[GWSG] FL reaction $; water problems; cheap as glass; EVs near equity with ICEs; insects in peril; C monitoring back

[Tilley, Al]

1. Integrity Florida's report 2018 Power Play Redux: Political Influence of Florida's Top Energy Corporations details what industry lobbyists have bought with the money they dealt into the state's political process in the 2014 and 2016 election cycles. They have attempted to suppress the transition to sustainable energy, and not always succeeded. The $43 million they disbursed in Florida from 2012-16 was double what they had spent in the previous eight-year period. http://www.cleanenergy.org/2018/05/16/power-play-florida-2018/

Surely the growing strength of the movement is evoking the strength of its reactionary opposition.



2. NASA warns that water difficulties-both shortages and flooding-are likely to comprise the leading environmental challenges of this century and identifies more than thirty regions in particular danger. The combination of GRACE satellite data with local information lends the study unprecedented depth and should spur coping actions . https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/16/water-shortages-to-be-key-environmental-challenge-of-the-century-nasa-warns?CMP=twt_a-environment_b-gdneco&utm_source=EHN&utm_campaign=087f687db3-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8573f35474-087f687db3-99031877



3. A new method of producing perovskite solar cells promises to render them as cheap as glass, and as easily manufactured. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/05/17/when-perovskite-solar-cells-are-cheap-as-glass-what-then/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29



4. The dropping cost of batteries has brought the cost of electric vehicles down nearly to that of internal combustion engine competitors. The electric car range is improving, and their sales are on the rise. https://evannex.com/blogs/news/four-charts-showcase-why-electric-cars-will-take-over

I look forward to the conversion of gas stations to charging stations, with snacks and entertainment for the half hour or so wait while your car charges. Maybe the new stations will feature some exercise machines and playground equipment along with espressos and conversation pits.



5. Insects are in greater danger from climate change than are birds and animals. They are key players in ecological systems. Limiting warming to 1.5C would have much less impact than greater warming. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/17/climate-change-on-track-to-cause-major-insect-wipeout-scientists-warn



6. Congress is moving to restore the NASA program to monitor carbon emissions. https://climatecrocks.com/2018/05/19/carbon-monitoring-restored-in-congress-for-now/

I am breaking my custom of not reporting on pending legislation to celebrate this possibility.?

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