PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
New Corporate Climate Change Disclosures Proposed by SEC (Maria)
The author writes, “Companies would be required to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions they produce and how climate risk affects their business under new rules proposed Monday by the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of a drive across the government to address climate change. Under the proposals adopted on a 3-1 SEC vote, public companies would have to report on their climate risks, including the costs of moving away from fossil fuels, as well as risks related to the physical impact of storms, drought and higher temperatures caused by global warming. They would be required to lay out their transition plans for managing climate risk, how they intend to meet climate goals and progress made, and the impact of severe weather events on their finances.”
Russia’s Elite Want Putin Out, Successor in Mind: Ukraine Intel Chief (Sean)
The author writes, “Russian elites are allegedly planning to remove President Vladimir Putin, according to Ukrainian intelligence, with a successor already in mind. The incendiary claim came from the Chief Directorate of Intelligence for the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Sunday via a post on the ministry’s official Facebook page. The post boldly begins with, ‘Poisoning, sudden disease, accident — Russian elite considers the possibility of removing Putin. In the environment of the Russian business and political elite, a group of influential persons opposing [Vladimir Putin] is formed,’ the post reads. ‘Their goal is to remove Putin from power as soon as possible and restore economic ties with the West, destroyed due to the war in Ukraine.’”
Germany Courts Qatar and UAE for Alternatives to Russian Gas (Mili)
From Al Jazeera: “German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said he will discuss liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply on a trip to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as he aims to secure a hydrogen deal, making Germany less dependent on Russia for gas. Russia is the largest supplier of gas to Germany, according to data on the Economy Ministry’s website. Roughly half of Germany’s LNG imports come from Russia. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Habeck has launched several initiatives to lessen Germany’s energy dependence on Russia, including large orders of non-Russian LNG, plans for a terminal to import LNG and slowing the nation’s exit from coal.”
Democratic Gains in Legislative Maps Might Not Last Long (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “The surprising advantage Democrats gained during the torturous process of rewriting the nation’s congressional maps may be short-lived, creating the potential for more frequent clashes over how political power should be distributed across the United States. As the once-a-decade scramble to draw new legislative lines, a process known as redistricting, nears its conclusion, Democrats have succeeded in shifting the congressional map to the left. The typical U.S. House district now comes close to matching President Joe Biden’s 4 percentage point win in 2020. Though the impact may not be seen in this year’s voting, as Democrats face uphill odds to maintain their House majority, party leaders believe the new maps would make it easier to take the chamber in more favorable elections. But all that could change.”
Ivermectin Didn’t Reduce Covid-19 Hospitalizations in Largest Trial to Date (DonkeyHotey)
From The Wall Street Journal: “Researchers testing repurposed drugs against Covid-19 found that ivermectin didn’t reduce hospital admissions, in the largest trial yet of the effect of the antiparasitic on the disease driving the pandemic. Ivermectin has received a lot of attention as a potential treatment for Covid-19 including from celebrities such as podcast host Joe Rogan. Most evidence has shown it to be ineffective against Covid-19 or has relied on data of poor quality, infectious-disease researchers said. Public-health authorities and researchers have for months said the drug hasn’t shown any benefit in treating the disease. Taking large doses of the drug is dangerous, the Food and Drug Administration has said”
A 30-Year-Long Fishing Dispute Fizzles Out (Laura)
From Hakai Magazine: “For the past 30 years two groups, the Lummi Nation and the S’Klallam nations — represented today by the Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes — have been fighting in the courts about a contested slice of the Salish Sea: the waters west of Whidbey Island in northwestern Washington. Involved in this dizzying dispute are no fewer than four tribes, two treaties, and four appellate court decisions. The issue was recently brought to the United States Supreme Court for consideration, though the court declined to hear the case, leaving the Lummi and S’Klallam without an obvious legal path forward.”
A Diamond Made From Ranch Dressing Just Sold for $12,550 (Dana)
The author writes, “Someone’s salad is suddenly looking better. Bidding has ended on an eBay auction for a diamond literally crafted out of ranch dressing — and a lucky person paid $12,550 for the honor of owning the stone. Hidden Valley Ranch hired a professional diamond maker to heat-blast its ranch dressing to 2,500 degrees and then crush the resulting charred dressing under 400 tons of pressure. Five months later, voila! The two-carat (carrot? It is for the salad, right?) round brilliant-cut diamond was placed in a 14k white gold band with the engraving HVR LVR: ‘Hidden Valley Ranch Lover.’”
