BUCKNACKT'S SORDID TAWDRY BLOG
We should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive & well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate, bier or wein in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WHOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!"
Since its full-scale invasion began, Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—its old-school fossil-fueled power plants, substations, and transmission lines—to advance its offensive and beat down the Ukrainian people. Half of the country’s energy infrastructure is in ruins, and Russian attacks this winter have left giant swaths of Ukraine with irregular electricity and heat amid subzero temperatures. In January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a state of emergency in the energy sector.
But even as Ukraine scrambles to keep the lights on, grid operators are looking past the next drone swarm and pushing to diversify the country’s energy sources. The plan is to replace bulky thermal plants and the centralized grid—which are vulnerable to drone and missile attacks—with distributed renewables and modestly sized gas-fired power plants that are less attractive targets for incoming fire.
Solar and wind arrays with independent transmission lines are scattered across the landscape, making them harder to hit and easier to repair. “A coal power station [is] a large single target that a single missile could take out,” says Jeff Oatham of Ukrainian energy company DTEK. “You would need around 40 missiles to do the equivalent amount of capacity damage at a wind farm.” And both solar and wind facilities can function even when parts of them are out of operation.
Ukraine is revamping its power sector as rapidly as it can: By one estimate, it installed at least 1.5 gigawatts of new solar generation in 2025—enough to power roughly 1.1 million homes—and grid operators intend to almost double renewable energy production over the next four years. In a new report for Climate Desk partner Yale Environment 360, I explore how Ukraine’s push to fortify its grid is advancing an unexpected clean energy transition. —Paul Hockenos
Around the world, the conditions that brew blazes are…syncing up?
VOX
HELP CLIMATE DESK THRIVE
This Is Reader-Supported Journalism
Climate Desk is a collaboration of more than a dozen news outlets covering the most essential environmental issues of our time. But great journalism isn’t cheap. Mother Jones, which oversees Climate Desk, is a nonprofit, as are many of our partners. You can help keep our collaboration going, and bringing you timely stories on every aspect of the crisis, from business and politics to culture and science.
We encourage you to subscribe and donate to our partner publications, and to support Climate Desk directly by giving to Mother Jones. Our coverage relies on readers like you stepping up at this critical moment. You needn’t be a rich philanthropist—quite literally, every dollar helps. We appreciate your support.
THE 1st Amendment of the US Constitution mandates the separation of church and state. Christianity mandates following the teachings of Jesus Christ. The apostasy of "christian" nationalism violates both the the US Constitution and the teachings of Jesus Christ. "Peace is so central to Jesus’ ministry that it takes a willful misconstrual of his message to imagine a Christianity that is compatible with violence of any kind, let alone imperialism and war." - Michael Woolf Below are just a few of my post on this blog referencing "christian" nationalism followed by this article from Military.com.....
I have participated in several of the educational / informational protest organized by Indivisible in Loudoun County, VA and in the first two 'No Kings' protest organized by Indivisible in Leesburg, VA in 2025. I will be participating in the third 'No Kings' on Saturday, 28 March 2026 in Loudoun County or in Washington, D.C., I haven't decided which one yet. Find a 'No Kings' protest to attend here and remember DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!!! From the 'No Kings' page " A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events." More info available at 'No Kings' . This from Politico.....Third ‘No Kings’ nationwide protest planned for March
The group behind the nationwide “No Kings” protests are planning their fourth demonstration of President Donald Trump’s second term — and are anticipating even greater turnout than their earlier rallies.
Ezra Levin, a rally organizer and the co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, said in an interview that the planned third “No Kings” protest on March 28 is in response to a “secret police force terrorizing American communities.”
“It is unfortunately not a surprise to us that this lawless police force is committing crimes all across the country and that people are standing up to it,” said Levin. “Our goal is safeguarding American democracy, protecting our communities and the people who are under threat by this regime.”
Nationwide protests have become a staple of both of President Donald Trump’s terms. Indivisible estimated 3 million protesters turned out for its “Hands Off” rally in April 2025, while 5 million showed up in June as part of the first “No Kings” protest and 7 million for the second “No Kings” demonstration in October.
Organizers said they are aiming for nearly 9 million people to turn out in March.
Levin said that Indivisible had been planning the upcoming protest since before Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer in Minnesota earlier this month, calling what is unfolding in the Midwestern state is “tragic and horrific.” A second person, Alex Pretti, was killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday not far from where Good died.
Still, Levin said, it is “inspiring and gives me hope that while this regime and many political leaders even outside this regime are cowards or fascist sympathizers, people on the ground aren’t putting up with it.”
Trump and his GOP allies have not been fans of the demonstrations. Ahead of the October marches — which took place amid the government shutdown — Speaker Mike Johnson called them “hate America” rallies, and Trump’s “war room” account posted a mocking picture of the president wearing a crown.
Levin said the organizers are taking safety precautions, including holding de-escalation training sessions. On Monday, the group held a session on non-violent documentation techniques for the public. And at the last “No Kings” protest, Levin said Indivisible trained thousands of volunteer marshals, emphasizing non-violent principles.
Still, Levin said, he can’t guarantee there aren’t risks to participating.
“Based on how the regime is behaving, the fact of the matter is, everybody should worry about it,” he said. “I can’t guarantee that there isn’t a risk involved to show up and exercise your constitutional rights. It’s a terrible thing to have to say in 2026 in America, but it’s the truth.”