[GWSG] AMOC slowing; luck and silicates; species at risk; COPs shy on fossils; nature-based what?; transition's emissions; CA emissions plan

[Tilley, Al]

1. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is slowing and will slow further due to our use of coal, oil, and commercial gas. One effect of the slowdown will be to increase starvation and migration of people from stressed areas. Our primary course to halt the slowdown of the AMOC is to halt the development and use of fossil fuels. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-experts-ocean-currents.html

2. The earth has remained continuously habitable through volcanic throes and great changes in solar radiation. We have been lucky, but we have also benefited from the carbon-regulating effect of silicate weathering over hundreds of thousands of years. On that scale, the earth appears to be capable of surviving the greed of oil, coal, and gas corporations, even if we humans don’t. (Things are looking up—we, the life forms of earth, may not have to wait for the silicates. Of course, some species have already fall victim to gas and oil profits, and others are fated to. Our control of emissions is faster acting than silicate weathering but the effects of our gas lawnmowers and propane grills will still outlive us.)  https://phys.org/news/2022-11-earth-temperature-millennia.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

3. Endangered species now include such familiars as giant pandas, orangutans, and African forest elephants, along with many others less well known. “Over 50% of the world’s species are estimated to be at risk of extinction.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_species
On extinction risk from climate change: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_risk_from_climate_change

4. Should we cease burning fossil fuels? No COP agreement has ever said so. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/17/getting-rid-fossil-fuels-at-a-climate-summit-is-harder-than-you-think-cop27-egypt

5. The US is proposing to spend $25b on nature-based solutions to the climate crisis. “Nature-based solutions” is too vague to convey much, and is often used for corporate greenwashing. https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2022/11/17/23460525/nature-based-solutions-climate-change-cop27

6. The energy transition will itself produce emissions. Reduction of energy use is the best way to mitigate the effect. Reliance on biofuels and fossil fuels with carbon capture are less efficient emissions reduction technologies. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-low-carbon-energy-transition-result-substantial.html

7. California has released a proposed plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 48% this decade and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The plan includes mitigation of emissions from wildfires. Much work needs to be done to flesh out the proposal with appropriate programs.   https://phys.org/news/2022-11-california-unveils-carbon-neutrality.html

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