[GWSG] NE slr; insuring cc; IPCC calls; stabilizing power; cheap green; China to tax C; oily politics

[Tilley, Al]

1.  A New York City Council hearing on the challenges posed by sea level rise and storm surge drew a large crowd and praise for facing the situation.  http://www.thevillager.com/?p=1382  Development plans in Boston are running up against sea level rise projections.  http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/east_boston/2012/01/activists_warn_of_potential_se.html

2.  According to Munich RE insurance losses from climate and weather related events have been climbing steadily since 1980.  They refer to 2011 as the Year of the Tornado.   Florida coastal property is at such risk from sea level rise and hurricanes that reinsurance is likely to become impossible to buy.  At some sites the annual costs of insuring for flood damage is already about equal to the value of the home.   http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337368/title/Insurance_payouts_point_to_climate_change  The Brazilians now enthusiastically buying Miami condos are insured primarily by Citizens Property, which shifts the liability to anyone who holds an auto or home insurance policy in Florida.  The national flood insurance is a trillion dollars in the hole.  American insurers have been fleeing coastal properties but have been for the most part silent on the implications of climate change.  http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/01/04/climate-risks-insurance-and-next-financial-meltdown?utm_source=GreenBuzz&utm_campaign=3403d7c84a-GreenBuzz-2012-01-05&utm_medium=email

3.  A Science report on the groups working toward the 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC, due in 2013, indicates that the picture is a bit worse, but not greatly worse, than that in the 4th AR.  Particularly, sea level rise and methane release projections are expected to increase moderately, sea level rise from all causes to 61-73 centimeters (24-29 inches) by 2100.  (The projection is surprisingly low; I look forward to seeing the studies behind it.)   http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6063/1616.1.full

4.  Solar power from photovoltaic cells serves to provide energy in the middle of the day when prices are high.  As pv fills the need the price spike is likely to migrate toward sundown.  Three California concentrating solar power projects with power storage will help reduce that later spike, directly reducing the need for natural gas.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/business/energy-environment/building-storehouses-for-the-suns-energy-for-use-after-dark.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25&pagewanted=all  Fracking has rendered natural gas so cheap that pv power has trouble competing.  (A carbon tax needs to change that.)   http://www.npr.org/2012/01/05/144526652/solar-panels-compete-with-cheap-natural-gas  Wind power fluctuations are hard to predict, but some progress is being made.  http://www.eenews.net/public/climatewire/2012/01/04/2

5.  Habitat for Humanity is making a national effort to build homes to LEED standards through such practices as smart ducting, sufficient insulation, envelope sealing, and energy efficient appliances.  The additional cost is typically $2,000 per home, and the savings in energy bills is substantial enough to return that in a couple of years.  This should help counter the misconception that green building is for the wealthy.  http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2012-01-03/habitat-green-homes/52369176/1

6.  Xinhua reports that China will levy a tax on carbon before the end of the current five-year plan in 2015.  The tax will begin at about $2 a ton and increase gradually.  http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2135448/reports-china-tax-carbon-emissions-2015?WT.rss_f=Home&WT.rss_a=Reports%3A+China+to+tax+carbon+emissions+by+2015

7.   The oil industry is backing Vote4Energy to influence the 2012 elections.  A parody ad is at the end of the linked story.  http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/and-now-the-oil-industry-caucus/
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