[GWSG] Groundwater rising; fertility & fossil fuels; smart roofs; rooftop in FL; Manchin's bomb; what now?

[Tilley, Al]

1. The groundwater in coastal areas is typically higher than sea level. As the water rises, it will flood even areas which are cut off from direct flooding from the ocean. The water will bring to the surface with it whatever is in the ground—sewage, industrial pollution, old gasoline from buried tanks. That is happening in Florida but little discussed. So far as I know, no one is being warned by any official sources of the growing problems, nor are we making serious efforts to clean up our ground pollution in preparation for going under, except for a septic tank replacement program. https://climatecrocks.com/2021/12/14/sea-levels-hidden-cost-rising-ground-water/



2. Fertility decline and genital abnormalities may arise from pollution by fossil fuels, according to a Danish study. This is not directly a climate issue but may put some torque on climate action. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/15/fall-fertility-rates-may-be-linked-fossil-fuel-pollution-finds-study



3. Light-colored roofs keep homes cooler in the summer, but cooler in the winter too. A new roof coating keeps roofs cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It will cut electricity use by about 10%. It is being commercially adapted. https://techxplore.com/news/2021-12-smart-roof-coating-enables-year-round-energy.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter



4. The story of how a major utility, Florida Power and Light, is fighting rooftop solar power in the state clarifies the progress of solar power in Florida and the opposition it faces in a corrupt political culture. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/20/revealed-a-florida-power-company-wrote-its-own-bill-to-slow-rooftop-solar?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other



5. The NY Times article on Senator Manchin’s opposition to the president’s climate agenda makes clear what is being blocked, and what the implications are. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/climate/manchin-climate-build-back-better-bill.html?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20211220&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily



6. The challenges of providing climate action are mounting. https://www.axios.com/climate-effects-manchin-build-back-better-11da493e-12f1-4e4b-9659-9082a461967b.html?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&utm_content=20211220&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20Daily  7.

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