iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Civil Rights Leaders Rail Against Enviro Activists, Say Natural Gas Benefits Black Communities

Civil rights leaders are criticizing a common talking point among environmentalist activists who say hydraulic fracking disproportionately hurts black people and other minority communities .
Revs .
Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and National Urban League president Marc Morial said they oppose an abrupt move away from fracking , according to an Axios report Monday .
They said the technique for producing natural gas helps black people who struggle with high energy prices .
Morial was particularly rough on activists who said their anti-fracking position is tie in with social justice matters .
( RELATED : EXCLUSIVE : We Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anti-Fracking Promises .
Only One Responded ) “ I would not want to cite a specific instance , but generally speaking , people are debating these issues in some instances without consultation with the leaders of the African-American communities and neighborhoods affected by these issues , ” Morial told Axios .
Jackson and Sharpton shared their sentiments as well .
Jackson told Axios in February that he supports “ the call [ to ban fracking ] with a proper transition … In the meantime , those who are down and out have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made similar points .
“ I think natural gas is a temporary — I don ’ t think we ought to make it the end-all , be-all — solution , but in the interim , people in communities of color should not pay the brunt of suffering through cold winters , ” Sharpton told Axios .
He heads the National Action Network .
Morial , for his part , pushed back on claims that his group ’ s acceptance of donations from fossil fuel companies biases his position .
“ Whenever someone disagrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Oh , you must be getting paid , ’ ” Morial said .
“ It ’ s condescending , patronizing and racist .
I hope you print it .
I want them to see it .
Because that ’ s the way we feel.
” Morial , Jackson and Sharpton ’ s comments came after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People warned its local chapters in 2019 that oil companies are supposedly trying to manipulate them into supporting their products .
Black communities and average Americans struggle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five households are forced to go without food and medicine to pay their energy bill , the Energy Information Administration noted in a 2018 report .
Some places are forced to rely on exported gas as environmental activists pressure officials to forgo natural gas production and distribution .
Officials in Massachusetts and neighboring New Hampshire , for instance , blocked financing in 2016 for the $ 3 billion Access Northeast Pipeline , which would have helped the state weather an energy crunch in 2018 .
The state ’ s decision to rely principally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced it turn to Russian oil imports .
New England ’ s energy grid strained to keep up with skyrocketing energy demand in 2018 when arctic temperatures hammered the East Coast .
Boston received a shipment of natural gas from an export terminal owned by Novatek — one of the Russian energy giants sanctioned in 2014 .

From The Daily Caller
Chris White Tech Reporter
March 30, 2020 11:47 AM ET
Civil rights leaders are criticizing a common talking point among environmentalist activists who say hydraulic fracking disproportionately hurts black people and other minority communities.
Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and National Urban League president Marc Morial said they oppose an abrupt move away from fracking, according to an Axios report Monday. They said the technique for producing natural gas helps black people who struggle with high energy prices.
Morial was particularly rough on activists who said their anti-fracking position is tie in with social justice matters. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: We Asked Battleground Dem Lawmakers About Sen. Sanders’ Anti-Fracking Promises. Only One Responded)
“I would not want to cite a specific instance, but generally speaking, people are debating these issues in some instances without consultation with the leaders of the African-American communities and neighborhoods affected by these issues,” Morial told Axios.
Jackson and Sharpton shared their sentiments as well.
Jackson told Axios in February that he supports “the call [to ban fracking] with a proper transition … In the meantime, those who are down and out have to have it in the meantime.” Sharpton made similar points.
“I think natural gas is a temporary — I don’t think we ought to make it the end-all, be-all — solution, but in the interim, people in communities of color should not pay the brunt of suffering through cold winters,” Sharpton told Axios. He heads the National Action Network.
Morial, for his part, pushed back on claims that his group’s acceptance of donations from fossil fuel companies biases his position.
“Whenever someone disagrees with what you say, they think, ‘Oh, you must be getting paid,’” Morial said. “It’s condescending, patronizing and racist. I hope you print it. I want them to see it. Because that’s the way we feel.”
Morial, Jackson and Sharpton’s comments came after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People warned its local chapters in 2019 that oil companies are supposedly trying to manipulate them into supporting their products.
Black communities and average Americans struggle with soaring energy prices. Nearly one in five households are forced to go without food and medicine to pay their energy bill, the Energy Information Administration noted in a 2018 report.
Some places are forced to rely on exported gas as environmental activists pressure officials to forgo natural gas production and distribution.
Officials in Massachusetts and neighboring New Hampshire, for instance, blocked financing in 2016 for the $3 billion Access Northeast Pipeline, which would have helped the state weather an energy crunch in 2018.
The state’s decision to rely principally on green energy hiked gas prices and forced it turn to Russian oil imports.
New England’s energy grid strained to keep up with skyrocketing energy demand in 2018 when arctic temperatures hammered the East Coast. Boston received a shipment of natural gas from an export terminal owned by Novatek — one of the Russian energy giants sanctioned in 2014.


States at Bay

In Europe , the partial collapse of economic activity – of which the financial crisis is only a consequence , @ @ @ @ @ … Continue reading

Contributed by Drieu Godefridi © Mar 2020
In Europe, the partial collapse of economic activity – of which the financial crisis is only a consequence, in a reverse sequence but … Continue reading
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March 30, 2020 at 02:21PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Energy-harvesting design aims to turn Wi-Fi signals into usable power

The researchers also imagine devices that would wirelessly power implants in a patient ’ s body without any surgery to change batteries .
Any device that sends out a Wi-Fi signal also emits terahertz waves —electromagnetic waves with a frequency somewhere between microwaves and infrared light , says Technology.org .
These high-frequency radiation waves , known as “ T-rays , ” are also produced by almost anything that registers a temperature , including our own bodies and the inanimate objects around us .
Terahertz waves are pervasive in our daily lives , and if harnessed , their concentrated power could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Imagine , for instance , a cellphone add-on that passively soaks up ambient T-rays and uses their energy to charge your phone .
However , to date , terahertz waves are wasted energy , as there has been no practical way to capture and convert them into any usable form .
Now physicists at MIT have come up with a blueprint for a device they believe would be able to convert ambient terahertz waves into a direct current , a form of electricity that powers many household electronics .
Their design takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior of the carbon material graphene .
They found that by combining graphene with another material , in this case , boron nitride , the electrons in graphene should skew their motion toward a common direction .
Any incoming terahertz waves should “ shuttle ” graphene ’ s electrons , like so many tiny air traffic controllers , to flow through the material in a single direction , as a direct current .
The researchers have published their results in the journal Science Advances , and are working with experimentalists to turn their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are surrounded by electromagnetic waves in the terahertz range , ” says lead author Hiroki Isobe , a postdoc in MIT ’ s Materials Research Laboratory .
“ If we can convert that energy into an energy source we can use for daily life , that would help to address the energy challenges we are facing right now .
”

The researchers also imagine devices that would wirelessly power implants in a patient’s body without any surgery to change batteries.
Any device that sends out a Wi-Fi signal also emits terahertz waves —electromagnetic waves with a frequency somewhere between microwaves and infrared light, says Technology.org.
These high-frequency radiation waves, known as “T-rays,” are also produced by almost anything that registers a temperature, including our own bodies and the inanimate objects around us.
Terahertz waves are pervasive in our daily lives, and if harnessed, their concentrated power could potentially serve as an alternate energy source. Imagine, for instance, a cellphone add-on that passively soaks up ambient T-rays and uses their energy to charge your phone. However, to date, terahertz waves are wasted energy, as there has been no practical way to capture and convert them into any usable form.
Now physicists at MIT have come up with a blueprint for a device they believe would be able to convert ambient terahertz waves into a direct current, a form of electricity that powers many household electronics.
Their design takes advantage of the quantum mechanical or atomic behavior of the carbon material graphene. They found that by combining graphene with another material, in this case, boron nitride, the electrons in graphene should skew their motion toward a common direction.
Any incoming terahertz waves should “shuttle” graphene’s electrons, like so many tiny air traffic controllers, to flow through the material in a single direction, as a direct current.
The researchers have published their results in the journal Science Advances, and are working with experimentalists to turn their design into a physical device.
“We are surrounded by electromagnetic waves in the terahertz range,” says lead author Hiroki Isobe, a postdoc in MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory. “If we can convert that energy into an energy source we can use for daily life, that would help to address the energy challenges we are facing right now.”
Full report here.
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March 30, 2020 at 01:57PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Shocking School Bus Costs

Shocking School Bus Costs

In the March 19 , 2020 CBC “ What on Earth ” newsletter [ scroll down ] , it was @ @ @ @ @ Continue reading

Contributed by Michelle Stirling, Communications Manager, Friends of Science Society © Mar 2020
In the March 19, 2020 CBC “What on Earth” newsletter [scroll down], it was breathlessly reported that: … Continue reading
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March 30, 2020 at 01:50PM


Choosing Life

I ’ m living in Central Nebraska this month , staying at the home of a night-shift ICU nurse who @ @ @ @ @ which covers most of the state of Nebraska .
She is a single mom who @ @ @ @ @ due to them losing their jobs over COVID panic .
If I hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have been able to pay her bills this month .
She faces the @ @ @ @ @ closed .
Apparently society expects her to work 12 hours of ICU at night , @ @ @ @ @ the day .
It is fortunate that I am a former schoolteacher and will be @ @ @ @ @ children for a few weeks .
COVID panic is ruining countless lives , and I @ @ @ @ @ to help .
I ’ m even doing the big game hunting .

I’m living in Central Nebraska this month, staying at the home of a night-shift ICU nurse who works at a regional hospital which covers most of the state of Nebraska. She is a single mom who lost all of her tenants due to them losing their jobs over COVID panic. If I hadn’t of showed up she wouldn’t have been able to pay her bills this month.
She faces the additional burden of schools being closed. Apparently society expects her to work 12 hours of ICU at night, and teach her children during the day. It is fortunate that I am a former schoolteacher and will be help out with educating her children for a few weeks.
COVID panic is ruining countless lives, and I am doing what I can to help. I’m even doing the big game hunting.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Costa Rica Bans Going To The Beach

Costa Rica Bans Going To The Beach

I took my Costa Rica trip just in time .
They banned going to the beach , because the Pacific @ @ @ @ @ enough for social distancing .
Stab Magazine | Shots Fired : Costa Rican Pro Arrested @ @ @ @ @ Inadvertently Comes To His Defense

I took my Costa Rica trip just in time. They banned going to the beach, because the Pacific Ocean isn’t big enough for social distancing.
Stab Magazine | Shots Fired: Costa Rican Pro Arrested For Surfing, Kelly Slater Inadvertently Comes To His Defense


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--The UAH Global Temperature Dataset at 30 Years: A Look Back at the Early Days

Today ( Monday , March 30 ) is the 30th anniversary of our publication in Science describing the first satellite-based dataset for climate monitoring .
While much has happened in the last 30 years , I thought it might be interesting for people to know what led up to the dataset ’ s development , and some of the politics and behind-the-scenes happenings in the early days .
What follows is in approximate chronological order , and is admittedly from my own perspective .
John Christy might have somewhat different recollections of these events .
Some of what follows might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humorous , and I also wanted to give credit to some of the other players .
Without their help , influence , and foresight , the satellite temperature dataset might never have been developed .
In the late 1980s John Christy and I were contractors at NASA/MSFC in Huntsville , AL , working in the Atmospheric Sciences Division where NASA managers and researchers were trying to expand beyond their original mission , which was weather support for Space Shuttle launches .
NASA/MSFC manager Gregory S. Wilson was a central figure in our hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Meteorology , specializing in the energetics of African easterly waves ( the precursors of most Atlantic hurricanes ) .
I then did post-doc work there in the satellite remote sensing of precipitation using microwave radiometers .
John Christy received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois where he did his research on the global surface atmospheric pressure field .
John had experience in analyzing global datasets for climate research , and was hired to assist Pete Robertson ( NASA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hired to develop new microwave satellite remote sensing projects for the Space Shuttle and the Space Station .
James Hansen ’ s Congressional Testimony , and Our First Data Processing In 1988 , NASA ’ s James Hansen testified for then-Senator Al Gore , Jr. , testimony which more than any single event thrust global warming into the collective consciousness of society .
We were at a NASA meeting in New Hampshire .
As I recall , UAH ’ s Dick McNider on the plane ride up had just read a draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him by John Christy ( who had been a Trenberth student ) that discussed many issues with the sparse surface temperature data for detecting climate change .
During lunch Dick asked , given all the issues with the lack of global coverage and siting issues with surface data sets discussed by Trenberth , if there wasn ’ t satellite data that could be used to investigate Hansen ’ s global claims ?
NASA HQ manager James Dodge was there and expressed immediate interest in funding such a research project .
I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NOAA/NASA/JPL Microwave Sounding Unit ( MSU ) instruments , but it would be difficult to access approximately 10 years of global data .
Note that this was before there was routine internet access to large digital datasets , and ordering data from the government had a very large price tag .
No one purchased many years of global data ; it came on computer 6250 bpi computer tapes each containing approximately 100 MB of data , and computers then were pretty slow .
The data we wanted was from NOAA satellites , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10.5 inch ) IBM tapes rather than to keep the old data tapes around using up storage space .
It turns out that Roy Jenne who worked data systems at the NSF ’ s National Center for Atmospheric Research ( NCAR ) in Boulder had years before taken it upon himself to archive the old NOAA satellite data before it was lost altogether .
He kept the data on a “ mass storage system ” ( very large and inefficient by today ’ s standards ) and I believe it was Greg Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to those data .
We obtained somewhat less than 10 years of data from NCAR , and I decided how to best calibrate it and average it into a more manageable space/time resolution .
I had frequent contact with JPL engineers who built the MSU instruments , Fred Soltis in particular , who along with Norman Grody at NOAA provided me with calibration data for the MSU instruments flying on different satellites .
We enlisted John Christy to analyze those data since he brought considerable experience with diagnosing global datasets for climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John discovered was from comparing global averages from different satellites in different orbits : They gave surprisingly similar answers in terms of year-to-year temperature variability .
This was quite unexpected and demonstrated that the MSU instruments had high calibration stability , at least over a few years .
It also demonstrated that NOAA ’ s practice of adjusting satellite data with radiosondes ( weather balloons ) was backwards : the differences others had seen between the two systems were due to poor spatial sampling by the radiosondes , not due to changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the critical historical data archived by Roy Jenne at NCAR , we would some of the more recent satellite data that was kept at NOAA .
We didn ’ t have quite ten years of data , and an editor at Science magazine wanted ten full years of data before they would publish our first findings .
We were able to order more data from NOAA to get the first 10 years ’ worth ( 1979 through 1988 ) , and Science accepted our paper .
The post The UAH Global Temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back at the Early Days appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

Today (Monday, March 30) is the 30th anniversary of our publication in Science describing the first satellite-based dataset for climate monitoring.
Roy Spencer and John Christy
While much has happened in the last 30 years, I thought it might be interesting for people to know what led up to the dataset’s development, and some of the politics and behind-the-scenes happenings in the early days. What follows is in approximate chronological order, and is admittedly from my own perspective. John Christy might have somewhat different recollections of these events.
Some of what follows might surprise you, some of it is humorous, and I also wanted to give credit to some of the other players. Without their help, influence, and foresight, the satellite temperature dataset might never have been developed.
Spencer & Christy Backgrounds
In the late 1980s John Christy and I were contractors at NASA/MSFC in Huntsville, AL, working in the Atmospheric Sciences Division where NASA managers and researchers were trying to expand beyond their original mission, which was weather support for Space Shuttle launches. NASA/MSFC manager Gregory S. Wilson was a central figure in our hiring and encouragement of our work.
I came from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Meteorology, specializing in the energetics of African easterly waves (the precursors of most Atlantic hurricanes). I then did post-doc work there in the satellite remote sensing of precipitation using microwave radiometers. John Christy received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois where he did his research on the global surface atmospheric pressure field. John had experience in analyzing global datasets for climate research, and was hired to assist Pete Robertson (NASA) to assist in data analysis. I was hired to develop new microwave satellite remote sensing projects for the Space Shuttle and the Space Station.
James Hansen’s Congressional Testimony, and Our First Data Processing
In 1988, NASA’s James Hansen testified for then-Senator Al Gore, Jr., testimony which more than any single event thrust global warming into the collective consciousness of society. We were at a NASA meeting in New Hampshire. As I recall, UAH’s Dick McNider on the plane ride up had just read a draft of a paper by Kevin Trenberth given to him by John Christy (who had been a Trenberth student) that discussed many issues with the sparse surface temperature data for detecting climate change.
During lunch Dick asked, given all the issues with the lack of global coverage and siting issues with surface data sets discussed by Trenberth, if there wasn’t satellite data that could be used to investigate Hansen’s global claims? NASA HQ manager James Dodge was there and expressed immediate interest in funding such a research project.
I said, yes, such data existed from the NOAA/NASA/JPL Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) instruments, but it would be difficult to access approximately 10 years of global data. Note that this was before there was routine internet access to large digital datasets, and ordering data from the government had a very large price tag. No one purchased many years of global data; it came on computer 6250 bpi computer tapes each containing approximately 100 MB of data, and computers then were pretty slow. The data we wanted was from NOAA satellites, and NOAA would reuse these large (10.5 inch) IBM tapes rather than to keep the old data tapes around using up storage space.
It turns out that Roy Jenne who worked data systems at the NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder had years before taken it upon himself to archive the old NOAA satellite data before it was lost altogether. He kept the data on a “mass storage system” (very large and inefficient by today’s standards) and I believe it was Greg Wilson who made the connection to gain us access to those data.
We obtained somewhat less than 10 years of data from NCAR, and I decided how to best calibrate it and average it into a more manageable space/time resolution. I had frequent contact with JPL engineers who built the MSU instruments, Fred Soltis in particular, who along with Norman Grody at NOAA provided me with calibration data for the MSU instruments flying on different satellites.
We enlisted John Christy to analyze those data since he brought considerable experience with diagnosing global datasets for climate purposes. One of the first things John discovered was from comparing global averages from different satellites in different orbits: They gave surprisingly similar answers in terms of year-to-year temperature variability. This was quite unexpected and demonstrated that the MSU instruments had high calibration stability, at least over a few years. It also demonstrated that NOAA’s practice of adjusting satellite data with radiosondes (weather balloons) was backwards: the differences others had seen between the two systems were due to poor spatial sampling by the radiosondes, not due to changes in the satellite calibration stability.
In addition to the critical historical data archived by Roy Jenne at NCAR, we would some of the more recent satellite data that was kept at NOAA. We didn’t have quite ten years of data, and an editor at Science magazine wanted ten full years of data before they would publish our first findings. We were able to order more data from NOAA to get the first 10 years’ worth (1979 through 1988), and Science accepted our paper.
The post The UAH Global Temperature Dataset at 30 Years: A Look Back at the Early Days appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
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March 30, 2020 at 12:37PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--A frank open letter from an emergency room doctor on #COVID-19 – The “surge” is coming

This letter from our local hospital ER doc has been circulating on social media in my town .
It is applicable for anyone , anywhere , to read and heed .
Note “ the surge ” section – Anthony Dear Butte County and all the folks who may under the care of Enloe Medical Center , I am one of your local Emergency Medicine docs at Enloe Medical Center .
So I ’ d like to take a moment to explain Covid-19 and how and why it is impacting our community .
Specifically , I ’ d like to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( as a consequence ) what Enloe Hospital is doing to meet the coming crisis.The first thing I will mention is that the Covid-19 disaster is an extremely dynamic and changing situation .
Every day at the hospital we are meeting constantly and changing policies–directions from world , federal , and state programs change multiple times per day .
This is an unheard of pace of change.Here are the basics about the Covid-19 illness .
The virus is highly contagious .
It is predicted that eventually , nearly everyone will be exposed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky people may not develop any symptoms at all .
The vast majority of people will get a mild syndrome of variable symptoms including “ flu ” –fevers , achy-ness , upper respiratory congestion ( ie nose and throat symptoms ) .
Then they will get over it .
And probably wonder what the big fuss about it was .
Younger children may have an even milder syndrome .
However , during the typical 7 days of mild disease and then another 7 days later , all infected patients will be spreading this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Emergency Department with mild illness , you will be screened ( important factors such as vital signs and your oxygen saturation percentage ) , and likely sent home with 2 important instructions : signs of worsening illness , and strict self-quarantining precautions .
However , if you are unlucky , after the initial mild syndrome , instead of getting better , you may get worse .
You may develop worse “ flu ” symptoms and then pneumonia–filling of the lungs with infected fluid .
These are the patients that will be admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observation .
Once again , the majority of these moderately ill patients will get better .
However , if you are very unlucky , over the next day or two , instead of getting better , some patients will turn for the worse and will develop a form of ARDS ( Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ) whereby the lungs will become completely saturated with fluid and will need to be placed on “ life-support ” , that is a mechanical ventilator .
They will be transferred to the ICU ( Intensive Care Unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A large proportion of these patients will eventually recover , but some will not.There are some clear risk factors for ending up in the ICU .
Older age and baseline medical illness ( diabetes , chronic heart disease , chronic lung disease ) make it much more likely to go on to ICU-requiring Covid-19 illness .
However , even perfectly healthy adults can develop serious illness .
Fortunately , younger children are almost entirely spared.The overall picture of this sort of illness is NOT new to the medical community .
Most of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illness ) can be applied to the Influenza virus , which we have been dealing with for years .
The concerning difference is the infectivity of the Covid-19 virus , and mathematics.Using some basic simplified statistics will yield math that is causing everyone in the hospital to enact drastic measures .
Enloe Medical Center covers roughly 300,000 people in Butte and surrounding counties .
As I mentioned everyone will get Covid-19 .
If only 0.5 % of patients who get Covid end up in the ICU , that will be 1,500 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid planning , Enloe had only 20 ICU beds .
1,500 patients will not safely squeeze into 20 beds .
This , my friends , is the SURGE .
This was what overwhelmed the hospital systems in China and Italy .
Make no mistake the surge is coming .
So pretty much everything we are doing- all this “ social distancing ” - is to even out this massive surge of patients and spread them out over time , as opposed to having all of them show up at our hospital at once.And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced a clear message .
The most effective strategy to mitigate the surge is strict quarantining .
Not disease testing .
Not experimental medications or specific treatments .
Quarantining , social distancing , whatever it takes to slow ( not stop , not cure ) the spread of disease .
So take quarantining and social distancing seriously , because it will save lives .
And it may be hard to take seriously , because as I mentioned the vast majority of people will only get mild illness .
And then they may ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much trouble , not being able to go to my favorite bar .
Even more seriously , the economy is heading downhill and many people are not getting paychecks .
For a mild “ flu ” .
Again , the answer is that all of the sacrifices are NOT for the mildly ill , but for the unlucky ICU bound .
And that may be you or your loved one .
Picture this : Scenario One–your loved one is developing ICU level pneumonia .
The team of doctors , nurses , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one and move her to the ICU .
Scenario Two–your loved one is developing ICU level pneumonia .
But there is no room in the ICU and she is put on a jury-rigged breathing contraption for life support in the hallway outside of the Emergency Department .
Next to 60 other patients in the same situation .
And the message from China and Italy and other countries has been specific–the most effective strategy to avoid Scenario 2 is aggressive quarantining of the mildly ill and EVEN asymptomatic.Employing strong individual efforts to prevent contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to smooth the ICU surge– and it may also buy time for doctors and scientists to develop and test treatments and vaccinations.Some common questions that I have been asked–Why can ’ t I be tested for Covid ?
Every day , the hospital is attempting to obtain methods for rapid testing of Covid , but as you might imagine the supply of testing materials is a lot more rare and much more expensive than toilet paper.Another common question is : Does it seem that the hospital is over-reacting ?
The answer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t forget that hospital workers are at highest risk for exposure and spreading the illness .
Which is why we are trying to be so meticulous about infection prevention–don ’ t be surprised if you end up in the Emergency Department , respiratory issues or other standard ER problems , staff are wearing gowns , masks , and greeting you from a distance .
If a hospital worker starts to show symptoms of infection , this will remove him or her from a very limited working pool for a long period of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker we have .
Another comment I would like to make : If you have an elderly family member or loved one with advanced illness , please take the time to appreciate them .
And then discuss the possibility that they might develop severe Covid-19 illness .
No decision at this time has to be final , but it is better to understand where everyone stands prior to the storm hitting .
Here is another question : When ?
This is a tricky one , because we do not locally have quick testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a test result back is over 1 week .
Our first official Covid positive test in Butte County was on Saturday March 21 .
As of today ( Mar 25 ) there are at least 4 documented positive cases in Butte County , though likely there are many more people who are infected but have not been tested , due to the shortage of testing kits and assays .
So people in our community are right now progressing through the contagious but mild symptom stages .
We anticipate pneumonia and ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
Thank you for reading , and thank you for keeping Chico safer ,

This letter from our local hospital ER doc has been circulating on social media in my town. It is applicable for anyone, anywhere, to read and heed. Note “the surge” section – Anthony
Dear Butte County and all the folks who may under the care of Enloe Medical Center,
I am one of your local Emergency Medicine docs at Enloe Medical Center. So I’d like to take a moment to explain Covid-19 and how and why it is impacting our community.
Specifically, I’d like to go through the basics of the illness and (as a consequence) what Enloe Hospital is doing to meet the coming crisis.The first thing I will mention is that the Covid-19 disaster is an extremely dynamic and changing situation.
Every day at the hospital we are meeting constantly and changing policies–directions from world, federal, and state programs change multiple times per day. This is an unheard of pace of change.Here are the basics about the Covid-19 illness. The virus is highly contagious. It is predicted that eventually, nearly everyone will be exposed and been infected.
A very few very lucky people may not develop any symptoms at all. The vast majority of people will get a mild syndrome of variable symptoms including “flu”–fevers, achy-ness, upper respiratory congestion (ie nose and throat symptoms). Then they will get over it. And probably wonder what the big fuss about it was. Younger children may have an even milder syndrome.
However, during the typical 7 days of mild disease and then another 7 days later, all infected patients will be spreading this virus. If you turn up to the Emergency Department with mild illness, you will be screened (important factors such as vital signs and your oxygen saturation percentage), and likely sent home with 2 important instructions: signs of worsening illness, and strict self-quarantining precautions.
However, if you are unlucky, after the initial mild syndrome, instead of getting better, you may get worse. You may develop worse “flu” symptoms and then pneumonia–filling of the lungs with infected fluid.
These are the patients that will be admitted to the hospital for general care and observation. Once again, the majority of these moderately ill patients will get better.
However, if you are very unlucky, over the next day or two, instead of getting better, some patients will turn for the worse and will develop a form of ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) whereby the lungs will become completely saturated with fluid and will need to be placed on “life-support”, that is a mechanical ventilator. They will be transferred to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) until their lungs can recover.
A large proportion of these patients will eventually recover, but some will not.There are some clear risk factors for ending up in the ICU. Older age and baseline medical illness (diabetes, chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease) make it much more likely to go on to ICU-requiring Covid-19 illness. However, even perfectly healthy adults can develop serious illness. Fortunately, younger children are almost entirely spared.The overall picture of this sort of illness is NOT new to the medical community. Most of what I have described above (mild/moderate/ICU levels of illness) can be applied to the Influenza virus, which we have been dealing with for years.
The concerning difference is the infectivity of the Covid-19 virus, and mathematics.Using some basic simplified statistics will yield math that is causing everyone in the hospital to enact drastic measures.
Enloe Medical Center covers roughly 300,000 people in Butte and surrounding counties. As I mentioned everyone will get Covid-19. If only 0.5% of patients who get Covid end up in the ICU, that will be 1,500 patients requiring an ICU. Prior to our Covid planning, Enloe had only 20 ICU beds. 1,500 patients will not safely squeeze into 20 beds. This, my friends, is the SURGE. This was what overwhelmed the hospital systems in China and Italy.
Make no mistake the surge is coming.
So pretty much everything we are doing- all this “social distancing”- is to even out this massive surge of patients and spread them out over time, as opposed to having all of them show up at our hospital at once.And the analysis of China and Italy has produced a clear message. The most effective strategy to mitigate the surge is strict quarantining. Not disease testing. Not experimental medications or specific treatments. Quarantining, social distancing, whatever it takes to slow (not stop, not cure) the spread of disease.
So take quarantining and social distancing seriously, because it will save lives.
And it may be hard to take seriously, because as I mentioned the vast majority of people will only get mild illness. And then they may ask themselves, why did I go through so much trouble, not being able to go to my favorite bar.
Even more seriously, the economy is heading downhill and many people are not getting paychecks. For a mild “flu”. Again, the answer is that all of the sacrifices are NOT for the mildly ill, but for the unlucky ICU bound. And that may be you or your loved one. Picture this:
Scenario One–your loved one is developing ICU level pneumonia. The team of doctors, nurses, and care-givers identify this, treat your loved one and move her to the ICU.
Scenario Two–your loved one is developing ICU level pneumonia. But there is no room in the ICU and she is put on a jury-rigged breathing contraption for life support in the hallway outside of the Emergency Department. Next to 60 other patients in the same situation.
And the message from China and Italy and other countries has been specific–the most effective strategy to avoid Scenario 2 is aggressive quarantining of the mildly ill and EVEN asymptomatic.Employing strong individual efforts to prevent contracting Covid-19 will slow the progression and buy time to smooth the ICU surge– and it may also buy time for doctors and scientists to develop and test treatments and vaccinations.Some common questions that I have been asked–Why can’t I be tested for Covid?
Every day, the hospital is attempting to obtain methods for rapid testing of Covid, but as you might imagine the supply of testing materials is a lot more rare and much more expensive than toilet paper.Another common question is: Does it seem that the hospital is over-reacting? The answer is “We hope so!”
And–don’t forget that hospital workers are at highest risk for exposure and spreading the illness. Which is why we are trying to be so meticulous about infection prevention–don’t be surprised if you end up in the Emergency Department, respiratory issues or other standard ER problems, staff are wearing gowns, masks, and greeting you from a distance. If a hospital worker starts to show symptoms of infection, this will remove him or her from a very limited working pool for a long period of time. And we need every hospital worker we have.
Another comment I would like to make: If you have an elderly family member or loved one with advanced illness, please take the time to appreciate them. And then discuss the possibility that they might develop severe Covid-19 illness. No decision at this time has to be final, but it is better to understand where everyone stands prior to the storm hitting.
Here is another question: When? This is a tricky one, because we do not locally have quick testing for Covid-19. The current wait time to get a test result back is over 1 week. Our first official Covid positive test in Butte County was on Saturday March 21. As of today (Mar 25) there are at least 4 documented positive cases in Butte County, though likely there are many more people who are infected but have not been tested, due to the shortage of testing kits and assays. So people in our community are right now progressing through the contagious but mild symptom stages. We anticipate pneumonia and ICU patients declaring themselves within the next few weeks.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for keeping Chico safer,
Ivan Liang
Ivan Liang,
MD FACEP FACMT
https://www.enloe.org/find-a-doctor/find-a-doctor?id=232


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Berlin snow! Unseasonal snow in Germany’s capital

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30 Mar 2020 – Video from Chave Weather
Thanks to Stephen Bird for this video
The post Berlin snow! Unseasonal snow in Germany’s capital appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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March 30, 2020 at 11:58AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Russia’s New Low Carbon Plan–Increase Emissions by 30%!

Five years ago , we began to see the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions , or INDCs , which detailed each country ’ s plan for reducing ( or otherwise ! )
their greenhouse emissions .
These plans covered the period up to 2030 , and were part and parcel of the Paris Agreement .
Coronavirus permitting , nations are supposed to be updating these plans this year , ready for COP26 in Glasgow this November .
As my analysis showed in 2015 , most INDCs actually planned for increases in GHGs and not reductions .
I doubt whether we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not if Russia ’ s provisional plan is anything to go by : Fossil fuel-rich Russia has for the first time set out a greener economic path for the coming three decades , in a long-term , low-carbon development plan released this week .
It pledges to cut planet-warming emissions by a third by 2030 from 1990 levels , when the heavily industrial Soviet Union collapsed , although that represents an increase in Russia ’ s greenhouse gas pollution from today .
Climate experts said the strategy and 2030 target were not ambitious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business interest in tackling climate change in an economy that is one of the world ’ s biggest suppliers of oil , gas and coal .
Under the plan , Russia would not become carbon-neutral until late this century — and only if it implements the cleanest growth scenario outlined .
Russia ’ s Ministry of Economic Development published the draft strategy Monday , which will now be reviewed by other ministries and business associations before being submitted for government approval by executive order .
The document , almost 70 pages long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s low-carbon development through to midcentury .
“ This strategy draft is the first comprehensive attempt of the federal government to look into Russia ’ s economic development trajectory toward 2050 climate goals , ” said Mikhail Rasstrigin , Russia ’ s deputy minister of economic development .
“ Importantly , it sets specific goals for the key areas where the bulk of energy efficiency effects could be reaped , ” he added .
According to the plan , those areas are industry , buildings , energy generation and transport .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop long-term , low-emission development strategies .
So far , a U.N. database lists 15 such documents , including from the European Union , the United States , Germany and Japan .
Russia , the world ’ s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases , after China , the United States , the EU and India , did not officially join the Paris Agreement until September 2019 .
In Russia ’ s new strategy , the “ basic ” scenario — which it deems to be the most feasible — shows emissions growing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent from 2017 .
The 2030 projection still represents a 33 percent cut on 1990 levels .
Emissions today , including forest carbon stocks , are already about 50 percent lower than at the end of the Soviet Union , which saw a shift away from a heavy industrial economy .
The new 2030 emissions reduction target will be announced as part of the country ’ s updated climate action plan due to be submitted to the United Nations later this year , and represents an increase in ambition from its previous goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s emissions will be curbed over the next decade through measures including energy efficiency , the introduction of a carbon price , development of renewables and nuclear energy , less clear-cutting of forests and enlarging protected areas .
But that will be offset by higher economic growth and a significant decline in the ability of forests to absorb and store carbon due to wildfires , illegal logging and their rising age , the plan shows .
But , the strategy adds , the carbon intensity of the Russian economy — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gross domestic product — is expected to drop by 9 percent in 10 years and by almost half by 2050 from the 2017 level .
The basic scenario does not foresee carbon neutrality by 2050 , although emissions are forecast to start declining after 2030 to reach 36 percent below 1990 levels by midcentury .
If the government opts for an “ intensive ” approach , however , emissions could be cut by 48 percent by 2050 , with Russia becoming carbon-neutral late this century , the plan noted .
Greenpeace Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modest , ” adding the measures were not enough for Russia to make an “ adequate contribution ” toward a global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times .
scale and speed of Russia ’ s transformation toward a green future , ” he added So the plan is : 1 ) Increase emissions by 30 % between now and 2030 .
2 ) Reduce emissions by 5 % between 2030 and 2050 .
That should save the planet !
!
Russia ’ s emissions of CO2 are about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s .
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
Five years ago, we began to see the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, or INDCs, which detailed each country’s plan for reducing (or otherwise!) their greenhouse emissions.
These plans covered the period up to 2030, and were part and parcel of the Paris Agreement.
Coronavirus permitting, nations are supposed to be updating these plans this year, ready for COP26 in Glasgow this November.
As my analysis showed in 2015, most INDCs actually planned for increases in GHGs and not reductions.
I doubt whether we will see much change this time, certainly not if Russia’s provisional plan is anything to go by:
Fossil fuel-rich Russia has for the first time set out a greener economic path for the coming three decades, in a long-term, low-carbon development plan released this week.
It pledges to cut planet-warming emissions by a third by 2030 from 1990 levels, when the heavily industrial Soviet Union collapsed, although that represents an increase in Russia’s greenhouse gas pollution from today.
Climate experts said the strategy and 2030 target were not ambitious enough but did signal growing political and business interest in tackling climate change in an economy that is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of oil, gas and coal.
Under the plan, Russia would not become carbon-neutral until late this century — and only if it implements the cleanest growth scenario outlined.
Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development published the draft strategy Monday, which will now be reviewed by other ministries and business associations before being submitted for government approval by executive order.
The document, almost 70 pages long, outlines four main scenarios for Russia’s low-carbon development through to midcentury.
“This strategy draft is the first comprehensive attempt of the federal government to look into Russia’s economic development trajectory toward 2050 climate goals,” said Mikhail Rasstrigin, Russia’s deputy minister of economic development.
“Importantly, it sets specific goals for the key areas where the bulk of energy efficiency effects could be reaped,” he added. According to the plan, those areas are industry, buildings, energy generation and transport.
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries agreed to develop long-term, low-emission development strategies. So far, a U.N. database lists 15 such documents, including from the European Union, the United States, Germany and Japan.
Russia, the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China, the United States, the EU and India, did not officially join the Paris Agreement until September 2019.
In Russia’s new strategy, the “basic” scenario — which it deems to be the most feasible — shows emissions growing from now until 2030, climbing about 30 percent from 2017.
The 2030 projection still represents a 33 percent cut on 1990 levels. Emissions today, including forest carbon stocks, are already about 50 percent lower than at the end of the Soviet Union, which saw a shift away from a heavy industrial economy.
The new 2030 emissions reduction target will be announced as part of the country’s updated climate action plan due to be submitted to the United Nations later this year, and represents an increase in ambition from its previous goal of a 25 to 30 percent cut.
Russia’s emissions will be curbed over the next decade through measures including energy efficiency, the introduction of a carbon price, development of renewables and nuclear energy, less clear-cutting of forests and enlarging protected areas.
But that will be offset by higher economic growth and a significant decline in the ability of forests to absorb and store carbon due to wildfires, illegal logging and their rising age, the plan shows.
But, the strategy adds, the carbon intensity of the Russian economy — how much carbon it emits per unit of gross domestic product — is expected to drop by 9 percent in 10 years and by almost half by 2050 from the 2017 level.
The basic scenario does not foresee carbon neutrality by 2050, although emissions are forecast to start declining after 2030 to reach 36 percent below 1990 levels by midcentury.
If the government opts for an “intensive” approach, however, emissions could be cut by 48 percent by 2050, with Russia becoming carbon-neutral late this century, the plan noted.
Greenpeace Russia said the strategy was welcome but “modest,” adding the measures were not enough for Russia to make an “adequate contribution” toward a global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.
scale and speed of Russia’s transformation toward a green future,” he added
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/27/business/russia-low-carbon-future/
So the plan is:
1) Increase emissions by 30% between now and 2030.
2) Reduce emissions by 5% between 2030 and 2050.
That should save the planet!!
Russia’s emissions of CO2 are about five times that of the UK’s.
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March 30, 2020 at 11:24AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Japan Refuse To Increase Emissions Cuts

Japan Refuse To Increase Emissions Cuts

If you thought Russia ’ s contribution to saving the planet was disappointing , Japan ’ s is no better !
Japan has been criticised for failing to increase its ambition to tackle climate change , as it becomes the first major economy to submit updated plans on cutting emissions .
All countries are expected to submit new or updated plans this year for cutting emissions , known as “ nationally determined contributions ” , under the Paris Agreement on climate change .
Existing efforts set out by countries to curb greenhouse gases are not enough to limit global temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tighter restriction of 1.5C , which nations signed up to under the Paris deal .
Japan has become the first country in the G7 group of leading economies to produce updated plans , ahead of a key United Nations climate meeting “ Cop26 ” , which is supposed to take place in Glasgow in November .
The UK is hoping to drive moves towards ambitious international action in the build-up to the talks , though British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned the meeting may have to be delayed due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its existing target of cutting emissions by 26 % on 2013 levels by 2030 , which analysts tracking contributions at independent organisation Climate Action Tracker has deemed “ highly insufficient ” .
Japan says it will pursue further efforts in the medium and long term , and is aiming for a “ decarbonised society ” as early as possible in the second half of the century .
A UK Government spokeswoman said : “ We are clear on the need for increased ambition from all countries , particularly from G7 partners .
Laurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Climate Foundation and one of the key architects of the Paris Agreement , said it was “ disappointing ” the Japanese government has not increased its ambition in response to the climate crisis .
“ The EU , UK , China and South Korea are moving towards a new – low carbon – economy .
If Japan doesn ’ t move , it will lose out in the high-tech race of this century .
“ At one of the most challenging times of recent memory , we need bolder , mutually reinforcing plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks we all face .
“ But there is still time : Japan should reconsider its position and come to Cop26 with a more ambitious plan .
This will also allow a resilient recovery from the negative economic impact of Covid-19 , ” she urged .
Christian Aid ’ s global climate lead , Dr Kat Kramer , said : “ Japan ’ s feeble and unchanged national climate commitment is an international disgrace .
Japan is a rich country with resources and the historic responsibility to make big strides to decarbonise its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has utterly failed to enhance its highly insufficient pledge , that will only compound the misery of people on the front line of the climate crisis who need countries like Japan to act with urgency to do its fair share in addressing the climate crisis.
” She also criticised the country ’ s failure to plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 , and relying on unproven technologies to get there .
In case you think that a cut of 26 % between 2013 and 2030 is a lot , bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % higher than in 1990 .
The promised cut by 2030 is in fact only a reduction of 10 % from 1990 levels ; via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
If you thought Russia’s contribution to saving the planet was disappointing, Japan’s is no better!
Japan has been criticised for failing to increase its ambition to tackle climate change, as it becomes the first major economy to submit updated plans on cutting emissions.
All countries are expected to submit new or updated plans this year for cutting emissions, known as “nationally determined contributions”, under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Existing efforts set out by countries to curb greenhouse gases are not enough to limit global temperature rises to well below 2C or the tighter restriction of 1.5C, which nations signed up to under the Paris deal.
Japan has become the first country in the G7 group of leading economies to produce updated plans, ahead of a key United Nations climate meeting “Cop26”, which is supposed to take place in Glasgow in November.
The UK is hoping to drive moves towards ambitious international action in the build-up to the talks, though British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned the meeting may have to be delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
But Japan has stuck with its existing target of cutting emissions by 26% on 2013 levels by 2030, which analysts tracking contributions at independent organisation Climate Action Tracker has deemed “highly insufficient”.
Japan says it will pursue further efforts in the medium and long term, and is aiming for a “decarbonised society” as early as possible in the second half of the century.
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “We are clear on the need for increased ambition from all countries, particularly from G7 partners.
“We hope to see a further submission that includes an increase in Japan’s headline target ahead of Cop26.”
Laurance Tubiana, chief executive of the European Climate Foundation and one of the key architects of the Paris Agreement, said it was “disappointing” the Japanese government has not increased its ambition in response to the climate crisis.
“The EU, UK, China and South Korea are moving towards a new – low carbon – economy. If Japan doesn’t move, it will lose out in the high-tech race of this century.
“At one of the most challenging times of recent memory, we need bolder, mutually reinforcing plans that protect our societies from the global risks we all face.
“But there is still time: Japan should reconsider its position and come to Cop26 with a more ambitious plan. This will also allow a resilient recovery from the negative economic impact of Covid-19,” she urged.
Christian Aid’s global climate lead, Dr Kat Kramer, said: “Japan’s feeble and unchanged national climate commitment is an international disgrace.
“The fact they are smuggling it out during a global pandemic when it will avoid the scrutiny it deserves is shameful.”
Japan is a rich country with resources and the historic responsibility to make big strides to decarbonise its economy, she said.
“Yet it has utterly failed to enhance its highly insufficient pledge, that will only compound the misery of people on the front line of the climate crisis who need countries like Japan to act with urgency to do its fair share in addressing the climate crisis.”
She also criticised the country’s failure to plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and relying on unproven technologies to get there.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/japan-criticised-for-highly-insufficient-climate-plans-990950.html
In case you think that a cut of 26% between 2013 and 2030 is a lot, bear in mind emissions in 2013 were already 20% higher than in 1990.
The promised cut by 2030 is in fact only a reduction of 10% from 1990 levels;
http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html
Japan’s emissions are approximately triple the UK’s.
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March 30, 2020 at 04:48PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Monday Mirthiness – double feature.

Monday Mirthiness – double feature.

There ’ s a relatively famous cartoon about climate that gets used on social media a lot by Joel Pett @ @ @ @ @ recognize it .
Josh has given it a “ treatment ” :

There’s a relatively famous cartoon about climate that gets used on social media a lot by Joel Pett. You’ll likely recognize it.
Josh has given it a “treatment”:
In other news:


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--CoV discussion thread II

CoV discussion thread II

To kick things off , here are some interesting articles that I ’ ve spotted recently .
Let me know when you are read for a climate thread , week in review or something .
Estimates show Wuhan death toll far higher than official figure [ link ] Coronavirus may have been spreading in humans for years [ link ] The contrarian coronavirus theory that informed the Trump administration [ link ] China created a fail-safe system to track infectious diseases .
Here ’ s why it failed [ link ] A brief history of RO and a recipe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month : how a failure to test blinded the U.S. to Covid-19 [ link ] Abbott ’ s new CoV test : We ’ re launching a test that can detect COVID-19 in as little as 5 minutes—bringing rapid testing to the frontlines .
http : //abbo.tt/IDNOW A just-published study finds 79 of 80 hospitalized , high risk patients with COVID-19 ( Mar .
3-21 trial ) shed viral symptoms within 8 days after Hydroxychloroquine and anti-biotic treatment .
One 86-year-old who had irreversible co-morbid symptoms died .
https : //mediterranee-infection.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-IHU-2-1.pdf The virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link ] far from presaging climate action , COVID19 highlights 3 huge barriers to decarbonization : climate is more of a prisoner ’ s dilemma than pandemic ; public buy-in for climate action is fickle ; & curbing econ activity is neither feasible nor advisable [ link ] How anxiety and crises change our political behaviour [ link ] All the coronavirus statistics are flawed [ link ] Ed Yong : How the pandemic will end [ link ] The effect of control strategies to reduce social mixing on outcomes of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelling study [ link ] Dan Sarewitz : What the pandemic is telling us about science , politics and values [ link ] Postnormal pandemics : Why COVID-19 requires a new approach to science [ link ] Coronavirus exposes the problems and pitfalls of modelling [ link ] Ted Nordhaus : How to End the Covid Crisis : a six-point plan for response and recovery .
[ link ] Rapidly identifying workers who are immune to COVID-19 and virus-free is a priority for restarting the economy | VOX , CEPR Policy Portal https @ @ @ @

by Judith Curry
Time for a new thread.
To kick things off, here are some interesting articles that I’ve spotted recently.
Let me know when you are read for a climate thread, week in review or something.
Its time to face facts, America: masks work [link]
Estimates show Wuhan death toll far higher than official figure [link]
The social distancing culture war has begun [link]
Coronavirus may have been spreading in humans for years [link]
The contrarian coronavirus theory that informed the Trump administration [link]
FDA issues emergency approval for antimalarial drugs in treating coronavirus patients – https://go.shr.lc/2Urn8uP
China created a fail-safe system to track infectious diseases. Here’s why it failed [link]
Transcript of Dr. Fauci’s CNN interview [link]
Dr Zelenko (NYC) treatment protocol [link]
Mathematics of life and death [link]
Lessons from Italy’s response to coronavirus [link]
A brief history of RO and a recipe for its calculation [link]
The lost month: how a failure to test blinded the U.S. to Covid-19 [link]
Abbott’s new CoV test: We’re launching a test that can detect COVID-19 in as little as 5 minutes—bringing rapid testing to the frontlines. http://abbo.tt/IDNOW
Nicholas Christakis on CoV and children [link]
A just-published study finds 79 of 80 hospitalized, high risk patients with COVID-19 (Mar. 3-21 trial) shed viral symptoms within 8 days after Hydroxychloroquine and anti-biotic treatment. One 86-year-old who had irreversible co-morbid symptoms died. https://mediterranee-infection.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-IHU-2-1.pdf
The virus that tells us who we are [link]
far from presaging climate action, COVID19 highlights 3 huge barriers to decarbonization: climate is more of a prisoner’s dilemma than pandemic; public buy-in for climate action is fickle; & curbing econ activity is neither feasible nor advisable [link]
How anxiety and crises change our political behaviour [link]
All the coronavirus statistics are flawed [link]
Ed Yong: How the pandemic will end [link]
The effect of control strategies to reduce social mixing on outcomes of the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan, China: a modelling study [link]
Dan Sarewitz: What the pandemic is telling us about science, politics and values [link]
Postnormal pandemics: Why COVID-19 requires a new approach to science [link]
Coronavirus exposes the problems and pitfalls of modelling [link]
Ted Nordhaus: How to End the Covid Crisis: a six-point plan for response and recovery.[link]
Rapidly identifying workers who are immune to COVID-19 and virus-free is a priority for restarting the economy | VOX, CEPR Policy Portal https://voxeu.org/article/rapidly-identifying-workers-who-are-immune-covid-19-and-virus-free-priority-restarting-economy#.XnkR-F_kbNM.twitter
via Climate Etc.
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March 30, 2020 at 04:23PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Oil price war: revenge of technology over OPEC

Contributed by Samuele Furfari © Mar. 2020
Originally published as “Guerre du prix du pétrole : revanche de la technologie sur l’OPEP” Republished with permission of the author.
I admit … Continue reading
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March 30, 2020 at 02:51PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-30--Real Vs. Imaginary Emergencies

Real Vs. Imaginary Emergencies

The pandemic experience shows us how greatly a real emergency differs from an imaginary one .
His article at The Hill is The coronavirus pandemic versus the climate change emergency .
Excerpts in italics with my bold and images .
Today ’ s coronavirus pandemic puts into some perspective the climate emergency , which has been running for nigh on 32 years .
The climate emergency was first announced in June 1988 .
“ Humanity is conducting an unintended , uncontrolled , globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences could be second only to a global nuclear war , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One way of assessing the reliability of a body of science with major policy implications is whether the experts in the field are prone to over-predicting the severity of the problem .
Take smoking : In 1953 , Richard Doll , one of the pioneer epidemiologists in discovering the link between tobacco smoking and lung cancer , predicted that , in 1973 , the number of deaths from lung cancer in Britain would be as high as 25,000 .
The actual number was 26,000 .
Doll ’ s prediction passed a hard test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference predicted global temperatures would increase by between 1.5 and 4.5°C ( 2.7°F and 8.1°F ) by the 2030s .
Since 1988 , average global temperature has risen at a rate of 0.177°C ( 0.32°F ) per decade , less than one-half the 0.36°C ( 0.65°F ) per decade implied by a 1.5°C rise by 2030 and only one-sixth of the rate of a 4.5°C rise .
If there ’ s been a mainstream climate scientist who has under-predicted global warming , he or she must have taken the scientific equivalent of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Myles Allen , an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) lead author , admitted that climate computer models are running too hot compared to the actual climate .
“ We haven ’ t seen that rapid acceleration in warming after 2000 that we see in the models , ” Allen told the London Times in September 2017 .
The coronavirus pandemic shows what a genuine crisis looks like .
No one has to catastrophize it ; the facts speak for themselves .
Inducing fear and panic is counter-productive .
Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three decades , climate change has been the catastrophe that ’ s always just over the horizon .
It moves with glacial speed ; there is plenty of time to prepare for it .
Humans – the most adaptive species on the planet – have been adapting to a changing climate ever since they first wore animal skins for warmth .
The idea that the generation born since 1988 has experienced anything approaching a global nuclear war is preposterous .
Even last year ’ s destructive Australian wildfires were fueled by green policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t changed and won ’ t change : Catastrophizing climate change for political ends .
At one of the secretive meetings in 1987 , limited to only 25 key participants that led to the formation of the IPCC , it was recognized that climate change had to be catastrophized to persuade politicians that they should embark on damaging emissions cuts .
Earlier this month , United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres complained about the attention being given to COVID-19 : “ Whilst the disease is expected to be temporary , climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and will remain with us for decades and require constant action.
” Congressional Democrats ’ failure to hold coronavirus relief legislation hostage in exchange for the Green New Deal shows poor judgment .
It ’ s hard to escape the conclusion that the inability to distinguish between a genuine crisis and an imagined one in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century is a manifestation of a collective psychological disorder .
Two lessons can be drawn .
The first is the importance of governments and responsible international bodies focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity to handle them .
Something has gone very wrong when the World Health Organization , the lead institution coordinating the response to global pandemics , climbed on the climate bandwagon and called the Paris Agreement “ potentially the strongest health agreement of this century ” and listed climate change as the No .
1 threat to global health .
The second is resilience .
Richer societies are better able to handle a pandemic than poorer ones .
After the 2003 SARS outbreak , Singapore invested in a purpose-built National Centre for Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea ’ s response has , so far , been the most successful ; like Singapore , it can afford preparedness because it has a strong economy , reflected in its soaring greenhouse gas emissions .
Since 1992 , Korea ’ s carbon dioxide emissions have more than doubled and it is planning to grow them under the Paris Agreement .
Unlike House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and her colleagues , South Korea has no intention of sacrificing its economy on the altar of climate change .
Nor should America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ RealClear Foundation , a nonprofit affiliate of RealClear Media Group that reports and analyzes public policy and civic issues .
He is the author of “ Green Tyranny : Exposing the Totalitarian Roots of the Climate Industrial Complex ” ( 2017 ) and “ The Age of Global Warming : A History ” ( 2013 ) .
A strategy consultant and policy analyst , he was a special adviser to the United Kingdom ’ s chancellor of the exchequer under Prime Minister John Major .
Footnote : The recent solar eclipse provided another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove astronomers ’ knowledge of the solar system , while climatists ’ failed predictions prove their lack of knowledge .
See : Astronomy is Science .
Climatology Not .
On the perversion of medical science by the dash fro climate cash , see : Climate Medicine

The pandemic experience shows us how greatly a real emergency differs from an imaginary one. His article at The Hill is The coronavirus pandemic versus the climate change emergency. Excerpts in italics with my bold and images.
Today’s coronavirus pandemic puts into some perspective the climate emergency, which has been running for nigh on 32 years. The climate emergency was first announced in June 1988. “Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences could be second only to a global nuclear war,” the Toronto climate conference declared that month.
One way of assessing the reliability of a body of science with major policy implications is whether the experts in the field are prone to over-predicting the severity of the problem. Take smoking: In 1953, Richard Doll, one of the pioneer epidemiologists in discovering the link between tobacco smoking and lung cancer, predicted that, in 1973, the number of deaths from lung cancer in Britain would be as high as 25,000. The actual number was 26,000. Doll’s prediction passed a hard test.
By contrast, the Toronto climate conference predicted global temperatures would increase by between 1.5 and 4.5°C (2.7°F and 8.1°F) by the 2030s. Since 1988, average global temperature has risen at a rate of 0.177°C (0.32°F) per decade, less than one-half the 0.36°C (0.65°F) per decade implied by a 1.5°C rise by 2030 and only one-sixth of the rate of a 4.5°C rise. If there’s been a mainstream climate scientist who has under-predicted global warming, he or she must have taken the scientific equivalent of a Trappist vow of silence.
More recently, Myles Allen, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lead author, admitted that climate computer models are running too hot compared to the actual climate. “We haven’t seen that rapid acceleration in warming after 2000 that we see in the models,” Allen told the London Times in September 2017.
The coronavirus pandemic shows what a genuine crisis looks like. No one has to catastrophize it; the facts speak for themselves. Inducing fear and panic is counter-productive.
Global warming is different. For more than three decades, climate change has been the catastrophe that’s always just over the horizon. It moves with glacial speed; there is plenty of time to prepare for it. Humans – the most adaptive species on the planet – have been adapting to a changing climate ever since they first wore animal skins for warmth. The idea that the generation born since 1988 has experienced anything approaching a global nuclear war is preposterous. Even last year’s destructive Australian wildfires were fueled by green policies that prevented controlled fires.
One thing hasn’t changed and won’t change: Catastrophizing climate change for political ends. At one of the secretive meetings in 1987, limited to only 25 key participants that led to the formation of the IPCC, it was recognized that climate change had to be catastrophized to persuade politicians that they should embark on damaging emissions cuts. Earlier this month, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres complained about the attention being given to COVID-19: “Whilst the disease is expected to be temporary, climate change has been a phenomenon for many years, and will remain with us for decades and require constant action.”
Congressional Democrats’ failure to hold coronavirus relief legislation hostage in exchange for the Green New Deal shows poor judgment. It’s hard to escape the conclusion that the inability to distinguish between a genuine crisis and an imagined one in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century is a manifestation of a collective psychological disorder.
Two lessons can be drawn. The first is the importance of governments and responsible international bodies focusing on genuine threats that can rapidly overwhelm our capacity to handle them. Something has gone very wrong when the World Health Organization, the lead institution coordinating the response to global pandemics, climbed on the climate bandwagon and called the Paris Agreement “potentially the strongest health agreement of this century” and listed climate change as the No. 1 threat to global health.
The second is resilience. Richer societies are better able to handle a pandemic than poorer ones. After the 2003 SARS outbreak, Singapore invested in a purpose-built National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Of larger economies, South Korea’s response has, so far, been the most successful; like Singapore, it can afford preparedness because it has a strong economy, reflected in its soaring greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 1992, Korea’s carbon dioxide emissions have more than doubled and it is planning to grow them under the Paris Agreement.
Unlike House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her colleagues, South Korea has no intention of sacrificing its economy on the altar of climate change. Nor should America.
Rupert Darwall is a senior fellow at RealClear Foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of RealClear Media Group that reports and analyzes public policy and civic issues. He is the author of “Green Tyranny: Exposing the Totalitarian Roots of the Climate Industrial Complex” (2017) and “The Age of Global Warming: A History” (2013). A strategy consultant and policy analyst, he was a special adviser to the United Kingdom’s chancellor of the exchequer under Prime Minister John Major.
Footnote: The recent solar eclipse provided another example that scientific predictions coming to pass prove astronomers’ knowledge of the solar system, while climatists’ failed predictions prove their lack of knowledge. See: Astronomy is Science. Climatology Not.
On the perversion of medical science by the dash fro climate cash, see: Climate Medicine
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March 30, 2020 at 02:35PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-31--Al Jazeera: “climate action should be central to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic”

According to Al Jazeera , the solution to the Corona Virus pandemic is “ planned degrowth ” and more government funding of renewables .
The coronavirus outbreak is part of the climate change crisis Therefore , climate action should be central to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The speed and scope of the coronavirus outbreak have taken world governments by surprise and left the stock market reeling .
Since the virus first appeared in China ’ s Hubei province , it has infected over 700,000 people and killed more than 33,000 across the world in less than six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken by the government and international institutions could not but make some of us wonder about another global emergency that needs urgent action – climate change .
The two emergencies are in fact quite similar .
Both have their roots in the world ’ s current economic model – that of the pursuit of infinite growth at the expense of the environment on which our survival depends – and both are deadly and disruptive .
In fact , one may argue that the pandemic is part of climate change and therefore , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to containing the spread of the virus .
What we thought was “ normal ” before the pandemic was already a crisis and so returning to it can not be an option .
While some have called for climate change to be just as drastic as the one undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , it should not be .
We need a just climate transition which ensures the protection of the poor and most vulnerable and which is integrated into our pandemic response .
This would not only reverse the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also minimise the risk of new pandemics like the current one breaking out .
The just climate transition should involve economic reforms to introduce “ planned degrowth ” that puts the wellbeing of people over profit margins .
The first step towards that is ensuring the stimulus packages that governments are announcing across the world are not wasted on bailing out corporations .
We must avoid at all costs a situation where unscrupulous big businesses and state actors are allowed free reign to reinforce appalling global inequality while the rest of civil society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand that government funds are instead allocated to decentralised renewable energy production in order to start implementing the Green New Deal and create new meaningful jobs amid the post-COVID-19 economic crisis .
In parallel , we should ensure the provision of universal healthcare and free education , the extension of social protection for all vulnerable populations and the prioritisation of affordable housing .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
According to Al Jazeera, the solution to the Corona Virus pandemic is “planned degrowth” and more government funding of renewables.
The coronavirus outbreak is part of the climate change crisis
Therefore, climate action should be central to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
by Vijay Kolinjivadi
The speed and scope of the coronavirus outbreak have taken world governments by surprise and left the stock market reeling. Since the virus first appeared in China’s Hubei province, it has infected over 700,000 people and killed more than 33,000 across the world in less than six months.
…
These sweeping and unprecedented measures taken by the government and international institutions could not but make some of us wonder about another global emergency that needs urgent action – climate change.
The two emergencies are in fact quite similar. Both have their roots in the world’s current economic model – that of the pursuit of infinite growth at the expense of the environment on which our survival depends – and both are deadly and disruptive.
In fact, one may argue that the pandemic is part of climate change and therefore, our response to it should not be limited to containing the spread of the virus. What we thought was “normal” before the pandemic was already a crisis and so returning to it cannot be an option.
…
While some have called for climate change to be just as drastic as the one undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it should not be. We need a just climate transition which ensures the protection of the poor and most vulnerable and which is integrated into our pandemic response. This would not only reverse the climate disaster we are already living in but also minimise the risk of new pandemics like the current one breaking out.
The just climate transition should involve economic reforms to introduce “planned degrowth” that puts the wellbeing of people over profit margins. The first step towards that is ensuring the stimulus packages that governments are announcing across the world are not wasted on bailing out corporations.
We must avoid at all costs a situation where unscrupulous big businesses and state actors are allowed free reign to reinforce appalling global inequality while the rest of civil society is quarantined at home.
We should demand that government funds are instead allocated to decentralised renewable energy production in order to start implementing the Green New Deal and create new meaningful jobs amid the post-COVID-19 economic crisis. In parallel, we should ensure the provision of universal healthcare and free education, the extension of social protection for all vulnerable populations and the prioritisation of affordable housing.
…


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-31--China Extracts Record Amount Of Natural Gas From ‘Fire Ice’ In South China Sea

We might be sitting on enough gas to power the world for hundreds , if not thousands , of years .
In a world awash in oil and gas , you ’ d think it couldn ’ t get any worse .
Well , it can : China just announced that it had extracted a record amount of what has been poetically called fire ice .
It is , however , a form of natural gas trapped in frozen water .
At 861,400 cubic meters , this record might not be a whole lot of gas , but it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and gas producers may not like this ‘ something ’ .
Gas hydrates don ’ t garner a lot of media attention as a rule , simply because they have yet to become an addition to the world ’ s energy mix .
But when they do—if they do—they may change the international oil and gas market even more than the coronavirus outbreak has changed it now by decimating demand for hydrocarbons .
First , what are gas hydrates ?
Gas hydrates are molecules of natural gas , most commonly methane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from water molecules .
They exist in cold climates , such as beneath the Arctic permafrost and Antarctic ice , but also in sedimentary deposits–the same kind of deposits where oil and gas collect along the margins of continents and also under the seabed of specific basins such as the South China Sea .
Because they only exist in cold places , research on gas hydrates has been challenging .
As geologist Hobart M. King explains in an article on hydrates for Geology.com , hydrates are only stable in the environment where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to remove the samples from their environment .
The change in temperature in pressure , however , melts the water cage , and the methane escapes .
Why bother with hydrates at all , then ?
Because they may be more abundant than all other hydrocarbons taken together : oil , gas , and coal .
According to the U.S. Department of Energy , the world ’ s methane gas hydrates could be as vast as 250,000 to 700,000 trillion cu ft .
According to the UN Environmental Programme , the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be as large as 3,000 to 30,000 trillion cubic meters .
But these are just enormous figures that are difficult to digest .
Here ’ s an estimate that might be more palatable : the world ’ s gas hydrate reserves could be between 100,000 and 1.1 million exajoules .
For context , the world ’ s total annual energy consumption as of 2014 when the UNEP paper was written was about 500 exajoules .
This means we might be sitting on enough gas to power the world for hundreds , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s packed tightly , too .
According to the Department of Energy , a single cu m of hydrate can release as much as 164 cubic meters of natural gas .
Talk about energy density .
China is among just a handful of countries pursuing research into gas hydrates with a focus on extraction .
With its dependence on imported oil and gas , this is hardly surprising .
The first extraction experiments in the South China Sea , in 2017 , resulted in an output of 300,000 cubic meters extracted over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Natural Resources has reported an output of 287,000 cubic meters achieved in a single day .
This is quite a significant progress in three years .
And that ’ s not all .
According to the ministry , the output achieved during this phase of the gas hydrate trials provided a “ solid technical foundation for commercial exploitation.
” This is probably the last thing gas producers around the world need to hear right now , but it is what they need to hear .
Full-scale commercial production may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China is getting there .
It seems , however , that it is getting there in strides rather than baby steps .
This could spur others into action or , as it were , faster action .
The post China Extracts Record Amount Of Natural Gas From ‘ Fire Ice ’ In South China Sea appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

We might be sitting on enough gas to power the world for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
China conducted its first operation to extract natural gas from gas hydrates in the South China Sea in 2017. Photo: Reuters
In a world awash in oil and gas, you’d think it couldn’t get any worse. Well, it can: China just announced that it had extracted a record amount of what has been poetically called fire ice. It is, however, a form of natural gas trapped in frozen water.
At 861,400 cubic meters, this record might not be a whole lot of gas, but it may well be the start of something new, and gas producers may not like this ‘something’.
Gas hydrates don’t garner a lot of media attention as a rule, simply because they have yet to become an addition to the world’s energy mix. But when they do—if they do—they may change the international oil and gas market even more than the coronavirus outbreak has changed it now by decimating demand for hydrocarbons.
First, what are gas hydrates?
Gas hydrates are molecules of natural gas, most commonly methane, trapped in a “cage” made from water molecules. They exist in cold climates, such as beneath the Arctic permafrost and Antarctic ice, but also in sedimentary deposits–the same kind of deposits where oil and gas collect along the margins of continents and also under the seabed of specific basins such as the South China Sea.
Because they only exist in cold places, research on gas hydrates has been challenging. As geologist Hobart M. King explains in an article on hydrates for Geology.com, hydrates are only stable in the environment where they formed.
To study them, researchers need to remove the samples from their environment. The change in temperature in pressure, however, melts the water cage, and the methane escapes.
Why bother with hydrates at all, then? Because they may be more abundant than all other hydrocarbons taken together: oil, gas, and coal.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the world’s methane gas hydrates could be as vast as 250,000 to 700,000 trillion cu ft. According to the UN Environmental Programme, the world’s reserves of gas hydrates could be as large as 3,000 to 30,000 trillion cubic meters. But these are just enormous figures that are difficult to digest.
Here’s an estimate that might be more palatable: the world’s gas hydrate reserves could be between 100,000 and 1.1 million exajoules. For context, the world’s total annual energy consumption as of 2014 when the UNEP paper was written was about 500 exajoules.
This means we might be sitting on enough gas to power the world for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
It’s packed tightly, too. According to the Department of Energy, a single cu m of hydrate can release as much as 164 cubic meters of natural gas. Talk about energy density.
China is among just a handful of countries pursuing research into gas hydrates with a focus on extraction. With its dependence on imported oil and gas, this is hardly surprising. The first extraction experiments in the South China Sea, in 2017, resulted in an output of 300,000 cubic meters extracted over a period of two months. Now, the Ministry of Natural Resources has reported an output of 287,000 cubic meters achieved in a single day. This is quite a significant progress in three years.
And that’s not all.
According to the ministry, the output achieved during this phase of the gas hydrate trials provided a “solid technical foundation for commercial exploitation.”
This is probably the last thing gas producers around the world need to hear right now, but it is what they need to hear. Full-scale commercial production may be years or even decades away, but China is getting there. It seems, however, that it is getting there in strides rather than baby steps. This could spur others into action or, as it were, faster action.
The post China Extracts Record Amount Of Natural Gas From ‘Fire Ice’ In South China Sea appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
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March 31, 2020 at 03:53AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-31--Hydrogen-fired power requires nearly $800bn investment – report

More pie in the sky from the green lobby .
No sign here of how the hydrogen would be produced in sufficient quantities to replace all the world ’ s fuels .
A bunch of wind turbines and solar installations would barely begin to do it , given they ’ re already fully occupied with ever-increasing electricity demand .
If ‘ infrastructure investment in storage might cost around $ 637 billion by 2050 ’ , who would be willing to pay such eye-watering sums ?
– – – Carbon-free hydrogen production could significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions in power generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mammoth and long-term financial commitment to become cost competitive , says Power Engineering .
This is according to a new report by BloombergNEF .
The research wing of media giant Bloomberg is focused on next-generation energy technologies which also reduce carbon emissions .
Hydrogen can be a zero-carbon substitute for fossil fuels .
Companies such as Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems ( MHPS ) , GE , Siemens and Ansaldo Energia already are working on programs to blend hydrogen into their turbine fuel mixes .
In fact , the BNEF report says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of global greenhouse gas emissions from generation , heavy duty transportation and industrial manufacturing such as steel making .
The concept of clean or green hydrogen requires that renewables such as wind or solar power the electrolysis plants which would create the hydrogen by separating that molecule from water .
“ Hydrogen has potential to become the fuel that powers a clean economy .
In the years ahead , it will be possible to produce it at low cost using wind and solar power , to store it underground for months , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything from ships to steel mills , ” Kobad Bhavnagri , head of industrial decarbonization for BNEF and lead author of the report , said in a statement .
This vision will not come cheap .
Bhavnagri ’ s report estimates that a hydrogen scale-up would require close to $ 150 billion in subsidies on the global level .
It also factors in a cost applied to carbon such as a tax or allowance policy .
If these policies are put in place , the BNEF report suggests that renewable hydrogen could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.60 per kilogram in most of the world by 2050 .
That production cost is equivalent to natural gas priced at between $ 6 to $ 12 per million British thermal units ( mmBtu ) , according to the report .

More pie in the sky from the green lobby. No sign here of how the hydrogen would be produced in sufficient quantities to replace all the world’s fuels. A bunch of wind turbines and solar installations would barely begin to do it, given they’re already fully occupied with ever-increasing electricity demand. If ‘infrastructure investment in storage might cost around $637 billion by 2050’, who would be willing to pay such eye-watering sums?
– – –
Carbon-free hydrogen production could significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions in power generation and manufacturing, but it will require a mammoth and long-term financial commitment to become cost competitive, says Power Engineering.
This is according to a new report by BloombergNEF. The research wing of media giant Bloomberg is focused on next-generation energy technologies which also reduce carbon emissions.
Hydrogen can be a zero-carbon substitute for fossil fuels. Companies such as Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), GE, Siemens and Ansaldo Energia already are working on programs to blend hydrogen into their turbine fuel mixes.
In fact, the BNEF report says, clean hydrogen deployment could cut about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions from generation, heavy duty transportation and industrial manufacturing such as steel making.
The concept of clean or green hydrogen requires that renewables such as wind or solar power the electrolysis plants which would create the hydrogen by separating that molecule from water.
“Hydrogen has potential to become the fuel that powers a clean economy. In the years ahead, it will be possible to produce it at low cost using wind and solar power, to store it underground for months, and then to pipe it on-demand to power everything from ships to steel mills,” Kobad Bhavnagri, head of industrial decarbonization for BNEF and lead author of the report, said in a statement.
This vision will not come cheap. Bhavnagri’s report estimates that a hydrogen scale-up would require close to $150 billion in subsidies on the global level. It also factors in a cost applied to carbon such as a tax or allowance policy.
If these policies are put in place, the BNEF report suggests that renewable hydrogen could be produced at between 80 cents to $1.60 per kilogram in most of the world by 2050. That production cost is equivalent to natural gas priced at between $6 to $12 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), according to the report.
Full report here.
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March 31, 2020 at 02:57AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-31--Corona Mania: US Wind & Solar Industries Demand $Billions In Subsidies From Virus Stimulus Package

The hysteria generated by COVID-19 is nothing compared to the panic that ’ s broken out among renewable energy rent-seekers @ @ @ @ @ the Federal government channelling $ 2 trillion into a coronavirus stimulus package , wind and @ @ @ @ @ suffering a # metoo moment ; they ’ ve missed out on the cash and @ @ @ @ @ .
The [ … ]

The hysteria generated by COVID-19 is nothing compared to the panic that’s broken out among renewable energy rent-seekers in the USA. With the Federal government channelling $2 trillion into a coronavirus stimulus package, wind and solar outfits appear to be suffering a #metoo moment; they’ve missed out on the cash and they’re crying foul. The […]
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March 31, 2020 at 01:30AM