[GWSG] Code conflict; offshore power grows; Count Us In?; an elder speaks; China's power investment; heating lakes

[Tilley, Al]

1. The International Code Council, which sets standards for new home construction, primarily for the US, last year approved codes which require such efficiency measures as wiring garages for electric cars and providing kitchen outlets which could be used to hook up electric stoves even if the original stove is gas. Developers and gas companies are applying pressure in an appeal which would prevent the measures. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/09/climate-change-building-code-emissions-us

2. Globally, offshore wind power was up 19% in 2019. In the US, the amount of offshore wind under contract tripled. https://cleantechnica.com/2020/10/09/offshore-wind-grew-19-globally-in-2019/

3. Count Us In, a campaign organized by Ikea and other businesses, urges individuals to take such steps as avoiding meat and choosing not to fly. A billion people making reasonable personal choices, it claims, could cut emissions by 17%. Some people consider that the organization would distract people from pressing for necessary changes by the fossil fuel companies and their political supporters. Others hold that making personal choices can lead people to support yet more meaningful actions. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/10/campaign-seeks-1bn-people-to-save-climate-one-small-step-time
I believe the campaign unlikely to sap energy from people already committed to the necessary policy changes (and in all likelihood making the recommended personal choices anyway). The campaign is at least harmless. Organizing for an end to fossil fuel subsidies might be a better use of Ikea’s resources, but that is not at my disposal. They could do nothing, or worse.

4. Nemonte Nenquimo, a leader of the Amazonian Waorani, has written a letter to the western world about their interference in hers. “Your civilization is killing life on earth.” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/western-worldyour-civilisation-killing-life-on-earth-indigenous-amazon-planet

5. In the next 5 years China is investing nearly $900 billion in power grid improvements which support the energy transition to renewables. https://www.reuters.com/article/china-electricity/china-to-invest-nearly-900-billion-in-power-grids-state-media-idUSL4N2H1073?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20201012&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20newsletter

6. As the globe heats so do 99% of its lakes, putting freshwater species at risk. https://phys.org/news/2020-10-global-lake-trend-threatens-freshwater.html

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