wattsupwiththat--2020-12-02--UPHEAVAL  – A Short Novel

UPHEAVAL  – A Short Novel

Susan J. Crockford — biologist , author and bone whisperer – has today released her latest fiction effort : “ UPHEAVAL- a short novel ” .
[ Just now available from Amazon in Kindle e-book and Paperback formats ] Eighty-six year old Duff Gillies didn ’ t want to die without telling the story of what he ’ d witnessed during the great sea ice tsunami that devastated Cape Breton Island , Nova Scotia back in 2026 .
That was the winter he ’ d agreed to take young Izzy Walker on as his student aboard the Ice Queen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Lawrence for the first time .
After an unsettling polar bear encounter out on the ice , Duff thought he ’ d seen everything but then three ice-covered waves turned his quiet maritime existence upside down .
Called on to help a good friend rescue his brother , he and Izzy witnessed first-hand the devastating toll the tsunami had taken .
But Duff had an experience no one else did and it came to haunt him .
This fictional first-person account of the greatest tsunami disaster ever to hit a North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to miss .
It ’ s a short novel that will leave you astonished at the destructive power a tsunami can muster when it teams up with thick sea ice cover.
” – source This is a terrific little book – short enough at 159 pages to read in a single bout of insomnia or to pass a pleasant afternoon or long evening on a cold rainy winter day ( which is exactly what I did the minute I received my advance review copy ) .
The story takes place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never visited but had no trouble visualizing from Crockford ’ s almost cinematic prose : This map , included in the book , will help those unfamiliar with the area to find their way around .
Those familiar with the sea will see at once the possibilities presented by the geography of the Cabot Strait , which runs between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia – our protagonists live on the northeastern-facing shores of Cape Breton Island , at Neil ’ s Harbour , on the Sydney Bight .
As the book quip has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just off the southwest shore of Newfoundland , marked “ Epicenter ” .
I always find that maps help me understand a story that takes place across a wider area .
I offer this rendering of the geography – the nautical chart of North/South Harbours with a detail of Dingwall Harbour .
When you read the book , you can use this one for detailed reference : Dingwall Harbour is under ½ mile long – and sees a lot of the action .
Neil ’ s Harbour , Duff ’ s home port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the bottom right of the chart above .
I know we have geologists and geographers reading here , I ’ ll let them explain in the comments the consequences to be expected from the quake – and the resulting tsunami — and geography .
Having spent about one-half of my adult life living aboard ships and boats on the seas , I can personally attest to the authenticity of nautical details of the book .
Full of fascinating detail of the seal hunting life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence , hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the book is insightful and will expand the readers ’ breadth of experience .
And it exposes the inner-life and thoughts of an old man of the sea coming to grips with forces of nature that can humble even a man of unending confidence .
After introducing the story as the re-collections of an old man trapped by the nursing home restrictions implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 which limit visitors to once a month – we read what Duff Gillies records on tape for his grandson to transcribe — his never-before-told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cape Breton Island Ice Tsunami of 2026 ( five years in our future ) , Regardless of your interests , you ’ ll find this book a rewarding and fulfilling read .
You will not be disappointed .
Boats , adventure , the sea in winter….and , did I mention Polar Bears ?
Yes , there are polar bears ready and willing for action .
Who could possibly ask for more ?
I read a lot .
I write some .
And I recommend this book to anyone looking for that ever-so-rare commodity @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Book Review by Kip Hansen — 1 December 2020
Susan J. Crockford — biologist, author and bone whisperer – has today released her latest fiction effort: “UPHEAVAL- a short novel”.
[Just now available from Amazon in Kindle e-book and Paperback formats]
Here’s the leader from Dr. Crockford:
Eighty-six year old Duff Gillies didn’t want to die without telling the story of what he’d witnessed during the great sea ice tsunami that devastated Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia back in 2026. That was the winter he’d agreed to take young Izzy Walker on as his student aboard the Ice Queen and the year polar bears invaded the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the first time. After an unsettling polar bear encounter out on the ice, Duff thought he’d seen everything but then three ice-covered waves turned his quiet maritime existence upside down. Called on to help a good friend rescue his brother, he and Izzy witnessed first-hand the devastating toll the tsunami had taken. But Duff had an experience no one else did and it came to haunt him. This fictional first-person account of the greatest tsunami disaster ever to hit a North American shore is a story you won’t want to miss. It’s a short novel that will leave you astonished at the destructive power a tsunami can muster when it teams up with thick sea ice cover.” – source
This is a terrific little book – short enough at 159 pages to read in a single bout of insomnia or to pass a pleasant afternoon or long evening on a cold rainy winter day (which is exactly what I did the minute I received my advance review copy).
The story takes place in a part of the world I have never visited but had no trouble visualizing from Crockford’s almost cinematic prose:
This map, included in the book, will help those unfamiliar with the area to find their way around. Those familiar with the sea will see at once the possibilities presented by the geography of the Cabot Strait, which runs between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia – our protagonists live on the northeastern-facing shores of Cape Breton Island, at Neil’s Harbour, on the Sydney Bight. As the book quip has already revealed, an earthquake takes place just off the southwest shore of Newfoundland, marked “Epicenter”.
I always find that maps help me understand a story that takes place across a wider area. I offer this rendering of the geography – the nautical chart of North/South Harbours with a detail of Dingwall Harbour. When you read the book, you can use this one for detailed reference:
Dingwall Harbour is under ½ mile long – and sees a lot of the action. Neil’s Harbour, Duff’s home port, is just south of the point at the bottom right of the chart above.
I know we have geologists and geographers reading here, I’ll let them explain in the comments the consequences to be expected from the quake – and the resulting tsunami — and geography. Having spent about one-half of my adult life living aboard ships and boats on the seas, I can personally attest to the authenticity of nautical details of the book.
Full of fascinating detail of the seal hunting life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, hunting on the shifting and ever-changing ice, the book is insightful and will expand the readers’ breadth of experience. And it exposes the inner-life and thoughts of an old man of the sea coming to grips with forces of nature that can humble even a man of unending confidence.
After introducing the story as the re-collections of an old man trapped by the nursing home restrictions implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 which limit visitors to once a month – we read what Duff Gillies records on tape for his grandson to transcribe — his never-before-told story of his personal experiences during the Cape Breton Island Ice Tsunami of 2026 (five years in our future),
Regardless of your interests, you’ll find this book a rewarding and fulfilling read. You will not be disappointed.
Boats, adventure, the sea in winter….and, did I mention Polar Bears? Yes, there are polar bears ready and willing for action. Who could possibly ask for more?
I read a lot. I write some. And I recommend this book to anyone looking for that ever-so-rare commodity — a just plain Good Read.
# # # # #
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-03--CNN: “most countries are still choosing fossil fuels over clean energy”

Who feels like shedding a tear , that the unprecedented opportunity , the Great Reset Green New Deal Build Back Better renewable revolution is foundering on the rocks of political and economic reality ?
We ’ re at a turning point on climate change .
But most countries are still choosing fossil fuels over clean energy , report says ( CNN ) Governments of the world are at a “ critical juncture ” for shaping the climate ’ s future but are on course to produce too many fossil fuels in the decade ahead , a new report has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrees Celsius ( 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit ) — which scientists say would avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change — countries need to wind down their fossil fuel production by 6 % every year between now and 2030 , according to the 2020 Production Gap report .
Instead , countries are on track to produce an increase of 2 % per year .
And as governments pour money into their economies in a bid to recover from the coronavirus pandemic , they risk locking the world into a climate disaster by investing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as power , aviation , and car manufacturing , according to the new analysis from the Stockholm Environment Institute , International Institute for Sustainable Development ( IISD ) , Overseas Development Institute ( ODI ) , E3G and the UN Environment Programme .
“ We find ourselves at a critical juncture at this time .
While global fossil fuel production will dip sharply this year , government action and recovery measures are poised to shape our climate future , ” said Ploy Pattanun Achakulwisut , SEI scientist and co-author of the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-Covid production levels that lock-in severe climate disruption , or they could set the stage for a managed wind down of fossil fuel production .
”

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Who feels like shedding a tear, that the unprecedented opportunity, the Great Reset Green New Deal Build Back Better renewable revolution is foundering on the rocks of political and economic reality?
We’re at a turning point on climate change. But most countries are still choosing fossil fuels over clean energy, report says
By Helen Regan, CNN
Updated 1401 GMT (2201 HKT) December 2, 2020
(CNN)Governments of the world are at a “critical juncture” for shaping the climate’s future but are on course to produce too many fossil fuels in the decade ahead, a new report has found.
To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) — which scientists say would avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change — countries need to wind down their fossil fuel production by 6% every year between now and 2030, according to the 2020 Production Gap report.
Instead, countries are on track to produce an increase of 2% per year.
And as governments pour money into their economies in a bid to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, they risk locking the world into a climate disaster by investing more heavily in fossil fuel industries — such as power, aviation, and car manufacturing, according to the new analysis from the Stockholm Environment Institute, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), E3G and the UN Environment Programme.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture at this time. While global fossil fuel production will dip sharply this year, government action and recovery measures are poised to shape our climate future,” said Ploy Pattanun Achakulwisut, SEI scientist and co-author of the report.
“They could either return to pre-Covid production levels that lock-in severe climate disruption, or they could set the stage for a managed wind down of fossil fuel production.”
…


wattsupwiththat--2020-12-03--Mitochondrial Changes Key to Health Problems in Space

Living in space isn ’ t easy .
There are notable impacts on the biology of living things in the harsh environment of space .
A team of scientists has now identified a possible underlying driver of these impacts : the powerhouse of the cell , called mitochondria , experiences changes in activity during spaceflight .
Recently published in the journal Cell , these results used data collected over decades of experimental research on the International Space Station , including samples from 59 astronauts .
Studies such as these are critical to understanding the effects of low gravity , radiation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA sends astronauts deep into space for extended missions to the Moon , Mars , and beyond .
“ We ’ ve found a universal mechanism that explains the kinds of changes we see to the body in space , and in a place we didn ’ t expect , ” said Afshin Beheshti the lead author on the paper and a researcher with KBR , which provides contract support to NASA ’ s Ames Research Center in California ’ s Silicon Valley .
“ Everything gets thrown out of whack and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research also made use of a comprehensive database of animal studies collected on the GeneLab platform at Ames , as well as the NASA twin study comparing identical twins Mark and Scott Kelly over the course of a year .
The GeneLab platform is the first of its kind to capture large amounts of space biology “ omics ” data that can be used to characterize and quantify biological molecules – such as DNA , RNA , and proteins – and their systematic effects on the structures and functions of organisms .
GeneLab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists from all over the world to collaborate on the study and get the most out of the data housed on the open-source platform .
Mitochondria are tiny structures within cells that produce energy for the basic units of biology that make up our bodies .
When that energy production breaks down , many of the body ’ s key organs and its immune system can be put in jeopardy .
This new research indicates this breakdown in activity of mitochondria might contribute to health or performance challenges faced by humans in space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between mitochondria and spaceflight came from research using rodents .
“ When we started comparing the tissues from mice flown on separate space missions , we noticed that mitochondrial dysfunction kept popping up , ” said Beheshti .
“ Whether we were looking at problems in the eyes or in the liver , the same pathways related to mitochondria were the source of the problem.
” NASA ’ s data on humans backed this hypothesis up .
The changes identified in astronaut Scott Kelly ’ s immune system during his year in space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes observed in the activity of his mitochondria as well .
Blood and urine samples from dozens of other astronauts showed further evidence that , in various types of cells , being in space led to altered mitochondrial activity .
“ This is a big step toward figuring out how our bodies can live healthily off-world , ” said Beheshti .
“ And the good news is , this is a problem we can already start to tackle .
We can look at countermeasures and drugs we already use to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might work in space , to start.
” From issues as wide-ranging as disrupted circadian rhythms to cardiovascular alterations , scientists can now turn to this small but essential structure in cells as a place to continue research and look for solutions .
Mitochondria are indeed the powerhouse of the cell , and may also power the future of space biology research – pointing the way toward discoveries that will help astronauts live safely in orbit and beyond .
Members of the news media interested in covering this topic should reach out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image : Astronaut Scott Kelly is working with the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox during a Rodent Research session with Bone Densitometer .
Credit : NASA Last Updated : Nov. 30 , 2020 Editor : Frank Tavares

From NASA Ames
Nov. 25, 2020
Living in space isn’t easy. There are notable impacts on the biology of living things in the harsh environment of space. A team of scientists has now identified a possible underlying driver of these impacts: the powerhouse of the cell, called mitochondria, experiences changes in activity during spaceflight.
Recently published in the journal Cell, these results used data collected over decades of experimental research on the International Space Station, including samples from 59 astronauts. Studies such as these are critical to understanding the effects of low gravity, radiation, confined spaces, and more as NASA sends astronauts deep into space for extended missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Valery Boyko, lead of NASA GeneLab’s Sample Processing Lab, is setting up automated liquid handling instrument to quantify the amount of sequencing material in a sample.Credits: NASA/Dominic Hart
“We’ve found a universal mechanism that explains the kinds of changes we see to the body in space, and in a place we didn’t expect,” said Afshin Beheshti the lead author on the paper and a researcher with KBR, which provides contract support to NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “Everything gets thrown out of whack and it all starts with the mitochondria.”
The research also made use of a comprehensive database of animal studies collected on the GeneLab platform at Ames, as well as the NASA twin study comparing identical twins Mark and Scott Kelly over the course of a year. The GeneLab platform is the first of its kind to capture large amounts of space biology “omics” data that can be used to characterize and quantify biological molecules – such as DNA, RNA, and proteins – and their systematic effects on the structures and functions of organisms. GeneLab’s Analysis Working Group drew in scientists from all over the world to collaborate on the study and get the most out of the data housed on the open-source platform.
Mitochondria are tiny structures within cells that produce energy for the basic units of biology that make up our bodies. When that energy production breaks down, many of the body’s key organs and its immune system can be put in jeopardy. This new research indicates this breakdown in activity of mitochondria might contribute to health or performance challenges faced by humans in space.
The first clue about the connection between mitochondria and spaceflight came from research using rodents.
“When we started comparing the tissues from mice flown on separate space missions, we noticed that mitochondrial dysfunction kept popping up,” said Beheshti. “Whether we were looking at problems in the eyes or in the liver, the same pathways related to mitochondria were the source of the problem.”
NASA’s data on humans backed this hypothesis up. The changes identified in astronaut Scott Kelly’s immune system during his year in space starting in 2015 may be explained by the changes observed in the activity of his mitochondria as well. Blood and urine samples from dozens of other astronauts showed further evidence that, in various types of cells, being in space led to altered mitochondrial activity.
“This is a big step toward figuring out how our bodies can live healthily off-world,” said Beheshti. “And the good news is, this is a problem we can already start to tackle. We can look at countermeasures and drugs we already use to deal with mitochondrial disorders on Earth to see how they might work in space, to start.”
From issues as wide-ranging as disrupted circadian rhythms to cardiovascular alterations, scientists can now turn to this small but essential structure in cells as a place to continue research and look for solutions. Mitochondria are indeed the powerhouse of the cell, and may also power the future of space biology research – pointing the way toward discoveries that will help astronauts live safely in orbit and beyond.
For news media:
Members of the news media interested in covering this topic should reach out to the NASA Ames newsroom.
Author: Frank Tavares, NASA’s Ames Research Center
Top image: Astronaut Scott Kelly is working with the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox during a Rodent Research session with Bone Densitometer. Credit: NASA
Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2020
Editor: Frank Tavares
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-04--Claim: San Francisco Covid-19 Exodus – 89,000 Families have Left

Your new neighbour could be Californian ; Covid-19 and presumably Covid-19 lockdowns appear to be the final straw for people living in California ’ s filthy crime ridden big cities .
As many as 89,000 households have left San Francisco since March , the latest sign of an exodus spurred by the pandemic As many as 89,000 households have moved out of San Francisco since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
That ’ s according to San Francisco-based site Public Comment , which worked with the United States Postal Service to track requests for a change of address between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some households relocated to neighbouring areas like Marin County and Oakland .
For those who decamped the Bay Area entirely , they spread to cities and towns across the country .
According to Public Comment , Las Vegas was the No .
1 destination , followed by Palm Beach County , Florida ; Seminole County , Florida ; the Denver region ; and Beaverton , Oregon , a city just west of Portland .
Read more : The tech elite are abandoning Silicon Valley in droves because of ‘ monoculture ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re headed The migration out of San Francisco may be due , at least in part , to some tech companies shutting their offices and no longer requiring employees to live nearby .
In August , anonymous workplace chat app Blind surveyed 3,300 tech workers about living in the Bay Area the survey found that 15 % had already left the area and 60 % said they would leave if they could .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Your new neighbour could be Californian; Covid-19 and presumably Covid-19 lockdowns appear to be the final straw for people living in California’s filthy crime ridden big cities.
As many as 89,000 households have left San Francisco since March, the latest sign of an exodus spurred by the pandemic
AVERY HARTMANS DEC 2, 2020, 6:06 AM
As many as 89,000 households have moved out of San Francisco since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s according to San Francisco-based site Public Comment, which worked with the United States Postal Service to track requests for a change of address between March 1 and November 1, 2020.
…
Some households relocated to neighbouring areas like Marin County and Oakland. For those who decamped the Bay Area entirely, they spread to cities and towns across the country. According to Public Comment, Las Vegas was the No. 1 destination, followed by Palm Beach County, Florida; Seminole County, Florida; the Denver region; and Beaverton, Oregon, a city just west of Portland.
…
Read more: The tech elite are abandoning Silicon Valley in droves because of ‘monoculture’ and high taxes” here’s where they’re headed
The migration out of San Francisco may be due, at least in part, to some tech companies shutting their offices and no longer requiring employees to live nearby. In August, anonymous workplace chat app Blind surveyed 3,300 tech workers about living in the Bay Area the survey found that 15% had already left the area and 60% said they would leave if they could.
…


wattsupwiththat--2020-12-03--Bicoastal Climate Elites: Rumored Biden EPA Pick Got a 2nd Home Because of…Climate Week

CHRIS HORNER GAO , In The New The Washington Post ran an item , “ Perspective : Biden is building @ @ @ @ @ the people it serves ” .
Author Steven Miller pithily replied , “ Undeniably true @ @ @ @ @ way they intended it.
” Exhibit A : Mary Nichols — the head of California @ @ @ @ @ and rumored top-three pick for a Biden EPA Administrator — apparently was moved to get @ @ @ @ @ own across the country in New York after attending Climate Week in the Big Apple @ @ @ @ @ stone ’ s throw from the Park .
Nice !
Very cool indeed .
For @ @ @ @ @ all of thee yahoos , mind .
One just can ’ t miss Climate Week @ @ @ @ @ grubby Four Seasons .
Expect nothing less from ( Green ) Royalty .
Go Bi-Coastal…for @ @ @ @ @ still for your next four-year lecture on the need for state-imposed privation because climate change @

Climate bureaucrat on the green carpet
Reposted from Government Accountability & Oversight
CHRIS HORNER GAO, In The New
The Washington Post ran an item, “Perspective: Biden is building a team that looks like the people it serves”. Author Steven Miller pithily replied, “Undeniably true headline but certainly not the way they intended it.”
Exhibit A: Mary Nichols — the head of California’s Air Resources Board and rumored top-three pick for a Biden EPA Administrator — apparently was moved to get a second place of her own across the country in New York after attending Climate Week in the Big Apple. Upper West Side, stone’s throw from the Park. Nice!
Very cool indeed. For me, if not for all of thee yahoos, mind. One just can’t miss Climate Week. Or stay in some grubby Four Seasons. Expect nothing less from (Green) Royalty.
Go Bi-Coastal…for the climate! Now sit still for your next four-year lecture on the need for state-imposed privation because climate change.
Hat-tip Energy Policy Advocates.
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-03--UN Paris Agreement Architect Blasts Australia’s “Lack of Integrity” on Climate Action

According to former UN climate chief and Paris Agreement architect Christiana Figueres , coal exporting Australia is not acting with integrity when it comes to global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions .
Christiana Figueres who was executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010 to 2016 , has slammed Australia ’ s “ suicidal ” position on climate action saying it conveys “ a lack of integrity ” .
“ The climate wars that have been going on in Australia for over a decade now are just – honestly they are such a suicidal situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy , ” she said during a recorded session for the Australasian Emissions Reductions Summit , which began online today .
Now the director of the global climate movement Mission 2020 , Figueres said she had never shied from speaking about her frustration with Australia ’ s haphazard stance to a pressing emergency .
“ I ’ ve been pretty vocal about my frustration for so many years of a completely unstable , volatile , unpredictable stand and position on climate change in Australia.
” “ There is no other country that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she added .
Rather than extend itself on Paris Agreement commitments , Morrison has instead suggested that Australia ’ s overachievements on Kyoto Protocol targets could be used as credits– a position Figueres simply branded “ cheating ” .
“ It is just a total lack of integrity and not something that does Australia proud , ” she said .
I agree with Figueres about Australia having a two faced position on Climate Change .
The Australian government could end coal exports overnight with a single act of parliament .
But instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon intensive industry to continue and grow , or supporting the climate skepticism of President Trump on the international stage , Australian politicians maintain a transparent fiction that they care about climate change , both at home and abroad .
Figueres ’ comment that Australia has lots of “ sun potential ” is just plain wrong .
What is missing from Australia is copious quantities of clean fresh water to wash the solar panels or collectors .
The dust which accumulates in Australia has to be seen to be believed .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thanks to static electric charges which accumulate when the dust is blown by the wind .
Covering even a sizeable fraction of Australia ’ s deserts with solar systems would require cleaning water on a scale which we simply don ’ t have .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
According to former UN climate chief and Paris Agreement architect Christiana Figueres, coal exporting Australia is not acting with integrity when it comes to global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
Christiana Figueres blasts Australia’s “suicidal” position on climate change by Tarla Lambert Christiana Figueres who was executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010 to 2016, has slammed Australia’s “suicidal” position on climate action saying it conveys “a lack of integrity”. “The climate wars that have been going on in Australia for over a decade now are just – honestly they are such a suicidal situation because Australia… holds such promise with renewable energy,” she said during a recorded session for the Australasian Emissions Reductions Summit, which began online today. Now the director of the global climate movement Mission 2020, Figueres said she had never shied from speaking about her frustration with Australia’s haphazard stance to a pressing emergency. “I’ve been pretty vocal about my frustration for so many years of a completely unstable, volatile, unpredictable stand and position on climate change in Australia.” “There is no other country that has as much sun potential as Australia,” she added. … Rather than extend itself on Paris Agreement commitments, Morrison has instead suggested that Australia’s overachievements on Kyoto Protocol targets could be used as credits– a position Figueres simply branded “cheating” . “It is just a total lack of integrity and not something that does Australia proud,” she said. … Read more: https://womensagenda.com.au/climate/christiana-figueres-blasts-australias-suicidal-position-on-climate-change/
I agree with Figueres about Australia having a two faced position on Climate Change.
The Australian government could end coal exports overnight with a single act of parliament. But instead of coming clean about wanting an important carbon intensive industry to continue and grow, or supporting the climate skepticism of President Trump on the international stage, Australian politicians maintain a transparent fiction that they care about climate change, both at home and abroad.
Figueres’ comment that Australia has lots of “sun potential” is just plain wrong.
What is missing from Australia is copious quantities of clean fresh water to wash the solar panels or collectors.
The dust which accumulates in Australia has to be seen to be believed. In the dry inland the dust sticks to everything, thanks to static electric charges which accumulate when the dust is blown by the wind. Covering even a sizeable fraction of Australia’s deserts with solar systems would require cleaning water on a scale which we simply don’t have.
Update (EW): Fixed a couple of typos (h/t Leo Smith)
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CAGW failed ‘Predictions’

My last ruminating climate guest post compared ‘ big ’ climate science issues to ‘ weeds ’ .
This is a follow on big picture post , from a different perspective , albeit partly overlapping the first .
( First perspective was basic science claims , this is resulting predictions . )
I am tired of whack-a-mole minutia , and think that detailed rebuttals to garbage climate alarm papers no longer matter in our politicized ‘ GND ’ environment .
This post incorporates by reference ( not by links [ lazy me ] , just by key WUWT search words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous WUWT guest posts plus other writings that relative newbies can review for your selves .
All the previous referenced posts and other writings have many linked reference footnotes for your personal follow up .
Trolls , beware .
Since the Charney and Hanson 1988 climate alarm proceedings , there have been many dire climate prognostications .
NONE have come true .
Lets review some of the most salient .
( We skip trivial stuff like Dr. Viner ’ s since disappeared 1990 prediction that ‘ UK children will not know snow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temperatures have recently suddenly risen .
This was the essence of MBH ’ s 1999 hockey stick , and later 2013 ’ s Marcott ’ s equivalent .
Both ‘ observations ’ have been fully discredited .
( I personally proved Marcott ’ s academic misconduct in essay ‘ High Stick Foul ’ in ebook Blowing Smoke in late 2014 . )
True , temperatures have risen since the last Thames Ice Fair in 1814 , as the world warmed out of the Little Ice Age ( LIA ) .
Climate changes… How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • In the US , early data is sparse , and later data is contaminated by multiple surface station siting issues .
The latter issue proven here at WUWT by 2009 .
• Outside the US and Europe , land temp data is worse than just sparse , it often does not exist at all , or only recently .
• Over oceans comprising 71 % of the Earth surface , data is worse than just sparse .
It is mostly non-existent ( SH ) .
Where it does exist ( until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes and ladings .
• Temperatures will increase unsustainably .
This is based on the IPCC nominal ECS of about 3 , recently goosed up by forthcoming CMIP6 .
Except , temps have NOT .
As just one example of predictive model falsification , the CMIP4/5 models predicted tropical troposphere hotspot simply does NOT exist .
There are several reasons why these models have abjectly failed , explained in several previous posts .
• Sea level rise accelerates .
Except it hasn ’ t .
And the most accurate SLR dGPS corrected tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they show it with ~closure ( thermosteric rise plus ice sheet melt ) .
And , the present rise rate is no different from the peak of the previous interglacial , the Eemian .
( Details are in previous WUWT posts and in essay PseudoPrecision in eBook Blowing Smoke ) • Polar bears will go extinct from lack of summer sea ice .
Except as Dr. Crockford has amply explained , this is an alarmist misconception at two levels .
First , polar bears do not depend on summer sea ice .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welping season , their main feeding cycle .
No one suggests that is diminishing .
Second , Arctic sea ice is cyclical , and the notion that it is spiraling ever down ( Wadham ’ s alarm ) is just factually wrong .
( Essay Northwest Passage in ebook Blowing Smoke covers the Arctic Ice cycle issue in historical detail . )
• Extreme weather increases .
Except per IPCC SRES ( 2012 ) it has NOT , anywhere , in any form .
( Climate is rigorously defined as the envelope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over at least 30 years . )
All the annual recent climate ‘ extremes ’ in the press are just weather ( like this year ’ s accurately predicted overactive Atlantic hurricane season ) .
As an example , landfalling US hurricane ACE over 30 years has NOT increased as a recent paper claimed—by falsely including hurricanes that touched land but then went back out to sea and re-intensified .
There are also a lot of unworkable ‘ Green New Deal solutions ’ to this non-problem .
The most prominent are ‘ renewable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Renewables sort into wind and solar ( either PV or concentrated ) .
I delved into the economics of both in detail over at Judith Curry ’ s blog some years ago .
In sum , BOTH have the twin problems that they are intermittent , and provide no grid inertia .
Both issues are independently fatal economically , as evidenced most simply by the fact that when renewable subsidies are withdrawn anywhere in the world , renewable investment falls towards zero .
• They are still very expensive compared to ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their charging stresses a grid already stressed by an intermittent grid lacking inertia from renewables ( UK ) .
• They can not power most truck , farm , construction , forestry , or mining equipment , based on fundamental load/capacity considerations .
• They use inordinate amounts of at least two scarce materials : • Lithium , in the form of brine carbonates ( Chile ) or the igneous pegmatite minerals lepidolite ( pink ‘ lithium ’ mica ) and spodumene ( a pyroxene , also a famous gemstone aka pink Kunzite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia and Canada .
‘ Great ’ GND economic idea to convert gems to batteries !
• Cobalt , ordinarily a relatively scarce byproduct of copper mining except in the Congo , where in its southern belt below the copper zone it appears relatively independently and is artisanal mined by child labor .
Whether EV battery recycling can solve these scarce minerals problems , as it has with Lead Acid ( almost all battery lead is recycled ) remains to be seen .
So far , neither recycling is feasible .

By Rud Istvan,
My last ruminating climate guest post compared ‘big’ climate science issues to ‘weeds’. This is a follow on big picture post, from a different perspective, albeit partly overlapping the first. (First perspective was basic science claims, this is resulting predictions.) I am tired of whack-a-mole minutia, and think that detailed rebuttals to garbage climate alarm papers no longer matter in our politicized ‘GND’ environment.
This post incorporates by reference (not by links [lazy me], just by key WUWT search words or other occasional generic mentions) many previous WUWT guest posts plus other writings that relative newbies can review for your selves. All the previous referenced posts and other writings have many linked reference footnotes for your personal follow up. Trolls, beware.
Since the Charney and Hanson 1988 climate alarm proceedings, there have been many dire climate prognostications. NONE have come true. Lets review some of the most salient. (We skip trivial stuff like Dr. Viner’s since disappeared 1990 prediction that ‘UK children will not know snow’—since they soon did.)
Temperatures have recently suddenly risen. This was the essence of MBH’s 1999 hockey stick, and later 2013’s Marcott’s equivalent. Both ‘observations’ have been fully discredited. (I personally proved Marcott’s academic misconduct in essay ‘High Stick Foul’ in ebook Blowing Smoke in late 2014.) True, temperatures have risen since the last Thames Ice Fair in 1814, as the world warmed out of the Little Ice Age (LIA). Climate changes… How much, we dunno for three reasons:
In the US, early data is sparse, and later data is contaminated by multiple surface station siting issues. The latter issue proven here at WUWT by 2009.
Outside the US and Europe, land temp data is worse than just sparse, it often does not exist at all, or only recently.
Over oceans comprising 71% of the Earth surface, data is worse than just sparse. It is mostly non-existent (SH). Where it does exist (until ARGO) it is contaminated by trade routes and ladings.
Temperatures will increase unsustainably. This is based on the IPCC nominal ECS of about 3, recently goosed up by forthcoming CMIP6. Except, temps have NOT. As just one example of predictive model falsification, the CMIP4/5 models predicted tropical troposphere hotspot simply does NOT exist. There are several reasons why these models have abjectly failed, explained in several previous posts.
Sea level rise accelerates. Except it hasn’t. And the most accurate SLR dGPS corrected tide gauges not only show no acceleration, they show it with ~closure (thermosteric rise plus ice sheet melt). And, the present rise rate is no different from the peak of the previous interglacial, the Eemian. (Details are in previous WUWT posts and in essay PseudoPrecision in eBook Blowing Smoke)
Polar bears will go extinct from lack of summer sea ice. Except as Dr. Crockford has amply explained, this is an alarmist misconception at two levels. First, polar bears do not depend on summer sea ice. They depend on spring ice during the seal welping season, their main feeding cycle. No one suggests that is diminishing. Second, Arctic sea ice is cyclical, and the notion that it is spiraling ever down (Wadham’s alarm) is just factually wrong. (Essay Northwest Passage in ebook Blowing Smoke covers the Arctic Ice cycle issue in historical detail.)
Extreme weather increases. Except per IPCC SRES (2012) it has NOT, anywhere, in any form. (Climate is rigorously defined as the envelope of weather [like temp, rainfall] over at least 30 years.) All the annual recent climate ‘extremes’ in the press are just weather (like this year’s accurately predicted overactive Atlantic hurricane season). As an example, landfalling US hurricane ACE over 30 years has NOT increased as a recent paper claimed—by falsely including hurricanes that touched land but then went back out to sea and re-intensified.
There are also a lot of unworkable ‘Green New Deal solutions’ to this non-problem. The most prominent are ‘renewable electric generation’ and EV’s.
Renewables sort into wind and solar (either PV or concentrated). I delved into the economics of both in detail over at Judith Curry’s blog some years ago. In sum, BOTH have the twin problems that they are intermittent, and provide no grid inertia. Both issues are independently fatal economically, as evidenced most simply by the fact that when renewable subsidies are withdrawn anywhere in the world, renewable investment falls towards zero.
EVs have four basic problems.
They are still very expensive compared to ICE alternatives (UK 2030).
Their charging stresses a grid already stressed by an intermittent grid lacking inertia from renewables (UK).
They cannot power most truck, farm, construction, forestry, or mining equipment, based on fundamental load/capacity considerations.
They use inordinate amounts of at least two scarce materials:
Lithium, in the form of brine carbonates (Chile) or the igneous pegmatite minerals lepidolite (pink ‘lithium’ mica) and spodumene (a pyroxene, also a famous gemstone aka pink Kunzite, pale green Hiddenite) mainly in Australia and Canada. ‘Great’ GND economic idea to convert gems to batteries!
Cobalt, ordinarily a relatively scarce byproduct of copper mining except in the Congo, where in its southern belt below the copper zone it appears relatively independently and is artisanal mined by child labor.
Whether EV battery recycling can solve these scarce minerals problems, as it has with Lead Acid (almost all battery lead is recycled) remains to be seen. So far, neither recycling is feasible.
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-05--Preventing Ecosystem Collapse: Alaska’s Kelp Forests

Over the past few years the media , such as the NY Times , have hyped a coming apocalypse and an existential crisis as ecosystems collapse .
Inside Climate News , one of the more egregious fear mongers suggests “ Global Warming Could Collapse Whole Ecosystems , Maybe Within 10 Years ” .
In contrast , most scientists agree ecosystems are very complex and still not well understood .
By understanding each ecosystem ’ s unique pressures from humans , other organisms and natural climate change , perhaps we can make ecosystems more resilient and prevent the alleged “ crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) , the foremost scientific organization evaluating threats to species and ecosystems , has created the “ Red List of Ecosystems ” that provides assessments that characterize threats to individual ecosystems .
To date , only one ecosystem has collapsed , central Asia ’ s Aral Sea .
It ’ s the world ’ s fourth largest inland water body .
Landlocked , its fate is determined by the balance between inflowing water and evaporation .
But 2000 years of irrigation has disrupted that balance .
Between 1950 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Aral Sea to largely dry up , eliminating most of its species .
The Aral Sea has been sacrificed in order to feed a growing population .
However most other ecosystems have a more optimistic future .
The first IUCN Endangered ecosystem I ’ ll examine in a series of articles is Alaska ’ s giant kelp forests .
The fate of kelp forests is largely determined by the interactions between urchins , otters , humans and killer whales .
Hungry kelp-eating urchins can quickly convert a kelp forest into an urchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urchins are regulated by their primary predator , sea otters .
Before Alaska ’ s fur trade began in the mid 1700s , otter populations and kelp forests flourished .
One hundred and fifty years later overhunting exterminated or reduced all otter populations , urchins proliferated , and kelp forests declined .
Alarmed , a 1911 international treaty forbade hunting otters .
To further their recovery , otters were re-introduced to islands where they had been eliminated .
With improved human stewardship , otters rebounded to their pre-hunting abundance by 1980 .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But then killer whales began overhunting otters .
Each killer whale population has a specialized feeding strategy .
Some strictly eat fish while others feed on marine mammals .
Some congregate around Alaska ’ s eastern Aleutian Islands near Unimak pass to prey upon migrating gray whale calves .
In the 1980s some killer whales began reducing Steller sea lion and harbor seal populations along Alaska ’ s Aleutian Islands .
An autopsy of one killer whale revealed 14 research tags originally attached to endangered Steller sea lions .
As seal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased their intake of otters , which allowed urchins to again multiply .
Between 1980 and 2000 otter populations declined by 50 % to 80 % and kelp forests declined by 50 % .
Those declines prompted the designation of kelp forests as Endangered and possibly Critically Endangered .
However more recent surveys evoke hope .
Along the coast of Alaska from the peninsula south , otter populations have been steadily increasing at a rate of 12-14 % a year and there , kelp forests dominate .
However depleted otter populations throughout Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % of their 1980 abundance .
There , with fewer otters sea urchin barrens became more common .
Although these biological interactions control ecosystem shifts between kelp forests and urchin barrens , climate factors play a role , and in a most positive way .
Otters are limited by ice .
In places like Glacier Bay where ice has retreated , otter habitat is expanding .
Likewise , kelp benefit from less sun-blocking ice while greater concentrations of carbon dioxide enhance photosynthesis and promote more growth .
Life is good .
Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ’ s Sierra Nevada Field Campus , authored Landscapes and Cycles : An Environmentalist ’ s Journey to Climate Skepticism , and a member of the CO2 Coalition

By Jim Steele
What’s Natural?
Over the past few years the media, such as the NY Times, have hyped a coming apocalypse and an existential crisis as ecosystems collapse. Inside Climate News, one of the more egregious fear mongers suggests “Global Warming Could Collapse Whole Ecosystems, Maybe Within 10 Years”. In contrast, most scientists agree ecosystems are very complex and still not well understood. By understanding each ecosystem’s unique pressures from humans, other organisms and natural climate change, perhaps we can make ecosystems more resilient and prevent the alleged “crises”.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the foremost scientific organization evaluating threats to species and ecosystems, has created the “Red List of Ecosystems” that provides assessments that characterize threats to individual ecosystems. To date, only one ecosystem has collapsed, central Asia’s Aral Sea. It’s the world’s fourth largest inland water body. Landlocked, its fate is determined by the balance between inflowing water and evaporation. But 2000 years of irrigation has disrupted that balance. Between 1950 and 2007, irrigation nearly quadrupled causing the Aral Sea to largely dry up, eliminating most of its species. The Aral Sea has been sacrificed in order to feed a growing population. However most other ecosystems have a more optimistic future.
The first IUCN Endangered ecosystem I’ll examine in a series of articles is Alaska’s giant kelp forests. The fate of kelp forests is largely determined by the interactions between urchins, otters, humans and killer whales. Hungry kelp-eating urchins can quickly convert a kelp forest into an urchin barren stripped of kelp. However, urchins are regulated by their primary predator, sea otters. Before Alaska’s fur trade began in the mid 1700s, otter populations and kelp forests flourished. One hundred and fifty years later overhunting exterminated or reduced all otter populations, urchins proliferated, and kelp forests declined. Alarmed, a 1911 international treaty forbade hunting otters. To further their recovery, otters were re-introduced to islands where they had been eliminated. With improved human stewardship, otters rebounded to their pre-hunting abundance by 1980. With fewer urchins, kelp forests flourished again. But then killer whales began overhunting otters.
Each killer whale population has a specialized feeding strategy. Some strictly eat fish while others feed on marine mammals. Some congregate around Alaska’s eastern Aleutian Islands near Unimak pass to prey upon migrating gray whale calves. In the 1980s some killer whales began reducing Steller sea lion and harbor seal populations along Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. An autopsy of one killer whale revealed 14 research tags originally attached to endangered Steller sea lions. As seal and sea lion populations declined, killer whales increased their intake of otters, which allowed urchins to again multiply.
Between 1980 and 2000 otter populations declined by 50% to 80% and kelp forests declined by 50%. Those declines prompted the designation of kelp forests as Endangered and possibly Critically Endangered. However more recent surveys evoke hope. Along the coast of Alaska from the peninsula south, otter populations have been steadily increasing at a rate of 12-14% a year and there, kelp forests dominate. However depleted otter populations throughout Alaska’s Aleutian Islands still remain at 50% of their 1980 abundance. There, with fewer otters sea urchin barrens became more common.
Range of Alaska’s kelp forests: From the Aleutian Islands in the west to southeast Alaska.
Although these biological interactions control ecosystem shifts between kelp forests and urchin barrens, climate factors play a role, and in a most positive way. Otters are limited by ice. In places like Glacier Bay where ice has retreated, otter habitat is expanding. Likewise, kelp benefit from less sun-blocking ice while greater concentrations of carbon dioxide enhance photosynthesis and promote more growth. Life is good.
Jim Steele is Director emeritus of San Francisco State’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus, authored Landscapes and Cycles: An Environmentalist’s Journey to Climate Skepticism, and a member of the CO2 Coalition
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-04--Aussie Brown Coal to Clean Hydrogen Plant will Address Carbon Capture “Eventually”

Proponents are celebrating Kawasaki Heavy Industry ’ s planned construction of a coal to hydrogen plant in Victoria , which is intended to prove the viability of the clean hydrogen supply chain .
Just one thing is missing from the proposed clean energy plant ; the part where they capture all the CO2 emitted by burning vast quantities of low grade coal to produce the “ clean hydrogen ” .
A consortium ’ s $ 500m project will produce hydrogen from brown coal in one of the world ’ s first zero-emission energy supply chains .
A Japanese-Australian consortium is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coal in a $ 500 million pilot project seen by its architects as the first step in creating one of the world ’ s first zero-emission energy supply chains .
Kawasaki Heavy Industries , J-Power and Shell Japan have joined Australia ’ s AGL Energy and several international partners to produce , liquefy and ship hydrogen to Japan .
They intend to burn some of the 5 billion tonnes of lignite in the valley , enough to power Victoria for more than 500 years , to produce hydrogen .
Eventually , they intend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and inject it into under-sea basins in the nearby Bass Strait .
For now , however , their goal is to prove the viability of the supply chain and the emissions will continue to be released into the atmosphere .
Yet , the scepticism remains .
Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has dismissed hydrogen fuel cells as “ mind-bogglingly stupid ” , saying it is inefficient to use them in a car compared with charging a lithium-ion battery directly from a solar panel .
Other critics ask whether producing hydrogen from fossil fuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that the industry has so far failed to prove the commercial case for carbon capture and storage .
Environmental groups have also raised objections to the Latrobe project over its use of brown coal .
“ The time for digging up dirty , brown coal is over , ” says Cam Walker , an activist with Friends of the Earth in Victoria .
“ We support the development of green hydrogen produced from renewables .
”

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Proponents are celebrating Kawasaki Heavy Industry’s planned construction of a coal to hydrogen plant in Victoria, which is intended to prove the viability of the clean hydrogen supply chain. Just one thing is missing from the proposed clean energy plant; the part where they capture all the CO2 emitted by burning vast quantities of low grade coal to produce the “clean hydrogen”.
Australia ‘hydrogen road’ to Japan set to cut emissions
A consortium’s $500m project will produce hydrogen from brown coal in one of the world’s first zero-emission energy supply chains.
Jamie Smyth and Robin Harding
Dec 1, 2020 – 3.14pm
…
A Japanese-Australian consortium is set to begin producing hydrogen from brown coal in a $500 million pilot project seen by its architects as the first step in creating one of the world’s first zero-emission energy supply chains.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, J-Power and Shell Japan have joined Australia’s AGL Energy and several international partners to produce, liquefy and ship hydrogen to Japan. They intend to burn some of the 5 billion tonnes of lignite in the valley, enough to power Victoria for more than 500 years, to produce hydrogen.
Eventually, they intend to capture the carbon generated by the process and inject it into under-sea basins in the nearby Bass Strait. For now, however, their goal is to prove the viability of the supply chain and the emissions will continue to be released into the atmosphere.
…
Yet, the scepticism remains. Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has dismissed hydrogen fuel cells as “mind-bogglingly stupid”, saying it is inefficient to use them in a car compared with charging a lithium-ion battery directly from a solar panel. Other critics ask whether producing hydrogen from fossil fuels can ever be made cost-effective or clean given that the industry has so far failed to prove the commercial case for carbon capture and storage.
…
Environmental groups have also raised objections to the Latrobe project over its use of brown coal. “The time for digging up dirty, brown coal is over,” says Cam Walker, an activist with Friends of the Earth in Victoria. “We support the development of green hydrogen produced from renewables.”
…


wattsupwiththat--2020-12-05--Bill Gates Urges $35 Billion per Year for Renewable Energy Research

When he isn ’ t dissing “ representative democracy ” for its failure to address the climate crisis , urging ordinary people to accept higher green energy utility bills because the sacrifice is worth it , or spending quality time at his beachfront mansion , Bill Gates advocates for more money to be spent on climate research , in the hope that someone out there will discover the magic energy solution which has eluded his personal efforts .
Bill Gates just released a plan for US leadership on climate change , including $ 35B in funding Bill Gates , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s richest men and most prolific philanthropists , has just released a broad new plan on how the U.S. could take the lead in the fight against climate change .
“ [ We ] need to revolutionize the world ’ s physical economy—and that will take , among other things , a dramatic infusion of ingenuity , funding , and focus from the federal government .
No one else has the resources to drive the research we need , ” Gates writes .
Gates calls for a dramatic $ 25 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy research spending to $ 35 billion a year ( in line with medical spending from the government ) .
Gates notes that this could lead to the creation of more than 370,000 jobs while boosting a clean-energy agenda .
“ This is the most important thing the U.S. can do to lead the world in innovations that will solve climate change , ” Gates wrote .
What does Gates think the USA should do with all that climate research money ?
How does Bill Gates think the USA should up its game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better way .
To reduce duplication , focus the government ’ s efforts , and get the most innovation out of every dollar of funding , we should create a new organization : the National Institutes of Energy Innovation .
This the most important thing the U.S. can do to lead the world in innovations that will solve climate change .
Creating these institutes wouldn ’ t be an exercise in simply moving boxes around an organizational chart and hoping for a better outcome .
We actually have a model for setting things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that it produces results .
That model is the National Institutes of Health .
The NIH is the largest single funder of biomedical research in the world , and its impact is simply mind-blowing .
Scientists supported by the NIH have mapped the human genome , resulting in tests or treatments for dozens of genetic diseases .
They have helped cut deaths from heart disease by two thirds in the past 50 years .
Since 1980 , NIH-supported research has contributed to the discovery of more than 150 new drugs , vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Gates Foundation ’ s work in global health simply would not be possible without the countless advances made by the NIH .
Why is the NIH so successful ?
It has a clear and specific mission .
It has apolitical leaders who let independent researchers follow the science , rather than political staff who change priorities every few years .
It ’ s organized in a way that empowers each of its separate institutes and research centers .
And it has strong bipartisan support from policymakers and the public .
Yep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovation crisis is centralisation and bureaucracy .
In no time at all the regimented teams of well funded renewable energy public servants will be pouring out world changing green energy innovations , to liberate us all from fossil fuel .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
When he isn’t dissing “representative democracy” for its failure to address the climate crisis, urging ordinary people to accept higher green energy utility bills because the sacrifice is worth it, or spending quality time at his beachfront mansion, Bill Gates advocates for more money to be spent on climate research, in the hope that someone out there will discover the magic energy solution which has eluded his personal efforts.
Bill Gates just released a plan for US leadership on climate change, including $35B in funding Jonathan Shieber @jshieber / 4:39 AM GMT+10•December 4, 2020 Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s richest men and most prolific philanthropists, has just released a broad new plan on how the U.S. could take the lead in the fight against climate change. “[We] need to revolutionize the world’s physical economy—and that will take, among other things, a dramatic infusion of ingenuity, funding, and focus from the federal government. No one else has the resources to drive the research we need,” Gates writes. … Gates calls for a dramatic $25 billion boost in spending that would bring clean energy research spending to $35 billion a year (in line with medical spending from the government). Gates notes that this could lead to the creation of more than 370,000 jobs while boosting a clean-energy agenda. … “This is the most important thing the U.S. can do to lead the world in innovations that will solve climate change,” Gates wrote. … Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/03/bill-gates-just-released-a-plan-for-us-leadership-on-climate-change-including-35b-in-funding/
What does Gates think the USA should do with all that climate research money? How does Bill Gates think the USA should up its game on climate research?
… There is a better way. To reduce duplication, focus the government’s efforts, and get the most innovation out of every dollar of funding, we should create a new organization: the National Institutes of Energy Innovation. This the most important thing the U.S. can do to lead the world in innovations that will solve climate change. Creating these institutes wouldn’t be an exercise in simply moving boxes around an organizational chart and hoping for a better outcome. We actually have a model for setting things up in a better way, and evidence that it produces results. That model is the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the largest single funder of biomedical research in the world, and its impact is simply mind-blowing. Scientists supported by the NIH have mapped the human genome, resulting in tests or treatments for dozens of genetic diseases. They have helped cut deaths from heart disease by two thirds in the past 50 years. Since 1980, NIH-supported research has contributed to the discovery of more than 150 new drugs, vaccines, and novel uses for existing drugs. The Gates Foundation’s work in global health simply would not be possible without the countless advances made by the NIH. Why is the NIH so successful? It has a clear and specific mission. It has apolitical leaders who let independent researchers follow the science, rather than political staff who change priorities every few years. It’s organized in a way that empowers each of its separate institutes and research centers. And it has strong bipartisan support from policymakers and the public. … Read more: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Energy/How-the-US-can-lead-on-climate-change-innovation
Yep, Bill Gates solution to the climate innovation crisis is centralisation and bureaucracy. In no time at all the regimented teams of well funded renewable energy public servants will be pouring out world changing green energy innovations, to liberate us all from fossil fuel.
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-05--Hubble Captures Unprecedented Fading of Stingray Nebula

Astronomers have caught a rare look at a rapidly fading shroud of gas around an aging star .
Archival data from NASA ’ s Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the nebula Hen 3-1357 , nicknamed the Stingray nebula , has faded precipitously over just the past two decades .
Witnessing such a swift rate of change in a planetary nebula is exceeding rare , say researchers .
This image compares two drastically different portraits of the Stingray nebula captured by NASA ’ s Hubble Space Telescope 20 years apart .
The image on the left , taken with the Wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1996 , shows the nebula ’ s central star in the final stages of its life .
The gas being puffed off by the dying star is much brighter when compared to the image of the nebula at the right , captured in January 2016 using the Wide Field Camera 3 .
The Stingray nebula is located in the direction of the southern constellation Ara ( the Altar ) .Credits : NASA , ESA , B. Balick ( University of Washington ) , M. Guerrero ( Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Images captured by Hubble in 2016 , when compared to Hubble images taken in 1996 , show a nebula that has drastically dimmed in brightness and changed shape .
Bright , blue , fluorescent tendrils and filaments of gas toward the center of the nebula have all but disappeared , and the wavy edges that earned this nebula its aquatic-themed name are virtually gone .
The young nebula no longer pops against the black velvet background of the vast universe .
“ This is very , very dramatic , and very weird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guerrero of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía in Granada , Spain .
“ What we ’ re witnessing is a nebula ’ s evolution in real time .
In a span of years , we see variations in the nebula .
We have not seen that before with the clarity we get with this view.
” Researchers discovered unprecedented changes in the light emitted by glowing nitrogen , hydrogen , and oxygen being blasted off by the dying star at the center of the nebula .
The oxygen emission , in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nearly 1,000 between 1996 and 2016 .
“ Changes in nebulae have been seen before , but what we have here are changes in the fundamental structure of the nebula , ” said Bruce Balick of the University of Washington , Seattle , leader of the new research .
“ In most studies , the nebula usually gets bigger .
Here , it ’ s fundamentally changing its shape and getting fainter , and doing so on an unprecedented time scale .
Moreover , to our surprise , it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once-bright inner elliptical ring seems to be shrinking as it fades.
” Ground-based observations of other planetary nebulae have shown hints of changes in brightness over time , but those speculations haven ’ t been confirmed until now .
Only Hubble can resolve the changes in structure in this tiny nebula .
The new paper examines every image of the Stingray nebula from Hubble ’ s archives .
“ Because of Hubble ’ s optical stability , we are very , very confident that this nebula is changing in brightness with time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that can only be confirmed with Hubble ’ s visual acuity.
” The researchers note the nebula ’ s rapid changes are a response to its central star , SAO 244567 , expanding due to a temperature drop , and in turn emitting less ionizing radiation .
A 2016 study by Nicole Reindl , now of the University of Potsdam , Germany , and a team of international researchers , also using Hubble data , noted the star at the center of the Stingray nebula , SAO 244567 , is special in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2002 showed the temperature of the star skyrocketing from less than 40,000 to 108,000 degrees Fahrenheit , more than ten times hotter than the surface of our Sun .
Now , Reindl and her research team has shown that SAO 245567 is cooling .
Reindl speculates the temperature jump was caused by a brief flash of helium fusion that occurred in a shell around the core of the central star .
Recently , the star appears to be backstepping into its early stage of stellar evolution .
“ We ’ re very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , ” said Reindl .
“ During such a helium shell flash , it evolves very quickly , and that implies short evolutionary timescales , so we can ’ t usually see how these stars evolve .
We just happened to be there at the right time to have caught that.
” The team studying the rapid fading of the Stingray nebula can only speculate at this time what ’ s in store for the future of this young nebula .
At its present rates of fading , it ’ s estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 or 30 years .
The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA ( European Space Agency ) .
NASA ’ s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt , Maryland , manages the telescope .
The Space Telescope Science Institute ( STScI ) in Baltimore , Maryland , conducts Hubble science operations .
STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington , D.C .

Dec. 3, 2020
Astronomers have caught a rare look at a rapidly fading shroud of gas around an aging star. Archival data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, has faded precipitously over just the past two decades. Witnessing such a swift rate of change in a planetary nebula is exceeding rare, say researchers.
This image compares two drastically different portraits of the Stingray nebula captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope 20 years apart. The image on the left, taken with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 in March 1996, shows the nebula’s central star in the final stages of its life. The gas being puffed off by the dying star is much brighter when compared to the image of the nebula at the right, captured in January 2016 using the Wide Field Camera 3. The Stingray nebula is located in the direction of the southern constellation Ara (the Altar).Credits: NASA, ESA, B. Balick (University of Washington), M. Guerrero (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), and G. Ramos-Larios (Universidad de Guadalajara)
This image shows the planetary nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in March 1996. The image captures the final stages of the central star’s life, where a ballooning shroud of gas is cast off by the dying star. This image captured the Stingray nebula in its infancy, and astronomers called it the youngest known planetary nebula. In this image, the colors shown represent light emitted by nitrogen (red), oxygen (green), and hydrogen (blue).Credits: NASA, ESA, B. Balick (University of Washington), M. Guerrero (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), and G. Ramos-Larios (Universidad de Guadalajara)
–
This image shows the planetary nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in January 2016. This image of the Stingray nebula shows it has changed drastically in brightness and shape when compared to its first portrait by Hubble in 1996. When comparing the imaging, researchers discovered unprecedented changes in the light emitted by glowing nitrogen (shown in red), hydrogen (blue), and oxygen (green) being blasted off by the dying star at the center of the nebula.Credits: NASA, ESA, B. Balick (University of Washington), M. Guerrero (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), and G. Ramos-Larios (Universidad de Guadalajara)
Images captured by Hubble in 2016, when compared to Hubble images taken in 1996, show a nebula that has drastically dimmed in brightness and changed shape. Bright, blue, fluorescent tendrils and filaments of gas toward the center of the nebula have all but disappeared, and the wavy edges that earned this nebula its aquatic-themed name are virtually gone. The young nebula no longer pops against the black velvet background of the vast universe.
“This is very, very dramatic, and very weird,” said team member Martín A. Guerrero of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía in Granada, Spain. “What we’re witnessing is a nebula’s evolution in real time. In a span of years, we see variations in the nebula. We have not seen that before with the clarity we get with this view.”
Researchers discovered unprecedented changes in the light emitted by glowing nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen being blasted off by the dying star at the center of the nebula. The oxygen emission, in particular, dropped in brightness by a factor of nearly 1,000 between 1996 and 2016.
“Changes in nebulae have been seen before, but what we have here are changes in the fundamental structure of the nebula,” said Bruce Balick of the University of Washington, Seattle, leader of the new research. “In most studies, the nebula usually gets bigger. Here, it’s fundamentally changing its shape and getting fainter, and doing so on an unprecedented time scale. Moreover, to our surprise, it’s not growing any larger. Indeed, the once-bright inner elliptical ring seems to be shrinking as it fades.”
Ground-based observations of other planetary nebulae have shown hints of changes in brightness over time, but those speculations haven’t been confirmed until now. Only Hubble can resolve the changes in structure in this tiny nebula. The new paper examines every image of the Stingray nebula from Hubble’s archives.
“Because of Hubble’s optical stability, we are very, very confident that this nebula is changing in brightness with time,” added Guerrero. “This is something that can only be confirmed with Hubble’s visual acuity.”
The researchers note the nebula’s rapid changes are a response to its central star, SAO 244567, expanding due to a temperature drop, and in turn emitting less ionizing radiation.
A 2016 study by Nicole Reindl, now of the University of Potsdam, Germany, and a team of international researchers, also using Hubble data, noted the star at the center of the Stingray nebula, SAO 244567, is special in its own right.
Observations from 1971 to 2002 showed the temperature of the star skyrocketing from less than 40,000 to 108,000 degrees Fahrenheit, more than ten times hotter than the surface of our Sun. Now, Reindl and her research team has shown that SAO 245567 is cooling. Reindl speculates the temperature jump was caused by a brief flash of helium fusion that occurred in a shell around the core of the central star. Recently, the star appears to be backstepping into its early stage of stellar evolution.
“We’re very lucky to observe it just in that moment,” said Reindl. “During such a helium shell flash, it evolves very quickly, and that implies short evolutionary timescales, so we can’t usually see how these stars evolve. We just happened to be there at the right time to have caught that.”
The team studying the rapid fading of the Stingray nebula can only speculate at this time what’s in store for the future of this young nebula. At its present rates of fading, it’s estimated the nebula will barely be detectable in 20 or 30 years.
The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C.
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wattsupwiththat--2020-12-05--Get ready for nationwide blackouts under Biden

California ’ s climate and energy policies will bring thousands of blackouts to entire country The power disaster unfolding in California will soon occur across the country , if Joe Biden gets his way .
The Golden State has been sweeping away the forms of energy that have provided reliable electricity for decades , under the same agenda the former Vice-President is planning for America as a whole .
Power outages are now commonplace in California .
Last summer , the state suffered its first rolling blackouts in nearly 20 years .
Imagine if this happened in Chicago in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble is explained by officials who now openly admit to an over-reliance on wind and solar power .
The governor said there was not enough wind to keep the turbines going , while cloud cover and nightfall restricted solar power .
The Los Angeles Times recognized the root of the problem : “ … gas-burning power plants that can fire up when the sun isn ’ t shining or the wind isn ’ t blowing have been shutting down in recent years , and California has largely failed to replace them … ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of megawatts behind its needs .
Governor Gavin Newsom admitted , “ we failed to predict and plan for these shortages ” and took ( nominal ) responsibility for the rolling blackouts .
Now he wants everyone to conserve power , while the state looks for new sources of energy , most likely fossil fuel-generated power from neighboring states .
All this is happening while California continues its intention to transition to 60 % renewable energy by 2030 and 100 % “ climate-friendly energy ” by 2045 , as required by state law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open letter to Newsom , the heads of the California ’ s Energy Commission , Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission wrote : “ We are unwavering in our commitment to meeting California ’ s clean energy and climate goals.
” Team Biden plans to go even further , committing to making the entire nation 100 % renewable within 15 years .
The United States would fall tens of millions of megawatts behind on its electricity needs .
Like the California government , the incoming Biden-Harris administration is acting entirely under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manmade calamity that can be stopped by eliminating fossil fuel use .
They are clearly unaware of the Climate Change Reconsidered series of reports of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change ( NIPCC ) .
These documents summarize thousands of studies from peer-reviewed scientific journals that either refute or cast serious doubt on the climate scare .
They conclude that we are not causing a climate crisis .
Yet , in their October 6 report , Preliminary Root Cause Analysis – Mid-August 2020 Heat Storm , the same heads of California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Public Utilities Commission highlighted the “ climate change-induced extreme heat storm across the western United States ” as the first cause of the blackout .
In their view , apparently , shutting down coal , gas and nuclear power plants in California and in states from which California imports electricity played only minor roles .
California ’ s determination to shift to so-called “ green ” energy – which is actually anything but clean , green , renewable and sustainable – is being echoed by politicians across the nation .
The result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t enjoy California ’ s mostly benign weather , is going to be that those in the poorest neighborhoods and those on fixed incomes may be forced to choose between heating and eating .
It also means people trying to run their homes , offices , factories , hospitals and schools on intermittent , weather-dependent , much more expensive wind and solar power will have to get used to never knowing when or for how long their electricity will be on or off .
Now in California ; soon in the entire USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the understanding that portions of the system will be offline from time to time .
Power companies compensate for this with reserve power at the ready .
However , California has closed its margin for error in response to anti-nuclear and anti-fossil fuel sentiments and climate change concerns .
Team Biden intends to do this for the entire United States .
Power outages can not always be avoided and are more common than one may think .
For example , between 2008 and 2017 , Illinois had 871 outages , the tenth most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many , giving it the dubious distinction of ranking number two in the list .
But these pale in comparison to California which has the least reliable electrical power system in the nation .
It leads in power outages every year .
Between 2008 and 2017 , it had 4,297 power outages !
The origin of the problem is partly California ’ s Senate Bill 1368 , which in 2006 established the state ’ s emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases from power plants .
Following that year , eleven coal-fired power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to biomass .
Only one coal-fired plant remains .
The state also reduced its normal reliance on energy from out of state coal plants .
Yielding to anti-nuclear activists , the state also closed all but one nuclear plant , Diablo Canyon .
That plant generates about 18,000 Gigawatt-hours of reliable electricity every year , fully 8.6 % of California ’ s total generation .
But Diablo Canyon will soon be closed too .
Not surprisingly , during its construction and operation , anti-nuclear protests were common ; nearly two thousand people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period in 1981 .
In response , in 2016 , the California Public Utilities Commission approved a Pacific Gas & Electric Joint Proposal to phase out the state ’ s remaining nuclear power .
That means the operating licenses for Diablo Canyon ’ s two units will not be renewed when they expire in 2024 and 2025 .
Ironically , the Commission did not approve Pacific Gas & Electric ’ s proposal for resources to replace the station ’ s output .
It does not appear to matter that nuclear reactors produce no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hated by the enviro-radicals who drive California ’ s energy policy and are steadily putting the state even further behind the 8-ball .
It gets worse .
California now requires that all new homes be nearly entirely electric .
It wants citizens to switch their natural gas stoves to electric , as part of their global warming initiatives .
More than 30 cities have already enacted bans on gas appliances , including San Francisco .
The state also hopes to eliminate all gasoline and diesel cars in favor of plug-in electric automobiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable electricity will rise by leaps and bounds , just as supplies are steadily reduced , and partially replaced by expensive , intermittent , weather-dependent power .
Just as Mr. Biden promises for the nation as a whole , California is sacrificing reliable electrical power as part of its impossible crusade to “ stop climate change.
” Of course , this will have no impact on our planet ’ s climate , because ( a ) climate change is mostly natural and not driven by carbon dioxide , and ( b ) all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backup batteries will be manufactured overseas , mostly in China , using fossil fuels and simply moving the source of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions .
However , it will certainly spur sales of candles , flashlights , propane heaters , and natural gas , gasoline and diesel generators .
So , welcome to America ’ s future under a Biden-Harris-Kerry- AOC Administration .
America , the blackouts are coming .
Ohio-based Dr. Jay Lehr is Senior Policy Advisor to the Ottawa , Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition ( ICSC ) .
Tom Harris @ @ @ @ @ @

North Korea, coming to the US.
California’s climate and energy policies will bring thousands of blackouts to entire country
Dr. Jay Lehr and Tom Harris
The power disaster unfolding in California will soon occur across the country, if Joe Biden gets his way. The Golden State has been sweeping away the forms of energy that have provided reliable electricity for decades, under the same agenda the former Vice-President is planning for America as a whole.
Power outages are now commonplace in California. Last summer, the state suffered its first rolling blackouts in nearly 20 years. Imagine if this happened in Chicago in the middle of winter.
California’s trouble is explained by officials who now openly admit to an over-reliance on wind and solar power. The governor said there was not enough wind to keep the turbines going, while cloud cover and nightfall restricted solar power. The Los Angeles Times recognized the root of the problem:
“… gas-burning power plants that can fire up when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing have been shutting down in recent years, and California has largely failed to replace them …”
Consequently, the state has fallen thousands of megawatts behind its needs. Governor Gavin Newsom admitted, “we failed to predict and plan for these shortages” and took (nominal) responsibility for the rolling blackouts. Now he wants everyone to conserve power, while the state looks for new sources of energy, most likely fossil fuel-generated power from neighboring states.
All this is happening while California continues its intention to transition to 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% “climate-friendly energy” by 2045, as required by state law.
Indeed, in their October 6 open letter to Newsom, the heads of the California’s Energy Commission, Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission wrote: “We are unwavering in our commitment to meeting California’s clean energy and climate goals.”
Team Biden plans to go even further, committing to making the entire nation 100% renewable within 15 years. The United States would fall tens of millions of megawatts behind on its electricity needs.
Like the California government, the incoming Biden-Harris administration is acting entirely under the unfounded belief that climate change is a manmade calamity that can be stopped by eliminating fossil fuel use. They are clearly unaware of the Climate Change Reconsidered series of reports of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC).
These documents summarize thousands of studies from peer-reviewed scientific journals that either refute or cast serious doubt on the climate scare. They conclude that we are not causing a climate crisis.
Yet, in their October 6 report, Preliminary Root Cause Analysis – Mid-August 2020 Heat Storm, the same heads of California’s Energy Commission, Independent System Operator and Public Utilities Commission highlighted the “climate change-induced extreme heat storm across the western United States” as the first cause of the blackout.
In their view, apparently, shutting down coal, gas and nuclear power plants in California and in states from which California imports electricity played only minor roles.
California’s determination to shift to so-called “green” energy – which is actually anything but clean, green, renewable and sustainable – is being echoed by politicians across the nation. The result, especially in states that don’t enjoy California’s mostly benign weather, is going to be that those in the poorest neighborhoods and those on fixed incomes may be forced to choose between heating and eating.
It also means people trying to run their homes, offices, factories, hospitals and schools on intermittent, weather-dependent, much more expensive wind and solar power will have to get used to never knowing when or for how long their electricity will be on or off. Now in California; soon in the entire USA.
Coherent energy systems are designed with the understanding that portions of the system will be offline from time to time. Power companies compensate for this with reserve power at the ready. However, California has closed its margin for error in response to anti-nuclear and anti-fossil fuel sentiments and climate change concerns. Team Biden intends to do this for the entire United States.
Power outages cannot always be avoided and are more common than one may think. For example, between 2008 and 2017, Illinois had 871 outages, the tenth most by state. Texas had nearly twice as many, giving it the dubious distinction of ranking number two in the list.
But these pale in comparison to California which has the least reliable electrical power system in the nation. It leads in power outages every year. Between 2008 and 2017, it had 4,297 power outages!
The origin of the problem is partly California’s Senate Bill 1368, which in 2006 established the state’s emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases from power plants. Following that year, eleven coal-fired power plants were closed and three were converted to biomass. Only one coal-fired plant remains.
The state also reduced its normal reliance on energy from out of state coal plants.
Yielding to anti-nuclear activists, the state also closed all but one nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon. That plant generates about 18,000 Gigawatt-hours of reliable electricity every year, fully 8.6% of California’s total generation.
But Diablo Canyon will soon be closed too. Not surprisingly, during its construction and operation, anti-nuclear protests were common; nearly two thousand people were arrested for civil disobedience during a two-week period in 1981. In response, in 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a Pacific Gas & Electric Joint Proposal to phase out the state’s remaining nuclear power. That means the operating licenses for Diablo Canyon’s two units will not be renewed when they expire in 2024 and 2025.
Ironically, the Commission did not approve Pacific Gas & Electric’s proposal for resources to replace the station’s output. It does not appear to matter that nuclear reactors produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. They are hated by the enviro-radicals who drive California’s energy policy and are steadily putting the state even further behind the 8-ball.
It gets worse. California now requires that all new homes be nearly entirely electric. It wants citizens to switch their natural gas stoves to electric, as part of their global warming initiatives. More than 30 cities have already enacted bans on gas appliances, including San Francisco. The state also hopes to eliminate all gasoline and diesel cars in favor of plug-in electric automobiles.
This means demand for reliable, affordable electricity will rise by leaps and bounds, just as supplies are steadily reduced, and partially replaced by expensive, intermittent, weather-dependent power.
Just as Mr. Biden promises for the nation as a whole, California is sacrificing reliable electrical power as part of its impossible crusade to “stop climate change.” Of course, this will have no impact on our planet’s climate, because (a) climate change is mostly natural and not driven by carbon dioxide, and (b) all those wind turbines, solar panels and backup batteries will be manufactured overseas, mostly in China, using fossil fuels and simply moving the source of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
However, it will certainly spur sales of candles, flashlights, propane heaters, and natural gas, gasoline and diesel generators.
So, welcome to America’s future under a Biden-Harris-Kerry- AOC Administration. America, the blackouts are coming.
_______________________________________________________
Ohio-based Dr. Jay Lehr is Senior Policy Advisor to the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC). Tom Harris is Executive Director of ICSC.
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