[GWSG] SLR satellite; cheap, clean H; gas joining coal; Amazon 40% savannah; AUS grid over 50% renewables

[Tilley, Al]

1.  The Sentinel 6 satellite, due to be launched by NASA and the EU in November, will keep better watch on sea level rise acceleration, improving our forecasts. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7758

2. Hydrogen as a fuel has long been promoted by the fossil fuel industry because it is commonly produced from gas or coal. A new Chinese electrolysis process using renewable energy can produce it a fifth of the cost. Look for the propaganda for hydrogen to subside and for its promise as a clean fuel to rise. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/03/green-hydrogen-from-renewables-could-become-cheapest-transformative-fuel-within-a-decade

3. A Rocky Mountain Institute study shows that in two important US energy markets renewables are sending gas the way of coal. “Importantly, this updated analysis shows that most proposed gas plants that do get built will face stranded cost risks within 10 years of construction. “  https://rmi.org/clean-energy-is-canceling-gas-plants/

4.  The conversion of the Amazon rain forest to savannah is proceeding faster than expected. 40% of it has already reached the conversion point. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/05/amazon-near-tipping-point-of-switching-from-rainforest-to-savannah-study

5. Wind and solar are supplying more than 50% of Australia’s main grid power for the first time. While the Liberal government of South Australia has a target of 100% renewable by 2030, the Australian federal government “attacked Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, describing it as reckless and economy destroying, even though it now concedes that is where the grid is heading, even without a coherent energy policy.” https://reneweconomy.com.au/wind-and-solar-supply-more-than-50-pct-of-australias-main-grid-for-first-time-70438/

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