Opinion:
¶ “Climate Change And Bomb Cyclones: What Do We Know?” • Inevitably, there will be politicians who use events like winter storms to argue that global warming is not happening. This worldview is wrong. Dangerously wrong. Falsely equating a ball of frozen water to “disproof” of global warming is a snowball of ignorance. [The Hill]
Winter weather (Marc Kleen, Unsplash)
¶ “Four Troubling Takeaways From New Massachusetts Climate Report” • The “Climate Change Assessment” is the first state-ordered, statewide study for Massachusetts. Four takeaways are summers like the South, premature deaths because of poor air quality, increased difficulty finding affordable housing, and loss of ecosystems. [Boston.com]
World:
¶ “Russia Bans Oil Sales To Countries Using Price Cap” • Russia has banned oil sales to countries and companies that comply with a price cap agreed by Western nations earlier this month. The price cap was taken up by the G7 group of nations, Australia and the EU. It prohibits countries from paying more than $60 (€56, £50) per barrel of Russian oil. [BBC]
Oil platform (Jan-Rune Smenes Reite, Pexels, cropped)
¶ “Divestment Year In Review 2022” • Environmental, social, and governance investments pose an existential challenge to the fossil fuel industry. 350.org explains the ways that the movement creates uncertainty about the long term financial viability of the industry and moves money away from dirty energy towards climate solutions. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “IKEA Adds SunRider’s Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes For Last Mile Deliveries To Reduce Home Delivery Climate Footprint” • IKEA says it’s challenging to keep last-mile services sustainable and cost-effective while meeting customers’ expectations. It had been using electric trucks for home delivery. Now it is also using solar-powered cargo bikes. [CleanTechnica]
SunRider solar-powered cargo bike (IKEA image)
¶ “Zimbabwe Wants To Fast-Track 27 Solar PV Projects Totaling 1,000 MW To Help Deal With Electricity Crisis” • Zimbabwe has an installed electricity generation capacity of about 2,300 MW, but there is a huge problem. The Zimbabwe Power Company’s thermal plants are very old and keep breaking down. It is taking up solar power as a remedy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Pakistan’s Foray Into Renewable Energy” • Climate-induced calamities are one of the biggest driving forces behind the move towards alternative energy sources. The recent floods that swept through Pakistan inflicted an estimated $40 billion in damages. Moving towards green energy isn’t just a healthier option – it is also cost-effective. [The Express Tribune]
Solar panels in Pakistan (Ab PrinceGabol, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Japan’s First Commercial Offshore Wind Farm Is Now Live” • Japan’s first offshore wind farm is now running, Electrek reports. It is made up of two parts, with a total of 33 Vestas 4.2 MW wind turbines. The 138.6-MW wind farm is a major milestone for the country’s transition to renewables. Japan is aiming to have 10 GW of offshore windpower by 2030. [Tech Times]
¶ “Spain Faces €8 Billion In Renewable Legal Claims Over Past Solar Boom” • In Spain, the coalition government has made championing renewable energy a key policy, but it faces claims from investors over an earlier green energy boom. They say they are owed millions over state incentives that were later withdrawn by Madrid. [Euronews]
Wind farm in Spain (FJavier GómezL, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Kiev Calls For Sanctions Against Russian Nuclear Fuel” • Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called for imposing sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry and avoiding its nuclear fuel, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said. He stressed “the key role of solidarity of world leaders in countering Russian nuclear terrorism.” [UrduPoint]
US:
¶ “New Bill Promises $2500 Tax Credit For Off Road EVs” • Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips (D) has introduced a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep Brian K Fitzpatrick (R) of Pennsylvania, to provide a $2500 tax credit for off-road EV purchases. It would provide a 10% federal tax credit on qualifying off-road EVs, capped at $2,500. [CleanTechnica]
Polaris off-road EV (Polaris image)
¶ “Micromobility Reduces Car Emissions More Than Previously Thought” • Research from Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy shows that a scooter ban may ease sidewalk congestion and keep potential riders and pedestrians safer, but it has a price. The ban not only increased carbon emissions, but it increased travel times considerably. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “More Battery Storage Projects Coming To New York From JERA Americas And Zenobē” • Battery storage is growing fast. Both JERA Americas and Zenobē Americas, a leading EV fleet and battery storage specialist in the UK, have identified New York and New England as promising markets for the development of their battery business. [CleanTechnica]
Battery storage (Courtesy of Zenobē)
¶ “GM Keeps Its Promise As Cruise Arrives In Austin” • GM promised to have its Cruise self-driving taxi service running in three US cities by the end of 2022. This week, it has kept that promise with Cruise taxis operating in San Francisco, Phoenix, and (now) Austin. Tesla has promised to have self-driving taxis “next year” since 2016. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “JEA Eyes Solar Farms And New Natural Gas Plant In Coming Years” • The Sierra Club of Northeast Florida and the St Johns Riverkeeper were invitated by JEA to join discussions on how it will produce electricity in coming decades. They are urging use of more renewable energy and putting a stop on building power plant using fossil fuels. [Florida Times-Union]
Have a marvelously uncomplicated day.
geoharvey 