Opinion:
¶ “Millions Of US Homes Are Installing Heat Pumps. Will It Be Enough?” • Across the United States, over 15 states and roughly 100 cities have begun to shift policies to encourage or require electrification of homes, workplaces, schools, and government buildings. Nevertheless, we are falling woefully short on climate pledges. We have to do better. [CleanTechnica]
Heat pump water heater (Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance)
¶ “A just transition depends on energy systems that work for everyone” • The West’s dash for African gas has become a rallying point at Cop27. Climate justice activists are calling out the hypocrisy of rich polluting nations who are scrambling to keep energy prices down by pushing for more fossil fuel projects in Africa. [The Guardian]
¶ “Poland’s Sad Love For These US Nuclear Lemons” • With breathtaking myopia, the Polish government has signed a deal to partner with the US company Westinghouse in the construction of three nuclear reactors. A look at history shows that Poland won’t get energy security from Westinghouse reactors. It might not even get the reactors. [IOL]
Westinghouse AP1000 (Westinghouse image)
Science and Technology:
¶ “‘Artificial Leaf’ To Produce Green Hydrogen” • The green hydrogen market has been taking off, thanks mainly to the availability of low-cost wind and solar power for electrolysis. The race is on to mimic nature’s high-efficiency hydrogen production system. It has been a long road, but the dream of an “artificial leaf” may finally take shape. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Belching Lakes, Mystery Craters, ‘Zombie Fires’: How The Climate Crisis Is Transforming Permafrost” • Nunapitchuk, Alaska, used to be in the middle of grassy tundra. Now, it sits in bogland. People who used to walk on grass now use 8-foot-wide boardwalks to get around. The Arctic is warming fast, and that brings many unexpected problems. [CNN]
Sinking building (Sue Natali, Woodwell Climate Research Center)
¶ “New Rear Axle Design Creates More Range For Smaller EVs” • A new rear axle concept for small EVs has been developed by scientists at the Chair of Lightweight Vehicle Construction at the University of Siegen. It can increase the range of a small EV by 35%. The new rear axle concept increases the available space for the battery in the body. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Uncovering The Dirty Secret Behind BP’s Bumper Profits” • Far removed from the world leaders making climate pledges at COP, are people like Ali Hussein Julood, a young leukaemia survivor living on an Iraqi oil field co-managed by BP. When the BBC discovered BP was not declaring the field’s gas flaring, Ali helped us to reveal the truth. [BBC]
¶ “BMW Neue Klasse Electric Cars Will Feature Up To 1341 Horsepower” • BMW recently held a splashy press event for its Neue Klasse vehicles, and CAR Magazine was on hand to report on the festivities. Chief technology officer Frank Weber began by announcing, “With the New Class lineup, we are going to make a huge technology leap.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Research: Economic Viability Of EVs Is Strong And Improving In Developing Countries” • A World Bank report says that in many developing markets, low fuel and maintenance costs over the life of an EV more than offsets the relatively high purchase price. Environmental and health benefits make the case for EVs even stronger. [CleanTechnica]
Tata Nano (Vengolis, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “PepsiCo Commit To Use 100% Renewables” • The climate crisis may be the greatest, truly global challenge humankind has ever faced. PepsiCo is committed to doing its part to address the impacts of climate change. The company is aiming to source and generate 100% of its electricity needs through renewable energy by 2030. [The Global Herald]
¶ “Brisbane Airport Secures Renewable Energy Future” • BAC, Brisbane Airport Corporation, has entered into a six-year agreement to secure renewable energy from Queensland’s Clarke Creek Wind Farm & Blue Grass Solar projects. The deal is part of BAC’s commitment to be net zero for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025. [Newsroom Brisbane Airport Corporation]
A terminal at Brisbane Airport (Kgbo, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
US:
¶ “Tesla Megafactory Lathrop Went From Groundbreaking To Megapack Production In Just A Year” • CleanTechnica reported the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tesla Megafactory Lathrop in September 2021. And it took just around a year for Tesla to move from the start of construction to commissioning and production start. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Big News! Tesla Proposes North American Charging Standard” • One of the most frequently heard complaints from people considering the purchase of an electric car is that there is no common charging standard. Now North American EV owners can rejoice. Tesla is suggesting its charging equipment should be the standard for North America. [CleanTechnica]
Charging connections (Courtesy of Tesla)
¶ “Iowa Leads In Homegrown, Reliable, Renewable Energy” • Iowa is a clean energy leader, attracting almost $23 billion in capital investments and generating over $58 million in tax revenue. The Hawkeye state is the largest producer of renewable energy, with 59.5% of its power generated by its own renewable energy resources. [The Gazette]
¶ “Climate Change Prompts Pennsylvania Farmers To Adapt Crops And Businesses” • As the climate changes and brings more risks to the traditional farming schedule, farmers are looking for ways to make sure their crops survive. That means you might see different options at local farm markets or new events popping up on farms. [WHYY]
Have a simply marvelous day.
geoharvey 