Opinion:
¶ “Finally, The Wind Is At Our Back On The Climate Crisis” • History will remember this decade as the climate turning point, the moment we finally woke up to the fact that despite (and because of) shocks like Covid-19, decarbonization, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions is now inevitable. The only question is how fast we will achieve it. [CNN]
Earth (NASA image, Unsplash)
¶ “The Latest Area Of Competition Between The US And China: Saving The World” • With Washington rejoining global efforts against climate change under President Joe Biden, the US and China now have a new area of competition – leading the world in staving off environmental catastrophe. It is a competition that allows room for agreement. [CNN]
World:
¶ “OX2 Makes 170-MW Swedish Wind Swoop” • OX2, a Swedish renewables developer, is to acquire the rights to a wind farm in Sweden, with a capacity of up to 170 MW, from Stora Enso for an undisclosed price. The Halsingeskogen wind farm is expected to produce about 380 GWh annually, covering the average yearly needs of about 72,000 households. [reNEWS]
Wind turbine in Sweden (OX2 image)
¶ “Japan Raises Emissions Cut Target To 46% By 2030” • Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan will strive by 2030 to cut its emissions by 46% from 2013 levels, up from its earlier goal of 26%. He promised to reduce Japan’s reliance on coal-fired energy by promoting conservation and maximizing renewables, while promoting nuclear energy. [CTV News]
¶ “Orbital Tidal Turbine Sets Sail For EMEC” • Orbital Marine Power, based in Scotland, shipped a 2-MW tidal turbine from the Port of Dundee to the Orkney Islands for installation. Osprey Heavy Lift oversaw the transfer of the 680-tonne tidal turbine from the Forth Ports quayside facility in Dundee into the River Tay using a submersible barge. [reNEWS]
Turbine on its submersible barge (Orbital Tidal Turbine image)
¶ “Coal India Forms Subsidiaries For Solar Manufacturing And Renewable Energy Projects” • Coal India Limited announced forming two subsidiaries, one for solar PV manufacturing and one for renewable energy projects. CIL had earlier announced it would invest ₹56.50 billion ($763 million) on solar projects to power mining operations. [Mercom India]
¶ “South Korean Students Shave Heads To Protest Against Japan’s Fukushima Water Release Plan” • Over 30 South Korean college students shaved their heads in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul to protest against plan to release over a million tonnes of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. [Republic World]
South Korean students (Abdulsatar Bochnak via Twitter)
US:
¶ “Biden Announces US Will Aim To Cut Carbon Emissions By As Much As 52% By 2030 At Virtual Climate Summit” • President Joe Biden kicked off a virtual climate summit attended by 40 other world leaders by announcing an ambitious cut in emissions of greenhouse gases. He committed the US to reducing its GHG emissions by 50%-52% by 2030. [CNN]
¶ “Whitmer Celebrates Earth Day, Announces State Offices Will Be 100% Renewable Energy By 2025” • On Earth Day Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that all state-owned facilities would use 100% renewable energy by 2025. The state says this goal is made possible through partnerships with three major utilities. [WLUC]
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (State of Michigan)
¶ “New York City Is Suing Big Oil For Allegedly Misleading Consumers About Climate Change” • The City of New York filed a lawsuit in state court against Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP, and the American Petroleum Institute for allegedly misleading New York consumers about the role their products play in climate change and for “greenwashing” their practices. [CNN]
¶ “Cadillac Lyriq Will Be Available In Early 2022 Starting At $59,990” • This September, customers will be able to place an order for the new Cadillac Lyriq, the company’s first all electric car. Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Lyriq deliveries will begin in the first half of 2022. The Lyriq will start at $59,990, including the destination charge. [CleanTechnica]
Cadillac Lyriq (Image courtesy of Cadillac)
¶ “Tesla’s 62-Stall Supercharger Project In Santa Monica Is Given The Green Light” • The Santa Monica City Council has given Tesla’s 62-stall Supercharger project the green light to go ahead with construction, The Santa Monica Daily Press reports. Members of the city council unanimously amended an ordinance to give Tesla the green light on construction. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Disney Marks Earth Day By Unveiling Renewable Energy Plans For Theme Parks” • The Walt Disney Company marked Earth Day by unveiling a new list of renewable energy efforts aimed to reduce carbon footprint at its theme parks and resorts. Among other things, two large solar plants will be built at Walt Disney World in Florida. [HuffPost]
Mickey Mouse solar array in Florida (Disney image)
¶ “Local Municipalities Teaming Up To Get Cheapest Renewable Energy For Residents” • In New York, the town and village of Pittsford, the town of Irondequoit, and the city of Rochester are teaming up to buy renewable energy for their residents. The Community Choice Aggregation program is a way for residents to reduce costs and get clean energy. [WROC-TV]
¶ “On Earth Day 2021, Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 20 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Infrastructure Projects Will be Under Construction Across NYS This Year” • New York Governor Andrew M Cuomo announced that over 20 large-scale renewable energy infrastructure projects will be under construction across the state this year. [The New York State Senate]
Have a downright upbeat day.
geoharvey 
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