A review of an anti-highway activist’s book.
via CFACT
June 27, 2024 at 08:42AM
Month: June 2024
The usual parties try to outdo each other in net zero hyperbole, despite very limited climate knowledge and no means of doing anything of significance about any supposed problems. Meanwhile the public wonders how much their bills will be increased to pay for it all, what heating, cooking and travel options will be withdrawn and when, and what the state of the electricity supply will be as ever more intermittent sources take over from predictable on-demand ones, raising the chances of power cuts.
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With the election just one week away, Labour’s pledge to “make Britain a clean energy superpower” has sparked a debate on whether or not their net zero scheme is actually achievable, says City AM.
Sir Keir Starmer revealed that Labour’s transition team is considering setting up an office for Net Zero, should they win the election, in order to reach their target of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030, five years before the Conservatives.
The party plans to allocate £28bn each year towards climate initiatives, citing economic limitations and emphasising the importance of fiscal responsibility. [Talkshop comment – that figure was scrapped in February according to the BBC].
But the costly ambition of this net zero roadmap has triggered discussions within the party about finding a balance between environmental goals and financial caution.
This 2030 deadline will be achieved with the creation of Great British energy, a publicly-owned clean power company aimed at strengthening energy security and cutting bills, which will be funded by increasing the windfall tax on oil and gas companies, and then preventing them from lowering their windfall tax bill.
Labour’s net zero secretary, Ed Miliband, believes that the 2030 target is attainable and an essential step towards a green economy.
However, the policy does not appear to be convincing everyone.
Javier Cavada, the European boss of Mitsubishi Power, argues that the party’s plan has little chance of success and said that the focus should be on creating “a path that is realistic, affordable and achievable”.
Despite Labour declaring that its schemes will ultimately decrease the price of energy bills, Cavada is not entirely convinced that less than six years will be enough time to achieve this. He fears that the project will also be extremely expensive and questions whether the whole country and its industries will be able to invest in it.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO of INEOS, also voiced his concern for Labour’s “absurd” manifesto, claiming that their policy will only lead to the UK importing their energy from overseas.
Full article here.
via Tallbloke’s Talkshop
June 27, 2024 at 08:20AM
Press release from the City of Toronto
News Release
June 25, 2024
Toronto Fire Services, in partnership with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, launched a lithium-ion battery public safety and education campaign called “This is Your Warning” that highlights the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices such as e-bikes.
In 2023, the number of lithium-ion battery-related fires in Toronto increased by 90 per cent compared to 2022. Already this year, there have been 15 fires involving lithium-ion batteries; seven of those fires were related to micromobility devices.
Lithium-ion batteries power many devices including smart phones, laptops, e-bikes and toys. They are generally safe but can pose a significant risk if not handled carefully. Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space and they can pose potential fire safety hazards if not used properly.
To prevent lithium-ion battery related fires, the City’s public education campaign will share information on the risks associated with tampering or using uncertified batteries and why it’s important to safely charge and properly store and dispose of batteries.
Tips on how to use lithium-ion batteries safely:
- Keep the lithium-ion battery in sight while charging
- Never tamper with or modify a battery.
- Only use certified, manufacturer-approved batteries.
- Stop using the lithium-ion battery and contact the manufacturer if there are any of the following problem signs.
o Odour
o Change in colour
o Too much heat
o Change in shape
o Leaking
o Odd noises - Dispose of old or damaged batteries at a City Drop-off Depot or at a Community Environment Day.
Visit the City’s lithium-ion Battery webpage to learn more about the campaign and lithium-ion battery fire safety.
Quote:
“Lithium-ion batteries are commonplace for us all as they are in use in a wide variety of devices that are part of our daily lives, such as e-scooters and e-bikes. This modern convenience is coupled with the risk of devastating fires. Today, in partnership with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, we launch a new fire safety campaign to educate on the potential hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries and empower residents in Toronto and across the province with the knowledge to safeguard themselves, their property, and others.”
– Matthew Pegg, Chief, Toronto Fire Services
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook .
via Watts Up With That?
June 27, 2024 at 08:01AM
By Paul Homewood
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The NYT finally catch up!
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We humans have settled in all sorts of precarious environments: parched deserts, barren tundra, high mountains. None are precarious in quite the same way as atolls, the tiny, low-lying islands that dot the tropics. As the planet warms and the oceans rise, atoll nations like the Maldives, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu have seemed doomed to vanish, like the mythical Atlantis, into watery oblivion.
Of late, though, scientists have begun telling a surprising new story about these islands. By comparing mid-20th century aerial photos with recent satellite images, they’ve been able to see how the islands have evolved over time. What they found is startling: Even though sea levels have risen, many islands haven’t shrunk. Most, in fact, have been stable. Some have even grown.
One study that rounded up scientists’ data on 709 islands across the Pacific and Indian Oceans showed that nearly 89 percent either had increased in area or hadn’t changed much in recent decades. Only 11 percent had contracted.
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT
June 27, 2024 at 07:16AM
Iowa Climate Science Education 