[GWSG] Biochar stoves; Chu resigns; losing $; dumb ALEC; dumb projects; rallies; fall in US CO2; Pres's team; little nukes

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Open fire cook stoves are the largest health hazard in the world.  Replacing them with simple stoves which produce biochar reduces the health problem and gives us an easy way to sequester carbon.  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/01/130129-biochar-clean-cookstoves/

2.   Steven Chu’s letter on resigning his post as Secretary of Energy describes the development of US renewable energy in the past four years and ends with a call for action on climate.  http://energy.gov/articles/letter-secretary-steven-chu-energy-department-employees-announcing-his-decision-not-serve  Chu was attacked by Americans for Prosperity (a Koch Bros. project) and other fossil fuel interests for his successes in developing renewable energy.  http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Steven-Chu-to-leave-as-energy-secretary-4244852.php

3.  The world’s second largest bank has warned fossil fuel multinationals that they could lose 60% of their value if effective action is taken to protect the climate.  Most of the existing reserves must be left unused.  The reserves are counted by corporations as assets.   Also, prices for fossil fuels will drop.  http://wwwp.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2013/02/energy-reserve-economics

4.  29 states have a renewable energy portfolio standard.  Through the corporate funded law writing and lobbying operation ALEC fossil fuel interests are attacking the standards with an “electricity freedom” campaign.  http://ecowatch.org/2013/koch-derail-renewable-energy-growth/   ALEC also has a campaign to mandate the teaching of climate change denial in public schools through its “Environmental Literacy Improvement Act”.   http://www.policymic.com/articles/24604/3-states-are-pushing-a-bill-to-require-teaching-climate-change-denial-in-schools

5.  Fossil fuel interests are busy developing new sources.  Greenpeace lists 14 projects with the potential to increase carbon emissions 20% by 2020.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/22/china-australia-carbon-bomb

6.  An estimated 1400 people rallied against the development of tar sands in Portland, Maine.  A large rally is planned for February 17 in Washington.  http://www.pressherald.com/news/alarm-over-climate-tipping-point-fueled-portland-rally-_2013-02-03.html

7.  In the past 5 years US CO2 emissions have fallen by 13%, to the lowest level since 1994, due to a doubling in renewable energy production and a range of efficiency measures.  We are now halfway to the President’s target for 2020.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/01/us-carbon-emissions-lowest-levels

8.  President Obama’s climate team is taking shape with John Kerry, Denis O’Donough, and Heather Zichal as leaders.  http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/obamas-climate-team-appears-primed-for-action-87117.html

9.  The government is investing in the development of small nuclear reactors which can be manufactured in large numbers and used to replace retired coal plants.  Security, safety, and waste remain concerns.  http://www.npr.org/2013/02/04/170482802/are-mini-reactors-the-future-of-nuclear-power
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