[GWSG] Solar costs; dead gas tanks; 80% more efficient; NY sues; water-based A/C; Cuba's Project Life

[Tilley, Al]

1. In the US, rooftop solar prices are more than double the Australian price thanks to arguably needless codes, tariffs, and permits. 20% of Australians are currently served by solar power. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-to-halve-the-cost-of-residential-solar-in-the-us?utm_source=Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GTMDaily#gs.wWBmUb4



2.  Florida has 19,000 underground petroleum storage tanks from dead gas stations and convenience stores, more than any other state. As sea levels rise the leaking tanks pose a pollution risk. Now when they are accessible they should be cleaned up, and the state is beginning the process. Local pressure would help move that along. All coastal areas are likely to share the problem. http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/High-risk-underground-fuel-tanks-in-Florida-await-cleanup-as-state-spends-millions-on-easy-fixes_164169197



3. In the last forty years, since the oil embargo, US energy efficiency has been growing at 2% a year. It amounts to a major mitigation effort. We could do yet better; Stanford reports on some ideas of how to do that. https://climatecrocks.com/2018/01/09/energy-efficiency-the-most-important-resource/



4. New York City is not only divesting its pension funds from fossil fuels but suing five fossil fuel corporations for climate costs and damages. Two California counties and a city have filed similar suits against 37 fossil fuel companies. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/10/new-york-city-plans-to-divest-5bn-from-fossil-fuels-and-sue-oil-companies



5. A team at the National U of Singapore has developed a water-based air conditioning technology which will use 40% less energy and avoid pollution from coolants. As a side effect, it distills potable water from the ambient air. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180108133239.htm



6. Cuba has embarked on a 100-year plan, Project Life, to adapt to rising seas. They are restoring mangroves, protecting reefs, preparing for coastal salination of agricultural land, limiting development in low-lying areas, and readying coastal villages for relocation. http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/01/cuba-embarks-100-year-plan-protect-itself-climate-change ?

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