Here at 350.org, we're a big fans of the power of video/animations to get the point accross. Lee Murray at "Wake Up Freak Out" have produced quite the shocking piece here, starting from the premise that "It’s much, much later than you think. This really isn’t about polar bears any more. At this very moment, the fate of civilization itself hangs in the balance." While it seems a little doom and gloomy, it breaks down the science of "Climate Tipping Points" in a 10 minute clip that is edgy, accessible, and well-worth your time. Check it out:

Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.

Here's a guest post from Kelechi Okezie and Kenneth Okoro, founders of the Enyidda Neighborhood Environment Watch (NEW) and 350 organizers in southern Nigeria:

More than 1000 people attended the Enyidda 350 event organised by Neighborhood Environment Watch. The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state, Prof. Ogbu and an adviser to the Governor came to the event and spoke on the need to reduce carbon emissions and become part of the global movement. The community wrote an eight-point communique promoting a pollution free environment and recognizing the 350 target.

This is cross-posted from our friends at Think Progress.

During the Republican National Convention, delegates repeatedly demonstrated their obsession with offshore oil drilling by chanting “drill, baby, drill!” It turns out they were literally describing the relationship between Department of Interior royalty collectors and the oil industry.

Multiple reports released on September 10 by the Department of Interior Inspector General found that the Mineral Management Service officials responsible for collecting royalties from oil and gas producers are accused of accepting gifts, trips, and special favors from producers. The report described “A culture of ethical failure… [and] a culture of substance abuse and promiscuity.” These government overseers also abused alcohol and cocaine with officials from energy companies that they were supposed to collect royalties from, and “had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.”

The MMS employees are responsible for collecting royalties from producers for oil and gas produced on public lands, which can be paid in cash or “royalty in kind.” The latter allows the producer to pay its royalties by delivering oil and gas to the federal government, which is either stored in government reserves or sold on the open market. The total royalty tab is about $10 billion annually, and is one of the largest sources of federal revenue aside from taxes.