[GWSG] Arctic econ; Antarctic melting; 20 Pliocene meters; BC carbon tax; US polls; Brazilian RPS; 12 smart states

[Tilley, Al]

1.  The melting of the Arctic is often described as an economic boon—lots of new oil and gas, easy passage for ships.  A Nature article puts the cost of the methane released through warming of the East Siberian continental shelf alone at $65 trillion.  We could reduce that to $40 trillion by adopting a low emissions program.   http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/arctic-melt-damage-bill-put-at-65-trillion-20130725-2qkfr.html  Beyond the staggering costs involved, the study suggests the increasing difficulties we will face controlling warming as the released methane takes us further and faster into positive feedback cycles.  The Guardian interviews Peter Wadhams, co-author of the Nature study.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/earth-insight/2013/jul/24/arctic-ice-free-methane-economy-catastrophe

2.  Melting permafrost is usually thought of as an Arctic problem, but the permafrost in one dry valley of the Antarctic is melting at 10 times the accustomed rate due to changing albedo, and other deposits, especially those on the fringes of the continent, are likely to be similarly affected with implications for sea level rise.  http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-antarctica-ice-melt-20130724-dto,0,2931766.htmlstory

3.  During the Pliocene Epoch 5-3 million years ago CO2 concentrations were similar to the present and sea levels were 20 meters higher.  The East Antarctic Ice Sheet proved less stable than we had thought.    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130721161502.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29

4.  A carbon tax in British Columbia, more than offset by lowering other taxes, has resulted in a 17% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the province 2008-12 (and the BC economy improved).  Elsewhere in Canada emissions have increased 1.5% in that period.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/bc-carbon-tax-showing-positive-results/article13377252/

5.  80% of US voters support the President’s climate plan, and 73% would oppose legislators who opposed it.  73% of voters under 35 think of climate deniers as uninformed or demented.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/25/us-politics-climate-change-scepticism

6.  The Office of Management and Budget is mangling EPA proposals in favor of the coal industry—even where costs are not a serious issue.  http://grist.org/politics/how-the-white-house-watered-down-rules-on-coal-plant-water-pollution/?utm_source=syndication&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed

7.  The largest state in Brazil intends to generate 70% of its power renewably by 2020.  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/sao-paulo-sets-70-percent-renewables-target?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July26-2013

8.  85% of US solar energy comes from 12 states, not all especially well insolated.  They tend to share solid renewable energy standards, net metering, provisions for easy connection to existing power nets, and creative financing options.  http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/07/23/2341551/how-twelve-states-are-succeeding-in-solar-energy-installation-new-report/
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