage to pull out the economy well and the Gore administration's economic recovery was tepid, but stable and the early gridlock meant that certain plans were put into the backburner and would not be pulled out until later. There was a sense of concern for some people. At the same time, many people believed they would get through it. Perhaps in a darklhy humorous sign for it,at the height of rush hour in New York City on July 18, a major steam pipe bursts, releasing millions of gallons of boiling water and super heated steam. More than a few people would consider it a sign for what would happen and the problems up ahead. Yet at the same time, the news continued on for people trying to discuss and figure out. One was on how NBA referee Tim Donaghy surrenders to police and pleads guilty to charges brought up by the FBI investigation that he placed bets on games that he refereed. Another was on how the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin re-strengthen into a tropical storm over Oklahoma, causing widespread flooding and wind damage. The optimism that perpuated the 2000s thanks to the successes of the Gore administration was beginning to be dampened yet Gore remained determined and steadfast, encouraging the American populace.
Tropical Storm Erin near landfall
"With California fires and the heatwave in southern Europe... we should've been trying to fix this years ago."
"Anyone else have a bad feeling on the banking stuff going on in Europe?"
The summer of 2007 was one felt with some mild concerns and worry, even if it was still mitigated by the pre-existing ride of good feelings and optimism for a better tomorrow. There was a new sort of cycle. Many new weather phenomena and trends were being attributed or at least possibly linked to climate change. While the debate on human-driven climate change has died down after the fall of Exxon-Mobil and the admission of defeat by fossil fuel companies and their paid-off scientists, the scope and scale remained a discussion trend. The heat wave over in southern Europe was a large example, as tempatures shot up beyond the normal range and remained there for an extensive period of time. Greece in particular suffered due to the spread of heatstroke, the outbreak of wild fires and the near collapse of the power grid due to demand. Like many other climate-related phenomena, the Gore administration took note alongside the rest of the world. It seemed like a glimpse into a potential future where if things were not changed, then it would go for the worse. This hit closer to home due to the wildfire happening in California in South Lake Tahoe. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this led to the massive participation of the Live Earth event. Inspired by the Live Aid concert of years ago, Live Earth was a series of large-scale events aimed to increase environmental awareness and climate change through entertainment. Through a series of integrated events and media, it brought more attention and awareness. While more people were driven to become aware of the concerns, Live Earth served to try and be as comprehensive and expansive as possible. Beyond just media, panels and debates were held, serving as an examination of such matters. Perhaps one of the largest contributers to Live Earth was Project MAY, allowing people to access the videos and screenings through Youtube, discuss through Myspace and donate through ArtistShare. While a majority were up and coming talent or indie bands who threw in the lot, a few other voices on Youtube made their way here or in discussions. One prominent discussion was on long-term sustainability, criticizing the corn industry and certain other "agribuisnesses" who were contributing to climate change through deforestation to grow crops. Another meanwhile used video games as a way to promote environmentalism and pointed out several examples, such as Final Fantasy VII, the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and Mother 3, all of whim have evironmentalist themes and motifs central to the plot though others noted their Japanese origin and perhaps was a nudge for western developers to try and capitalize on this potential. Beyind that, it also was a large success for Project MAY, showing off the contribution people of the internet could make for a cause without necessarily having to rely on large companies.
Live Earth logo 2007
Of course, despite the growing optimism underlined by urgency, life continued on over for people to work. At the same time, there was a sense of unease developing. The housing market had been looking pretty unwell for a while now and then there was the growing news of banking stuff going on over in Europe. The French global bank BNP Paribas in the United Kingdom blocks withdrawals from three hedge funds heavily committed in sub-prime mortgages. While many people were not paying attention, there was a sense of concern about it and something the Gore administration also took note of to try and prevent or at least minimize the results. After all, the Clinton yearsd manage to pull out the economy well and the Gore administration's economic recovery was tepid, but stable and the early gridlock meant that certain plans were put into the backburner and would not be pulled out until later. There was a sense of concern for some people. At the same time, many people believed they would get through it. Perhaps in a darklhy humorous sign for it,at the height of rush hour in New York City on July 18, a major steam pipe bursts, releasing millions of gallons of boiling water and super heated steam. More than a few people would consider it a sign for what would happen and the problems up ahead. Yet at the same time, the news continued on for people trying to discuss and figure out. One was on how NBA referee Tim Donaghy surrenders to police and pleads guilty to charges brought up by the FBI investigation that he placed bets on games that he refereed. Another was on how the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin re-strengthen into a tropical storm over Oklahoma, causing widespread flooding and wind damage. The optimism that perpuated the 2000s thanks to the successes of the Gore administration was beginning to be dampened yet Gore remained determined and steadfast, encouraging the American populace.
Tropical Storm Erin near landfall