[GWSG] 2 law suits; CEOs action fans; grid econ; world solar up; VT solar; C up; Germans nix nukes; more hunger looms

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Micronesia has initiated a legal challenge to extended life for a Czech coal plant.  Other emitters are liable to similar suits under international law.  http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0524-hance_micronesia_law.html

2.  New York State has sued the federal government, asking that permission to produce natural gas by fracking in the Delaware Basin be withheld until the environmental impact has been gauged.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/31/us-natgas-newyork-lawsuit-idUSTRE74U5O420110531?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Fenvironment+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Environment%29

3.  72% of CEOs who have undertaken sustainability projects in the US, UK, and China say they have exceeded expectations, and 4% say they have not.  Reluctance to undertake such projects can be ideological, at least in the US (an ideology of resolute ignorance?); readiness to embrace sustainability is often motivated ethically.  http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2073491/exclusive-chief-execs-reveal-sustainability-projects-smashing-expectations?WT.rss_f=&WT.rss_a=Exclusive%3A+Chief+execs+reveal+sustainability+projects+are+smashing+expectations

4.  In the next 20 years, modernization of the US power grid will cost up to $476 billion and save up to $2 trillion.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/24/us-utilities-smartgrid-epri-idUSTRE74N7O420110524?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Fenvironment+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Environment%29

5.  Over the last decade the annual world growth rate of installed solar power has been 40%.  Last year it more than doubled, and may be expected to continue to gather momentum.  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/05/for-solar-supplementsolars-outlook-stays-bright??cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-June1-2011

6.  Vermont has established a process for registering a home solar system (smaller than 5 kilowatts) which cuts the time and expense (average, $2,500 for permitting) associated with installations elsewhere.  The state has also established a net metering standard of $.20 per kilowatt hour for solar energy added to the grid.  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/05/vermont-enacts-first-in-nation-solar-registration?cmpid=WNL-Friday-May27-2011

7.  World carbon emissions are rising and close to what they should be in 2020 if we wish to avoid 2° of warming.  http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0531-hance_carbonemissions.html

8.  Germany will cease to use nuclear power by 2022, joining Japan in a move to renewable power.  Switzerland made a similar decision last week.   http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110530/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_germany_nuclear_power

9.  Oxfam reports that climate change will contribute to more than doubling of world food prices in the next 20 years unless preventive action is taken.  Food prices have doubled in the last 20 years, and one of seven people have too little to eat now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13597657
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