Opinion:
¶ “If Renewables Are So Cheap, Why Electricity So Expensive In South Australia?” • SA went from zero to 70% renewable energy in 16 years, and the price of electricity went up. One factor is a lack of competition pushing up prices, but the main influence is the rising cost of natural gas. Its price began to increase in 2015 and recently hit record highs. [SolarQuotes]
Gas-fired power plant (Peripitus, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “The Psychology Tricks That Can Dispel Climate Change Denial” • Looking at the psychology underlying climate change denial, it is apparent that we are dealing with black-and-white thinking in which possibilities are simplified and polarized into pairs of opposites. Shades of gray are missed; everything appears to be either true or false, right or wrong. [Yahoo]
Science and Technology:
¶ “First Self-Flying, 4-Seat, All-Electric, Vertical Takeoff And Landing Air Taxi” • Wisk Aero claims it has developed the first self-flying, fully electric, 4-seat air taxi. This is its 6th generation air taxi, reportedly “designed to meet and exceed rigorous commercial safety standards, making it one of the safest systems in aviation,” Wisk Aero says. [CleanTechnica]
Wisk Aero (Wisk Aero image)
¶ “Climate Change Fuels Malaria Infection” • Malaria and climate change are closely related, scientists say. The climate change seen in places around the world contributes to vector-borne diseases, including malaria, which is highly endemic in Africa. Growth of both the mosquitoes and the malaria parasites depend upon sufficiently warm weather. [The Standard]
¶ “Past Eight Years Eight Hottest On Record, UN Report Warns” • As the past eight years are on track to be the eight hottest on record, the World Meteorological Organization released its annual state of the global climate report with another warning that the target to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F) was “barely within reach.” [Al Jazeera]
Hot weather (Scott Goodwill, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “COP27: ‘Climate Chaos’ Warning As UN Summit Begins” • The UN’s climate change summit has opened in Egypt with a warning that our planet is “sending a distress signal.” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was responding to a UN report released on Sunday pointing out that the past eight years were on track to be the warmest on record. [BCC]
¶ “COP27: Rishi Sunak Urges Global Push On ‘Clean Growth’” • At the COP27 summit, Rishi Sunak will tell world leaders The fight against climate change can become “a global mission for new jobs and clean growth.” The prime minister will also say it is essential nations stick to commitments made in Glasgow a year ago at COP26 . [BBC]
Rishi Sunak speaking (Rory Arnold, No10 Downing Street,
UK Open Government license v3.0)
¶ “Deutsche Telekom To Buy 100% Electric Company Cars From 2023” • Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile in the US) is focused on taking climate action. That translates into initiatives that include a plan to buy only 100% electric cars for its fleet starting in 2023. It also plans to achieve climate neutrality within its own business operations in 2025. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Honda Exhibits World Premiere Of The ‘e:N2 Concept EV’” • Honda Brand introduced the the e:N2 Concept at the 5th China International Import Expo, an event that is being hosted in Shanghai. Honda released the concept for the second phase of its e:N Series of models – the EV model series they plan to market and sell in China. [CleanTechnica]
Honda e:N2 concept (Honda image)
¶ “United Nations Warns Climate Change Is Speeding Up” • Each of the last eight years, if projections for 2022 hold, will be hotter than any year prior to 2015, the UN said, detailing a dramatic increase in the rate of global warming. Sea level rise, glacier melt, torrential rains, heat waves – and the deadly disasters they cause – have all accelerated. [Tico Times]
¶ “Flow Power Enters Queensland Market With Clermont Solar Farm PPA” • Australian electricity retailer Flow Power has officially entered the Queensland market, signing an offtake deal with German-owned renewable energy developer Wirsol Energy for 30 MW of clean electricity generated at the 89 MW Clermont Solar Farm. [pv magazine Australia]
Clermont Solar Farm in Queensland (Wirsol Energy image)
US:
¶ “Wells Are Running Dry In Drought-Weary Southwest As Foreign-Owned Farms Guzzle Water To Feed Cattle Overseas” • Just as the Colorado River Basin is in crisis, aquifers are rapidly depleting from overuse, worsening drought, and rampant growth of agriculture. Huge, foreign-owned farms are growing thirsty crops like alfalfa to feed livestock overseas. [CNN]
¶ “GMC Hummer EV Pickup And SUV Sold Out For At Least Two Years” • It looks like there is some bad news if you want to purchase a 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup or SUV. They are sold out, and it seems the waiting list is two or more years long. GM cannot keep up with the high demand, so prospective buyers are being waitlisted. [CleanTechnica]
Hummer EV SUV and pickup (Courtesy of GM)
¶ “The Next Big US Offshore Wind Winners Are Texas And Louisiana” • The Interior Department has just tapped Texas and Louisiana for offshore wind development. This may seem like an exercise in futility, but as states without fossil resources jockey for position in the new hydrogen economy, both Louisiana and Texas will have keep up. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Rewiring America Wants To Educate Consumers About The Benefits Available In The IRA” • There are important incentives for American households to improve their energy efficiency and lower their utility bills in the Inflation Reduction Act. Rewiring America wants to get the word out to local individuals and communities. [CleanTechnica]
Have an especially fine day.
geoharvey 