[GWSG] Efficiency lowers cost; acidification; Rio+20

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Energy Secretary Chu has concluded that raising efficiency standards on appliances has historically not caused a bump in prices.  In fact, it has led to price decreases.  http://www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2012/06/14/1

2.   Ocean acidification does not proceed uniformly.  Waters off the coast of California are suffering early.  http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/06/a-rising-tide-of-acid-off-califo.html?ref=em  The following general article reminds us of the implications of acidification.  A target of 450-500 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere would leave the oceans “corrosive from top to bottom.”   http://www.climatecentral.org/news/this-is-your-ocean-on-acid?utm-source=feedburner&utm-medium=feed&utm-campaign=Feed%3A+climatecentral%2FdjOO+Climate+Central+-+Full+Feed

3.  The Rio+20 conference now beginning is the largest ever held, with 50,000 delegates and the leaders of 136 nations.  Secretary Clinton represents the US.  The conference is said to be charged with an appropriate sense of urgency.  http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/environment/rio-20-summit-to-broach-climate-woes-1.1318865#.T91GG3Bgo7A  The leaders begin discussions Wednesday.  By then the conference organizers hope to have a provisional agreement.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18496634  The conference has the potential to begin global change in our energy supply.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/opinion/rio-isnt-all-lost.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y  When I return from vacation in a week or so I look forward to reporting success at Rio.
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