[GWSG] Polar melt; bad score; action list; emissions reports; fipel; solar guide; CO2 prime target

[Tilley, Al]

1.  26 institutions studying the polar ice sheets have produced a joint study which reconciles what seemed to be disparities among their findings.  The report, published in Science, indicates an accelerating mass loss.  Greenland’s loss has increased five-fold since the early 1990s (the Antarctic, less so).  http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/29/15518574-antarctica-greenland-ice-definitely-melting-into-sea-and-speeding-up-experts-warn?lite   The curve in the BBC story indicates where sea level rise is headed.  The study makes no projections but it provides a more solid base for projections to come.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20543483

2.  The Climate Action Tracker, a scientific scorecard, rates current efforts to avoid runaway warming as inadequate.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-burnett/global-climate-change-pre_b_2217585.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

3.  A brief Huffington Post blog observes that the time has come to cease using fossil fuels, to insulate homes and supply renewable energy to them, and to relocate from the coasts.  The US was reluctant to enter WW II, also, but acted swiftly when the time came.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-burnett/global-climate-change-pre_b_2217585.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

4.  Greenhouse gas emissions are set to increase 2.6% in 2012.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20556703#<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20556703>  China is the worst at an increasing 28% of the total; emissions in the US and the European Union are down slightly.    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121202164059.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29   Germany is in the lead for EU emissions reductions.  Memories of WWII are still influential in Germany.  “If something goes wrong, you have to speak up and do something otherwise your children will ask you in 20 to 30 years, 'Why didn't you do anything?'”   http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/26/german-renewable-energy-emission-co2  China touts its renewable energy industry, and its commitment to greater carbon intensity, a shuck which originated in the Bush administration (the climate does not respond to improved productivity).  http://en.ce.cn/National/Politics/201212/03/t20121203_23900076.shtml  The US delegation is working for an emissions control agreement which would include China.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-03/obama-plans-for-climate-deal-as-fiscal-cliff-negotiations-rage.html

5.  Fipel plastic light bulbs are cheap, produce flickerless, heatless light, and last longer than LEDs.  They should go into production next year.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20553143

6.  The National Renewable Energy Lab has released a guide to options and financing for rooftop solar.  It is written for policymakers.  http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/51644.pdf

7.  Because peak temperature will come sometime late this century, doing away with short lived (but relatively powerful) greenhouse gasses such as methane and fluorocarbons must be adjunct to, not a replacement for, reducing CO2 emissions.   http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/dec/03/doha-climate-talks-co2-methane
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