[GWSG] Gas budget; subsidy size; DAI 2027; climate and covid funds; 30 by 30; efficient solar

[Tilley, Al]

1.  The US is the world’s biggest producer of oil and commercial methane. As public opinion increasingly reflects climate concerns, the industry’s propaganda budget continues to grow. https://climatecrocks.com/2020/12/20/cnbc-why-climate-change-denial-persists/

2. From 2019, a still-shocking study from the International Monetary Fund reveals that the US spends more on fossil fuel subsidies than we do on the military. The propaganda money in the previous item supports the subsidies by disarming opposition within and outside the government. If the industry had to reflect the cost of their product in its price, they would be out of business. As they should be, of course.  https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/fossil-fuel-subsidies-pentagon-spending-imf-report-833035/

3.  A climate projection based on historical data indicates that “the threshold for dangerous global warming will likely be crossed between 2027 and 2042.” At the point of Dangerous Anthropogenic Interference, we must be taking decisive action to avoid a disaster. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/mu-cct122120.php

4. The coronavirus relief plan just passed by congress includes billions of dollars toward climate action. HFCs are to be cut, renewable energy further developed, carbon capture and sequestration methods investigated, and renewable energy provided for low-income homes. Support for the measures was bipartisan. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/12/21/congress-climate-spending/?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20201222&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily

5. To protect biodiversity and slow climate heating, the Biden administration intends to protect 30% of US land and oceans by 2030—30 by 30, as the program is called. The land target would mean new conservation areas totaling twice the size of Texas.  For private lands, 20 to 30-year conservation leases may be the most practical. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/opinion/biden-climate-change-conservation.html?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20201222&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily

6. Oxford scientists have used a perovskite coating on solar cells to render them 20% more efficient and only slightly more expensive. The new design is expected to be commercially available in 2022. https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/oxford-scientists-record-breaking-solar-power-technology-explained-803609?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20201222&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily
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