[GWSG] CA going for 100%; or else; we'll need the gvts. too; Miami's water supply; 2C deadline 2035; all ecosystems threatened; Samoan rec; more, hungrier bugs

Tilley, Al atilley at unf.edu
Fri Aug 31 07:17:01 EDT 2018


1. CA is contemplating a target of 100% renewable electricity by 2045.  Renewables would require less land than fossil fuels (in fact, only 39% of the land taken by fossil fuels today), though the Manhattan Institute claims otherwise. A critique of the Institute’s calculations provides a guide to defudging an analysis, one in this case funded by such sources as the Koch brothers and ExxonMobil.  https://cleantechnica.com/2018/08/26/100-renewables-requires-less-land-footprint-than-reliance-on-fossil-fuels-in-california-realitycheck/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29
The CA Assembly has now passed the 100% by 2045 target. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/california-100-percent-clean-energy-grid-de-leon?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily#gs.rYTur9c

2. California’s fourth Climate Change Assessment warns of severe consequences unless climate change is moderated through vigorous program of action. http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/overview/

3. A Yale-led study shows that even the valiant efforts of businesses and local governments to control climate emissions will not be enough without concerted efforts by national governments—notably, the US government. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/29/local-climate-efforts-wont-undo-trump-inaction
It may bear repeating that we are not in a situation where doing something improves our situation by at least that much. We are trying to avoid a climate which passes disastrously beyond our control, as in the recent Hothouse Earth analysis of interacting tipping points. We believe that lies in the direction we are traveling but do not know how far ahead it lies.

4. Miami’s water supply is being compromised by sea level rise and by contamination from septic tanks and industrial pollution. Sea water desalination may be its only recourse. https://www.bloombergquint.com/businessweek/2018/08/29/miami-s-other-water-problem#gs.ssU321k
[https://images.assettype.com/bloombergquint/2018-08/6385ae45-ade5-4365-8027-cef5646a58f0/2000x_1.jpg?rect=0%2C172%2C2000%2C1050&w=250&auto=format%2Ccompress]<https://www.bloombergquint.com/businessweek/2018/08/29/miami-s-other-water-problem#gs.ssU321k>

Miami Will Be Underwater Soon. Its Drinking Water Could Go First<https://www.bloombergquint.com/businessweek/2018/08/29/miami-s-other-water-problem#gs.ssU321k>
www.bloombergquint.com
One morning in June, Douglas Yoder climbed into a white government SUV on the edge of Miami and headed northwest, away from the glittering coastline and into the maze of water infrastructure that makes this city possible. He drove past drainage canals that sever backyards and industrial lots, ancient water-treatment plants peeking out from behind run-down bungalows, and immense rectangular pools tracing the outlines of limestone quarries.



5. A study published by the European Geosciences Union finds that the chance to limit heating to 1.5C is passing and that we must act decisively by 2035 to limit heating to 2C in 2100. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180830084818.htm

6. Climate change is likely to cause broad changes in all ecosystems. It has happened in the past at the end of ice ages and will happen much faster now.  https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/how-climate-change-could-remake-every-biome-on-earth/569038/
[https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2018/08/RTX1P5RT/facebook.jpg?1535653948]<https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/how-climate-change-could-remake-every-biome-on-earth/569038/>

No Ecosystem on Earth Is Safe From Climate Change<https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/08/how-climate-change-could-remake-every-biome-on-earth/569038/>
www.theatlantic.com
If carbon emissions continue to grow, anyone who works with the land could face ‘unprecedented challenges.’



7. The prime minister of Samoa calls climate change “an existential threat” and maintains that any political leader who denies it should be taken to a mental hospital. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/31/world-leaders-who-deny-climate-change-should-go-to-mental-hospital-samoan-pm
[https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e18bc5aced309c799b8247872e29bd1223c5fd00/833_345_2467_1480/master/2467.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&usm=12&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Centropy&bm=normal&ba=bottom%2Cleft&blend64=aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMuZ3VpbS5jby51ay9pbWFnZXMvb3ZlcmxheXMvZDM1ODZhNWVmNTc4MTc1NmQyMWEzYjYzNWU1MTcxNDEvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&s=808f6ca5ad57a17cab2a6a75209c479c]<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/31/world-leaders-who-deny-climate-change-should-go-to-mental-hospital-samoan-pm>

World leaders who deny climate change should go to mental hospital – Samoan PM<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/31/world-leaders-who-deny-climate-change-should-go-to-mental-hospital-samoan-pm>
www.theguardian.com
Tuilaepa Sailele berates leaders who fail to take issue seriously, singling out Australia, India, China and the US



8. Rising temperatures will make bugs more numerous and hungrier. We will lose more of our food to them. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180830143058.htm

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