This piece was originally published in Undark and appears here as part of our Climate Desk Partnership.
The Netherlands often stop to take selfies in front of one of the country’s more than 1,000 windmills. Afterward, they might taste one of the many varieties of cheese for which the nation is famous. But most are unaware that these two icons of the Netherlands are responsible for causing the nation’s land to sink.
The windmills were used for centuries to drain peatland for cattle grazing and agriculture at large, and that draining—these days done by pumping stations — is causing the land in some places to sink at an average rate of 8 millimeters per year, or about one-third of an inch. (In some areas, researchers put that number higher, at several centimeters per year.)
This subsidence means that in a low-lying nation famous for engineering its way around rising seas, the ground is also sinking lower, creating huge problems for the structures built on top. At a certain point, building foundations begin to crack, sinkholes appear, roads destabilize, and the risk of flooding increases. More construction results in more pressing down of the peat — and more subsidence.
So, TNYT editorial board broke with tradition and endorsed TWO candidates…Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren.
I prefer Amy to Elizabeth. But, her chances of snagging the nomination are pretty slim…that said, anything can happen in this crazy world.
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I noticed the author’s name — MOLLY QUELL…
QUELL … interesting name for a reporter if one considers the definition. 😉
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Probably from the French
Qu’elle
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RIP Tim Hodges
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Won’t render; comes up all grey.
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Did Tim die? No way I would read all that sports, but I did skim for the RIP. I didn’t find it.
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CAROL… here’s the answer to your question:
Timothy Ray Hodges
January 1, 1962 – January 18, 2020
Timothy Ray Hodges, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Tim was born January 1, 1962, the oldest son of the late Danny and Helen Hodges.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Marie Goldcamp-Hodges. Tim is also survived by his pride and joy, his four sons, Tyler (Molly) Hodges of Fairlawn, Ohio, Tanner Hodges of Lexington, Ohio, Daniel Hodges of Flatwoods, Kentucky; and Mark Hodges of Flatwoods, Kentucky.
Tim was a 1980 graduate of Ironton High School and a proud member of the 1979 Ironton State Championship football team. He went on to play football at the University of Akron and entered the United States Army. Upon leaving the military, he became an insurance adjuster and worked the last several years for Kentucky Farm Bureau, where he retired in 2018.
Tim enjoyed spending time with friends, playing guitar, watching his children play sports, and performing artistically. He was so proud of all of their accomplishments. Tim fought hard for two years and nine months against his cancer diagnosis, and he did his best to the there for his children through this time.
In addition to his wife and children, Tim is survived by his sister, Dana Hodges, and brother Ralph Hodges, both of Columbia, S.C.; as well as many ni
Tim requested no services, instead he wanted people to spend special time with their loved ones. His children request special notes of memories, which they can keep in remembrance of their father. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations may be made to St. Joseph High School or Flyer Club Sports, at 912 South 6th Street, Ironton, Ohio 45638, where his youngest son still attends and plays sports, surrounded by a very supportive group of friends, teachers, staff, and families.
Published on January 20, 2020
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Thanks Micki! He was always a right wing foe on the Cornblog and posted here a number of times, he and I would argue but agreed to disagree and remained online friends.
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Thank you, Micki.
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Stiglitz:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/20/donald-trump-is-a-good-president-but-only-for-the-top-1
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Looks like the impeachment trial is going to be a farce. 😦
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“The lowest point in the country currently sits at nearly 22 feet below sea level.” I hope that area isn’t next to the shoreline. Still, the sea will eventually take over because of the global warming, the melting in the Arctic. 😦
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Carol, the low point is right behind the great sea-dyke in Lower Holland.
The Arctic is all ocean so it makes no difference to sea level if the sea ice melts. What matters are the great ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica; expect about 25 meters of sea level rise over the coming few hundred years.
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South Holland
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Pete was supposed to come over this morning, didn’t make it.
Finally ordered a new monitor for myself.
Tomorrow I’ll be glued to the TV, watching the shenanigans the senate is allowed to get away with. I was wondering what would happen if the Democrats decided to not show up.
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Typical 15 minutes to the north door of the Hillside Cafe. Almost deserted but for staff.
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MLK Day: 29+29=58 minutes.
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