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Sunday 31 July 2016

Sea Level Rise: What It's Already Done and Where It's Headed



Dr. Ben Strauss, Climate Central Vice President for Sea Level and Climate Impacts
Papers mentioned in Video
Temperature-driven global sea-level variability in the Common Eras
Contribution of Antarctica to past and future sea-level rise

Check out their COOL TOOL


Forward projections indicate a very likely 21st century GSL rise of 52–131 cm under RCP 8.5 and 24–61 cm under RCP 2.6, values that provide greater consistency with process model-based projections preferred by AR5 than previous semiempirical projections
Sea Level 101 Global warming has raised global sea level about 8 inches since 1880, and the rate of rise is accelerating. Rising seas dramatically increase the odds of damaging floods from storm surges. A Climate Central analysis finds that sea level rise from warming has already doubled the odds of "century" or worse floods over widespread areas of the U.S., and the problem is growing by the decade.These increases threaten an enormous amount of damage. Across the country, nearly 5 million people live in 2.6 million homes at less than 4 feet above high tide — a level lower than the century flood line for most locations analyzed. And compounding this risk, scientists expect roughly 2 to 5 more feet of sea level rise this century — a lot depending upon how much more heat-trapping pollution humanity puts into the sky.
Climate Central’s Program on Sea Level Rise strives to provide accurate, clear and granular information about sea level rise and coastal flood hazards both locally and globally, today and tomorrow. Anchored in rigorous primary research, our work distinguishes itself by its user-friendly maps and tools, extensive datasets, and high-quality visual presentation. The program dedicates its efforts to helping citizens, communities, businesses, organizations, and governments at every level to understand the consequences of different carbon pathways and to navigate the shifting waters of our warming world.
Climate Change:How Skewed Are We...Really? (HSAWR?) A resource for people looking to find out about the science and the impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW). This is accomplished by curating scientific, political and business videos, news reports, surveys and polls as well as creating original content. (CHECK OUT OUR HSAWR ORIGINAL VIDEOS)
The Pentagon," calls CLIMATE CHANGE an “urgent and growing threat to America's national security” and blames it for “increased natural disasters” that will require more American troops designated to combat bad weather.


Saturday 30 July 2016

Mary Robinson (UN Special Envoy on Climate Change) on Responding to the Impacts of El Nino and Mitigating Recurring Climate Risks


20 MAY 2016:
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointments of Mary Robinson of Ireland and Macharia Kamau of Kenya as his Special Envoys on El Niño and Climate. 

These appointments come at a time of great urgency. Drought and flooding associated with El Niño have created massive needs across the world, especially in the four worst affected regions of East Africa, Southern Africa, Central America and the Pacific.

Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years. One million children in Eastern and Southern Africa alone are severely acutely malnourished. And global food insecurity is not expected to peak before December.

The Impacts of Climate Change in Ethiopia

Over the last decades, the temperature in Ethiopia increased at about 0.2° C per decade. The increase in minimum temperatures is more pronounced with roughly 0.4° C per decade. Precipitation, on the other hand, remained fairly stable over the last 50 years when averaged over the country. However,
the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation is high, thus large-scale trends do not necessarily reflect local conditions.

The projected increases in the inter annual variability of precipitation in combination with the warming will likely lead to increases in the occurrence of droughts. Furthermore, heavy rains and floods are projected to increase as well.

These impacts include:

  • Agriculture, Food Security: The increasing year-to-year variability and increases in both droughts and heavy precipitation events lowers agricultural production with corresponding negative effects on food security.
  • Water: The availability of clean drinking water is likely to decrease due to the increasing evaporation and the increasing variability of rainfall events.
  • Health: Incidences of malaria in areas of the highlands where malaria was previously not endemic. The warming is further expected to cause an increase in cardio-respiratory and infectious diseases.
  • Ecosystems, Biodiversity: Climate change but also human drivers such as forest fires threaten forest ecosystems. Furthermore, a large number of plant and animal species is threatened by extinction, as climate conditions are changing too quickly for them to adapt.
  • Infrastructure: Heavy rainfall events and floods cause damages to roads and buildings.

It is important to notice, however, that other factors threaten the livelihoods of Ethiopian  communities as well. For example resource degradation and the over exploitation of natural resources such as fire wood is one of the key issues in association with the environmental decline.


Climate Change:How Skewed Are We...Really? (HSAWR?)

A resource for people looking to find out about the science and the impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW).

This is accomplished by curating scientific, political and business videos, news reports, surveys and polls as well as creating original content.

(CHECK OUT OUR HSAWR ORIGINAL VIDEOS)
The Pentagon," calls CLIMATE CHANGE an “urgent and growing threat to America's national security” and blames it for “increased natural disasters” that will require more American troops designated to combat bad weather.

Stern Triple Shot from Climate One




Stern Triple Shot

Research interests

  • The economics of climate change;
  • Economic development and growth;
  • Economic theory;
  • Tax reform;
  • Public policy;
  • The role of the state and economies in transition.
While federal experts warn that it will cost $44 trillion to rid the U.S. economy of carbon, Citibank counters that failing to act on climate disruption could result in over $44 trillion in public and private losses over the next 25 years. The true cost of either keeping or ditching fossil fuels was up for discussion at a recent Climate One event.

At the Climate Change Conference in Paris last fall, Former World Bank Chief Economist Nicholas Stern noticed a shift in attitude. People around the world came to Paris equipped with a deep understanding of the issues, including the current impact of climate disruption and the risks of a warming planet. They were hungry for examples of cities that were functioning in a sustainable way, and what they saw were cities that offered an abundance of benefits to their residents. “For me, the key change was the understanding of the real attractiveness of the alternative route,” says Stern. “The investments that you make, you shouldn’t see [them] as ‘costs.’ You should see them as investments with very powerful returns.”

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Westly also felt inspired by what he saw at the talks in Paris. Two elements that he saw intersect for the first time were galvanized political movements promoting sustainable energy and the breakthroughs in clean energy technology necessary to make those goals cost-effective. “If you think about it, we’re that close to having a world where you may not be having to pay a penny for electricity at home if you buy low-cost solar,” Westly predicts. “You may not even be paying a penny for gas ever again. When you’re not paying for electricity or gas? Wow, that is a whole new world.”


Climate Change:How Skewed Are We...Really? (HSAWR?) A resource for people looking to find out about the science and the impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW). This is accomplished by curating scientific, political and business videos, news reports, surveys and polls as well as creating original content. (CHECK OUT OUR HSAWR ORIGINAL VIDEOS)
The Pentagon," calls CLIMATE CHANGE an “urgent and growing threat to America's national security” and blames it for “increased natural disasters” that will require more American troops designated to combat bad weather.


What I'm Reading Today July 30


Today's assignment: Urban Health and Well-being

Environmental Pollution: The effects of high temperature on cardiovascular admissions in the most populous tropical city in Vietnam

Climate change is a major public health threat due to the effect of extreme weather events on health . A significant increase in number of hospitalizations occurs in relation to exposure to high ambient temperature and previous studies have shown that one of the predominant causes of hospital admissions associated with high temperature is cardiovascular diseases (CVD) 
Conclusion: this study reports an increased risk of cardiovascular admissions in relation to high temperature and heatwave events in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most populous city in tropical Vietnam. The findings suggest that an additional prevention program that reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases, might be to establish public health preparedness and interventions to minimise the adverse effects of high temperatures. Further research should be conducted for better understanding of the roles of individual-level factors, which can involve modifying the relationship between temperature and cardiovascular morbidity
2010 -Vietnam is in record heat again: the announced temperatures were around 40-41oC (104-105.8oF), the actual outside temperatures usually went up to 45-46oC (113-114.8oF)
Exploding Planet

Climate Change:How Skewed Are We...Really? (HSAWR?)

A resource for people looking to find out about the science and the impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW).

This is accomplished by curating scientific, political and business videos, news reports, surveys and polls as well as creating original content.

(CHECK OUT OUR HSAWR ORIGINAL VIDEOS)
The Pentagon," calls CLIMATE CHANGE an “urgent and growing threat to America's national security” and blames it for “increased natural disasters” that will require more American troops designated to combat bad weather.

Friday 29 July 2016

Lt. Ellen Ripley is gunning for Trump - Sigourney Weaver Speaks of Climate Change at DNC



Warrant Officer (Ident Number W5645022460H) for the Weyland-Yutani corporation, Lt. Ellen Ripley is coming for ya Donald
Climate Change:How Skewed Are We...Really? (HSAWR?) A resource for people looking to find out about the science and the impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW). This is accomplished by curating scientific, political and business videos, news reports, surveys and polls as well as creating original content. (CHECK OUT OUR HSAWR ORIGINAL VIDEOS)
The Pentagon," calls CLIMATE CHANGE an “urgent and growing threat to America's national security” and blames it for “increased natural disasters” that will require more American troops designated to combat bad weather.

Thursday 28 July 2016

RENEWABLES ROUND UP

FERC Ruling Opens Solar Market Potential to Co-Ops and Munis U.S. co-ops currently own and purchase about 16.7GW of renewable capacity (including contracts for federal hydropower), and this number will continue to rise in part by solar photovoltaic projects’ expanded presence. As many distribution co-ops and municipal utilities exercise their independence to purchase more renewable energy, Sol Systems continues to provide financing for local solar developers. The mass integration of solar into existing energy systems is not achieved overnight; financing, development, increased grid flexibility, and additional means to ensure the energy source’s reliability will be necessary. Still, the future of solar among rural electric co-ops and municipal utilities is certainly brighter.
JDR Unveils New Inter-Array Cable For Offshore Wind U.K.-based JDR, a supplier of subsea power cables to the offshore wind industry, has released its new high-voltage, inter-array cable and accessories offering. According to the company, the 66 kV technology has capabilities up to 72.5 kV and will support the offshore wind industry in its move toward increased power transmission between turbines at higher-capacity offshore wind farms.
Renewable energy outperforms coal in UK electricity statistics The government’s new annual energy statistics show that renewable energy sources are replacing coal as mainstream technologies generating power for British homes, offices and factories.
US Energy Department Plans 50% Growth Of Country’s Hydropower A new report published by the US Department of Energy has hinted at a 50% growth in the country’s already impressive hydropower sector. In a new report published this week by the US Department of Energy (DOE), entitled Hydropower Vision: A New Chapter for America’s First Renewable Electricity Source, experts found that with continued technological advancements, innovative market mechanisms, and a focus on environmental stability, the country’s hydropower capacity could grow from its current 101 GW to nearly 150 GW of combined electricity generation and storage capacity by 2050.
Italian biogas plant designer SEBIGAS has signed a new contract with Thailand-based food speicalist CPP Group to supply it with a 3.1MW tapioca-pulp-run biogas facility. The high cost of the electrical energy in Thailand, compared to other south eastern countries, makes it difficult for the industrial sector to preserve competitive prices maintaining high-quality standards. Tapioca pulp is a tuber usually cultivated in tropical areas.

Not Reality TV by James Cameron @ DNC

Hey Donald, dya like to eat? Bread basket is dying/drying/crying.

TRUMP: "We're going to CANCEL Paris agreement"

Get a Grip!!!

The Terminator, George Bush Senior. Da Pope and even HRC. James Cameron knocks it outta the park!!!

Wednesday 27 July 2016

Rapid Innovation and Growth in Renewable Energy -Jessica Trancik, MIT



More from Jessika Trancik MIT

Technology Improvement and emissions reductions as mutually reinforcing efforts
MIT paper Nov 2015

Executive Summary
Mitigating climate change is unavoidably linked to developing affordable low-carbon energy technologies that can be adopted around the world. In this report, we describe the evolution of solar and wind energy in recent decades, and the potential for future expansion under nations’ voluntary commitments in advance of the 2015 Paris climate negotiations. These two particular low-carbon energy sources—solar and wind—are the focus of our analysis because of their significant, and possibly exceptional, expansion potential.

Technology differs from the static picture we might implicitly assume. Deploying a technology coincides with and engages a variety of mechanisms, such as economies of scale, research and development (R&D), and firm learning, which can drive down costs. Lower costs in turn open up new deployment opportunities, creating a positive feedback, or ‘multiplier’ effect. Understanding this aspect of technology development may help support collective action on climate change, by lessening concerns about the costs of committing to reducing emissions. The deployment of low-carbon energy technologies that are necessary to accomplish greenhouse gas emissions cuts, helps bring about improvements and cost reduction that will make further cuts more feasible.

Among low-carbon electricity technologies, solar and wind energy are exemplary of this process. Solar and wind energy costs have dropped rapidly over the past few decades, as markets for these technologies have grown at rates far exceeding forecasts. In the case of solar energy, for example, the cost of reducing emissions by replacing coal-fired electricity with photovoltaics has fallen 85% since 2000.

Getting these technologies to their current state of development was a collective accomplishment across nations, despite minimal coordination. Public policies to stimulate research and market growth in more than nine countries in North America, Europe, and Asia—including the U.S., Japan, Germany, Denmark, and more recently, China—have driven these trends. Firms responded to these incentives by both competing with and learning from one another to bring these low-carbon technologies to a state where they can begin to compete with fossil fuel alternatives. Technology has improved as a result of both research and successful private-sector commercialization efforts.

Commitments made in international climate negotiations offer an opportunity to support the technological innovation needed to achieve a self-sustaining, virtuous cycle of emissions reductions and low-carbon technology development by 2030. As a way to achieve emissions reductions, solar and wind technologies are already in a cost competitive state in many regions and are rapidly improving. 6 We posit that the more that parties to climate negotiations are aware of the state of these technologies, and especially the degree to which technology feedback stands to bring about further improvements, the more opportunity there will be for collective action on climate change.

These are our summary findings. We make several specific observations about the development of solar and wind energy:

• Over the past four decades wind electricity costs have fallen by 5% per year and solar electricity costs have fallen by 10% per year, on average. Since 1976, photovoltaic (PV) module costs have dropped by 99%. For the same investment, 100 times more solar modules can be produced today than in 1976. Wind capacity costs fell by 75% over the past three decades.

• Solar is now nearly cost-competitive in several locations, and wind in most locations, without considering the added benefit of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. When these external costs are considered, the cost competitiveness improves substantially.

• Over the last 15 years, the cost of abating carbon from coal-fired electricity with solar in the U.S. has dropped by a factor of seven. Over the last 40 years, the cost has fallen by at least a factor of 50 (given a flat average coal fleet conversion efficiency in the U.S. during this period).

• Wind and solar installed capacity has doubled roughly every three years on average over the past 30 years. These growth rates have exceeded expectations. For example, the International Energy Agency 2006 World Energy Outlook projection for cumulative PV and concentrated solar power (CSP) capacity in 2030 was surpassed in 2012. The Energy Information Agency 2013 International Energy Outlook projection for cumulative PV and CSP capacity in 2025 was surpassed in 2014.

• Countries have traded positions over time as leaders in solar and wind development. Japan, Germany, Spain, Italy, and most recently China have led the annual installed capacity of solar since 1992. Japan was the leader in cumulative capacity in the first decade and Germany led in the last decade. Since 1982, the U.S., Denmark, Germany, Spain and recently China have led annual wind installations. Over this period the U.S., Germany and China traded off as the countries with greatest cumulative installed wind capacity. In per capita terms Denmark has dominated wind installations. Sweden and Denmark have led in per capita cumulative wind R&D. Switzerland and the U.S. have invested the most per capita in solar R&D. The U.S. has invested more cumulatively than any other nation in both wind and solar R&D between 1974 and the present day.

• Current climate change mitigation commitments by nations in advance of the 2015 Paris climate negotiations could collectively result in significant further growth in wind and solar installations. If countries emphasize renewables expansion, solar and wind capacity could grow by factors of 4.9 and 2.7 respectively between the present day and 2030.

• Based on future technology development scenarios, past trends, and technology cost floors, we estimate these commitments for renewables expansion could achieve a cost reduction of up to 50% for solar (PV) and up to 25% for wind. For both technologies this implies a negative cost of carbon abatement relative to coal. Forecasts are inherently uncertain, but even under the more modest cost reduction scenarios, the costs of these technologies decrease over time.

From these observations and modeling estimates, we also draw several broad implications for climate change mitigation efforts:

• Negotiations as opportunity-building rather than burden-sharing. The potential for reducing emissions in the long-term can grow with global collective efforts to achieve near-term emissions 7 cuts. Climate negotiations may provide an opportunity for nations to take advantage of this multiplier effect and drive down the cost of mitigating carbon emissions by 2030. The cost of mitigating carbon can fall faster if countries increase and sustain over time their commitments to deploying renewable and other clean energy technologies. As today’s commitments are strengthened, the potential emissions reductions that can be made in the post-2030 period may also increase.

• Importance of knowledge-sharing and global access to financing. Two challenges should be addressed if renewables growth is to reach its full potential. The upfront costs of renewables can be significant, while the variable costs are low. Equitable financing for all nations will be critical for allowing the global growth of these technologies. Knowledge sharing to bring down the ‘soft costs’ of these technologies, which includes all investments required for onsite construction, will be equally important. Knowledge-sharing and public policy incentives to stimulate private sector development of exportable combined software and hardware systems to reduce construction costs around the world can help support the global growth of clean energy.

• Growing need for technologies that address renewables intermittency. As their generation share grows, intermittency will limit the attractiveness of wind and solar technologies, particularly beyond 2030. Further development of energy storage and other technologies, such as long-distance transmission and demand-side management will be needed to reliably match supply with demand. The current electricity share of solar and wind in most nations, and natural gas back-up generation, leaves time for these other technologies to develop. Lessons learned from developing solar and wind energy can be applied to the development of these other technologies, particularly energy storage.

• Historical legacy. Developing clean energy is a measurable historical legacy for the nations that take part, with the potential for immeasurable benefit to humankind. Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change represent an all-inclusive gathering of nations that has arguably already left its mark by encouraging commitments by a handful of them to drive down the cost of clean energy. Further progress is within reach.

Disobedience: #ExxonKnew




Exxon was on the cutting edge of climate science 40 years ago. When their senior scientists told their senior executives what was coming, Exxon started climate-proofing all their drilling rigs to withstand the rising sea level. But they did not tell the rest of us. Just the opposite.

South Africa’s great white sharks heading for extinction



Reasons for the decline:Trophy hunting, pollution, shark nets and baited hooks

South Africa's great white shark population is heading for possible extinction after a rapid decline in numbers, say researchers.


Facing extinction
A six year study of the country's coastal waters concluded that only 350 to 500 great white sharks remain. This is half the level previously thought, the researchers from Stellenbosch University said.

The numbers in South Africa are extremely low‚" confirmed Sara Andreotti of the Stellenbosch University Department of Botany and Zoology.

Three heat related deaths in Arizona state




Registered on Jun 19, 2016

Arizona's Future Climate: Temps Rising, Water Disappearing

the annual minimum and maximum temperatures have been increasing across all six Southwestern states and will continue to do so, resulting in a possible increase by 8 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2099.

The implication is that somewhere between the middle and the end of the century, Tucson's annual average temperatures will be more like Yuma and see longer heat waves, more days over 100 degrees, and fewer cool nights,

in addition to a decrease in spring precipitation, all under the assumption of continued high greenhouse gas emissions


Sunday 24 July 2016

How Can Business Action Bend The Curve Below 2 Degrees? - Business & Climate Summit 2016


The Paris Agreement is based on the twin pillars of collective action and the individual Nationally Determined Contributions put forward by countries in the lead-up to COP21. These NDCs are designed to represent the maximum possible ambition that nations believe they can achieve over the next decade and a half. Yet, although countries committed to a net zero carbon emissions world with a temperature increase well below two degrees above pre-industrial levels, current commitments leave us well short of these goals. Business has demonstrated the economic case for ambitious leadership across energy, transport, supply chains, industrial processes and the built environment. How can this leadership be scaled up to get us on track for a sub-two degree world? Where are the biggest opportunities? What would the impact be if the business community as whole delivered the maximum possible ambition it could achieve?

Saturday 23 July 2016

The Energy Transition - Business & Climate Summit 2016



The Energy Transition - Business & Climate Summit 2016

The UN Secretary-General is Ban Ki-moon opens the Business & Climate Summit 2016 in London





The UN Secretary-General is Ban Ki-moon opens the Business & Climate Summit 2016 in London

Friday 22 July 2016

The Open Mind: The Climate... In Your Backyard - James Hansen




James Hansen of Columbia University's Earth Institute talks about preserving the planet for the next generation. (Taped 05-09-16)

Thursday 21 July 2016

Climate Inaction Figures



Despite what many Climate Inaction Figures would have us believe, there is meaningful action we can take to deal with climate change.

Visit theclimatesolution.com to see more.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Mark Z. Jacobson, PhD, of Stanford, has modeled a transition to 100 percent renewable, carbon free energy,


Mark Z. Jacobson, PhD, of Stanford, has modeled a transition to 100 percent renewable, carbon free energy, for 138 countries and all 50 US states. He was interviewed in San Francisco, December,2015.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Canada to Introduce National Carbon Price in 2016, Minister Says

Canada will have a national price on carbon emissions by the end of this year, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says. The federal government will publish an emissions reduction plan this fall that could include expanded, standardized emissions disclosure requirements for companies, McKenna said in an interview with Danielle Bochove on Bloomberg TV Canada. See More

Monday 18 July 2016

Climate and Hurricanes 2016



Leading Atmospheric Scientists weigh-in on impacts of climate change on this year's hurricane season and beyond.

Time to Choose Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Environmental Documentary HD




Academy Award® winning director Charles Ferguson's new film investigates global climate change villains and heroes, and reveals practical solutions to act on.
Put it on your list!

Sunday 17 July 2016

Thom Hartmann and Prof Jason Box (July 2016)



2 to 3 times faster; Changing weather patterns, Extreme weather not Extreme anymore, just call it weather

ECOSTRESS: Monitoring plants from space



Plants to be studied for ECOSTRESS!
Can Prozac for Plants be far off?
Water is an essential element of life, whether it is being used for drinking or for growing our food. The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) instrument will study plant health and water stress from the vantage point of the International Space Station.

Friday 15 July 2016

Gauging Greenland's Melt






Dr. Laurence Smith and his team are on the ice in Greenland measuring how rapidly meltwaters are finding their way into the global ocean.

Unlocking The Trillions - Business & Climate Summit 2016

How do we shift and scale-up the financing needed to turn the ambitions of 2015 into a reality? As investors with over US$600 billion in assets have decarbonized portfolios, the financial risks of climate change and stranded assets are increasingly clear.

Bold New Climate Policy In Canada’s Oil Sands: How Oil Companies And Environmental Organizations Are Creating New Conversations About Decarbonization In A Resource Rich Economy'


Almost missed this one:
Fly on the wall insight into us vr them??? Something close to (my) home, Alberta.
Interesting!!!
Tzeporah (silent T) Berman  and
Steve Williams
of Suncor Energy


And the theres this...
Strange Bedfellows?
Alberta Brings Former Adversaries Together for New Oilsands Advisory Group