[GWSG] US renewable jobs; Mission Innovation blimp; the renewable counterforce; Scotland, Germany, and China; Davos claims

[Tilley, Al]

1.  The US solar industry alone employs far more people than the oil, coal, and gas industries combined.  Together, wind and solar employed 475,545 people in 2016, while the fossil fuel industry employed 135,898.  http://www.ecowatch.com/solar-job-growth-2197574131.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=997441248b-MailChimp+Email+Blast&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-997441248b-85965093



2.  Mission Innovation, a collaboration of investors and officials from 50 nations, plans to spend $30 billion a year by 2020 on clean technology to address climate change.  One project is the British company Varialift's   high and fast-flying lighter than air ship to carry freight.  The plan is to cover the ship with photovoltaic panels and use them to power it, at least when it is at cruising altitude.   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2017/jan/19/global-warning-live-from-the-climate-change-frontline-as-trump-becomes-president?page=with%3Ablock-5880b1bae4b00b8fc2ae24ce   The Varialift site adds more pics and info.  http://www.varialift.com/



3.  The Trump administration poses a threat to the energy transition but stands isolated in a world community committed to dealing with climate, and in opposition to programs already underway and supported at home.  http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38676898



4.  Scotland plans to cut emissions by 2/3 within fifteen years.  Solar power is more and more entrenched in the US and elsewhere (see the eight-minute video).  China is still moving toward global leadership in renewable energy, contested by Germany, which plans to cut emissions 80-95% by mid-century.    https://climatecrocks.com/2017/01/21/as-trump-moves-to-19th-century-world-jostles-for-clean-energy-leadership/



5.  At the World Economic Forum in Davos, leaders and executives vied in touting their countries' environmental aspirations.  Verification of their claims is still shaky, but their competition for leadership was clear.  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/business/dealbook/world-economic-forum-davos-climate-energy.html?emc=edit_tnt_20170121&nlid=43628374&tntemail0=y&_r=0  ?

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