News — global warming

"Clearing Forests May Transform Local and Global Climate" "The 'biotic pump' theory argues that natural forests act as a “pump” that draws moisture inland. condensation, rather than temperature differential, is a primary driver of weather...." "Here's a snapshot of the concept: The concentration of trees in wooded areas means a high rate of transpiration. This moist air cools as it ascends and the water vapor condenses, producing a partial vacuum. This creates an air pressure gradient, whereby the forest canopy sucks in moist air from the ocean. According to Gorshkov and Makarieva, forests don't merely grow in wet areas, they create and perpetuate the conditions in which they grow. Without forest cover—specifically mature, natural forest to ensure sufficient biomass and resilience—moisture is no longer pulled in, the physicists say. Rain becomes erratic and ultimately stalls."

Northern Europe could get colder as global circulation that transfers heat from the tropics to the temperate zones could shut down. https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/08/03/global-ocean-circulation-appears-to-be-collapsing-due-to-a-warming-planet/#156d3106f6f4

Ken Regelson says there is hope, as wind (1.7 cents per KWH) and solar cost much less than coal, and there are great advances in storage: new batteries, pumping water uphill, running weighted trains uphill, heating up molten salt and storing it to produce steam, compressing air. .... People, cities, and companies can save lots of money while supporting sustainable energy, helping to decrease global warming. Big companies are purchasing longterm (20 year) contracts for electricity at 1.7 cents per KW hour, cheaper than coal. They contract for twice what they will need, and sell the excess when they don't need it. A talk on 1-10-17 by Ken Regelson (ken@EnergyShouldBE.org, 303449-4890) here in Boulder to the Boulder chapter of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society explained how a coalition of large companies, including Google and Apple, are combining with cities, states,and counties to open up electric markets. We need open electricity markets, otherwise utility companies prevent any competition from solar, wind, efficiency, storage, and local generator projects. Link to video of talk  

In Jeff Goodell's Rolling Stone article, James Hansen says we need a new political party that takes no money from lobbyists, and we need a carbon tax on fossil fuels that is distributed back to the people. Further, he says we need to improve our forestry and agricultural practices in order to take carbon out of the air. Further we need to triple research into carbon free energy. Also, we need to reduce our emissions several per cent per year. He nonviolently protested several times against the Keystone XL pipeline and fossil fuel projects. Ken Regelson says there is hope, as wind (1.7 cents per KWH) and solar cost much less than coal, and there are great advances in storage: new batteries, pumping water uphill, running weighted trains uphill, heating up molten salt and storing it to produce steam, compressing air. ....

Another fracking pipeline constructed by Spectra blew up in April in Pennsylvania. If this new Spectra pipeline blew up where it passes near the Indian Point nuclear power plant, it could cause a catastrophe. Plus, pipelines and drilling for fracked gas pollute the air and water in addition to accelerating global warming. Link

Please gather signatures for petitions to keep oil fracking away from schools, homes, and hospitals. Link to circulate petitions or donate. Link to a good article in the Boulder Weekly.