Johnny Rook has lived and worked in Spain, Russia and the United States. A linguist and historian by training, he has taught in several universities and colleges, worked launching rockets in the aerospace industry and as an interpreter in the United States Federal Courts. An avid hiker, cyclist, and sea kayaker, he is especially interested in environmental questions, particularly those relating to Climaticide and water policy. He lives with his wife and son in Port Townsend, Washington.
Johnny Rook's Climaticide Chronicles
Social and political commentary with a special emphasis on global warming and climate change
Stop Kingsnorth and a new generation of dirty power 
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Johnny Rook's Climaticide Chronicles 
Just found your blog.. great. Keep up the good work.
I am starting a blog or two.. and found something interesting…
http://www.noenergytomorrow.org/2008/09/crime-causing-or-risking-catastrophe.html
=A7 3302. Causing or risking catastrophe.
(a) Causing catastrophe.–A person who causes a catastrophe by explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of building, release of poison gas, radioactive material or other harmful or destructive force or substance, or by any other means of causing potentially widespread injury or damage, including selling, dealing in or otherwise providing licenses or permits to transport hazardous materials in violation of 75 Pa.C.S. Ch. 83 (relating to hazardous materials transportation), commits a felony of the first degree if he does so intentionally or knowingly, or a felony of the second degree if he does so recklessly.
(b) Risking catastrophe.–A person is guilty of a felony of the third degree if he recklessly creates a risk of catastrophe in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means listing in subsection (a) of this section.
By: Richard Pauli on September 6, 2008
at 11:18 pm
Just found your blog. It is really great. We as Oxfam are also blogging from Poznan. Would be great if you could add us to your blogroll. http://blogs.oxfam.org/en/climate-change
By: Noirfalisse on December 5, 2008
at 3:29 am
Dear Johnny,
I also live in PT. I am part of a small national climate lobby group. We meet on the first Sat morning of the month for a conference call and otherwise write letters to editors and make phone calls.
We would love to have you join us.
By: jon on January 7, 2009
at 7:43 am
Mr Rook, congraualtions on yor most informative site. I have been studying and researching climate change now for over 4 years and I know the world’s ecosystem is at a crossroads to it’s very survival. Logic says we have left it 30 years too late but for my 3 year old son I have no other option than to do whatever I personally can to save our climate/ecosystem. We have abundantly learned over the years that a large cerebral cortext is not the be all and end all for survival. Rather understanding human’s niche in the environment and cherishing all other creatures and working with the planet and not against it is certainly, logically and spiritually our only way towards a sustainable future. Mankind is not above other creatures and nature, merely a tiny part of it, that has greedily grown far too big for it’s boots..or should that be..sandals.
Keep up the good work.
By: Lawrence Coleman on January 18, 2009
at 2:42 am
Thank you Lawrence for your kind words and your commitment. Together, I am convinced we can overcome this challenge. Two days from now Barack Obama will be sworn in as the next President of the United States and we will finally have the leadership here in the States that we need on this issue. And not a moment too soon.
By: JohnnyRook on January 18, 2009
at 10:09 pm
Thanks for promoting one of my countryman’s books..Tim Flannery. He was ‘Australian of the Year’ 2007 and deservedly so. I’ve been an ardent supporter of his achievements for years. W in Australia are going through a most bizarre summer. 2/3 of Queensland is flood declared, one town Ingham is literally under water and thats after surviving a cat 5 cyclone just a few years ago which cost humdreds of millions of $$. The south of the country (South Australia and Victoria) which should record lower average summer temps than us at the top. Adelaide in S.A has been receiving 10 straight days of 40+C and last week reached 45.1C and currently it’s hovering around 35C and expected again to be up to 43C on the 6th-7th Feb. By far the longest continuous heat wave in our recorded history (1870’s) and there’s more of it to come. 100+ deaths contributed to the heat thus far!. Western Australia also is having it’s hottest summer on record. By comparison those in the UK, europe and parts of the US are shivering in one of their coldest winters. Tornadoes of the coast of Cornwall UK. When I first became interested in Climate change I also challenged the renaming of this phenomena from Global warming to Climate change. But the longer I studied the data and witnessed the delicate machinery of our climatic system getting pushed beyond it’s limits I realized that ‘Climate change’ is indeed a more appropriate phrase than it’s predesessor; as it affects every country or region of the world in a different way.
Anyway, thought you would like an update on things here in Australia.
Cheers,
Lawrence
By: Lawrence Coleman on February 5, 2009
at 2:20 am
Hello Lawrence,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and informative comment. I was aware of the drought and heat waves in the south but did not know about the flooding in the north. The extreme weather disasters are rolling in fast and thick and it’s difficult to stay on top of all of them. I think your point about climate change is well taken. The jokes about “Where’s the global warming?” (usually because of a brief period of snow or cold) become rather tedious after a while, particularly, coming as they do, from people who have not bother to inform themselves about the basic mechanics of the process.
I live in Northwestern Washington State in a small port town and our weather too has been bizarre. Quite warm in the fall, then a long period of cold weather and snow, the most I remember in my lifetime. A thaw for a short spell (with massive flooding and extensive damage in communities to the east of us) then back to cooler temperatures. In the mountains we went from no snowpack to double normal and now back to well below normal.
Well, I hope you’re surviving the flooding okay. Please do check in periodically and give us an update on conditions generally and on how you’re doing personally.
Best wishes,
JR
By: JohnnyRook on February 5, 2009
at 11:19 am
If the world wants a preveiw of what to expect in the coming decades it needs look no further than Australia. Today a town of Avalon 50kms SE of Melbourne reached 48C, Melbourne itself has obliterated the all time record by hitting 46.7C just now. There are 40+ major bushfires out of control in Victoria and South Australia. Adelaide has never yet experienced 14 straight days of 37C-44C..not even coming close. At the top of the country, 350mm of rain again fell overnight amplifying the effects of probably the worst flooding North Queensland has ever seen. This is straight from the climate change textbooks…extreme temps, fires, flooding and severe droughts in central east australia and western australia. We have it all! Wonder how this will impact on the antarctic ice sheets or the glaciers on the main continent?
By: Lawrence Coleman on February 6, 2009
at 10:54 pm
JR:
I understand your are not in good health, and I want to let you know that there are many others who are defining their lives by addressing this issue just as you have.
I for one will spend the rest of my days working for a sustainable future for my children and for yours. Your work is an inspiration to me and to many others.
By: Andy Gunther on March 1, 2009
at 12:12 pm
Good Andy. It will take all us working together to restore the world for ourselves and and our descendants. Let’s keep the support going for those who want to do the right thing and the pressure on for those who don’t.
By: JohnnyRook on March 1, 2009
at 12:40 pm
Godspeed, JohnyRook. We will miss you so much.
By: Greg M on March 5, 2009
at 10:57 pm
Rest in peace, JohnnyRook.
By: Policy in Practice on March 6, 2009
at 12:33 am
Johnny, your family probably knows, but a green effort has been set up that bears your name.
We’re trying to fly on those eagle’s wings you left us:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/2/748506/-DK-GreenRoots:-My-Lake-Has-Singing-Sands
The site to sign up:
http://groups.google.com/group/dk-greenroots
We are, you see, still thinking of you, honoring you.
By: AllisonInSeattle on July 3, 2009
at 2:13 pm