The Austin Chronicle has an excellent article on climate change by Nora Ankrum, inspired by the recent Tim Flannery/Elizabeth Kolbert discussion a the Paramount. [Link]

Flannery's closing remarks in March were positive. He pointed out that this "catastrophic failure of leadership opens doors for leadership at all sorts of levels," and he cited Austin's climate-protection plan as an example of that kind of leadership. Of course, Austin is up against a lot. Texas emits more carbon dioxide than any other state in the country, and though TXU's proposed coal plants have dwindled from 11 to three, the proposed Waco-area Oak Grove Plant alone could cancel the efforts of Austin's bold endeavor.

Photo: Drought and flooding rain (in Australia) by Georgie Sharp.