IPCC Latest Report - Washingtpn Post Blog perspective

Five things you must know about the IPCC report, from the mouths of very smart people  is a blog post published by The Capital Weather Gang, and author Jason Samenow. I chose this article about the IPCC report because it samples the thoughts of many highly educated individuals. It also provides a nice perspective how IPCC confidence has steadily increased since their first report in 1990, that human caused emissions are the cause of observed global warming.

So now what will the World do to address carbon emissions, and the effects of inevitable climate changes???

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) - An IEEE Perspective

No question, creating enough alternative energy sources to totally replace fossil fuel sources will take a considerable time. My estimate is more than 100 years. So in the meantime, as we continue to burn fossil fuels, can we offset some of the damage by capturing the carbon released and storing it indefinitely???

Well unfortunately, the technology to do so economically has not yet been developed, and does not appear easy to develop, based on many studies and pilot plant tests. I personally have never given it a chance, but now in this IEEE article, Inside the World's Largest Carbon Capture Test Facility, I see some rays of hope.

First, on a thermodynamic "theoretically perfect basis", carbon can be captured for only an 8% cost of the energy produced by a coal fired power plant. Still, the best pilot plant experience to date is a 25% cost, and that has yet to be done commercially.

So now, I am a tad less pessimistic than I used to be, and I most certainly hope for some for some major breakthroughs.

Note: The IEEE (they like to be referred to as "I Triple E") is a very large international engineering organization. You can read much more about them on their site link above.

Predicting Climate Change - OLLI Fall 2013 Class Schedule

Instructor - Bill Fintel

In this 5 week class we will try to develop a clearer picture of the key elements of climate change, and we will explore possible future scenarios to get a better perspective of what our children and grandchildren may inherit. Class participation is encouraged, and time will be made available for class members to express their views.

Oct 23 – Recent Global Climate Data - In this first class we will review climate change indicators published by NASA, NOAA and others. This data will include surface temperature, sea level, arctic sea ice extent, ocean heat content, and more. Links to these sources can be found at: http://climate.nasa.gov/key_indicators and http://www.climate.gov/maps-data

Oct 30 – Sea Level Rise and Delaware - As we all realize, much of Delaware is not far above present sea level, and even in the recent past, large coastal storms have caused extensive and major damage. What can Delaware expect in the future? What are Delawareans doing, and what else should we be doing?

Nov 6 – Arctic and Antarctic Changes - Warming in the Arctic is proceeding much more rapidly than at temperate latitudes. Arctic sea ice extent is steadily decreasing year after year. Greenland glaciers are melting. Permafrost is melting. What are the global implications of these and other polar changes?

Nov 13 – Climate Feedback Loops - Climate feedback loops hold the unfortunate potential to accelerate climate change by amplifying a small change via a positive feedback mechanism. We will explore effects such as the release of methane due to melting permafrost, and a decrease in solar radiation being reflected back into space because of melting polar ice caps.

Nov 20 – Rays of Hope and Conundrums - What are some of the recent developments that give rise to hope for climate stabilization? What is the Majuro declaration? Will humans and other species be able to adapt to the inevitable remaining climate changes? Are Walmart’s efforts to use renewable energy significant or just show? How do we explain things like continuing fossil fuel subsidies, or solar panels getting cheaper and cheaper, but seemingly becoming harder and harder to justify financially?

Sea Level Rise, new research results from Antarctica

From a coastal perspective, like from Delaware, sea level rise is probably the most concerning aspect of global warming.

So what is the latest research showing? Well there is some outstanding in-depth research being done in the Antarctic. Too early to say what it predicts, but good to know that sound science is being used.

For details of the Pine Island Glacier melting rate as caused by warm waters under the glacier, see PINE ISLAND.

Thinking about sustainabilty - no words needed

Food Waste Greenhouse Gas Emmissions - 3rd Largest Emitter behind China and US

I am only posting this NBC link because the reported magnitude of the problem is so large. From what I have read, the emissions include all energy used to grow and process the wasted food, as well as the CO2 and methane emitted by the disposal of the wasted food. That seems fair, but also a complicated series of calculations.

What also seems so very unfortunate and unnecessary, is wasting this vast quantity of food with so many people on Earth needy and starving.

Bill

PS - Our class agenda for "Predicting Climate Change", Oct 23 through Nov 20 at Osher Lifelong Learning in Lewes DE, will be posted very soon. I am looking forward to an educationally stimulating and interesting fall.

The Pantanal, Brazil

It is nice to be back home, but Sally and I also had a wonderful time in the Pantanal of Brazil. The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the World....10 times the size of the Everglades. Obviously we visited only a small portion of this, but had some wonderful encounters with Hyacinth Macaws, Jaguars, and Harpy Eagles.

Now how do we reconcile all the CO2 emitted by the aircraft we flew on? We donate generously to organizations that support positive climate action, like the EDF, NRDC, TNC and Seacology. 

Colorado Strong Solar Programs

I had been considering posting some negative views about Obama's climate speech, just to keep this blog "balanced", but I have decided not to do that because the views were not a criticism of the science behind the stated US position on climate change, they were views that basically said, "well this is a hopeless battle, coal workers and coal businesses will have to pay a big penalty, so why try to do what is right?"

Well in every worthwhile undertaking, sacrifices are required. So lets look to Colorado for some inspiration. Colorado has on average 300 sunny days a year, and yet they now generate less solar power than NJ. So Colorado is going for 1 million solar roof tops by 2030. For details from see Renewable Energy World.

Predicting Climate Change - Fall 2013 OLLI Class, Lewes, DE

Course Description:

It is widely agreed that climate change is happening, but there is not much consensus among predictions, at what rate climate change will occur, and what will be all the effects of climate change. This workshop style class will explore current climate change predictions, and discuss what is predicted to happen in Delaware, as well as in the rest of the world.

Often cited effects of climate change are rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, shifting rainfall patterns, loss of arable land, ocean acidification, displacement of people and wildlife, extinction of plant and animal species, etc. Participants will be encouraged to present their ideas and findings to the rest of the class. We will have on-screen internet access to facilitate presentations.

Class dates and times to be announced

Bill Fintel     May 22, 2013 

Obama's Position on Climate Change, 6/29/13

I have been holding off posting this article to see if I came upon a better summary, but I have not, so here is what I consider a very good summary from CNN, Obama is right on climate change.

If you have been taking any of my lifelong learning classes on climate change, hopefully you will be glad to hear that I will be teaching a new 5 week class this fall at Osher Lifelong Learning in Lewes, DE. The class title is: Predicting Climate Change.

See next post for class description. Bill

US Gov Takes Concrete Steps to Expand Renewable Energy

Secretary Sally Jewell outlines on This Week at Interior an upcoming offering of offshore leases to develop wind energy which could supply electricity to 1 million homes. She also highlights some western US developments of solar and geothermal renewable energy which can supply energy needs of 200,000 homes. The video is certainly worth the 3+ minutes it takes. (Note: the renewable energy segment comes after a 1 min segment on recreational fishing, and before a segment about healthy foods to be served in National Parks).

For more details on the offshore wind farm lease, see Renewable Energy News.