Rapid warming: A new Science study that reconstructs detailed global temperatures farther back than ever before -- a full 11,300 years -- shows that the rate of warming we’ve experienced over the last century hasn’t happened for as far back as the dawn of agriculture. For about a fifth of that 11,300-year period, temperatures were higher than they are today, but there’s nothing that compares to how quickly they’ve shot through the roof over the past 100 years. Climate Desk
Heated debate: Last year, the U.S. Forest Service angered ecologists and environmental advocates by taking a more aggressive approach to fighting wildfires in remote wilderness areas, ignoring decades of science showing that fire is good for the landscape and should be allowed to burn when it doesn’t threaten lives and property. Now the agency is going back to the old approach, but it’s trying to make out like it’s not a big deal. For those risking their lives on the firelines, though, it sure is. We had the scoop, which the Forest Service -- after refusing to return our calls -- later confirmed in a wire service interview. OnEarth, Associated Press
Lean out: Sigh. Confirmation hearings started yesterday for Sally Jewell, President Obama’s interior secretary nominee, and she made clear in response to questioning that she supports expanded oil and gas development on public lands and waters, including exploratory drilling off the North Slope of Alaska and seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean. She also appropriated the phrase of the moment, “lean in,” which is the title of a book by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg on the challenges confronted by female executives. OK, it’s not exactly “drill, baby, drill,” but when it comes to rapid and reckless energy development on public lands, might we suggest that “first, do no harm” could be a better shibboleth? New York Times
Bad news bacon: Like bacon? Then don’t read this. Seriously, don’t. NPR
Tar sands two-step: In its March 1 report on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, the State Department concluded that a decision on whether the pipeline is built would have little impact on the pace of Canadian tar sands extraction. Pipeline builder TransCanada says the same thing: the tar sands are coming out of the ground no matter what, folks, so why not let us build that pipeline across your precious farmland and fresh water supplies? One of the nation’s top business publications kinda cries foul on that whole line of thinking, reporting that, yes, the fate of Keystone XL could mean a great deal to whether tar sands development accelerates. Bloomberg Businessweek
Rail fail: “Over the objections of environmentalists, community groups and neighboring Long Beach officials, Los Angeles harbor commissioners approved a rail yard that could dramatically boost business but also drive more noise and dirty air into schools, parks and low-income neighborhoods.” Not hard to see where the priorities lie there. Los Angeles Times
Not enough “awwww” in the world: It’s inevitable: you’re going to see this in your Facebook feed today. Probably a lot. Enjoy the fact that many of the “30 Happiest Facts Of All Time” demonstrate the wonders and diversity of nature, including No. 1: otters sleep while holding hands so they don’t float apart. Also, what do you call a flock of flamingoes? A “flamboyance.” Well played, nature. Buzzfeed
Tips: @OnEarthMag (tag it #greenreads)
Image: Photo by Joe Robertson / via: flickr.com
