[GWSG] The Paris targets; Big Solar; cheaper renewables; CA bans HFCs; Sahara waxing; passive house basics

[Tilley, Al]

1. For pinning down the emissions targets of the Paris agreement, it matters whether your data base covers the entire earth or leaves out such features as the Arctic, and it matters when you begin to measure warming. On the other hand, we know we must cut emissions as much and as quickly as possible. The more we cut and the sooner, the less we shall suffer.  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/mar/28/climate-scientists-debate-a-flaw-in-the-paris-climate-agreement



2. Saudi Arabia and SoftBank are planning a 200 gigawatt solar farm, 30% larger than the world's total solar installations in 2017. Last year Saudi Arabia established a $94 billion fund to promote investments in high tech companies. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/03/28/saudi-arabia-softbank-will-partner-to-build-worlds-largest-solar-power-plant/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29

Further details from Ecowatch: https://www.ecowatch.com/saudi-arabia-solar-2554432597.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=1ee8f5b4eb-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-1ee8f5b4eb-85965093



3. The cost of solar, wind, and batteries continues to fall rapidly. In Arizona, the public relations commission refused permission for new natural gas facilities and directed the power companies to zero emissions sources. CA is shuttering three gas-fired plants. https://thinkprogress.org/solar-wind-power-prices-are-beating-natural-gas-c9912054400c/



4. The movement to ban HFCs had run into a court ruling that the EPA could not regulate their use. California has skipped the EPA and is banning them in new refrigeration and air conditioning. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/30032018/california-hfc-ban-short-lived-climate-pollutants-global-warming-refrigerators-air-conditioners



5. The Sahara Desert is growing, due in part to climate change. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/03/29/the-sahara-is-growing-thanks-in-part-to-climate-change/?utm_term=.da205bd2675a



6. James Ayre presents the basics of passive house design. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/03/31/passive-solar-house-design-basics-orientation-design-elements-materials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29 ?

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