[GWSG] Greenland flow x2; Antarctic sheets unstable; case against solar; panel coating; lukewarmers; active investors

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Greenland's ice loss has doubled since 2009.  http://e360.yale.edu/digest/unique_stretch_marks_show_greenland_ice_accelerating_toward_sea/4435/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YaleEnvironment360+%28Yale+Environment+360%29



2.  Larsen C, the largest ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula, is thinning and threatens to collapse.  When it does it will unlock sufficient land ice to add a few centimeters to sea level rise.  It appears that relatively warm ocean currents are helping thin the floating ice, which implies that other Antarctic ice shelves may be at risk, even in areas colder than the Antarctic Peninsula.  http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/13/thinning-antarctic-ice-shelf-could-contribute-to-sea-level-rise-says-study  The remnant of Larsen B ice shelf is likely to disintegrate by the end of the decade, according to NASA, enabling faster release of land ice.  Thanks to Mary Emerson Smith for supplying a link.    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/15/antarctic-ice-shelf-larsen-b-disintegration-nasa



3.  An analysis of Tucson Electric Power's claims about solar power analyzes how, and speculates about why, the utility has exaggerated the cost and difficulties which would be involved in choosing solar over natural gas for new power generation.  They chose natural gas and have a token solar program in spite of the obvious edge of solar in the corrected comparison.  http://cleantechnica.com/2015/05/13/utilities-make-solar-look-expensive/?utm_source=Cleantechnica+News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=960b88bcc2-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_b9b83ee7eb-960b88bcc2-331994013



4.  A new cheap, durable glass coating inspired by moths' eyes and lotus leaves can improve the efficiency of solar cells by 3-6% and help rain sluice off dirt and dust.  http://e360.yale.edu/digest/biologically_inspired_coating_will_improve_solar_panels_researchers_say/4438/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YaleEnvironment360+%28Yale+Environment+360%29



5.  People such as Judith Curry and Bjorn Lomborg who argue that global warming is occurring but not necessarily a grave danger to humans in the immediate future may pose more of a threat to effective action than those who deny it is happening at all.  http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/may/13/lukewarmers-the-third-stage-of-climate-denial



6.  A group of investors representing nearly $2 trillion has called on the US Securities and Exchange Commission to secure climate change risk assessments from fossil fuel companies.  The action was coordinated by the Ceres group.  In a separate move, 98% of BP stock holders have called on the company for fuller disclosure of its carbon assets risks.  http://www.justmeans.com/blogs/investors-with-2-trillion-assets-seek-greater-disclosure-on-carbon-risks
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