Why I am unable to fulfill my pledge to Stanford

Exchange of letters with Stanford, in chronological order from top to bottom Sept. 7, 2023 Jon Denney, Vice President for DevelopmentStanford University, Office of Development Dear Mr. Denney, Thank you for your letter reminding me of the current balance on my pledge to Stanford. I write to explain why I am unable to fulfill my obligation. I face an ethical dilemma. Do I fulfill my financial promise to Stanford and allow my funds to be … more

Climate Change, Anxiety, Hypocrisy

Fighting Despair We need the right kind of climate optimism (Vox)Climate pessimism dooms us to a terrible future. Complacent optimism is no better. How to fight climate despair (Vox) Worried About the Climate? Join the Club—Literally. (The New Republic) Climate change anxiety is real. Here’s how you can manage those feelings (NPR) Feeling climate despair? There’s a word for that (LA Times) Yes, you can talk to kids about climate without being bleak (LA Times) … more

Coronavirus and blood oxygen levels

[Physician-friends, feedback invited!]We just ordered an oxygen meter for (possibly) early diagnosis of coronavirus. See:COVID-19: Home Pulse Oximetry Could Be Game Changer, Says ER Doc This from a scientist-friend (non-physician) who first suggested it:Here’s the article that talks about low oxygen preceding breathing troubleThe Infection That’s Silently Killing Coronavirus Patients Here’s one with an interview with the same physician where he mentions GermanyA German Exception? Why the Country’s Coronavirus Death Rate Is Low The very first paragraph of this … more

Wood versus fossil fuels

What piqued my interest: “Climate change is caused by bringing up stored carbon from underground. That’s what a fossil fuel is. Burning trees, which we also do in campfires and our fireplaces, is not as bad as burning coal.” [emphasis added] @leahstokes My replies Not sure that’s right — no time to research, but see here  “When burned, trees generate more CO2 emissions per unit of energy generated than fossil fuels.” + loss of carbon sequestration.” I’m … more

How to Fight the Coronavirus

How to fight the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and its disease, COVID-19 Michael Lin, PhD-MDAssociate Professor of Neurobiology, of Bioengineering and, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems BiologyStanford UniversityLin Lab Briefing 2020-03-13Revised 2020-03-20 Regularly updated here by Michael Lin Warning: Contains factsBonus: Hand sanitizer recipe This is not a pretty powerpoint This is an informational document. This is not a TED talk. It is not meant to entertain or dazzle or push an idea with beautiful graphics. … more

Environmental NGOs in La Paz, BCS | An American Perspective

La Paz, BCS, Mexico is the hub of environmental activity on the Baja Peninsula. Several of the major international and U.S.-based environmental non-government organizations (NGOs) have offices here, in addition to several Baja- and La Paz-focused NGOs. From local to international, here’s a quick overview: Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparajá – Led by our friend executive director Meredith de la Garza, Niparaja is a La Paz-based, NGO whose mission is “to perpetuate the natural assets that distinguish Baja California … more

A city this grand deserves a lasting vision (Monterey County Weekly)

A city this grand deserves a lasting vision. LOCAL SPIN: Reimagining Monterey A city this grand deserves a lasting vision. Michael Delapa Thursday, January 24, 2013 I can remember the first time I visited Monterey. It was 1976, and I was an undergraduate at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station. There was something about the city that immediately captured me – I can’t say exactly what. Perhaps it was its physical beauty and proximity to Monterey … more

Pigovian Taxes May Offer Economic Hope – NYTimes.com

Pigovian Taxes May Offer Economic Hope – NYTimes.com. This proposal mirrors the fee-bate concept in the Drive+ legislation that Gary K. Hart introduced in 1989/1991 (and that Ken Goldsholl and I initiated): “Yet, in principle, any change that makes the economic pie larger makes it possible for everyone to enjoy a bigger slice than before. The practical challenge is to slice the larger pie so that everyone comes out ahead. A first step toward a … more