[GWSG] Klein's disbelief; Romm's hope; ideology vs. financial interest among deniers; an ask; RPS costs

[Tilley, Al]

1.   Ezra Klein lists seven reasons he believes we will be defeated in our efforts to control climate disruption. He has drawn a lot of response. My reaction is that because we absolutely must act effectively, we will, no matter how politically difficult. http://www.vox.com/2014/6/5/5779040/7-reasons-America-fail-global-warming
2.  Joe Romm responded to Ezra Klein with seven reasons for hope. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/06/3445803/7-reasons-climate-change/



3.  Paul Krugman in the NY Times last Sunday observed that climate denial commonly comes from an ideology of self-dependence and resentment of curbs on behavior. The linked Guardian piece attempts to illustrate the limitations of such an approach to climate difficulties. Perhaps the deniers could be circumvented by an approach through risk analysis which skirts causes to deal with the effects, in the hope that once the deniers see they are indeed at risk they will become interested in preventing mounting calamities. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/09/climate-change-taxpayer-dollars-conservative-defense



4.  On the final night of Showtime's Years of Living Dangerously (worth your attention) President Obama said that public opinion is likely to increase in support for action as people come to realize that their homes and lives are at risk. All are, but detailed vulnerability studies and action plans are hard to come by. Our group of the Sierra Club has adopted a resolution:

Resolution to Ask for Vulnerability Studies in NE Florida, Leading to a Climate Plan

We ask for a set of comprehensive and detailed studies of the vulnerability of Northeast Florida to climate disruption. Municipalities ordinarily undertake vulnerability studies, and some are already underway in the region. Other entities such as JEA are conducting studies which will support the effort. The object of the vulnerability studies is to provide a base for a regional climate action plan to manage the risks we currently run.

Like other coastal areas, we are at risk from sea level rise, as the Northeast Florida Regional Council has determined. Natural habitats are changing; of particular concern for our region are changes in the marine environment. Our infrastructure—including water systems, power, and transportation—should be assessed for risk. Some areas such as brownfields and buried gasoline storage tanks may pose particular risk of spreading pollution as ground water levels rise and should be identified for timely removal.

Our higher ground will attract people retreating from low lying areas, both inside and outside the region. Population will increase in some zones, decrease in others. Economic instability may accompany the changes in store for us as property values shift. We need to anticipate and manage these risks.

The Sierra Club has made climate action a priority nationally. Other regions, including Southeast Florida, have undertaken to prepare climate action plans. While the Sierra Club’s particular interest is the natural environment, our effective action there must depend on the results of prior climatic risk analysis. We stand ready to help civil authorities however we may as they conduct vulnerability studies in preparation for a regional climate action plan.

The Northeast Florida Group of the Sierra Club

(End of resolution)  We hope to engage many of our 1400 members in the project. I would like to see other groups, in this area and generally, take up the task of convincing their local governments to undertake risk analysis and management. I don't see why it should not be done nationwide. The effect would be to endrun the deniers and the hopeless. Finally, it should help to spur us to action in this late hour. Asking that we be told what risks we are running, and to ask for plans to deal with those risks, should arouse little legitimate opposition.

5.  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory reports that in the 29 states with a Renewable Portfolio Standard the cost of implementation over 2010-12 was less than 1% of retail electricity rates. About 46,000 MW of new renewable energy have been developed in the states through 2012. Thanks to Ann Wilkie and the BEST list for bringing this to our attention. http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2014/11364.html
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