Conserving land is an essential element of any effort to battle climate change, a fact highlighted by the 30x30 plan supported by President Biden Joe Biden Biden offers support to union organizing efforts Senate Democrats nix 'Plan B' on minimum wage hike Kavanaugh dismays conservatives by dodging pro-Trump election lawsuits MORE . Fulfilling a campaign pledge, one of Biden’s first actions as president was to sign an executive order that established the goal of conserving a third of America’s land and ocean waters by 2030. Meeting that goal will not be easy, but it can be achieved if we harness both private and government resources and ensure more Americans can participate in land conservation efforts. The good news is that ocean conservation is already within reach of this threshold, with 26 percent of U.S. waters already protected . We have significantly more work to do when it comes to land, with only 12 percent conserved. ADVERTISEMENT The federal government already controls significant land holdings in the U.S., primarily west of the Mississippi River. But further expansion of federal lands would likely be expensive and slowed by legal challenges, meaning public efforts alone cannot be expected to meet the president’s goal. The majority of land in the U.S. is privately owned. We will therefore need to engage private landowners if this effort is to be a success. Fifty-six percent of forest land is privately owned, with 62 percent of that owned by families and individuals. Privately owned lands are home to countless endangered species and rare habitats that deserve protection. They serve as carbon sinks, helping improve air quality and pulling greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. And many private owners are dedicated to maintaining the natural state of their land, ensuring it remains unspoiled for future generations. In acknowledgement of this, Congress has been wise to create tax incentives for ...
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Is Mike Pence Finished in MAGA-Land?
Mike Pence, the sycophant exiled from his hero’s kingdom. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images For very nearly four years, Mike Pence managed to become the all-time exemplar of obsequiousness in a job inherently characterized by that quality. As the toadiest toady in vice-presidential history, the white-domed Hoosier was like the loudest barker in the kennel, the quietest bookworm in the library, or the silliest clown in the circus. He didn’t just slavishly submit to the Big Boss’s every erratic whim; Pence sang cringingly frequent hymns of praise to Trump’s “broad shoulders” and other manly leadership virtues. Then January 6, 2021, happened, when the veep notoriously refused to overturn the Biden-Harris ticket’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Trump repeatedly warned Pence against the “betrayal” involved in refusing POTUS’s demand that he exceed the purely clerical vice-presidential powers laid out in the Electoral Count Act of 1887 . And when Pence made it official, Trump branded him a coward and traitor , even as the mob he had just addressed began its assault on the Capitol, with some rioters reportedly chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” For the record, Pence really didn’t have the power to do what Trump expected him to do on January 6. Had he refused to acknowledge Biden electors in states the Democrat clearly won, or worse yet, awarded those states to Trump and himself, he would have definitely been overruled by majority votes in both houses of Congress under the same procedures MAGA members of Congress deployed, unsuccessfully, to contest the actual results. Pence would have gone down in history disgraced, and Joe Biden would have still taken office on January 20. But according to the sole standard of loyalty to Trump, Pence refused to fall on his sword for the 45th president, and now his own political future is in serious question. Until January 6, it had long been assumed that Pence’s yeoman service to the cause, enhanced by his own ...
Why the Grand National is the ‘Wimbledon’ of hunt racing
Ditcheat, Somerset, England (CNN) Imagine galloping 4.3 miles in a group of 40 horses, jumping 30 fences the size of small cars. Welcome to the Grand National, the most grueling and spectacular steeplechase in the world. The 172nd edition of the race, staged on April 6 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, offers a record prize money pot of £1 million ($1.3 million). The three-day Grand National festival will be watched by 150,000 spectators on the course and a global television audience of over 600 million. The most valuable jump race in Europe "is a bit like Wimbledon," Clifford Baker, head lad at Manor Farm Stables, the highly successful yard of trainer Paul Nicholls in Ditcheat, England, told CNN Sport. "It's fantastic, there are so many countries watching it, and it is such a special race," said Baker of the ultimate test for both rider and horse. "It is the most famous race in the calendar, and the hardest to win." Read More Becher's Brook is one of the toughest jumps at Aintree racecourse. READ: Ronnie Woods' horse enters Grand National READ: Meet the schoolteacher who handicapped the world's biggest races Red Rum Nine-year-old Tiger Roll, owned by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, is a short-priced favorite at 7-2 to successfully retain his Grand National crown after he won the Cross Country Chase last month in Cheltenham by 22 lengths. Still, being the favorite does not guarantee success in a long race with so many tricky obstacles and horses taking part. The last time the outright favorite won the National was in 2005 when Hedgehunter triumphed. The last horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals was the legendary Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. The bay gelding, trained by Ginger McCain, finished in second place in 1975 and 1976 and won for a record third time in 1977. Photos: 10 of the most picturesque racecourses Meydan Racecourse, Dubai – Boasting the world's first ...
Grading the Week: Pour one out for the NBA fast break, which died Thursday inside Ball Arena
The NBA fast break died Thursday night at Ball Arena. It was 74. Long regarded as one of basketball’s most beloved plays, it died quietly, if not unremarkably, in the final moments of a Nuggets’ game played before zero fans and broadcast to a limited audience due to an ongoing dispute between billionaires. Shrieks could be heard emanating from the Grading the Week offices in the wake of the its tragic passing — moans so loud Ms. Grading the Week was stirred from her evening slumber. Fast break basketball — F Some might say the fast break was a victim of the times, done in by math and an over-emphasis on 3-pointers. This, of course, would be ignoring the fact that even the Nuggets coach who presided over its death was himself pleading for his charges to revive the simple play following Denver’s 112-110 loss to Washington. “We had a layup,” a somber Michael Malone lamented late Thursday night. Indeed, the Nuggets were surging up court, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. at the front of a four-on-one break with precious seconds remaining in a two-point game when the fateful moment arrived. Murray, inexplicably, pulled up at the 3-point line as Bradley Beal scrambled to get back into defensive position while Porter, Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris all spotted up behind the arc on the other side of the court. Four Nuggets. One Wizards defender. And not a single Denver player cut toward the hoop for what likely would’ve been an easy game-tying layup or dunk. The end result: A flailing desperation 3-point attempt from Campazzo that clanked off the rim as the buzzer sounded and Murray held his face in his hands — perhaps attempting to shield his eyes from the hoops homicide that just took place. “Four-on-one, somebody should go to the rim,” Murray said afterwards. This angle.. pic.twitter.com/VBCpMqTcEZ — Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) February 26, 2021 The players mostly said the right things amid the devastation, although MPJ couldn’t ...
12 Things on Sale You’ll Actually Want to Buy: From Filson to Brooklinen
Photo-Illustration: retailers The start of March means spring is just days away, and there’s plenty of things to pick up with warmer weather in mind — like a lightweight puffer jacket from Zara, a pair of Clarks moccasins for her, and colorful home essentials to get you feeling brighter, even if the weather’s gray. Filson Tote Bag Without Zipper $130 $195 now 33% off $130 Stylish (without being too fashion-y), functional (without being boring), and guaranteed to only look better with age, this gender-neutral Filson bag ticks all of our boxes for a solid tote. $130 at Nordstrom Rack Buy Eloquii Off-the-Shoulder Balloon-Sleeve Blouse $48 $80 now 40% off $48 We found lots of on-sale clothing from Nordstrom to help you transition into spring — like this tangerine blouse from Eloquii that would look nice with your favorite jeans or a nice pair of shorts when it’s warmer. $48 at Nordstrom Buy The North Face Waterproof Triclimate Bronzeville Jacket $149 $249 now 40% off $149 This convertible jacket from the North Face has a detachable fleece lining and adjustable hood for protection from all of the elements. $149 at Nordstrom Buy Clarks Wallacraft Lo Platform Moccasin $150 now 40% off $90 These moccasin-inspired platform Clarks for her offer a subtle twist on the classic Wallabee along with a little bit of height. $90 at Nordstrom Buy Mar Mar Los Angeles Other Desert Cities Candle $29 $48 now 40% off $29 Wherever you’re located these days, bring a touch of California sunshine with this candle from Mar Mar Los Angeles that’s a blend of santal, mesquite, and agarwood. $29 at Nordstrom Buy West Elm Harmony Sofa (82 Inches) From $1,279 $1,799 now 29% off ...
