Thursday, November 26, 2015

Climate Leadership | Climate Leadership Plan | Alberta.ca

Climate Leadership | Climate Leadership Plan | Alberta.ca:

WOW.

On the eve of the humongous climate meetings in Paris next week (week after Thanksgiving in USA), Canada has stepped up to the plate on addressing climate changes.

Alberta is the home of Coal and Oil Sands: two of the great game changers in addressing pollution in general and Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG).

There are several reports, but one is to simply charge a tax per metric tonne (yes, I know that's the colourful way to spell ton) of CO2. The price will move up from $15 to $30 per ton of CO2 by 2019.

In electric generation, the big game changer is to switch away from coal in general.

By 2030 in Alberta, "There will be no pollution from coal-fired

electricity generation." The focus will be on reduce electrical needs and switching to NatGas and Renewables.

But for Alberta, capping and steadily reversing the oil sands is a very big game changer.

With the oil glut keeping oil prices down below $50 per barrel for the foreseeable future, Alberta should be ramping down oil production anyway. (I think oil sands requires $70 to $80 to be profitable.).

The Carbon Taxes will be used: to offset increased living costs for poorer people, to assist with transition to renewables and other research.

For those still skeptical about Global Warming: Look at the pix of Athabasca Glacier over 100 years (well 98 really). Or look at any pictures over 40 years related to Glacier Bay in Alaska. Or, just a little south from Alberta, give a look at Glacier National Park in Montana (soon to be renamed Glacier-Less National Park).
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Why are so many Americans skeptical about climate change? A study offers a surprising answer. - The Washington Post

Why are so many Americans skeptical about climate change? A study offers a surprising answer. - The Washington Post:

So lots of money used to confuse and misinform can go a long way if you want to make sure that no one knows the truth and no meaningful action is taken.

That brings us to Super PACs. They mostly lie, and always obfuscate the issues. Since there's no one responsible, they are free to throw mud and tar at will and at random.

Don't see how anything could go wrong with the political engines. Do you?

Misinform and misdirection works.
We all need to realize that and start propagating truths, not lies. The tools are at our fingertips (and keyboards).

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Power Struggle: How the Energy Market Could Shift in 2016 - Bloomberg Business

Power Struggle: How the Energy Market Could Shift in 2016 - Bloomberg Business:

Wow. Absolutely perfect assessment of the energy world, past and future.

With pretty graphics to go along with the trends in energy.

So what will be the energy source(s) of the future.

The one thing for sure, is that it won't be coal. As the rest of the world gets out of coal, so will the 2.3B people in China and India. They simply can't afford the pollution and health costs that come free with cheap coal.

The assessment seems puts energy into perspective, and indicates how a clear transition from one form to another (wood to coal, and coal to oil) might not be what we can expect to look forward to in the future.

Don't want to ruin the ending, you will have to watch all 3 minutes of the video to find out what to expect in the energy world.

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