[GWSG] N from rocks; Portugal's big March; solar calculator; solar beats all; fast action, long payoff; FEMA maps soft on floods

[Tilley, Al]

1. About a quarter of the earth's nitrogen comes from weathering rocks instead of from the atmosphere alone, as has been believed. The new finding will influence estimates of carbon sequestration through plants, which are dependent on nitrogen. Thanks to Tom Larson for the topic. https://phys.org/news/2018-04-source-global-nitrogen.html



2. Last month Portugal supplied all their energy needs renewably. This month they cancelled subsidies for fossil fuels. https://reneweconomy.com.au/portugal-reaches-100-renewables-ends-fossil-fuel-subsidies-32820/?utm_source=RE+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=efca300a91-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46a1943223-efca300a91-40325881



3. NREL PV Watts provides a free estimate of the solar power potential of any size array at any US address. http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/



4. Last year new solar power outpaced all other new power sources combined, globally. The cost of solar installation dropped 15%, and developing nations led developed in the increase of their support for solar energy. https://www.ecowatch.com/solar-capacity-2017-2556858644.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c0cffa5a08-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c0cffa5a08-85965093



5. Two studies looking ahead through 2300 find that early climate action has a great impact on eventual sea levels and on the degree of ocean acidification. https://phys.org/news/2018-04-early-climate-action-big-effect.html



6.  For technical, procedural, and political reasons, FEMA flood maps underestimate flood risk. Thanks to Mary Emerson Smith for the story. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article204971334.html  ?

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