tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8656020952712655072024-03-04T20:02:28.813-08:00Climate DispatchA Blog about Climate ChangeCalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-67755947669770363612018-12-11T23:51:00.002-08:002018-12-11T23:51:48.374-08:00COP24 Climate Summit .. Why Am I Here??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Katowice, Poland ... I’ve been at COP21 for nearly two weeks and will be heading
home soon. I’ve been asked by friends
back in California what it’s like and why I’m spending so much time here. COP24 is my fourth COP climate summit. My first was the landmark COP21 in Paris in
2015.<br />
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The setting is Polish coal country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The host town of Katowice was a major coal
producer until their mine closed down around 2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that’s left of the mine is a museum where
you can descend into the old shaft and see what it was like for the miners who
supplied the energy source that made modern Poland possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spodek Arena, Cop24 Venue</td></tr>
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The COP24 meeting site is centered around a futuristic arena
with a look somewhat like the Starship Enterprise on top of the reclaimed coal
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though this locality is making the
transition away from coal and is proud of their newer tourism and service
industries, the greater region still relies on coal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way from my AirBNB to the venue every
day, I pass over a railroad track where I can see a line-up of coal-laden
railway cars heading to a nearby powerplant. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Poland gets a significant portion (about 80%) of their power
from coal and their government, despite hosting the climate summit, expects a
much-too-slow transition to other power sources. Poland plans to reduce their
coal power generation to around 60% by 2030. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Over 22,000 participants from governments, research
institutions, media, non-governmental organizations and many others have
travelled to southern Poland for many climate reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statistics below show nearly 14,000
representatives of 198 governments are here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is somewhat deceiving as country delegations have many guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COP24 Participant Statistics</td></tr>
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Participants have many reasons for coming to a COP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Government ministers and their staff
negotiate the minute details of the climate agreements and implementation
documents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scientist present their
latest findings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Governments and some
organizations showcase their climate work and hold seminars in their
“pavilions.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Non-governmental
organizations try to influence the proceedings, connect with partners around
the world, hold media events, or otherwise try to impact global climate
efforts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the COP, there are large meetings of country
representatives to review and approve the latest agreements and documents that
govern the implementation of the Paris Agreement and related agreements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These aren’t developed in a vacuum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, they are discussed, reviewed and
dissected at seemingly endless meetings of “subsidiary bodies” and other groups
of government representatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
these are open and many of the non-government participants monitor and attempt
to influence these proceedings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Single words can cause great debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An extreme example occurred when the US (i.e.
Trump Administration) aligned itself with Russia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to
object to the submission of a scientific report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At COP21, governments asked their scientific
advisory body to work with the leading scientists of the world to report back
on the potential and implications of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees
centigrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssxFlF1bB60enjLTRR7ovJ78oQtqA3DNrTowubjj94WNciiTEBJmzxAs8JMmvbZaJWDZweBecdbFd8Ur8lEn_OHfkXTLbLe950PFgD8L3mmbYA5f9LnQZ1G7LAqkscaUO5frXiN807is/s1600/Paparian+Steyer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssxFlF1bB60enjLTRR7ovJ78oQtqA3DNrTowubjj94WNciiTEBJmzxAs8JMmvbZaJWDZweBecdbFd8Ur8lEn_OHfkXTLbLe950PFgD8L3mmbYA5f9LnQZ1G7LAqkscaUO5frXiN807is/s400/Paparian+Steyer.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Tom Steyer at COP24</td></tr>
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That report was submitted in time for COP24 and it paints a
stark picture of carbon emissions, calling for a very quick reduction and
ultimately net-zero level of carbon emissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An innocuous resolution to “welcome” the findings of this report was
objected to by the four countries, including the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would rather just acknowledge that the
report exists than give credence to the findings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are pushing for language to “take note” of the
work of the scientists rather than welcome the findings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a<o:p></o:p></span> statement, the US said, “the United States was willing to note the report and express appreciation to the scientists who developed it, but not to welcome it, as that would denote endorsement of the report." The US isn’t winning any friends here as it as it moves towards the Trump-imposed withdrawal from the COP proceedings in 2020. A side note on all of this … there are two groups of US representatives at the COP, the policy and political folks from the Department of Energy, State Department and elsewhere. There are also career State Department employees who know how to professionally handle international relations. I am told the career folks are handling their tasks honorably and should the US re-engage on climate issues, will be welcomed back into the process.</div>
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For many of us the discussions among the country
representatives are a small portion of what’s going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any time, there are several dozen “side
events.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many side events,
that it can be a major challenge discovering which ones may be of
interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attend these side events for
several reasons, including connecting with new and old acquaintances, learning
the latest in areas of interest, and supporting people I know who have
organized or are speaking at the events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are also regular press conferences and some of the groups I’m
involved with use these to convey information about the COP process or broader
climate related information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UN
makes footage of these press conferences available online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An example of one I assisted with is <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://unfccc-cop24.streamworld.de/webcast/solar-cooking-an-available-cross-cutting-solutio-2">here</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb6rT0Ga0Fm_keq3fDdx62f10rOSNcytwMBQZC1p-gj7dB9f2styQrtpmTaGjLjmkNXeDzPO-zwCvGsVGBCr7A9q_dpAy4lAyxjlf_nQLmjwjVzQH7W7LyeaqnjK8LY_qrcYrUzvrWQk/s1600/Hallway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb6rT0Ga0Fm_keq3fDdx62f10rOSNcytwMBQZC1p-gj7dB9f2styQrtpmTaGjLjmkNXeDzPO-zwCvGsVGBCr7A9q_dpAy4lAyxjlf_nQLmjwjVzQH7W7LyeaqnjK8LY_qrcYrUzvrWQk/s400/Hallway.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Hallway in Country Pavillion Area, COP24</td></tr>
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Acronyms abound at the COP, starting with “COP” itself (Conference
of the Parties of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LGMA is a Local Government and Municipal
Authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Youth participate as YOUNGOs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Youth Non-Governmental Organizations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Academic and other research entities are
RINGOs (Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Business groups are part of the BINGO group
(Business and Industry Non-Governmental Organizations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The list goes on and on for both participants and what
they’re talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the COP
context, NAPA is not a wine growing region .. it is a “National Adaptation
Program of Action.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A LEG is not a body
part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, it is the “Least Developed
Countries Expert Group.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UNFCCC has
a long glossary of acronyms and terms for the acronym-confused (<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/glossary-of-climate-change-acronyms-and-terms">here</a></span>)
like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list even includes “NN” for
“Not Named.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No further explanation of
NN is given.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m here with a few organizations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been a long-time Board Member of the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.interenvironment.org/">InterEnvironment
Institute</a></span>, a California based public policy center that works on a
variety of internationally important environmental issues, including natural
areas within or contiguous to urban centers, connecting conservation areas and
environmental programs to museums and other partners, and collaborative problem
solving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to the accreditation the
Institute enjoys with the Unite Nations, I am able to obtain the necessary
credentials to enter the main venue of the COP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqQNKjv37GRKQZMOnq__k7DxTa5NhjcqOKgASCRJlNIbINBhGGlFZggSodGE0RXmtpSgaLZtIdLQJ7z9nIVkJP0PC_X1daWEg8V6TXn3rKA_JPhY5h01ZgIt1k43QB_6YkGN0-nAVuYA/s1600/Solar+Cooker+UK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1502" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqQNKjv37GRKQZMOnq__k7DxTa5NhjcqOKgASCRJlNIbINBhGGlFZggSodGE0RXmtpSgaLZtIdLQJ7z9nIVkJP0PC_X1daWEg8V6TXn3rKA_JPhY5h01ZgIt1k43QB_6YkGN0-nAVuYA/s400/Solar+Cooker+UK.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Paparian, Caitlyn Hughes and Alen Bigelow of <br />
Solar Cookers International Showing a Solar Cooker at CO24</td></tr>
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I’m also on the Board of <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.solarcookers.org/">Solar Cookers International</a></span>
(SCI), an organization that promotes human and environmental health through support
of carbon-free solar cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year,
I helped introduce SCI to COP and it has turned out to be a very useful venue to
promote solar cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We analyzed all
of the country-specific climate plans and found that few mention cooking as an
issue and even fewer mention solar cooking (see analysis <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.solarcookers.org/application/files/8115/3124/2428/UNFCCC_NDC_Report_Jan_2018.pdf">here</a></span>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Because SCI has an affiliate in England, the UK government
allowed us to display a solar cooker and use their pavilion space to meet with
interested people for the first week of the COP (it lasts two weeks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our display was in one of the busiest areas
of the facility and were in constant conversation with country representatives
and others interested in deploying more solar cookers in their region,
especially in Africa and south Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the second week, SCI has booth space for similar interactions with
participants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The connections are
significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I write this, SCI staff
is preparing to attend a dinner with Nepal government representatives, have
their third press conference and consider invitations to consult with several
African and south Asian countries on improving solar cooker deployment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH0n_LVzszhve_Xgik0jWmT7BL8JruYyLNqb2-yI47KRALVIGr85GOMHqrJvjm5xlsBVcJBR7x4Bt85isTlJAm3f43PgYViSggYtFOeW-OJ2LelJSLohHelGkrqHmlGcTx14TaI9y8PQ/s1600/Paparian+Kidney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH0n_LVzszhve_Xgik0jWmT7BL8JruYyLNqb2-yI47KRALVIGr85GOMHqrJvjm5xlsBVcJBR7x4Bt85isTlJAm3f43PgYViSggYtFOeW-OJ2LelJSLohHelGkrqHmlGcTx14TaI9y8PQ/s400/Paparian+Kidney.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Paparian and Climate Bonds Initiative Head Sean Kidney</td></tr>
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The other organization I work with is the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.climatebonds.net/">Climate Bonds
Initiative</a></span> (CBI).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CBI
promotes the use of green bonds for infrastructure and other projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked on green bonds when I was with the
California Treasurer and I continue to believe they offer a necessary framework
for funding infrastructure and other projects. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The specific effort I’m working on is to
promote the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.greenbondpledge.com/">Green
Bond Pledge</a></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At COP24, I’m participating
in finance related side events about green bonds and meeting local government
officials and others to promote the pledge and other green bond work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even met with two California legislators at
COP24 to brief them on how the green bond market could expand with California
leadership. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I attended several sessions with the scientists working on
climate issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done this at every
COP to improve my understanding of what we truly know about climate change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mood of the scientists feels much different
than prior COPs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are more direct,
more specific and seem much more scared about what they are conveying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know sea level is rising, temperatures
are rising and extreme weather events are getting worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re telling us that we have 12 years to
dramatically reduce carbon emissions ratcheting up quickly to get to a 50%
reduction in emissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then have until
2050 to get to net-zero carbon emissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 2018, worldwide carbon emissions actually INCREASED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s even quiet talk of a “runaway climate
change” scenario if we don’t get emissions under control soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US States, Local Governments and others<br />
proclaim "We Are Still In" the Paris Climate Agreement<br />
Even if the US is pulling out</td></tr>
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As I walk the halls of COP24, I proudly wear my California
flag pin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t agree with the climate
policies of our national government (an understatement!!) and the world is
moving much too slowly on this existential threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m happy to be among those from US state
and national governments that are “still in” and showing how to move forward with policies that take us towards climate solutions. As California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols told those gathered here, when we’ve set ambitious clean energy and clean air goals we’ve met them faster cheaper and less painfully than expected.</div>
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So, why am I here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
connect, to learn, to assist and hopefully to make a little contribution to the
efforts to slow climate change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-51474575089883909502018-12-06T09:09:00.000-08:002018-12-11T05:06:53.139-08:00Yes, It’s Getting Hotter .. a Lot Hotter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Katowice, Poland – Scientists have spent the three years
since COP21 refining and reviewing data, observations and studies. And since COP21 in Paris, they’ve learned to
convey their findings in the clear language policymakers can understand, even
preparing a special report directed at policymakers (copy <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/">here</a></span>).</div>
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This is the fourth COP I’ve attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sense of urgency the scientists are
conveying cannot be understated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know
what’s happening, they’re scared, and the want policymakers to take steps now
to stop the worst effects of climate change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr. Hoesung Lee heads the vast group of science advisors to
United Nations climate efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Achieving net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases is necessary,” he told
those gathered at COP24. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also said
that we need to start this rapid reduction quickly. “Every bit of warming
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every choice matters.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoKknZA3lPtQi9NkhdYRZeXPFz6EpB7N1D6Alr2t5iXrbQfyPFb_C3xSfxDbOZfwCPVmH0mzsPCuiKPmhojrNcnxdmek_6dUdHSWfqLqUsPQsgvRck3UsJvM5UM2dxUqxFon1VZ0AJ5s/s1600/HOESUNG+LEE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoKknZA3lPtQi9NkhdYRZeXPFz6EpB7N1D6Alr2t5iXrbQfyPFb_C3xSfxDbOZfwCPVmH0mzsPCuiKPmhojrNcnxdmek_6dUdHSWfqLqUsPQsgvRck3UsJvM5UM2dxUqxFon1VZ0AJ5s/s400/HOESUNG+LEE.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Hoesung Lee, leader of UN Science Panel IPCC<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Dr. Elena Manaenkova of the World Meteorological
Organization also advises the climate policymakers. She said the latest findings show that the
hottest four years on record are the past four years (including 2018). She also said that the current average global
warming of about 1 degree centigrade is not uniform throughout the world. The Arctic is warming at a rate of about five
times faster than the rest of the earth and many land areas are also warming
faster than the average.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r-sZx1UvSRSZEmoD-K2evtiH506hj-6AgZd_nAS-brVarzGBrweMIGRx0YG51RKqfNVmgAu0AVthS2wgVpRy3gXXaGXlv15qEen1DwbMXFbhwA0B5AP1_zORMbIxi_oGKw-HbKp7LwU/s1600/Dr.+Manaenkova.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r-sZx1UvSRSZEmoD-K2evtiH506hj-6AgZd_nAS-brVarzGBrweMIGRx0YG51RKqfNVmgAu0AVthS2wgVpRy3gXXaGXlv15qEen1DwbMXFbhwA0B5AP1_zORMbIxi_oGKw-HbKp7LwU/s400/Dr.+Manaenkova.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Elena Manaenkova of the World Meteorlogical Association<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Those of us from California know first hand the impacts that
are already here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our recent fires
destroyed lives, displaces thousands of people from their homes and caused
smoke-related health impacts throughout the state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last month, my family wore uncomfortable
breathing masks for a time in order to safely go outdoors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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California is clearly not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Island nations face special concerns from
sea level rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other areas are facing
increased hurricane and storm risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
heat, drought, water supply and other impacts California faces are similar to
those faces by similar Mediterranean type climate zones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are five Mediterranean climate zones in the world,
including California/northern Baha, Central Peru, southern & southwest
Australia, South Africa Western Cape and the Mediterranean Basin area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the COP24 workshops I attended focused on how to
adjust within these climate zones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Laurel Hunt of the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.laregionalcollaborative.com/">Los Angeles Regional Collaborative</a></span>
described how her team is working with the policymakers in her region to
develop a sustainability plan to address the direct and indirect impacts of
climate change, including energy, transportation, public health, water and housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Los Angeles is embarking on an unprecedented
public collaboration process to engage the citizenry in understanding and
developing solutions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tXCrJ0dxWfZ-3o5Fo9H6vq145OZ9gJTDg981amPDnd9wv-lslNgfH1SoW0hzbqP_IV_1HZQpnl_g-vyhpZq182JOrSwbNVFJk74G0Vv_9W4rQMpXkLlyYN3KYtUO0lEuGKMJUgcbiDU/s1600/Laurel+Hunt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1559" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tXCrJ0dxWfZ-3o5Fo9H6vq145OZ9gJTDg981amPDnd9wv-lslNgfH1SoW0hzbqP_IV_1HZQpnl_g-vyhpZq182JOrSwbNVFJk74G0Vv_9W4rQMpXkLlyYN3KYtUO0lEuGKMJUgcbiDU/s400/Laurel+Hunt.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurel Hunt of UCLA and the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Tropical and other vector-borne diseases are on the increase
in Mediterranean climate regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>West
Nile Virus is on the increase in these areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dr. Orna Matzner, a science advisor to the government of Israel
described how a recent outbreak of Leptospirosis could be traced back to public
exposure in rivers and streams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
water bodies had an increase in stagnant areas caused by lower water flows and
drought conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pqeD-2aXRMIw5XM8W-TM6k36BUdDz2nNM7teNmDKJKeuG8_gDEF5oTUVPj4n8X5S7MFUBipNwFVzkQ4jG7mcRIUMjseOCM3dII6vgjp735BDGd_YG1YLek7Lc5kClfMo5hFfRlAT158/s1600/Dr.+Orna+MATZNER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1033" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pqeD-2aXRMIw5XM8W-TM6k36BUdDz2nNM7teNmDKJKeuG8_gDEF5oTUVPj4n8X5S7MFUBipNwFVzkQ4jG7mcRIUMjseOCM3dII6vgjp735BDGd_YG1YLek7Lc5kClfMo5hFfRlAT158/s400/Dr.+Orna+MATZNER.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Olna Matzner, Israel Science Advisor<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Alon Zask of the Israel Ministry for Environmental
Protection described how a future water strategy should rely on a combination
of steps, including pollution prevention, wastewater treatment and
desalination. He said that “In Israel,
sewage is a water source.” He also said
that more than 50% of water used in Israel is now “manufactured” from
desalination facilities. “If we’re
talking about adaptation, this is adaptation.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDCbzIQSd7kzWqlW26iH0JBQr5_ZBpeW9vIFMbEWdlqbSqH_XloZrvZGhpy8IFAiJ_DrZeAix0VHdojzgjhPIWmDH6-f1oatQoU-iZ7utgfUrjvSekbYDrYkM5k6Tsrr_UwoZzzEFynA/s1600/Alon+Zask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1311" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDCbzIQSd7kzWqlW26iH0JBQr5_ZBpeW9vIFMbEWdlqbSqH_XloZrvZGhpy8IFAiJ_DrZeAix0VHdojzgjhPIWmDH6-f1oatQoU-iZ7utgfUrjvSekbYDrYkM5k6Tsrr_UwoZzzEFynA/s400/Alon+Zask.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alon Zask of the Israel Ministry for Environmental Protection<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Geoffrey Danker of Sempra Utilities in California described
how they are now addressing both the transition to renewable energy and
adaptation of their infrastructure to current and future climate impacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are already protecting low-lying
facilities from sea level rise, addressing fire impacts, and taking other
steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together with other utilities,
they evaluate and learn lessons from every extreme weather or fire
disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The really depressing thing
is that every time we get together to evaluate one disaster,” he said, another
new disaster that has come along in the meantime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoffrey Danker of Sempra Utilities<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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Dr. Jordan Harris of <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.adapt-chile.org/esp/">Adapt Chile</a></span> said his country
has faced severe fires and droughts as have other similar Mediterranean
regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He summed up the situation for
these regions, saying they have become a “climate laboratory” as more and more
climate events affect their country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Jordan Harris of Adapt Chile<br />
(Photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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<br />CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-30958837643858838642018-12-04T05:04:00.000-08:002018-12-06T09:10:36.362-08:00COP24 Report: Time to Get Serious … VERY Serious<br />
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COP24, Katowice, Poland – This is my fourth COP. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first was COP21 in Paris where the
international agreements to address climate change finally formalized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People came away energized and feeling that
as countries submitted their plans for climate solutions, we’d truly be on a
right path to resolving the climate crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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By my third COP in Bonn, Germany last year, there was a wide
recognition that all the country commitments were not enough to avoid
catastrophic climate change, but there was hope that countries would start to
move more aggressively to curtail fossil fuel use and other greenhouse gas
contributors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The scientists are telling us that we should limit earth
temperature increases to 1.5 degrees centigrade and that if it goes above 2
degrees, our troubles will escalate rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if we limit our temperature increases, we’ll still see many
impacts, including sea level rise, more extreme weather events, drought and
health impacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At higher levels, the habitability
of large areas of our planet will come into question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The sense of urgency is clearly prevalent at COP24, but so
is a sense that many governments are saying the right things at these sessions,
then failing to make the changes necessary to curtail fossil fuels quickly
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Most countries agree there is a problem and are increasing
renewable energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But many countries
are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then continuing to use or even
expand the use of coal and other fossil fuels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not enough governments are providing the needed climate leadership and
some such as the US national government are overtly backsliding in climate
commitments.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sir David Attenborough, still strong in his environmental
voice at 92 years, told <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the gathered heads of governments and others, “<span style="color: #262626;">Leaders of the world you must lead. If we don’t take
action the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the
natural world is on the horizon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Leading means more than talking, said Dr. Gale Tracy Christiane Rigobert, Saint Lucian Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development at an event I attended today. We need to be sure these “events as ‘talkshops’ will end with COP24,” she said.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM0Xec6wn1Jv9yxbl5_jt-Y1d-n7_kpH453GqP_G5N7cN0nm-Rq_Ge9nuv9aiWTt70GhIDvwH3_mEERqsahYFwzMryeh_IL26szu8dq5rTdsiRUIUcyPfga_dMW8izTUN4G-An6LUXNQ/s1600/Paparian+St+Lucia+Env+Minister.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM0Xec6wn1Jv9yxbl5_jt-Y1d-n7_kpH453GqP_G5N7cN0nm-Rq_Ge9nuv9aiWTt70GhIDvwH3_mEERqsahYFwzMryeh_IL26szu8dq5rTdsiRUIUcyPfga_dMW8izTUN4G-An6LUXNQ/s400/Paparian+St+Lucia+Env+Minister.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Paparian with St. Lucia Minister Rigobert</td></tr>
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Though Poland is hosting COP24, the government is among those that cling to archaic energy sources. New coal projects are still proposed, even though many workers in the coal industry are pushing for a faster transition to clean energy jobs. </div>
To most observers, the issue of coal is clear and immediate. “We must phase out coal,” said Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, former President of COP20, Peru Environmental Minister and current leader of World Wildlife Fund’s global climate and energy practice. “There is no Plan B for coal.” <br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What should come out of this COP to get us on the right path?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKCY3uuBABbZlk-xl1RlcWALbFguRx0ZfUROFhw5RNCveXQM5EmGIuocyYshyL4tbDoZW-iY_P37D8BLonxjJxxgA_hoPocNRXNRStTe0WfiMBE1sUAQwxfdKHVjblHBDmwo9M388cEo/s1600/Paparian+Pulgar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKCY3uuBABbZlk-xl1RlcWALbFguRx0ZfUROFhw5RNCveXQM5EmGIuocyYshyL4tbDoZW-iY_P37D8BLonxjJxxgA_hoPocNRXNRStTe0WfiMBE1sUAQwxfdKHVjblHBDmwo9M388cEo/s320/Paparian+Pulgar.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Paparian with Manuel Pulgar-Vidal</td></tr>
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Mr. Pulgar-Vidal, along with many others, are saying that the
existing system of country promises isn’t enough and that there needs to be a
clearer set of rules for how countries evaluate their emissions and commit to
solutions. There is some hope that a
framework for these rules will emerge during COP24, to be finalized in time for
renewed country commitments and actions by 2020.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’ll see in the next few days if an action path is agreed to by
the gathered governments (absent the commitment of the current US national
government, of course).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauHN5T0BP_whdeLdxHJV60cTlMsqO6YAA9WlKVtQwL9m3em8RrN_kInz6DGL9Lanybh9GUx_zYjbcE4QREEYZ44WyJt_b6HeTdWokJnNu4iCIEL6yNC8cmNB204-atR3mWKa3dTZAsXQ/s1600/Schwarzenegger+Photo+by+Michael+Paprian.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauHN5T0BP_whdeLdxHJV60cTlMsqO6YAA9WlKVtQwL9m3em8RrN_kInz6DGL9Lanybh9GUx_zYjbcE4QREEYZ44WyJt_b6HeTdWokJnNu4iCIEL6yNC8cmNB204-atR3mWKa3dTZAsXQ/s320/Schwarzenegger+Photo+by+Michael+Paprian.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arnold Schwarzenegger at COP24<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One individual offered himself as an action example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Former California Governer Arnold
Schwarzenegger said, “Nobody is better at action than I am because I make
action movies .. but this is the real world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s hope that the real world and real leaders take the real
action steps we need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-71165564087887726392016-12-09T08:01:00.000-08:002017-08-14T16:06:35.182-07:00Youth Ask Courts To Protect Their Climate Future<h3 class="tr_bq">
Is 21 the Magic Climate Number?</h3>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">August 14, 2017 update: Plaintiff Sophie Kivlehan and her grandfather James Hansen penned an excellent op-ed about the case in the Boston Globe ... a copy of "<a href="http://csas.ei.columbia.edu/2017/08/14/ok-us-government-see-you-in-court/" target="_blank">OK US Government -- See You In Court</a>" is <a href="http://csas.ei.columbia.edu/2017/08/14/ok-us-government-see-you-in-court/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></i><br />
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21 is a number that's come up a lot in recent climate discussions.<br />
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It took world leaders 21 years to reach the agreement on climate change announced in Paris last year at COP21.<br />
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It took 21 young plaintiffs, all under 21 years old just a few months to get the green light to proceed with a lawsuit against the United States Government asserting that inaction on climate deprives them of life, liberty and "a climate system capable of sustaining human life."<br />
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The case could have interesting implications for the Donald Trump administration when the case goes to trial in 2017.<br />
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The youth, ages 9 to 20, are asking the courts to order the U.S. Government, among other things:</div>
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"to prepare and implement an enforceable national remedial plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down excess atmospheric CO2 so as to stabilize the climate system and protect the vital resources on which Plaintiffs now and in the future will depend." <i>(First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, filed 9/10/15, copy <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/57a35ac5ebbd1ac03847eece/1470323398409/YouthAmendedComplaintAgainstUS.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>)</i></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX0al_h55W2zUW7GC-CXRdROH5l6vhoj67CtKaUuxEpmxPvOm1cIlGqkeBa4P0I7GjZpxMGAdFrTPaIK6pZE7nx8urjIG3RJjaJJe-K-mot6jKjRH10UcPVuw_UlESIgbbQnk5oJFgV0/s1600/LOZ_7855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX0al_h55W2zUW7GC-CXRdROH5l6vhoj67CtKaUuxEpmxPvOm1cIlGqkeBa4P0I7GjZpxMGAdFrTPaIK6pZE7nx8urjIG3RJjaJJe-K-mot6jKjRH10UcPVuw_UlESIgbbQnk5oJFgV0/s400/LOZ_7855.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaintiffs and attorneys hold hold a press conference on the steps of the Federal Courthouse in Eugene.<br />
Twenty-one youth plaintiffs are suing the federal government in an attempt to force <br />
science based action on climate change change. <br />
(Robin Loznak/ZUMAPRESS.com reprinted with permission)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Fossil fuel interests and the U.S. Government tried to get U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken to toss the lawsuit. But in a ruling in early November, Judge Aiken ruled the case can proceed, saying (on page 21!!):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"plaintiffs' alleged injuries - harm to their personal, economic and aesthetic interests - are concrete and particularized"</blockquote>
Judge Aiken's ruling (copy <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/5824e85e6a49638292ddd1c9/1478813795912/Order+MTD.Aiken.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>) also discusses the relation of the relief sought in the lawsuit to U.S. climate commitments:<br />
<blockquote>
“Although the United States has made international commitments regarding climate change, granting the relief requested here would be fully consistent with those commitments. There is no contradiction between promising other nations the United States will reduce CO2 emissions and a judicial order directing the United States to go beyond its international commitments to more aggressively reduce CO2 emissions.” </blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ42S2TJydvbyUhbRzzWzexhOZRT4SmlEW_PvFRv8xRRXuOtWjLTLUYegi_WPxuc8_rp3qk8PdFFNieLEiVSrJrXrGCD5yBbS-BeTsDNxkbaI0yLnmXumsH_H1GnA6tJg6qqGS5YceBI/s1600/Youth+Lawsuit+Timeline.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ42S2TJydvbyUhbRzzWzexhOZRT4SmlEW_PvFRv8xRRXuOtWjLTLUYegi_WPxuc8_rp3qk8PdFFNieLEiVSrJrXrGCD5yBbS-BeTsDNxkbaI0yLnmXumsH_H1GnA6tJg6qqGS5YceBI/s400/Youth+Lawsuit+Timeline.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timeline outlining U.S. government knowledge of climate change problems<br />
presented by plaintiffs during court proceedings<br />
Source <a href="https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/federal-proceedings" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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This federal case is one of many related legal actions brought by youth in several states and countries, all supported by <a href="https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/" target="_blank">Our Children’s Trust</a>, seeking science-based action by governments to stabilize the climate system. The case also follows a similar case decided in the Netherlands in 2015. In the Dutch case, the courts ruled on behalf of youth that the government must more quickly reduce fossil fuel emissions (see Guardian story <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/24/hague-climate-change-judgement-could-inspire-a-global-civil-movement" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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News of the action in the Our Children's Trust case came to delegates at the COP22 event in Marrakech, Morocco just as they were learning that Donald Trump had won the U.S. election. The possibility of U.S. courts stepping in on behalf of future generations was well received by those worried about the direction the U.S. might take under the new administration.<br />
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"Judge Aiken recognized the inherent sovereign duty of the U.S. government to protect the fundamental rights of young people and future generations to life, liberty, and a climate system capable of sustaining human life," said Elizabeth Brown, staff attorney for Our Children's Trust at a press conference during COP22 on November 11.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sJb-l8KM8jv5rA7HeK8sPDnCuLSnrYDAJx9LCBzKDc-7TLN9xD4PtQ24puiE_gTNtkbgMR_vLlsyuL2qlgOfP28h5CBy3ThRMpcIANdjbPpliO0IXjlnHGkQwQOLZMPVnbeiWpefLAc/s1600/IMG_5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sJb-l8KM8jv5rA7HeK8sPDnCuLSnrYDAJx9LCBzKDc-7TLN9xD4PtQ24puiE_gTNtkbgMR_vLlsyuL2qlgOfP28h5CBy3ThRMpcIANdjbPpliO0IXjlnHGkQwQOLZMPVnbeiWpefLAc/s400/IMG_5677.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Children's Trust staff attorney Elizabeth Brown discusses Judge Aiken's decision <br />
at press conference during COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco<br />
(Photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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"These youth plaintiffs now have the opportunity to prove in court that the U.S. has knowingly put them and their generation in grave danger, trading their futures for the short-term profits for a few, in violation of their constitutional and public trust rights," said attorney Borwn. "Plaintiffs will ask this court to order the federal defendants to put the United States on a science-based path to climate stabilization."<br />
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"We as young people have a right to life on this planet," said Daniel Jubelirer, a youth organizer and activist working with plaintiff organization <a href="http://www.earthguardians.org/" target="_blank">Earth Guardians</a>. This case going to trial proves that our futures matter .. we'll see President Elect Trump in court."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoycZwGfmZkU1BAdFy52rcHF-X53qt2hmyVD8SE3PLt3CcKDK5DaCnXDmlsc7Wzq7O6DQQvV4lL1CSMJWndEK7u7_ibgVftAcY6wfUHM6kkH9tGKZEmk024TfWcqShZuFXD7CA4niEcEM/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoycZwGfmZkU1BAdFy52rcHF-X53qt2hmyVD8SE3PLt3CcKDK5DaCnXDmlsc7Wzq7O6DQQvV4lL1CSMJWndEK7u7_ibgVftAcY6wfUHM6kkH9tGKZEmk024TfWcqShZuFXD7CA4niEcEM/s400/IMG_5663.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Jubelirer of <a href="http://www.earthguardians.org/" target="_blank">Earth Guardians</a> discusses lawsuit<br />
at COP22 in Marrakech<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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"It's clear Judge Aiken gets what's at stake for us," said 17-year-old plaintiff Victoria Barrett, from White Plains, New York. "Our planet and our generation don't have time to waste. We are moving to trial and I'm looking forward to having the world see the incredible power my generation holds."</div>
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At the Marrakech press conference, Columbia University Professor <a href="http://jeffsachs.org/" target="_blank">Jeffrey Sachs</a> (recognized by Economist magazine as one of the three most influential living economists) discussed the importance of this precedent-setting lawsuit to resolving climate issues and protecting future generations. "The judiciary," he said, "is the final place where citizens have their redress for rights denied."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP4ogMoYJQHmowpyeRm0qZrSEEU1OHlOlL_HoaipTtqjXKNuYT1JLOohLIZ-ed8KEQND7PABXgY5QdhMUBFRf8ZAuvysvOkvGbC5Yfm42TY41yv715LsRBGL9DcoIGAET2du9VB40oPI/s1600/IMG_5690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP4ogMoYJQHmowpyeRm0qZrSEEU1OHlOlL_HoaipTtqjXKNuYT1JLOohLIZ-ed8KEQND7PABXgY5QdhMUBFRf8ZAuvysvOkvGbC5Yfm42TY41yv715LsRBGL9DcoIGAET2du9VB40oPI/s400/IMG_5690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Jeffrey Sachs discusses lawsuit at<br />
press conference in Marrakech, Morocco during COP22<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Assisting with the court case is climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, who brought the climate crisis to the attention of the U.S. Congress in the 1980s and has been advising world leaders ever since. His 30 page declaration for the plaintiffs is also an excellent primer on the climate issue (copy <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/576195822fe1316f09d2ed89/1466013077359/15.08.12.HansenExpertDecSupportingYouth.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>). Hansen's granddaughter, Sofie Kivlehan, is one of the plaintiffs. According to Dr. Hansen,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Simply put: Our government’s persistent permitting and underwriting of fossil fuel projects serves now to further disrupt the favorable climate system that to date enabled human civilization to develop. In order to preserve a viable climate system, our use of fossil fuels must be phased out as rapidly as is feasible. ... Our government’s permitting of additional, new, or renewed fossil fuel projects is entirely antithetical to its fundamental responsibility to our children and their posterity. Their fundamental rights now hang in the balance." <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/576195822fe1316f09d2ed89/1466013077359/15.08.12.HansenExpertDecSupportingYouth.pdf" target="_blank">Declaration of Dr. James E. Hansen</a>, page 31.</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I1B9HTofVnzxAvTErg_UMS0USfvZG3DAWtGzYZpKn-ILSnBcd9rxXmxWrkGA2C3sRwcTQ7UWMvl5C-qptDqYlSjYD_gTByv9I4YwqOMhUxjnkn9dvTD3XVxmc8DlhrivrpCvAV8H-yU/s1600/IMG_0887+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I1B9HTofVnzxAvTErg_UMS0USfvZG3DAWtGzYZpKn-ILSnBcd9rxXmxWrkGA2C3sRwcTQ7UWMvl5C-qptDqYlSjYD_gTByv9I4YwqOMhUxjnkn9dvTD3XVxmc8DlhrivrpCvAV8H-yU/s400/IMG_0887+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climate Scientist Dr. Jame E. Hansen at COP21 in Paris<br />
Grandfather of one of the plaintiffs<br />
(photo by Michael Paparian)</td></tr>
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In late November, the court said they expect the case to go to trial in the summer or fall of 2017, even though the defendants argued that it could take five years to go through procedural matters and discovery. Attorneys for the youth said they want to proceed. “We will push quickly to trial. The urgency of the climate emergency demands it,” said Julia Olson, counsel for Plaintiffs.<br />
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If these 21 youth are successful at trial, their case will contribute to needed and rapid solutions to the climate crisis, making the 21st and future centuries more livable century than they would otherwise be. 21 may indeed be an interesting climate number.<br />
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Photos of the youth plaintiffs and statements from each can be found <a href="https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/meet-the-youth-plaintiffs" target="_blank">here</a>. This case is also starting to get attention in national media, including a Washington Post story <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/01/trump-could-face-the-biggest-trial-of-the-century-over-climate-change/?utm_term=.85152ab27673" target="_blank">here</a> and New Yorker story <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-teen-agers-suing-over-climate-change?intcid=mod-latest" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-30913614478523484012016-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:002016-10-07T11:47:09.763-07:00California Utilities Preparing for Electric Vehicle Surge<br />
Electric cars, buses, trucks and trains. They're coming faster than you may think. Transportation electrification is one of the keys to meeting California, U.S. and international climate goals,<br />
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Without plug-in transportation, we won't meet targets of a 40% reduction in fossil fuel use by 2030 and 80% by 2050. All of those plug-in vehicle will need infrastructure on the other end of the plug ranging from charging stations to storage to renewable energy power generating facilities.<br />
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California continues to show leadership in providing incentives for all aspects electric vehicle (EV) deployment from vehicle manufacturing and ownership (see, for example, <a href="http://www.calgreenfinance.com/" target="_blank">CalGreenFinance</a> post on manufacturing incentives <a href="http://www.calgreenfinance.com/2016/09/clean-manufacturers-can-qualify-for.html" target="_blank">here</a>) to charging infrastructure. The state is now looking further into how to assure there will be adequate infrastructure for the increasing number of electric vehicles. This is part of a larger strategy to address greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector (see prior Climate Dispatch post on California transportation strategies <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-climate-goals-transportation.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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The California EV market is the largest in the nation. The <a href="http://www.pevcollaborative.org/" target="_blank">California Plug-In Vehicle Collaborative</a> recently released the latest sales data for California and the nation, showing there are now over 500,000 plug-in electric vehicles nationwide, with nearly half in California:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4x-FxQdOrUmnmvgVJnuvHMTWPH5knEa_bOqKgwbqbcDzpQJb8YU8A_PwvVJ4vTunw8wvjDJ8PIb4nL7C-Nx48u-vxeeyQyfAxT49R52WSI8RKqOqYLRrc5OQYmX5CLIxZwbGCnqCJpg/s1600/ScreenClip%255B72%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4x-FxQdOrUmnmvgVJnuvHMTWPH5knEa_bOqKgwbqbcDzpQJb8YU8A_PwvVJ4vTunw8wvjDJ8PIb4nL7C-Nx48u-vxeeyQyfAxT49R52WSI8RKqOqYLRrc5OQYmX5CLIxZwbGCnqCJpg/s400/ScreenClip%255B72%255D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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California expects the number of plug-in vehicles to reach one million by 2020 and 1.5 million by 2025. California utilities are preparing for this surge of electric vehicles, including how to provide enough electricity at the right times of day and deciding what role they should play in delivering that electricity to cars.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
To give a sense of the magnitude of the electric vehicle deployment, estimates in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District area suggest that we will need to move from 4300 plug in vehicles on the road today in the area to 240,000 by 2030. SMUD serves 1.4 million residents. Similar electric vehicle increases are expected throughout the state.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrySkayrUGPTmxrbJoacNcufFy6j3BNdc6-iYyWd6OCIpNs4IlYceuSNfCu8fOuylGKT-Ufew4PTlZCvnONVl61c3UWZu0VqjubWkxnxwPHQflt-UtnM-j4pegZz0l_ZbaVugxEbXQ2ng/s1600/ScreenClip%255B66%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrySkayrUGPTmxrbJoacNcufFy6j3BNdc6-iYyWd6OCIpNs4IlYceuSNfCu8fOuylGKT-Ufew4PTlZCvnONVl61c3UWZu0VqjubWkxnxwPHQflt-UtnM-j4pegZz0l_ZbaVugxEbXQ2ng/s400/ScreenClip%255B66%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacramento Municipal Utility District Electric Vehicle Projections (Source:<a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213892_20161004T132807_Presentation_%E2%80%93_Revised_SMUD_Plugin_Electric_Vehicles_Integrated.pdf" target="_blank"> here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power estimates that 145,000 plug in electric vehicles will be needed in their area in five years and 580,000 by 2030 to meet climate goals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQr1yointl7ribz5bqBwiBi9ZP2EKo25eKf3PTQ0NLwoQES_AA0PBR77oPEhHQlxM5La9_QeHaDMUMlCtMwjb-S1_GaF-CqEnf2DdRkdn3V6qO4eEP-ixnu6mBbLU0XVjFbCp_A66Sr4/s1600/ScreenClip%255B70%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQr1yointl7ribz5bqBwiBi9ZP2EKo25eKf3PTQ0NLwoQES_AA0PBR77oPEhHQlxM5La9_QeHaDMUMlCtMwjb-S1_GaF-CqEnf2DdRkdn3V6qO4eEP-ixnu6mBbLU0XVjFbCp_A66Sr4/s400/ScreenClip%255B70%255D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/" target="_blank">California Energy Commission</a> recently held a workshop to explore how electric utilities are responding to the challenges. As background, they provided a good listing of the various laws, Executive Orders, incentive programs and regulations affecting electric vehicles within their workshop notice (<a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213587_20160909T151957_Notice_of_Workshop__Publicly_Owned_Utility_Integrated_Resource.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>), including:</div>
<ul>
<li>The California <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200520060AB32" target="_blank">Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006</a> (AB 32) sets targets to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Governor Brown established the <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17472" target="_blank">zero emission vehicle (ZEV) Executive Order</a> directing California government to ensure electric charging infrastructure is available to support one million ZEVs by 2020 and 1.5 million by 2025</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WSIjFKvexGhsQpScAdp_q13Ppj6JJvoum5HChwfe4rS8SzmVJyWkGVkSZQT9fNFvhHEoGuCrMQkZgqJD6MpDRdlImhdWydGggv9qwAUvhtm5XOxk9agaCEXLgsIJmf4PL0B7yUJiwE0/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WSIjFKvexGhsQpScAdp_q13Ppj6JJvoum5HChwfe4rS8SzmVJyWkGVkSZQT9fNFvhHEoGuCrMQkZgqJD6MpDRdlImhdWydGggv9qwAUvhtm5XOxk9agaCEXLgsIJmf4PL0B7yUJiwE0/s320/IMG_4980.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Olson of the <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/altfuels/2016-TRAN-01/" target="_blank">Energy Commission Fuels and Transportation Division</a> <br />
presented overview of California programs 10/5/2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>The Governor also established the <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19046" target="_blank">Sustainable Freight Executive Order</a> to set targets to accelerate adoption of zero emission transportation options in the freight sector by 2030.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) <a href="https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevprog.htm" target="_blank">zero emission vehicle</a> mandate requires automakers to offer specified numbers of ZEVs for sale in California by 2020. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>CARB’s <a href="https://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm" target="_blank">Low Carbon Fuel Standard</a> requires a 10 percent carbon intensity reduction in gasoline and diesel fuel sold in California by 2020 and electric transportation is one option to displace petroleum fuels and help fulfill that objective. </li>
</ul>
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<ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvHXoyezl9ziKDG-1EgyRWVq9fy5-n_4m14ukqaN_WqRaflvtNgTxxBs6QFCADfe0zaO6KE5OECMdAc4557UuC-boODtN6lXk-6oP2us8huQHFNza1swrlw0sCWbHZxNwtvvh2HUbJOY/s1600/IMG_4981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvHXoyezl9ziKDG-1EgyRWVq9fy5-n_4m14ukqaN_WqRaflvtNgTxxBs6QFCADfe0zaO6KE5OECMdAc4557UuC-boODtN6lXk-6oP2us8huQHFNza1swrlw0sCWbHZxNwtvvh2HUbJOY/s320/IMG_4981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott, <br />
Lead Commissioner for Transportation chaired recent Utilities & Electric Vehicles Workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>CARB adopted a statewide mobile source strategy to comply with federal ambient air quality standards to reduce ozone forming vehicle tailpipe emissions and ZEVs offer attributes to help achieve that requirement</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>CARB also provides incentive rebates and vouchers in conjunction with federal tax credits to reduce the purchase price of ZEVs and the Energy Commission complements these efforts with its support through its own program to plan and deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure 3 throughout California as part of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB350" target="_blank">SB350 of 2015</a> requires utilities, in conjunction with the requirements/processes of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission, to plan for electric vehicle deployment and infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Investor Owned Utilities: Pilots & Programs </h3>
<br />
The investor-owned utilities (i.e. those regulated by the Public Utilities Commission) are evaluating how to assist electric vehicle infrastructure and electric vehicle deployment. The utilities are seen as a major source of know-how and capital to improve the infrastructure, but there are concerns from those who worry about the utilities competing with others who want to deploy electric vehicle chargers.<br />
<br />
The investor-owned utilities have been told to present transportation electrification plans by January, 2017 (larger utilities: PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) or July 2017 (smaller utilities: Liberty Utilities, Bear Valley Electric, PacifiCorp). According to PUC Analyst Amy Mesrobian, it is possible for utilities to collaborate with each other on joint projects or to even work with nearby publicly owned utilities. The utilities regulated by the PUC will also be able to fast-track approval of smaller (less than $4 million) non-controversial projects.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD_33v0pQWaCr2zU_5MoF2Ko07JChFB_mzl01JrhyaAvahL7Kly7l3CgS-i4PvPdtBgp4QvAY2hp3lzZMnfDMHqWPwBB7Ek-0CFqBNbYINQcmscxkIUGDuEE6lvExXIdqmR6XPcO1jzo/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD_33v0pQWaCr2zU_5MoF2Ko07JChFB_mzl01JrhyaAvahL7Kly7l3CgS-i4PvPdtBgp4QvAY2hp3lzZMnfDMHqWPwBB7Ek-0CFqBNbYINQcmscxkIUGDuEE6lvExXIdqmR6XPcO1jzo/s320/IMG_4982.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Public Utilities Commission Analyst Amy Mesrobian<br />
Explains programs affecting investor owned utilities <br />
at Energy Commission Workshop 10/5/2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The PUC is already working with the utilities on pilot projects to examine the effectiveness of charging infrastructure through the installation of over 12,000 units.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1itfQFnbUXAfaf7-Kdz50v5LiArgzYUgOjvm8GMTkccFucIGnJC-nq-K7UDsb2kBDlcbWrSlIYvtYvrCQUfSBbM4tHBG4xETx9HcFbg925QZ4XigI5On5d_F8SIdDbZAcIL2EFnK-do/s1600/ScreenClip%255B62%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1itfQFnbUXAfaf7-Kdz50v5LiArgzYUgOjvm8GMTkccFucIGnJC-nq-K7UDsb2kBDlcbWrSlIYvtYvrCQUfSBbM4tHBG4xETx9HcFbg925QZ4XigI5On5d_F8SIdDbZAcIL2EFnK-do/s400/ScreenClip%255B62%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Investor Owned Utility Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot Program<br />
Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213880_20161004T081658_InvestorOwned_Utility_Transportation_Electrification_by_Amy_Mes.pdf" target="_blank">PUC Presentation to Energy Commission 10/5/2016</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More information on the PUC and investor owned utility programs can be found <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/General.aspx?id=5597" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Publicly Owned Utilities: New Planning Mandates & Challenges</h3>
<br />
The publicly owned utilities in California are grappling with how to develop infrastructure in their communities. The 16 largest public utilities, including SMUD, LADWP and others (see chart below) are required under SB350 to develop specific "Integrated Resource Plans" addressing renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction and transportation electrification issues by 2019.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTP4iA0Os2mqKJ7y7g4_KO0BWINgc_rv1B4Ncbd9jpq6wGes1TMbwT3LrlCISONy43qXQ3xXpk31RgQlUMRPbHnReJhWWvhBt0S2Y44S4GVyUA4PPTq8IdDnmq_RYDzUbRkd3Lzc0Bow/s1600/ScreenClip%255B65%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTP4iA0Os2mqKJ7y7g4_KO0BWINgc_rv1B4Ncbd9jpq6wGes1TMbwT3LrlCISONy43qXQ3xXpk31RgQlUMRPbHnReJhWWvhBt0S2Y44S4GVyUA4PPTq8IdDnmq_RYDzUbRkd3Lzc0Bow/s400/ScreenClip%255B65%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 publicly owned utilities subject to SB350 planning requirements<br />
Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213897_20161005T085938_Presentation__Transportation_Electrification_in_Publicly_Owned.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Energy Commission workshop included presentations from several of the publicly owned utilities and other experts. <br />
<br />
Some common themes, included:<br />
<ul>
<li>There are not enough charging locations in place or planned to meet anticipated growth. In The electric grid is getting cleaner as more renewable projects come online. As a result the benefits of electric cars are increasing.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Customer choice is helping to propel more interest in electric vehicles. 43 new models are expected in the next four years.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Increased range is also helping drive interest. Upcoming models will get more than 200 miles and that may soon become the expected range. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Transportation electrification helps meet greenhouse gas reduction targets, but more aggressive electric transportation deployment is needed to meet goals</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIILQuQzRXfqO9SufYzRo2gVpEbtvZbS24UM_8pK5KACn62ZeL4J8gG3rwAw5Pj_t2aTrREgVKaZ0RGUG7Q6R8smYG1sY6LYz88akDDI5bTaz_RPAtlTVKA2PpkTpGFP4kCb5Dt0Buvs/s1600/ScreenClip%255B74%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIILQuQzRXfqO9SufYzRo2gVpEbtvZbS24UM_8pK5KACn62ZeL4J8gG3rwAw5Pj_t2aTrREgVKaZ0RGUG7Q6R8smYG1sY6LYz88akDDI5bTaz_RPAtlTVKA2PpkTpGFP4kCb5Dt0Buvs/s400/ScreenClip%255B74%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213900_20161005T090943_Presentation__Transportation_Electrification_The_PEV_Market_Env.pdf" target="_blank">Electric Power Research Institute presentation 10/5/2016</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Solar electric generation has caused an oversupply of energy mid-day in California. There may be ways to use the electric fleet as part of the solution to store electricity or charge during times of abundance. Fuel-cell vehicles could also be part of the solution if hydrogen is produced with excess power.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Time of use rates are an effective way to match electric production peaks with consumer demand. Electric vehicle charging at the right time can help significantly.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Low oil prices have impacted the pace of electric vehicle adoption</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0qApMI36eOkIJkv_q4Ib_y1diLLgug0M1-oofkNXqfGNmL8_BdbRdhhs-RCH7BB19yWrvlCmB-AwfECTTTugdAQ1FoL3tQ3LhROxD1OFtubxLeOavg03dsyVY7BRD58I3Kzlm_Z3Dfo/s1600/ScreenClip%255B76%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0qApMI36eOkIJkv_q4Ib_y1diLLgug0M1-oofkNXqfGNmL8_BdbRdhhs-RCH7BB19yWrvlCmB-AwfECTTTugdAQ1FoL3tQ3LhROxD1OFtubxLeOavg03dsyVY7BRD58I3Kzlm_Z3Dfo/s400/ScreenClip%255B76%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213899_20161005T090629_Presentation__Key_Considerations_for_Incorporating_Transport_El.pdf" target="_blank">Testimony of Dr. Nancy Ryan of E3 10/5/2016</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Providing charging in multi-family and rental housing is challenging and must be addressed in order to meet the electric vehicle targets.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The fast-charger network must continue to expand to keep up with electric vehicle fleet expansion. The demand for use of existing fast chargers is very high.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fast chargers will be be even faster in the future as new ones are able to deliver increasing amounts of electricity.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Faster fast chargers may cost more and have a greater impact on electric loads. It is possible that there may be variable pricing among chargers depending on their throughput. This is likened to paying more for premium (faster EV charging) vs. regular (slower EV charging)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Consumer incentives, including incentives for chargers, are important to EV adoption</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There is not yet a good business case for chargers. They generally cost more to install/maintain than the revenue they generate.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Building code changes to require chargers in new construction or renovations can be helpful.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Copies of presentations from the workshop are online <a href="https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=16-TRAN-01" target="_blank">here</a> and some highlights are included below.</div>
<br />
<h3>
Los Angeles Seeks to Meet Challenge</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The City of Los Angeles is implementing plans for scaling up electric vehicle infrastructure. They hope to go from about 23,000 plug-in electric vehicles today to 145,000 within 5 years and 580,000 by 2030. To do this, new car sales in the region will need to be about 15% plug-in by 2020. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggRpD6f9kwESDN70jDiy0oGe9veqXi44WB2TDuCBAga5fx6XRCCr8_lYy_NYmvmgs_ymyL4M-78BgxCNtQ3GXCk_Q4d8-bR4O2LkxaLvs2ZL8GnbdUYKQma_ERZSO7jFRMccafpAwufI/s1600/IMG_4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggRpD6f9kwESDN70jDiy0oGe9veqXi44WB2TDuCBAga5fx6XRCCr8_lYy_NYmvmgs_ymyL4M-78BgxCNtQ3GXCk_Q4d8-bR4O2LkxaLvs2ZL8GnbdUYKQma_ERZSO7jFRMccafpAwufI/s400/IMG_4984.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvin Moon of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power<br />
Describes electric vehicle programs 10/5/2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
The Los Angeles City Council is engaged in pushing for better electric vehicle infrastructure. They are changing codes to require electric vehicle chargers in new construction. City fleets, including the police department, will increase their plug-in fleets to 1,600 vehicles. The city plans to install over 3,000 chargers and encourage at least 10,000 or more public charging stations in the next five years. The city chargers will include 1,000 curbside chargers.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyXi2eYXie_k0_7c7tFmE1tikGKV-CwMw2RGbR1Kxztdtsjj4KruTPocL8mQ1CHgM9lzGgMPReMIywpg1i8EncYSnsSJ7_vQocd29VxU0GBpd3LF9-9xLLTm-dSx0YeF_8INA0SLP-wo/s1600/ScreenClip%255B67%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyXi2eYXie_k0_7c7tFmE1tikGKV-CwMw2RGbR1Kxztdtsjj4KruTPocL8mQ1CHgM9lzGgMPReMIywpg1i8EncYSnsSJ7_vQocd29VxU0GBpd3LF9-9xLLTm-dSx0YeF_8INA0SLP-wo/s400/ScreenClip%255B67%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Los Angeles Police Department is purchasing many electric vehicles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More on Los Angeles electric vehicle plans in their presentation <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213883_20161004T082433_Transportation_Electrification__The_LADWP_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Sacramento Pushing Fast Chargers</h3>
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The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has several programs to encourage electric vehicle use and plans to expand these in 2017.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_75mLHBdhGmDfrTVjnfsx-k6Y2U5YtBSIAVV2xAnuZHZ3f4ZtTLljosbhifjEzE132YjJgHGmz9xMcVP6BWYmKV1Jq6INeshVM3DgYfGtS5j8DMRtywAEfRFSl5dY2qd4OgMKyaY3dgU/s1600/IMG_4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_75mLHBdhGmDfrTVjnfsx-k6Y2U5YtBSIAVV2xAnuZHZ3f4ZtTLljosbhifjEzE132YjJgHGmz9xMcVP6BWYmKV1Jq6INeshVM3DgYfGtS5j8DMRtywAEfRFSl5dY2qd4OgMKyaY3dgU/s400/IMG_4993.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Boyce of SMUD describes electric vehicle programs<br />at Energy Commission workshop 10/5/2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
SMUD is deploying six DC fast chargers in the community, including chargers at the Sacramento Airport, the Sacramento Valley Train Station, Nugget Market in Elk Grove and elsewhere. They have a "charge free for a year" program to provide a rebate on electricity costs for electric vehicle users. They are expanding efforts to deploy chargers in multi-family dwellings and low income communities.<br />
<br />
For 2017, SMUD is planning to expand their initiatives, including doubling their residential incentive from $300 to $600, providing incentives for multi-family and workplace charging and expanding the DC fast charger network.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JKbEFsmRvdeJonj3CJrIZWomOKop8iUaUtK11hK5nw4S69wp0As4OYAFzrhkcIK07VfepivNayGlDqG7_2N6ZnfbombAX-TWZqLTYtnRVsMZX6TuUMmwv8gGhyphenhyphenmCha0od_V3deGKN7M/s1600/ScreenClip%255B77%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JKbEFsmRvdeJonj3CJrIZWomOKop8iUaUtK11hK5nw4S69wp0As4OYAFzrhkcIK07VfepivNayGlDqG7_2N6ZnfbombAX-TWZqLTYtnRVsMZX6TuUMmwv8gGhyphenhyphenmCha0od_V3deGKN7M/s400/ScreenClip%255B77%255D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Nissan: Charging, Charging, Charging</h3>
<div>
Nissan representative John Tillman emphasized the need for expanding charging infrastructure. He pointed out that California has slightly more than 10,000 level-2 public charging locations, but could use 100,000 or more to meet the rapid pace of electric vehicle adoption.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GDHBd8oIQ1m-ds8zuOl952UbyS-PklzKeTu_CCV7V5nORyCaADIpwl5-bnebhX5JuQZ_92pmpnwqw_r_rYtYq9HRD5YZkZNpQ4aM1SLNrTiS_6rTBYLW4-1SlqF1Kg6dixmI0tml56g/s1600/ScreenClip%255B78%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GDHBd8oIQ1m-ds8zuOl952UbyS-PklzKeTu_CCV7V5nORyCaADIpwl5-bnebhX5JuQZ_92pmpnwqw_r_rYtYq9HRD5YZkZNpQ4aM1SLNrTiS_6rTBYLW4-1SlqF1Kg6dixmI0tml56g/s400/ScreenClip%255B78%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213890_20161004T132206_Presentation__POU's_and_Transportation_Electrification.pdf" target="_blank">Nissan presentation to California Energy Commission 10/5/2016</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tillman also suggested there are "5 R's" to a successful charging network:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Reliable - Equipment functions consistently</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Redundant - Multiple chargers to assure availability to consumer</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Relevant - Chargers need to be available for all EV connector types</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rapid - Need to have 30 minute or less charge times</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Regional - Chargers need to be available where people need them</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysedzLjhoWjjTzlVeNXcTtRdIj2a1YBtVX64mhmLHBPygryHTny4JgsjJ93ri9LMIxLYPFamaNsdYooQkxf0ZuOU7cAtP2xTn8fFUXB-Ea797juD_VI44F3DSRDqtjxjKEhf75fX4OGY/s1600/ScreenClip%255B79%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysedzLjhoWjjTzlVeNXcTtRdIj2a1YBtVX64mhmLHBPygryHTny4JgsjJ93ri9LMIxLYPFamaNsdYooQkxf0ZuOU7cAtP2xTn8fFUXB-Ea797juD_VI44F3DSRDqtjxjKEhf75fX4OGY/s400/ScreenClip%255B79%255D.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-TRAN-01/TN213890_20161004T132206_Presentation__POU's_and_Transportation_Electrification.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Nissan presentation to California Energy Commission 10/5/2016</a></td></tr>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-18279826699906947452016-02-24T10:00:00.000-08:002016-04-10T08:45:08.252-07:00EcoBlocks as Climate Solution(April 10, 2016 update: A summary of the EcoBlocks proposal with contacts has been posted <a href="http://go.builditgreen.org/acton/attachment/18051/f-0079/1/-/-/-/-/Oakland_EcoBlock_Summary.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. On March 25, the California Energy Commission announced plans to fund $1.5 million of the project costs, contingent on approval by the full Commission.)<br />
<br />
Achieving much greater energy efficiency in existing buildings is one of the keys to the California 2030 goal of an overall reduction of 40% in greenhouse gas emissions. (See Climate Dispatch post: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=865602095271265507#editor/target=post;postID=3303159296888487406;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=37;src=postname" target="_blank">California 2030 Climate Goals: Energy Efficiency</a>)<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
California is now working on measures to reach roughly a 17% reduction in existing building energy use. This is double the expected energy savings of just a few months ago. Since many buildings already have efficiency measures and many building owners will not want to retrofit their structures, the savings from buildings that are retrofitted will have to noticeable exceed 17% in order for the state to reach an overall 17% reduction</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt6hlxhQjzUbgLHBEICu4h3kj_LBUvFQYfBmQI_YZdt8J6F97gj0mztda0E_bUjmH50ShUIf_rm7DG4Q3YBNAtcD1hrcthYcnmn91_mkomektat7q4MX29U5ptsDiEFWBLo1hRd_qcQM/s1600/ScreenClip%255B2%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt6hlxhQjzUbgLHBEICu4h3kj_LBUvFQYfBmQI_YZdt8J6F97gj0mztda0E_bUjmH50ShUIf_rm7DG4Q3YBNAtcD1hrcthYcnmn91_mkomektat7q4MX29U5ptsDiEFWBLo1hRd_qcQM/s400/ScreenClip%255B2%255D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
Getting existing building owners to adopt efficiency measures has been a major challenge. As the California Energy Commission pointed out in their recent <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/15-IEPR-05/TN206015_20150904T153548_Existing_Buildings_Energy_Efficiency_Action_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">Existing Buildings Energy Efficiency Action Plan</a>, "Breaking through background noise to achieve actual
engagement and resulting action is difficult." (p. 84)</div>
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<div>
One concern raised by the Energy Commission is that building owners are faced with many overlapping messages and the resulting confusion may result in inaction.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS_Xpnl7q0rZlx0Kq575TuHxrGp9bQDpEWoWtJpQCG5yVq-PzRzBKDOGIHeQMjd0JFWEVJ4dONrvNvBcvk5PIij-t3ftlPKusE6UbxFBXnrbso_JHCQXP77xnt383vB-hcJLhzpmsSFs/s1600/ScreenClip%255B8%255D+%252821%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS_Xpnl7q0rZlx0Kq575TuHxrGp9bQDpEWoWtJpQCG5yVq-PzRzBKDOGIHeQMjd0JFWEVJ4dONrvNvBcvk5PIij-t3ftlPKusE6UbxFBXnrbso_JHCQXP77xnt383vB-hcJLhzpmsSFs/s400/ScreenClip%255B8%255D+%252821%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/15-IEPR-05/TN206015_20150904T153548_Existing_Buildings_Energy_Efficiency_Action_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">Existing Buildings Energy Efficiency Action Plan</a>, p. 85</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
A team from U.C. Berkeley and Stanford is working on a novel approach to induce homeowners to install a range of climate-friendly energy, water and transportation retrofits. Rather than look at retrofits on a single home, they are concentrating on an entire square block of homes. By retrofitting many adjacent homes at once, a number of measures that aren't practical for a single home suddenly make sense for the collection of homes. And, all homeowners on the square block should see savings in utility bills.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SAFKcuuBCiJVy08D0x85EuLER0PfDmmzv6MnQa-lT-xm0wq0aYWyboSXw28zP-Pnm3OkQkG1sIFSitgJieev4HpYy5EMc2ZTdeBwHBdaWPYvRz6lOkDY74cDLNMQc8orAEVltlWogNE/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SAFKcuuBCiJVy08D0x85EuLER0PfDmmzv6MnQa-lT-xm0wq0aYWyboSXw28zP-Pnm3OkQkG1sIFSitgJieev4HpYy5EMc2ZTdeBwHBdaWPYvRz6lOkDY74cDLNMQc8orAEVltlWogNE/s400/IMG_2897.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The innovative "EcoBlock" project was described by Energy and Resources Group Chair <a href="https://erg.berkeley.edu/people/harrison-fraker/" target="_blank">Harrison Fraker</a> at the recent <a href="http://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/philomathiacenter/2016-philomathia-forum-energy-and-environment" target="_blank">Philomathia Forum</a> in Berkeley.. According to Professor Fraker, as much as 45% of California homes are in in old-style cities and suburbs filled with square (or rectangular) blocks. If we’re going to reach emissions mandates, says Fraker, “we really have
to figure out how to decarbonize existing housing stock .. the existing
building stock is a major generator of carbon emissions.”</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguxGyG7OfaR7FcxjzeEtK4DWnCtTvm7w8DSJyBH98IGadyt57Yc96pHaotNSeUonHO4OK0T7rSpfeFvtd4vEea9uFePZoAhFQr-YwoGB_Kdjisltqvvn7ndmFTWa2Bjcpl-5rtxtSSU4/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguxGyG7OfaR7FcxjzeEtK4DWnCtTvm7w8DSJyBH98IGadyt57Yc96pHaotNSeUonHO4OK0T7rSpfeFvtd4vEea9uFePZoAhFQr-YwoGB_Kdjisltqvvn7ndmFTWa2Bjcpl-5rtxtSSU4/s400/IMG_2895.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">U C Berkeley Energy and Resources Group Chiar Harrison Fraker</td></tr>
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<div>
Professor Fraker and his colleagues have proposed an EcoBlock pilot project in Oakland to decarbonize a group of 28 homes and a few businesses. They are hopeful the project will receive initial funding in the next few months. If successful, the project could be replicated on blocks throughout the state and country.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The goals are impressive. The EcoBlock pilot project will:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>use net zero energy</li>
<li>be greenhouse gas neutral or better</li>
<li>have very low water usage</li>
<li>promote electric vehicle usage</li>
<li>incorporate energy storage</li>
<li>be rapidly deployable</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be accomplished through a series of inter-related systems. Solar panels will be the basic energy source, backed up by a storage in batteries, flywheels and shared electric cars. The batteries, including car batteries, will help manage the electric load of the dwellings. The homes will be retrofitted to achieve "deep energy" savings through lighting, window replacements and appliances. All gas-fired appliances will be replaced with super efficient electric units.</div>
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Part of the team is a group from Sanford working on the water system. Rainwater and greywater will be captured for reuse. Wastewater will be treated and used for irrigation of trees and gardens. </div>
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Professor Fraker says they will be able to reduce total home energy use from 690 megawatt hours per year to 280 megawatt hours with the energy retrofits. The solar is expected to produce 350 megawatt hours, with the net surplus powering the vehicle batteries. The utility and transportation savings from will be used, in part, to cover the cost of many of the efficiency improvements.</div>
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If successful, the EcoBlock could either be disruptive to the current utility structure, or could give utilities a new mission. Creative entrepreneurs could retrofit large areas of California while minimizing or eliminating the need for traditional utility customer relationships. Alternatively, the installation and maintenance of EcoBlocks could be a new business paradigm for utilities as they evolve into energy and environmental servicers.<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-17326237158950973462016-02-02T12:30:00.000-08:002016-02-02T12:30:18.049-08:00Climate Comments from COP21: YouthI was pleasantly surprised by the youth presence at COP21. There is a new generation eager and ready to address the climate problem.<br />
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A substantial portion of the 10,000 non-governmental accredited "observers" at the event were born after the international community took notice of the climate problem in the late 1980s. At COP21, they weren't just observing. They were engaged, energetic, articulate and effective.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqVDMJxwrzu1uAWhvpPqhLCaMM3nATsP-K40Vzts6czDd2-k_Ao-zyX79J-2Kk4HYCBn45Fd2j2d_a5L_aurMYeeBaKtaWY6H4kZy9wCmsL0xgfz5N6xLhKvR1DWlMqvoLqeRkMIvxZ8/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqVDMJxwrzu1uAWhvpPqhLCaMM3nATsP-K40Vzts6czDd2-k_Ao-zyX79J-2Kk4HYCBn45Fd2j2d_a5L_aurMYeeBaKtaWY6H4kZy9wCmsL0xgfz5N6xLhKvR1DWlMqvoLqeRkMIvxZ8/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth gathering for updates, strategizing at COP21</td></tr>
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<h3>
More Than Observers</h3>
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<div>
Timothy Damon of <a href="http://sustainus.org/" target="_blank">SustainUS</a> made the point that was echoed by many youth. They will be living in the world impacted by climate change and they want their voice to be heard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDV2AqhSshJMqTcOZQwaej4iyv03_QX7Ok-8AJ-oLTGwsMeZCXi7z2XzRv0F8uANcxq_UOT-J_7lHN4P3fYH6bPprFq25JkYR8w8j7E4fh0gD416PnN9YvIozFw4Gd3qigAQoCSVYouM/s1600/Timothy+Damon+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDV2AqhSshJMqTcOZQwaej4iyv03_QX7Ok-8AJ-oLTGwsMeZCXi7z2XzRv0F8uANcxq_UOT-J_7lHN4P3fYH6bPprFq25JkYR8w8j7E4fh0gD416PnN9YvIozFw4Gd3qigAQoCSVYouM/s400/Timothy+Damon+quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<br />Hearing the Voice of Youth</h3>
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<div>
The voice of youth was heard in many ways. Some button-holed diplomats, some had a presence with the media, some demonstrated and some were actually embedded within country delegations.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzePH1mqNKhtT0Pl5BQ4blUwv5X1uMREcRR4SXQmESRJVqKpnjVUrJeI1b6o5sRAcEgJ27mkkwY6kSTdoFD2_u5sim147YveRMn2E7GZYUEw1HlHvUxtnPcOR7_XJujdan2iFRkXNhPgk/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzePH1mqNKhtT0Pl5BQ4blUwv5X1uMREcRR4SXQmESRJVqKpnjVUrJeI1b6o5sRAcEgJ27mkkwY6kSTdoFD2_u5sim147YveRMn2E7GZYUEw1HlHvUxtnPcOR7_XJujdan2iFRkXNhPgk/s400/IMG_1007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yann Lesestre and Leslie Tourneville of French youth group <br />
<a href="http://www.studentclimates.org/" target="_blank">CliMates</a> display the message of zero carbon by 2050</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F6SndJz61EVr3Ln6mOdXQ4G336Hp_xGIH5EcAC_B2tHl7oWg5Ch4zNXMT0lcHZQ1f1eUPZDnOXrKVD7VBuzBN6NEFez8mpfFIvX_Goj1zjt3fsux-b71VJyqIGs9Sv80wIOI5QsBZMI/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F6SndJz61EVr3Ln6mOdXQ4G336Hp_xGIH5EcAC_B2tHl7oWg5Ch4zNXMT0lcHZQ1f1eUPZDnOXrKVD7VBuzBN6NEFez8mpfFIvX_Goj1zjt3fsux-b71VJyqIGs9Sv80wIOI5QsBZMI/s400/IMG_2190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.aycc.org.au/" target="_blank">Australian Youth Climate Coalition </a>pushes <br />
for 1.5 degree cap and money for mitigation</td></tr>
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Scientifically Necessary and Morally Just</h3>
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Dyanna Jaye of SustainUS summed up the passion and effectiveness of youth, saying they move beyond what is perceived as possible to what is "scientifically necessary and morally just::</div>
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We Can Change the World</h3>
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With over 190 countries and 20,000 government delegates, effectiveness of outside constituencies was hard to measure at COP21. But the successful outcome reflected the hard work of many. Jessica Olson of the Sierra Student Coalition recognized that change is possible through collaborative action.</div>
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The Road Doesn't End in Paris</h3>
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Finally, Caroline Engle of the Sierra Student Coalition echoed the sentiment of many .. that COP21 is just the beginning. Much more work lies ahead if we are going to decarbonize our future. The youth at COP21 are ready to rise to the challenge.</div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-38247533934853590612016-01-25T08:46:00.000-08:002016-01-25T18:39:23.779-08:00This Week: Climate Events Worth WatchingI don't normally post upcoming events in this blog, but there are two this week worth considering. Both are free to watch online.<br />
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Wednesday all day: Investor Summit on Climate Risk</h3>
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Climate leaders and financial experts will gather on Wednesday, January 27 for the <a href="http://www.ceres.org/investor-network/investor-summit" target="_blank">Investor Summit on Climate Risk</a>. The event will take place at the United Nations and is co-hosted by Ceres, the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.<br />
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Participants include United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, COP21 Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, Michael Bloomberg, Al Gore, CERES President Mindy Lubber and many others.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Bloomberg at COP21</td></tr>
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Californians on the agenda include California Treasurer John Chiang, California State Controller Betty Yee, CalSTRS CEO Jack Ehnes and DBL Investors head Nancy Pfund.</div>
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A copy of the agenda is <a href="http://www.ceres.org/investor-network/investor-summit/agenda" target="_blank">here</a>. The event can be viewed via a live broadcast on the United Nations TV website at <a href="http://webtv.un.org/">http://webtv.un.org/</a>.</div>
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<br />Friday 11-12:30 Pacific Time: The Road from Paris: Climate Solutions Investment</h3>
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Building on the ideas from the <a href="http://www.ceres.org/investor-network/investor-summit">UN Investor Summit on Climate Risk</a>, an interactive forum on finance for a west coast audience will take place on Friday, January 29 from 11 to 12:30 Pacific Time.</div>
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One of the participants in the CERES/UN Investor Summit, Ken Locklin of Impax Asset Management, is joining California Clean Energy Fund Managing Director Danny Kennedy in hosting the Friday event, <a href="http://voicevoice.com/calcef/" target="_blank">The Road from Paris: Opportunities and Challenges in Climate Solutions Investment</a>.</div>
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Experts in climate investment and risk will discuss the policies, financial models and investment flows needed to make Paris a success for both the climate and the economy.<br />
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Registration is free at <a href="http://voicevoice.com/calcef/">http://voicevoice.com/calcef/</a>.</div>
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(Disclosure: I am one of the presenters at a breakout session in the Friday event)<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-25298759645697875892016-01-07T14:01:00.000-08:002016-01-07T14:01:27.187-08:00Climate Comments from COP21: ScientistsAt COP21 in Paris last month, I was captivated by the quality and depth of the comments and presentations from political leaders, scientists, youth, activists financial experts and many others. I captured a variety of comments and share some of them from scientists here. I'll be sharing more in a future post.<br />
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The Scientists: Time to Act</h3>
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The <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) was set up under the auspices of the United Nations in 1988 to gather and analyze the best scientific information available and synthesize it for decisionmakers. <br />
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At a gathering at UNESCO during COP21, IPCC members did their best to convey the science as clearly as they could. But, scientists often have trouble conveying information in a way that is understood and absorbed by policymakers and the public. As French climatologist Valerie Masson-Delmotte said, "Scientists are not poets."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzurQ_wZdGGTj0Qea0LfkOmQUngUwiZRbRijDQq-vJ0n_oxza17uASCoHGSpyANKaZm9E0hFQvy9Lzs-3pyyIH7AFOLdf-LpEcs93dhG0Y-8QM0JN8fZOrogH1ggaOxUPcVBVvGz_1dQ/s1600/Valerie+Masson-Delmotte+quote+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzurQ_wZdGGTj0Qea0LfkOmQUngUwiZRbRijDQq-vJ0n_oxza17uASCoHGSpyANKaZm9E0hFQvy9Lzs-3pyyIH7AFOLdf-LpEcs93dhG0Y-8QM0JN8fZOrogH1ggaOxUPcVBVvGz_1dQ/s400/Valerie+Masson-Delmotte+quote+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the same UNESCO gathering, Dr. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Director of the Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy at Central European University said that it is possible to limit global warming to an increase of two degrees centigrade. However, it will be extremely difficult unless strong action is started soon. Limiting to 1.5 degrees is even more challenging.</div>
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Elsewhere at COP21, scientists were concerned that the climate models may be underestimating emissions and impacts. Dr. Susan Natali of Woods Hole Research Center expressed concern that carbon and methane emissions from thawing permafrost are not being taken into account in climate models. "These emissions from thawing permafrost are going to amplify
climate changes," she said. Dr. James Hansen expressed concern that even if all emissions stopped today, there will be noticeable further warming from greenhouse gases already emitted.<br />
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Dr. Youba Sokona, Vice-Chair of IPCC offered hope, saying that it is possible to limit climate change. However, like his colleagues, he emphasized the need for swift action.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc384Pgo0WPlRwpe0LI0xmFG_fDycFRmK37lgZNihAZS8G-ilgs88O9TtsAPUMJRVLwTI5pW6ZzvD2ddFFnkLQ-u6NDM0noFbR9t40le9mT3LhVtJN0A5nRZHWl2Fw3fo5FFK51TLcgA/s1600/Youba+Sokona+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc384Pgo0WPlRwpe0LI0xmFG_fDycFRmK37lgZNihAZS8G-ilgs88O9TtsAPUMJRVLwTI5pW6ZzvD2ddFFnkLQ-u6NDM0noFbR9t40le9mT3LhVtJN0A5nRZHWl2Fw3fo5FFK51TLcgA/s400/Youba+Sokona+quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(All photos by Michael Paparian)</span></i></div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-76985910090975190112015-12-12T14:26:00.001-08:002015-12-12T22:20:19.519-08:00COP21 - The Deal is DoneThe COP21 climate deal is done and it provides a very strong foundation for addressing climate change.<br />
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I spent the past two weeks watching the proceedings. Though not inside the negotiation huddles, I could sense the seriousness and dedication of many involved as I watched diplomats scurry to private sessions with a clear sense of purpose. Many others provided support as needed, whether it be a nudge from Al Gore, a talking-to from Bianca Jagger or an autograph from Arnold Schwarzenegger.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bianca Jagger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K5jmrP_GgnPHNNyll5tkkX8tUF5ryR6W7PXwFPgPqZmdonMZrpkR6TLOCE3fBiMSrbjyOhCoMA6JfJYRCEDPxP2HZ28gVDbWoe_Lz2knaZNuE5j64nlWmAb8iivHD9dh4-oLPlZnDvc/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K5jmrP_GgnPHNNyll5tkkX8tUF5ryR6W7PXwFPgPqZmdonMZrpkR6TLOCE3fBiMSrbjyOhCoMA6JfJYRCEDPxP2HZ28gVDbWoe_Lz2knaZNuE5j64nlWmAb8iivHD9dh4-oLPlZnDvc/s320/IMG_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arnold Schwarzenegger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I was very impressed by the youth in attendance. They were articulate, passionate and effective. I heard youth representatives engage with United Nations and country leaders as they pushed hard. They know they are inheriting an earth with problems and they know they'll have to take over addressing them. As Kentucky native Caroline Engle of the Sierra Club Student Coalition said, the "road doesn't end in Paris."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hWwD6V0coyXzcozIOxdnQypTSS57QquQKiTTx3p6jYILyNgMdVEH9IpFMJw5cZ4sXxgSYmU3m3YwYQxix132JTj8A1qG8WYZMu_XlVjqmUU8-Y7z3BTwI-63VNRcv2qmMmyZdPIf3Fg/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hWwD6V0coyXzcozIOxdnQypTSS57QquQKiTTx3p6jYILyNgMdVEH9IpFMJw5cZ4sXxgSYmU3m3YwYQxix132JTj8A1qG8WYZMu_XlVjqmUU8-Y7z3BTwI-63VNRcv2qmMmyZdPIf3Fg/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Engle of Sierra Club Student Coalition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In response to a question about youth access to decisionmaking COP21 Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres recognized that youth will very soon be the leaders at future COP sessions. She said her home country of Costa Rica placed three youth within their official delegation to learn how the intricacies of international diplomacy works. "This process is something you learn by doing .. not in books," she said.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5dMKIBiIPHhinGY3-ZQDC3EcVaQqO2OSKchVWmHO5FnkHWQXLgEaIw8EGom1XgpIaRkCNgxUzS5roGvGm6Ra5Bk88WPyEzi4_53icJkaUSSp-HdUwye6AkQvdhEHOzUd_WmWtbDsGpA/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5dMKIBiIPHhinGY3-ZQDC3EcVaQqO2OSKchVWmHO5FnkHWQXLgEaIw8EGom1XgpIaRkCNgxUzS5roGvGm6Ra5Bk88WPyEzi4_53icJkaUSSp-HdUwye6AkQvdhEHOzUd_WmWtbDsGpA/s320/IMG_2268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christiana Figueres receives canoe paddle from Indigenous <br />
group from Panama asking that we all <br />
"paddle in the same direction"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I attended many sessions on financial issues. Effectively deploying funds, providing loans to low carbon companies and countries, and assuring that investment capital gravitates towards carbon solutions is drawing the attention of business leaders. Heike Reichelt of the World Bank told one gathering that the next generation of portfolio managers will be looking at the impacts of their investments, not just the standard risk and return numbers. As Mindy Lubber of CERES said, "this agreement is what business and investors were looking for, sending a strong signal that the low-carbon global economy has officially arrived."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmCYQBCuNH9wJ3YZFN-Jx3QOHeVVzL4WlMGByhZkEMLePSfGO7Dn1Ee1jQfmxaE8JR12D7w4RGBfDDPldnyRVSqsR58btIG9ZyI9G-d9TH_8nOIBvpwDcPeiIgxcVHfAnOEteW3Ba7XI/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmCYQBCuNH9wJ3YZFN-Jx3QOHeVVzL4WlMGByhZkEMLePSfGO7Dn1Ee1jQfmxaE8JR12D7w4RGBfDDPldnyRVSqsR58btIG9ZyI9G-d9TH_8nOIBvpwDcPeiIgxcVHfAnOEteW3Ba7XI/s320/IMG_1554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mindy Lubber of CERES</td></tr>
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<br />
For most observers, the deal is about as good as you can expect from a diverse group of nearly 200 countries. The deal acknowledges that we need to do better than limiting global warming to 3.6 degrees farenheit (2 degrees celsius) and addresses many of the issues environmental leaders pushed for. It was bittersweet for island-naitons and other low-lowing areas because even aggressive implementation will lead to sea level rise that is likely to devastate large areas.<br />
<br />
The deal represents a turning point. The world has finally recognized what the scientist have been telling them for years ... the Earth is in trouble and humans have the power to limit the damage.<br />
<br />
I heard scientists continue to raise alarms. Melting permafrost may release enough methane to trigger accelerated temperature increases worldwide. Greenland and parts of Antarctica may be approaching tipping points where ice melt is irreversible and sea level rise could be even higher than the three to six feet predicted for the next century. Several scientists complained about the challenges of presenting information in a way that is understood by policymakers, "Scientists are not poets," said Valerie Masson-Delmotte at a session on climate science hosted by UNESCO.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioziDbVzY3fBG710UM-KeNK9XQJqr8CxnGp2MdXD2F6D9nnT-EVFtGLe1IehHy0bRgGkv900V-8yTmTD_t_V-E9H3NVoDZbD8SPBYIQbQvWHX37dFKvlVL_tarJkhthu9EQoupt3P2TSU/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioziDbVzY3fBG710UM-KeNK9XQJqr8CxnGp2MdXD2F6D9nnT-EVFtGLe1IehHy0bRgGkv900V-8yTmTD_t_V-E9H3NVoDZbD8SPBYIQbQvWHX37dFKvlVL_tarJkhthu9EQoupt3P2TSU/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valerie Masson-Delmotte: "Scientists are not poets"</td></tr>
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<br />
Getting the deal was just the beginning of addressing the problem. Now countries large and small need to rapidly decarbonize their economies. The cars of the future -- a fairly near future -- will not run on fossil fuels. Natural gas will give way to electricity for heating homes and food. Better planned cities will help us move more efficiently. As Governor Jerry Brown told COP participants, we need to "change our carbon intensive way of life ... friendship, beauty, art may need to take the place of commoditization"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionZovDneFUFTVhM-I_bWpTF79kQ8tuZya6ZPE5XW8fAdEqZxsmAaNsBHZtBJYsncCMQRB0JkR3siNBPf1PWIMET1MwaE4BwlVheTmBRqh4nGI-xqJ9GRnZYX8Dj1kT0LuNqQxC7nDnFs/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionZovDneFUFTVhM-I_bWpTF79kQ8tuZya6ZPE5XW8fAdEqZxsmAaNsBHZtBJYsncCMQRB0JkR3siNBPf1PWIMET1MwaE4BwlVheTmBRqh4nGI-xqJ9GRnZYX8Dj1kT0LuNqQxC7nDnFs/s320/IMG_1843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Governor Jerry Brown at COP21</td></tr>
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<br />
I'm still absorbing and pondering what I learned over the past few weeks and plan to write more about my observations. For now, it's a good time to savor the success of Paris and get ready for the challenges ahead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClfZ5HPx5JDsUfywQsAw8nrGPhAu9NJ3duKbmvn3D8RGzKzP-L8C5b1yvSsQRSO_ZwSovNAILM7840Al6qMjuo8ZNQXWZMtFac3cW2Zw_a6aJU7-hko9GuSSldv71SSeXQ3-g4WRbHeE/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClfZ5HPx5JDsUfywQsAw8nrGPhAu9NJ3duKbmvn3D8RGzKzP-L8C5b1yvSsQRSO_ZwSovNAILM7840Al6qMjuo8ZNQXWZMtFac3cW2Zw_a6aJU7-hko9GuSSldv71SSeXQ3-g4WRbHeE/s320/IMG_2729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenyan and Maasai tribe member Mary Simat: "Women are the keepers of mother earth"</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos by Michael Paparian</span></i>CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-61911413808341890252015-12-10T07:40:00.001-08:002015-12-10T07:40:32.050-08:00COP21 - Some Images<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Much is going on at COP21 as the negotiations enter the final phase and the media is covering much of this. There is anxiousness as some of the final issues are addressed. We should know more in the next day or two. In the meantime, here are some photos I've taken in the last few days.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9cmCU3A0_O8O2UEAXMWUlYoTc5O0FnNs1fTF5aP86xqjnUzXNNzbBiv-KpEPpVB5HmzvxDJFvEsRo5O3pNlsCQofK15D1O52RUhgr0uefGD-7I5Rq97zwnSgEURMLCy3YwVDzaaZR_8/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9cmCU3A0_O8O2UEAXMWUlYoTc5O0FnNs1fTF5aP86xqjnUzXNNzbBiv-KpEPpVB5HmzvxDJFvEsRo5O3pNlsCQofK15D1O52RUhgr0uefGD-7I5Rq97zwnSgEURMLCy3YwVDzaaZR_8/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian youth with a message for negotiators</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF_Vuq4flvyQIjI_Nqo6eZGntzfWT-H2bOB9W6GLtmvCBK1sBamR1CNRS2rCuPyFrDXFVYTS-uT42NtiGL0JywdhYkF1vjYsYZPgq0T3CTcZfpny7BayQAfjSNCfmfm71se67fTOUGXM/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF_Vuq4flvyQIjI_Nqo6eZGntzfWT-H2bOB9W6GLtmvCBK1sBamR1CNRS2rCuPyFrDXFVYTS-uT42NtiGL0JywdhYkF1vjYsYZPgq0T3CTcZfpny7BayQAfjSNCfmfm71se67fTOUGXM/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a scientific presentation. The good news, is it may <br />
take many years to completely melt. But ...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ENpCMpr40EcqF7SKwaN1_F7TvDNvR6yezYt96iybsyahkyXiM0mB7lbnZHMah9Mtl2IJiJnYfBGy5-rtoVJRM4nFZ5tJtNQUhMghM7HGOeYELbKVwlZ5JVBEBj-I6iiGu-LEfFLA1ns/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ENpCMpr40EcqF7SKwaN1_F7TvDNvR6yezYt96iybsyahkyXiM0mB7lbnZHMah9Mtl2IJiJnYfBGy5-rtoVJRM4nFZ5tJtNQUhMghM7HGOeYELbKVwlZ5JVBEBj-I6iiGu-LEfFLA1ns/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dept. of Uh-Oh: some irreversible melting may have started.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KrwO20zmcJDNZKGX01RSKaJ-xVMLyGATVngRv5Pa6PfErb6GGUqsqD886csvD30ekCJTsidmu_MCqvWpnQEXP4OJOPgHSQmQfNleKXcJu7BZfJagpUaLiGCjB7Q5vP2YgujpK5FIB7Q/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KrwO20zmcJDNZKGX01RSKaJ-xVMLyGATVngRv5Pa6PfErb6GGUqsqD886csvD30ekCJTsidmu_MCqvWpnQEXP4OJOPgHSQmQfNleKXcJu7BZfJagpUaLiGCjB7Q5vP2YgujpK5FIB7Q/s320/IMG_2267.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COP 21 Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres is presented <br />
with an oar by indigenous representatives from Panama, <br />
urging that we all "paddle in the same direction"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLdx2ktanvXVh8yW5wJ8x1ajRvK0AXeax9XUuJkRM9tYbSd0pZtSFhBe8D86voOl8yLtqgTlDYEXhkNkX_6LEa-nH6gTGDRsK_lG_47D5LILkubV8Ts4vObAGcOToPFjjkwWrvk0gELg/s1600/IMG_2293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLdx2ktanvXVh8yW5wJ8x1ajRvK0AXeax9XUuJkRM9tYbSd0pZtSFhBe8D86voOl8yLtqgTlDYEXhkNkX_6LEa-nH6gTGDRsK_lG_47D5LILkubV8Ts4vObAGcOToPFjjkwWrvk0gELg/s320/IMG_2293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generations space - the publicly accessible area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s0AP5gujVdQHyp-k8KHLQOb88ZDAql-YGM6OPpTF5OhgrpJq0bs7qSMGZXam-rbwgNxiHiL4Ld2iH3DOK1kWQZSl1K2fw3-ixXQ3HszAuy7mTluS8qiIhNV6xJuGywMUFdDac0fP9z0/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s0AP5gujVdQHyp-k8KHLQOb88ZDAql-YGM6OPpTF5OhgrpJq0bs7qSMGZXam-rbwgNxiHiL4Ld2iH3DOK1kWQZSl1K2fw3-ixXQ3HszAuy7mTluS8qiIhNV6xJuGywMUFdDac0fP9z0/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the entrance to the restricted COP21 zone: Apples are <br />
handed to participants on their way in .. <br />
makes up for the item shown further down </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry-rTjtqSyyCJ8ADmbxl9WNDQJDCYsEVEOixX4yYfy7MUA6fzvF-VsIoHhnkNKoojyY9P1IpobJlvR1j8A1Z4Q1QEEvT6qCOYUR7C3JPDmUNGxFQC7e0-u1Vx0UMRyGkutYTX3-nd9mc/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry-rTjtqSyyCJ8ADmbxl9WNDQJDCYsEVEOixX4yYfy7MUA6fzvF-VsIoHhnkNKoojyY9P1IpobJlvR1j8A1Z4Q1QEEvT6qCOYUR7C3JPDmUNGxFQC7e0-u1Vx0UMRyGkutYTX3-nd9mc/s320/IMG_2295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The United States Pavilion includes a high-tech globe projecting <br />
a variety of images of climate impacts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb5Z6pFG6xp1rbTRES4XG8fepJGcaUCVZpSkLcBJVZn737kN3g5PR0tO2dVSs2Qq6hp5RDhWsh8zQ4l_PWS2bFjeWwwUGSuj1EAYjU1TD7ouiRr_zKOasE5MEbg8LQnAyDyxQBfHzhw8/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb5Z6pFG6xp1rbTRES4XG8fepJGcaUCVZpSkLcBJVZn737kN3g5PR0tO2dVSs2Qq6hp5RDhWsh8zQ4l_PWS2bFjeWwwUGSuj1EAYjU1TD7ouiRr_zKOasE5MEbg8LQnAyDyxQBfHzhw8/s320/IMG_2433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Kidney of Climate Bonds Initiative explains state of the<br />
market at a meeting at OECD headquarters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlBDwjfribUwxENHFfo-QcgiG0C8dh30UjOTgA1qf0REmb-K32WceoXxkYckZt8cPszZZvStJIfLw0HuDmsKqA4eW3P5swB7kPZgWof_MYiFlG6FqWjnZAZ9eO5_m0ir7zrFPifzRbEA/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlBDwjfribUwxENHFfo-QcgiG0C8dh30UjOTgA1qf0REmb-K32WceoXxkYckZt8cPszZZvStJIfLw0HuDmsKqA4eW3P5swB7kPZgWof_MYiFlG6FqWjnZAZ9eO5_m0ir7zrFPifzRbEA/s320/IMG_2516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California State Senator Fran Pavley, author of the landmark <br />
California climate law, AB32</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PSxr-OyUcsHd1EqvdbFB7B4HVP9qoBynGFSoaX-FitvO5UdKq3QaYmMxl_LDxQyKp91Ut73oSTQDTDZaZKUtBy3jVGBh4droQ1NMJLFj0r60oPSKpX55iSaxeLzodUBuYigkLcevu7k/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PSxr-OyUcsHd1EqvdbFB7B4HVP9qoBynGFSoaX-FitvO5UdKq3QaYmMxl_LDxQyKp91Ut73oSTQDTDZaZKUtBy3jVGBh4droQ1NMJLFj0r60oPSKpX55iSaxeLzodUBuYigkLcevu7k/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">U S Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is still smiling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkGzFo4gHRckR7x_12pxuug2KqGb3gatn1ri6eyu5Qm8stjXaz8F4VSicha9MhvilTF0oU8kJipH9u9bIF4EyZFDaTvhNpfGGNPY_1br_PNIWNl4FI-LdTvvvpjyeBWuPLK1-TvQos6Y/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkGzFo4gHRckR7x_12pxuug2KqGb3gatn1ri6eyu5Qm8stjXaz8F4VSicha9MhvilTF0oU8kJipH9u9bIF4EyZFDaTvhNpfGGNPY_1br_PNIWNl4FI-LdTvvvpjyeBWuPLK1-TvQos6Y/s320/IMG_1811.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One way to get attention of negotiators: Advocacy <br />
group hands out chocolate with messages on back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZdwUbk6npbAJvwuI2b1gxK1GJZC_5z9wxfKe4FpNxuN6kLf7aay5y48EnHJq3X8BcMVonnNML43znWb93YbNOBAY5zsQklHzt6w4dRITAUMN0hceVu73a5ZFmW7kTbE_kBzP8QCUYS4/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZdwUbk6npbAJvwuI2b1gxK1GJZC_5z9wxfKe4FpNxuN6kLf7aay5y48EnHJq3X8BcMVonnNML43znWb93YbNOBAY5zsQklHzt6w4dRITAUMN0hceVu73a5ZFmW7kTbE_kBzP8QCUYS4/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-governmental organization representatives <br />
get ready to meet with COP21 leadership</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But sadness remains over November events in Paris. I visited the site <br />
of the Bataclan nightclub where emotions and sadness remain high</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJaYmEFmd_Gkq2Cc2dlZTbmz9vEz32sPOIXXz8nHDZFGLghafH0jje2rKDlw7NF0o8PyLoh_WO1_WvNW9fuvbPjfs0jQSTaUHxVmsh_zI1p1DL3OgP700ivjtN-i4nqO1I1ZOo2OGeus/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJaYmEFmd_Gkq2Cc2dlZTbmz9vEz32sPOIXXz8nHDZFGLghafH0jje2rKDlw7NF0o8PyLoh_WO1_WvNW9fuvbPjfs0jQSTaUHxVmsh_zI1p1DL3OgP700ivjtN-i4nqO1I1ZOo2OGeus/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the bicycle of a young victim <br />
who will never have a chance to ride again</td></tr>
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<br />CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-66388491931048841192015-12-08T14:26:00.001-08:002015-12-08T14:26:46.404-08:00COP21 - Mayors, Governors, Sheiks and ScientistsWhat's it like to be at COP21?<br />
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There's a lot going on and a common complaint is that it is not possible to participate in everything of interest. The negotiations are being covered by the media. People continue to be optimistic about a deal in Paris, but there remain issues to negotiate, including enforcement, when and how to update national climate plans, financing for mitigation, adaptation and renewables, and several others. We got word today that the final agreement may take place a day or two after the final scheduled conference day of December 11.<br />
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It's not just negotiations, it's more like the "olympics" of climate change, with many things happening simultaneously and all of it at the highest levels. The negotiations over the COP21 agreement are just one of many activities.<br />
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Here are some examples of perhaps 20 events I've attended in the past few days.<br />
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California Governor Jerry Brown seems to be everywhere and appears to have the stamina of a marathon runner.<br />
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At an event with US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Saudia Arabia Oil Minister, Ali Al-Naimi and others, Brown recited facts and figures about California and world climate issues, including the estimate that there is about 20 years worth of fossil fuels left to burn at current rates before we exhaust the amount that can be burned and avoid cataclysmic climate change. Brown and jump easily from facts to philosophy. He said that countries working together on climate will make it possible to address many non-climate issues: "learning to solve this (the climate) problem can teach the world about solving other problems."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC005B11oPYrKrCBX1QHoURfOQRbpFNZFfMF8P3M5u8F5Otst0Awptb0muWJYrxCaDMHwxeFQqLFu7kplzWCNKybIru-rp1ma1aEWB1nYMHEcKIV7wsri1mysUuV4t8Vv9wZZOvG2vPE/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC005B11oPYrKrCBX1QHoURfOQRbpFNZFfMF8P3M5u8F5Otst0Awptb0muWJYrxCaDMHwxeFQqLFu7kplzWCNKybIru-rp1ma1aEWB1nYMHEcKIV7wsri1mysUuV4t8Vv9wZZOvG2vPE/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calif Governor Jerry Brown and Saudi Oil Minister 12/8/15</td></tr>
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At another event with over 500 local officials, he said states, provinces and localities have a responsibility to push and inspire our nations. He also went into detail about how we need to "change our carbon intensive way of life" and suggested that friendship, beauty and art need to take the place of the commoditization of our lifestyles.<br />
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Mayors are a major presence and are pushing hard for national action by their governments. Over 400 Mayors are in attendance, including California Mayors from Oakland, Chula Vista, Santa Monica, Richmond and elsewhere.<br />
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Mayor Frank Cownie of Des Moines said, "Our region used to be coal country, and now is powered by forty percent wid. That's the future tat cities and states are creating."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGFJIQjEUO3zV4PSeiu3_TN1BjpSG8RuGq8foodTm5YlU6HEICfUkFSXR4eGZ_sFZ8FDocDeh4jlQrVBw1fTz8EtqBsLJA2R5R7xIdn5yXSfekdrWl9NlaGSUXLv1bph7dzmGKeK7cyk/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGFJIQjEUO3zV4PSeiu3_TN1BjpSG8RuGq8foodTm5YlU6HEICfUkFSXR4eGZ_sFZ8FDocDeh4jlQrVBw1fTz8EtqBsLJA2R5R7xIdn5yXSfekdrWl9NlaGSUXLv1bph7dzmGKeK7cyk/s320/IMG_2176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie 12/8/15</td></tr>
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Leaders of countries large and small are in attendance and actively participating. I saw Henry Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands describe how his country is already being ravaged by extreme weather and rising seas. He lamented that it is hard to convey a message that his country is facing life or death. "We are very, very fragile," he said and are being impacted by pollution his people did not cause. Other Pacific island nations are looking for funds to relocate their populations as seas rise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivFpuNjl4dckILvUJI_TEpBsS8FVxRbnbq2fwfP-hZ1FP1ZQ02VnF43r-LOcDRjbpXAQrKSGuoC6NVIsnc4wy-NR8iMXcRI2BKz33zYs6NVLgtO3JrdZNP_l-_VLQ-pmv6aWlopMeASU/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivFpuNjl4dckILvUJI_TEpBsS8FVxRbnbq2fwfP-hZ1FP1ZQ02VnF43r-LOcDRjbpXAQrKSGuoC6NVIsnc4wy-NR8iMXcRI2BKz33zYs6NVLgtO3JrdZNP_l-_VLQ-pmv6aWlopMeASU/s320/IMG_1859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cook Island Prime Minister Henry Puna 12/7/15</td></tr>
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<br /><br />At an event about climate science, one of the leading world scientists looking at climate change, Valerie Masson-Delmotte, lamented that it is challenging to convey the gravity of the issues in ways that are understood by policymakers. "Scientists are not poets" she said.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGTYGuIqeZfyhqMYIbyRRijRIGabrEPnOzdbYdpaHSn7AcUuEXJyuJ21Jahw70WKPSfoQZ1bsqGbyL2MsxKupv7ZZ35qRbjWpigMyf5skIWIBVNB3bSpRKNVh5ZKONUcX1KjiNvzdIg/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGTYGuIqeZfyhqMYIbyRRijRIGabrEPnOzdbYdpaHSn7AcUuEXJyuJ21Jahw70WKPSfoQZ1bsqGbyL2MsxKupv7ZZ35qRbjWpigMyf5skIWIBVNB3bSpRKNVh5ZKONUcX1KjiNvzdIg/s320/IMG_1755.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scientist Valerie Masson-Delmotte 12/7/15.</td></tr>
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The paparazzi would have a field day around COP21. Rock stars, movie stars, world leaders and seemingly just about everyone his here. Fitting two categories is former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who has been quite blunt about the need for bold action on climate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT0LMx-1qJRn95dbKQVqyCDX7F7m3PjGRSGmKuVCiy0ERhxPijWCZ8HODHlrCfPBolfBDP6eNZ9veOygLDcnZWf3cyVBaBa1iJZ1braOSXoh3c8tt9kQQlerRM2ALAbeiIK3SPfCPr3U/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT0LMx-1qJRn95dbKQVqyCDX7F7m3PjGRSGmKuVCiy0ERhxPijWCZ8HODHlrCfPBolfBDP6eNZ9veOygLDcnZWf3cyVBaBa1iJZ1braOSXoh3c8tt9kQQlerRM2ALAbeiIK3SPfCPr3U/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><h3>
What's it like Inside COP21?</h3>
It is really several events in one. There is a secure "blue zone" where the negotiations take place, the media congregates, organizations and countries display their materials, and many gatherings and events take place. The adjacent "green zone" is open to the public and also has many events and and displays from organizations and governments.<br />
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There are a limited number of groups who could get accredited to be in the blue zone. In total, according to COP Executive Secretary of COP21, there are over 20,000 accredited government representatives and 10,000 accredited non-government representatives. In additon there are several thousand media, businesses and others with access to the Blue Zone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlFdc08cwTluho9cTuZOaEoUBAqosoaVc5YLGFPXYTMSitGLXS5KSc-EZ2eglaYKYKsYsZNZDoTwiupFgt3kSVVtSxIyYg_FI9om4PH0FG0uCu5-TZ5ToFTgdN9LIYMkmcSGAW-TfC5w/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlFdc08cwTluho9cTuZOaEoUBAqosoaVc5YLGFPXYTMSitGLXS5KSc-EZ2eglaYKYKsYsZNZDoTwiupFgt3kSVVtSxIyYg_FI9om4PH0FG0uCu5-TZ5ToFTgdN9LIYMkmcSGAW-TfC5w/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COP21 Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres</td></tr>
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At any given time, there may be a dozen or more events in the Green Zone and several dozen or more in the Blue Zone. These events are in addition to the actual negotiations and side meetings. As an example, today there events such as Toward a low CO2 Steel Industry in Europe, Human Rights and Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, and many more.<br />
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To get into either venue, you have to pass through airport-style security. There are plenty of lanes, so the wait to get in is minimal. The presence of armed security is notable everywhere and there is limited vehicle access. Most participants arrive by the local train or subway and are met by dedicated buses to the facility. Photo badges are regularly checked inside the Blue Zone. The badges are also color coded to indicate country representative, media, observer or several other categories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjginFUyJr9BB2KS36gkBiGswJkI86MZPCwmBl1NWc1mji_-JF_kkp_RhIKFGBmeE_5K7o_3mQdpRgraZDoROUdt8h_uyxiSOZgBcjmAUEWQj3RKjiS7pV8B6YTacT4Yp5U8xg8RdUmnyU/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjginFUyJr9BB2KS36gkBiGswJkI86MZPCwmBl1NWc1mji_-JF_kkp_RhIKFGBmeE_5K7o_3mQdpRgraZDoROUdt8h_uyxiSOZgBcjmAUEWQj3RKjiS7pV8B6YTacT4Yp5U8xg8RdUmnyU/s200/IMG_1549.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of Security Badge</td></tr>
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The COP21 site isn't the only venue for climate activity in Paris. There are quite a few related events happening elsewhere, including a gathering of local officials from around the world, a landscapes forum and others. I attending a briefing at UNESCO headquarters from the leaders of the scientific group looking into climate issues (the IPCC). I'll be attending another off-site meeting later in the week at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.<br />
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My waste and recycling friends will be glad to know that this is a zero-waste event. There is a 1 Euro (about a dollar) deposit on coffee and drink cups that are to be reused or recycled.<br />
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I've also been tweeting @climatedispatch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(all photos by Michael Paparian)</i></span><br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-58479767761638145712015-12-06T13:49:00.001-08:002015-12-06T13:49:13.842-08:00COP21 - Midway PointCOP21 in Paris reached the halfway point of the two week session. <br />
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An initial text has been moved up for consideration by all the represented countries. The text has hundreds of bracketed letters, words and extended language. As Canadian delegate and elected House of Commons member Elizabeth May said on Sunday, the text is now "suitable for political negotiations." Those negotiations have started in earnest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian MP Elizabeth May 12/6/15</td></tr>
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Expectations remain very high for a decent deal by the end of the week. <br />
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The outstanding issues include how the agreement will be enforced, when it will be updated, whether there will be acknowledgement of aggressive oil phase out goals, how explicit the recognition will be for indigenous peoples, how the financing of projects in developing country will work, and many others.<br />
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There are many constituencies in Paris putting pressure on governments to be strong. Over 400 mayors are attending and have been especially vocal in pushing for action. The California mayors in attendance include mayors from Chula Vista, Richmond, Santa Monica and Oakland, among others.<br />
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Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland recognized the role and clout of mayors in a forum on local solutions, saying "If we could only power the grid with the energy of mayors, we could solve the climate problem." She was especially blunt when asked in another forum when asked what her message to negotiators would be, saying it is "not time to be wimpy ... grow a pair."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf</td></tr>
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Youth are present and hoping their voices will be heard. Timothy Damon of the youth group <a href="http://sustainus.org/" target="_blank">SustainUS</a> said, "It's our future we should be more than observers." Some youth showed their support for a goal of zero carbon emissions by painting zeroes on their faces.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timothy Damon of SustanUS</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yann Lesestre and Leslie Tourneville of French youth group CliMates</td></tr>
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Religious leaders are pushing for as strong as possible an agreement. I had the opportunity to hear Katharine Hayoe speak and met her briefly. She is an Evangelical Christian, climate scientist, professor and was named by Time magazine in 2014 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She said when we engage others on climate, we need to offer tangible, viable, acceptable & inspirational solutions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katharine Hayhoe and Michael Paparian</td></tr>
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Green Bonds are getting noticed as part of the basket of financial solutions. I like to characterize green bonds as the "flip side" of divestment. Once entities divest from fossil fuels, they need to put their money somewhere. Putting their money to work supporting climate beneficial projects makes sense and green bonds offer one avenue for such investments. Frederic Samana of the top European asset management group Amundi said the green bond market is surging everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frederic Samana of Amundi</td></tr>
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The many people and constituencies gathered at COP21 have a common purpose. As Al Gore told the assembled delegates on Saturday, "young people are looking to us to do what's right."<br />
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<br />CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-71396422141327476712015-12-04T15:05:00.001-08:002016-01-22T10:11:57.339-08:00COP21: Quacky & ClimateWhen I was a child, we briefly had a pet duck named Quacky. Quacky wasn't really meant for an urban back yard. I remember the outing to Reseda Park near Los Angeles to free Quacky to swim among her fellow ducks.<br />
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Ducks were in abundance at COP21 today, but these weren't real. 300 paper maché ducks, hand painted by children, ages 8 to 10, were given to delegates inside the COP21 venue. They were intended to remind delegates not to "duck" the issue of adaptation. Delegates from the U.S., Costa Rica, Germany, France and others accepted them.<br />
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When I saw the ducks, I had to stop and find out what was going on. The ducks were gathered by <a href="http://www.carefrance.org/" target="_blank">CARE France</a>. CARE works on helping impoverished people in areas that are now seeing the impacts of climate change such as Bangladesh.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7XO9JW1i4uibFOAiAHNgsAXlywM8EzpZazSXokaCl35bcpjYCkzFcNxeNuQRTwndFKJmZFuSkrFwhUgeMlZaSpeCABJVhapk-ou7YzOen-_ZINm38laiaSRZQ7yIocQRSvlLjieOHC4/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7XO9JW1i4uibFOAiAHNgsAXlywM8EzpZazSXokaCl35bcpjYCkzFcNxeNuQRTwndFKJmZFuSkrFwhUgeMlZaSpeCABJVhapk-ou7YzOen-_ZINm38laiaSRZQ7yIocQRSvlLjieOHC4/s320/IMG_1369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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“In Bangladesh, floods are becoming more frequent; they destroy houses and threaten communities’ income," said Philippe Lévêque, CEO of CARE France. "In order to adapt, chicken livestock may be replaced by ducks. Equally nutritious, ducks are able to swim and therefore to survive floods. This initiative has given families a better ability to face climate hazards,” </div>
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As droughts, floods and rainfall variability increase, adaptation is a matter of survival for many communities impacted by climate change.<br />
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“States seem to be reaching a compromise on a global goal for adaptation" said Fanny Petitbon, Advocacy Officer for CARE France. "Acknowledging the need for adaptation would be a big step forward in the climate negotiations – it would prove there is a true will to improve populations’ resilience. However, funding is a tricky question which, so far, remains unanswered,”</div>
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CARE describes adaptation as "the poor cousin of climate funding," with only 16% of climate funding is dedicated to adaptation."</div>
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Adaptation is an increasingly important issue to impacted countries. While at COP21, I've had conversations with folks from the Philippines, Cambodia, India and elsewhere, all of whom are concerned about how to address impacts today. There have been a lot of numbers thrown around about acres affected, the number of intense storms, the number of homes destroyed, or the dollar value of losses. But as Raymund Liboro of the Science and Technology Information Institute of the Philippines reminded me, "Behind numbers are actual people affected."</div>
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I'll keep the duck CARE gave to me as my reminder to think about adaptation. I'll also think about the written by the child who made it, "life is precious - treasure it." And I'll name my little duck "quacky."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck given to me by CARE: "Life is precious, treasure it"</td></tr>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-88662070405551994942015-12-02T00:40:00.001-08:002015-12-02T12:59:52.382-08:00COP21 - What About China?What about China? What about India? These questions are often raised when talking about whether the world can meet climate emission targets.<br />
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Like all of the 150 or so leaders who spoke, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a very strong speech at the opening of COP21. <br />
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He urged a strong agreement and cited major changes in Chinese energy policies. He promised China would build a nationwide carbon emission trading, invest in energy efficiency and alternatives and seek a "better harmony between man and nature." He said China would reduce CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by over 60% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. He promised major reforestation programs and said "we have confidence and resolve to fulfill our commitments."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese President Xi Jinping 11/30/15</td></tr>
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The Presidents of the United States and China issued a joint statement as the COP21 talks started: "The Presidents recognize that the Paris conference presents a crucial opportunity to enhance action to meet this fundamental climate change challenge." This is a continuation of the cooperation on climate shown by the well-received US-China joint announcement of a year ago (details <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/11/fact-sheet-us-china-joint-announcement-climate-change-and-clean-energy-c" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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How real is the China commitment to addressing climate issues and reducing carbon emissions? This is one of the most important questions to those looking at how we can slow down climate change. We know China continues to be a major coal user and their demand for energy is escalating at a very rapid pace.</div>
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Greenpeace has a China presence and energy is one of their top issues of concern there. They recently issued a report complaining about the continued permitting of new coal power plants (report <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/publications/reports/climate-energy/climate-energy-2015/doubling-down/" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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But Greenpeace is very upbeat about the future for fossil fuel reductions in China and acknowledge much progress as China shifts direction. Li Shuo of Greenpeace China said earlier this week that since the Copenhagen climate talks of six years ago, "China's wind energy has jumped ten fold and solar energy jumped twenty-eight fold."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Li Shou, Greenpeace China 12/1/15</td></tr>
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"What you are observing in the country is something you would never expect a few years ago," said Shuo. "I think we are entering a very significant and tremendous energy transformation. Two years ago, you ask anybody in Beijing, 'can you see the coal consumption in the country peak or decline in this decade,' nobody would believe that. Coal consumption in 2014 declined for the first time since 1998 ... You are seeing a decoupling between economic growth and the reliance on fossil fuel. "</div>
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Mr. Shuo thinks China is heading towards a decarbonized future. "If you look at renewable energy, China is now the number one wind installation country," he said. "It will become the number one solar installation country by the end of this year. If this is the progress that we make in four or five year time ... we think decarbonization by 2050 is not only something that is possible, it is happening now."</div>
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What about India? More on that later.</div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-76649277825559565242015-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:002015-11-30T13:51:57.515-08:00COP21 Snippets from Day OneToday was the official opening of the 21st yearly Conference of the Parties to address climate change, COP21.<br />
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Over 150 heads of state attended, marking the largest gathering of world leaders under one roof at one time ever. So many wanted to speak that after overviews from President Hollande of France, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and a few others, the leaders were split into two rooms so all leaders could give a short speech before the end of the day. I listened to presentations from President Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and others.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon 11/30/15</td></tr>
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Ban Ki Mon told participants that "history is calling" on them to come to an agreement on climate and they should show "courage and vision."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama 11/30/15</td></tr>
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President Obama told the leaders it is "time to get to work." China President Xi Jinping spoke of new Chinese commitments to climate solutions being woven into their 35 year plan for the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Vb5ySZXhZB81hvGbIb4lUGh2aC9MBmsQE8OPDQWtqvtIOtqJe9C94237Val-HtBfLpnOv8td-pDAtzDheiAKT1U13lsnzdaNhMvpPaK-ST7wD5m89Y2uG1EOuhG1nPKROftAqLd3RI/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Vb5ySZXhZB81hvGbIb4lUGh2aC9MBmsQE8OPDQWtqvtIOtqJe9C94237Val-HtBfLpnOv8td-pDAtzDheiAKT1U13lsnzdaNhMvpPaK-ST7wD5m89Y2uG1EOuhG1nPKROftAqLd3RI/s320/IMG_0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Chinese President Xi Jinping 11/30/15</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">German Chancellor Angela Merkel 11/30/15</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Russian President Vladimir Putin 11/30/15</span></td></tr>
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Plenty is being written about the conference and world leader comments, so I won't dwell on them here. However, I will give some quick highlights from other sessions I attended today. With upwards of 40,000 participants in the secure zone of the conference center, it has become a small city with a post office, electric vehicle rental office, office supply store and many restaurants. At any time there be several dozen events or sessions taking place on anything from negotiations over the text of the expected climate agreement, to discussions of adaptation in island nations, financing climate solutions, and effective communication on climate science. The government of the United States has it's own small pavilion space where sessions hosted by various government agencies take place. </div>
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Jacqui Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program stressed the need to assure that climate solutions don't impact communities that have traditionally borne the health and environmental costs of energy and other technologies. She cautioned that some "clean" energy may not be so clean. "We need stringent definitions of clean energy," she said.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacqui Patterson, NAACP</td></tr>
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Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned scientists has been to 20 of the 21 COPs. He said he is more optimistic about an agreement, then he has ever been, but said that we'll all have to work to see that countries reach their goals and improve on them. "We need a package of measures to address the ambition gap," he said.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists</td></tr>
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<br />Many constituencies are holding sessions to brief interested parties on the progress of the negotiations. Many of the youthful environmental participants are being briefed by an umbrella group, <a href="http://tcktcktck.org/" target="_blank">TckTckTck</a>, every morning. The TckTckTck sessions are being broadcast on their website <a href="http://tcktcktck.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Environmental Representatives Briefed by TckTckTck</td></tr>
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Hoesung Lee is chair of the scientific body advising the United Nations on climate (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He led off a session discussing how to make scientific information more readable and relevant to decisionmakers and the public. Paul Lussier, Director of the Science Communication with Impact Network at Yale said that it is important to listen to the needs of entities and individuals and relate climate solutions to solving related problems. "The focus is relevance," he said. "And, if relevance is there, the issue of simplicity takes care of itself."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoesung Lee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Lussier</td></tr>
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Finally, the <a href="http://www.climatenetwork.org/" target="_blank">Climate Action Network</a> is presenting a "fossil of the day" award every day of COP21 to highlight those countries that are climate laggards. The award for the first day of the conference was shared by Belgium and New Zealand. It will be no surprise when Australia gets the not-so-coveted award on a future day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossil of the Day Award Presentation</td></tr>
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<br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(all photos by Michael Paparian)</span></i><br /><div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-23615119568011822372015-11-29T12:48:00.000-08:002015-11-29T22:18:53.902-08:00COP21 Preliminaries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the day before the opening events at the Paris climate summit, there were some preliminaries for many participants.<br />
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United Nations climate head Christiana Figueres gathered "civil society" participants, including environmental groups and non-profit citizen organizations, for a briefing on security and related issues. <br />
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Over 150 heads of state are gathering tomorrow (Monday) for the start of the conference. Figueres said that never before have that many "heads of state ... ever, under any circumstance, under any convening power, come together under one roof in one day." This created logistical and security issues that have been compounded by recent events in Paris. With all of the security, Figueres said, "there is no safer place on the face of this planet right now than this venue."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christiana Figueres speaks to Civil Society groups 11/29//15</td></tr>
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Figueres was joined by the United Nations head of security for the conference. He was introduced simply as "Kevin." Figueres and Keven stressed that they are open to displays of views by participants buy wanted "no surprises." They explained why, within the secure section of the venue, anything out of the ordinary, including spontaneous demonstrations of any sort, will lead to quick intervention by security personnel. They did say, however, that they will work with individuals and organizations on ways to show their views that will not surprise security personnel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UN COP21 Security Head Kevin 11/29/15</td></tr>
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Within the secure venue, upwards of 40,000 or more individuals will be registered, including government representatives and non-government representatives from environmental groups, educational groups and institutions, business organizations, and others.<br />
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The security outside the venue is also very visible. Several peaceful legal protests were held in Paris today, including placing over eight tons of shoe in and around the Place de la Republique to represent individuals who could not gather because of new, temporary restrictions on concentrated public gatherings in France. That didn't stop some individuals from massing resulting in a police response and some arrests.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riot police get ready to disperse climate protesters 11/29/15</td></tr>
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Back at the COP21 venue, transportation options are stressed. The registered participants were given passes to ride public transit for free during the conference. Conference vehicles include electric minibusses. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COP21 participants lining up to get transit passes 11/29/15</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electric minibus at COP21 11/29/15</td></tr>
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The conference site includes two "wind trees." The "leaves" are all mini-windmills. Each tree can produce 4.3 kw of power.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Arbre a Vent" Wind Trees 11/29/15</td></tr>
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I can't write about my first day in Paris without a note of sadness for the victims of the terrorist bombings earlier this month. At the Place de la Republique, there are an overwhelming number of makeshift memorials and related offerings, including the one pictured below for 37 year old Thibault Rousse Lacordaire who died at the concert venue. It was hard for anyone, myself included, to avoid tears as we saw the many hand-made tributes.<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-82412447128249252402015-11-25T08:20:00.001-08:002015-11-25T08:20:15.725-08:00Heading to Paris for Climate Action<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I’m heading to Paris this weekend for the United
Nations climate meeting commonly referred to as COP21 (21st "Conference of the Parties"). </div>
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I share the sadness of all decent people over
recent events in Paris and elsewhere. While compassion for those affected by tragedy and heightened security concerns will certainly impact the attendees, the government of France, world leaders and the United Nations feel it is vital for the gathering to take place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ6W8DjyYxd8JW6ZriiYDh7iXP04Rm0IQRgP0aNEHPsSrGo1nFLTIBWcPnf81wK2_J2ZV4uI4180uDxZuBWlLSyROasYxo36dzFsAf0aTOt5sOH8m_wQo5-HLyWwifmyNdjYIsovBhOc/s1600/cop21+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ6W8DjyYxd8JW6ZriiYDh7iXP04Rm0IQRgP0aNEHPsSrGo1nFLTIBWcPnf81wK2_J2ZV4uI4180uDxZuBWlLSyROasYxo36dzFsAf0aTOt5sOH8m_wQo5-HLyWwifmyNdjYIsovBhOc/s400/cop21+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nearly 200 nations and their leaders, including President
Obama, will be attending for at least some portion of the two week meeting. The general sense is that the resolve among world leaders is
stronger than ever to unify around a common goal of addressing climate change.</div>
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COP21 will not be the final resolution of climate issues. Rather, success should be measured by nations unifying around the need to address climate change and the related commitment to hold global warming to an average of about 2 degrees centigrade or less. </div>
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Even at a 2 degree increase, we can expect notable impacts, including sea level rise of up to three feet by the end of this century. Nations have submitted plans to get on the 2 degree path. However, their pathways are just the beginning steps. If they only do what they've committed to so far, the world will do well for a few years, but ultimately temperatures will exceed the 2 degree goal. Commitments will need to be regularly revisited, deployment of alternative energy accelerated and the phase down of fossil fuel use will have to be very rapid.</div>
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Plenty will be written about the proceedings as they begin on November 30 and reach an anticipated conclusion on December 11. While in Paris, I plan to post a few updates and photos on this blog. I won't try to duplicate the news stories about the conference, but I will try to pass along some of the items of interest.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Paparian and United Nations Framework Convention on <br />Climate Change Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, June, 2015</td></tr>
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In addition to the national government representatives,
there will be upwards of 40,000 or more representatives of scientific
institutions, environmental groups, businesses, state/local governments,
universities and others. The meeting
will include hundreds of workshops and other “side events” discussing
everything from the latest scientific research to local government roles,
financing and public engagement. I wil go to many of these.</div>
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I’ll be attending as a representative of the
<a href="http://interenvironment.org/" target="_blank">InterEnvironment Institute</a>. I am on the
Board of the Institute and have been to a number of international environmental
meetings with them. The
Institute has been “accredited” by the U.N., thus allowing us access to the
more central U.N. meeting areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since leaving the Treasurer’s office earlier this year,
one of my projects has been to help environmental finance efforts,
including establishing a network to promote “green bonds” in
California. I’ll be meeting with others
who share similar interests, including those who are establishing green bond
groups in other countries with assistance from the <a href="http://www.climatebonds.net/" target="_blank">Climate Bonds Initiative</a>. I also plan to assist the efforts of the Climate Reality
Project (Al Gore’s Group) and reconnect with some old colleagues from the Sierra Club.</div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-20025289297575067362015-11-16T17:23:00.000-08:002015-11-16T17:23:20.642-08:00Science Fiction Meets Climate Change Reality<a href="http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841779_1841803,00.html" target="_blank">Kim Stanley Robinson</a> has been writing science fiction for over three decades. That's long enough for some of his themes of ecological calamities, weather extremes and climate decay to become strikingly real.<br />
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He's thought a lot about climate change and climate solution and.is frequently called on to give his perspective. Robinson was the keynote speaker recently at the <a href="http://www.350sacramento.org/" target="_blank">350 Sacramento</a> town hall on climate change. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Kim Stanley Robinson speaking at <br />
350 Sacramento Climate Town Hall Nov. 14, 2015</td></tr>
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Successfully addressing climate change is now defined by many environmental and world leaders as limiting the increase in global temperatures to about 2 degrees centigrade (about 3.5 degrees farenheit). Even if we achieve that cap on warming, we're likely to see many negative impacts, including sea level rise of about 3 feet by the end of this century, more extreme weather events and very high localized temperatures.<br />
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Robinson thinks of success as reducing CO2 levels to levels to pre-impact levels.<br />
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"It's also true that complete success is not going to come in our lifetimes," he told the audience in Sacramento. "It's going to be a multi-generational effort and yet here at the start of it we can't let that discourage us. We can't quit just because we're going to have to pass on to the next generation the semi-damaged world where the solutions are not yet fully in place."<br />
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"We do what we can in our generation," Robinson said. "We pass it on in a kind of scaffolding system, build the scaffold as strong as we can and hopefully the next generation will stand on that scaffold and do a little better and we'll get ourselves to sustainability at last."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants at 350 Sacramento Town Hall Nov. 14, 2015</td></tr>
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How do you avoid becoming overwhelmed?<br />
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Robinson spoke of keeping the vision in mind. "The long term project is a vision so it orients you like you're driving at night and you have something on the horizon. A vision of what it can be like when it is going well. That's the utopian mindset. ... 350 Sacramento? That's the long term goal. If you say to a politician you need 350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere tomorrow ... well it's not possible ... but then it's like building a bridge and you put the footing in on your shore and you have a vision of where you're headed."<br />
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Kim Stanley Robinson continues to write about climate issues. He said his next novel will be about massive sea level rise. He also recently republished the climate "Science in the Capital" trilogy he wrote a decade ago. He condensed the books into one volume and updated some of the information based on the latest science. The new volume is "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101964839/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1101964839&linkCode=as2&tag=climadispa-20&linkId=CTMF5JQI7YBMFWDF" target="_blank">Green Earth</a>."<br />
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"I will keep pounding away on these issues," he says. He is optimistic about the prospects for a better future. "When you get together in groups like this and you see the people devoting their time to this cause, you realize it can work .. it can be done"<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-61649882027800589622015-11-13T12:06:00.001-08:002015-11-13T12:06:13.267-08:00Americans Want Climate Action<div>
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Overwhelming Agreement on Climate</h3>
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Americans not only agree that climate action is needed, they so overwhelmingly see the threat and want action that it is "hard to find this many Americans agreeing about anything."<br />
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That's the bottom line conclusion of <a href="https://comm.stanford.edu/faculty-krosnick/" target="_blank">Dr. Jon Krosnick</a> of Stanford University. Having studied and surveyed American attitudes about climate change for two decades, he's in a position to know. Dr. Krosnick spoke recently at the University of California <a href="http://uccs.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank">Sacramento Center</a>, presenting his findings from years of survey work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comm.stanford.edu/faculty-krosnick/" target="_blank">Dr. Jon Krosnick</a> in Sacramento Nov 12, 2015</td></tr>
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Over the years, Dr. Krosnick's surveys have gotten more sophisticated in addressing various misconceptions about public attitudes and opinions on climate. <br />
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Since 1997, Dr. Krosnick has seen a consistently high belief that global warming is or probably will happen, with between 82% and 88% of those surveyed recognizing the problem.<br />
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Support for Government Action Widespread</h3>
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Fully 78% of Americans support government action on climate, according to the surveys. "You only get up to these numbers at this level if there is endorsement of this policy not only be people who are comfortable with government action but a considerable number of americans who say, as a general rule, they prefer for government to stay out of the activity," said Dr. Krosnick. "So this is remarkable issue in the sense that this is a place where people who are in general skeptical about government involvement support government activity."<br />
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One of the issues Dr. Krosnick says he hears is that there are geographic differences of opinion regarding global warming. When he tested for this, he found that strong majority belief that global warming is happening in every area of the country. "There is not a single state that is majority skeptic on this issue, said Dr. Krosnick. The lowest number in any state is 75%. Interestingly, some of the highest numbers are in Oklahoma, home of climate denier Senator Jim Inhofe.<br />
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Parakeets and Science</h3>
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Dr. Krosnick got a laugh from the audience in Sacramento when he recounted getting a call from the New York Times asking for his response to the assertion by politicians that they have nothing to say about climate change because they are not scientists. He said, "For a politician to say I am not a scientist is like saying I'm not a parakeet." His polling shows that the not-a-scientist statement resonates better that absolute climate denial among very conservative voters.</div>
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Summary of Climate Polling: Americans Green & Want Action</h3>
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Dr. Krosnick gave the Sacramento audience a summary of his findings:<br /><br />"A majority of Americans are green on this issue, There seems to be no regions of skepticism as far as we can tell ... It is in fact a priority for people .. They want their government to address it. People do appear willing to pay to reduce emissions. Taking green positions seems to help candidates win an election. A not-green position can hurt a candidate."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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More on Dr. Krosnick's most recent national polling can be found at the New York Times site <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/us/politics/most-americans-support-government-action-on-climate-change-poll-finds.html?_r=0" target="_blank">here</a> and Resources for the Future <a href="http://www.rff.org/research/collection/surveying-american-attitudes-toward-climate-change-and-clean-energy" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-59683235871319499932015-11-06T14:09:00.001-08:002015-11-08T19:42:52.486-08:00Climate Dispatch: 5 Most Viewed PostsI started <a href="http://climatedispatch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Climate Dispatch</a> earlier this year with the hope of providing information and viewpoints of interest. There have been 24 posts so far. I'm working on more and plan to provide updates when I attend the United Nations climate meeting in Paris early next month.<br />
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What's been most interesting to Climate Dispatch readers? The five most viewed posts to date are:<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/08/traitors-to-humanity.html" target="_blank">Traitors to Humanity</a></h3>
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The most viewed post, <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/08/traitors-to-humanity.html" target="_blank">Traitors to Humanity</a>, offers some thoughts on how climate deniers will be remembered in the future, concluding:<br />
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<i>For a bit of political self-gratification now, the climate denial leaders are condemning themselves to be forever remembered as betraying humans and the planet.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/08/some-recent-climate-change-videos-i.html" target="_blank">2. Some Recent Climate Change Videos I Liked - August 2015</a></h3>
Never underestimate the power of visual media. I enjoy learning about issue through a variety of sources, including videos and video clips. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the second most viewed post was a compilation of six videos ranging from an overview of cap and trade to an analysis of the Pope's encyclical to climate impacts on the wine industry. The post is linked <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/08/some-recent-climate-change-videos-i.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-coast-get-ready-for-sea.html" target="_blank">California Coast: Get Ready for Sea Level Rise</a></h3>
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The California coastline is already seeing the impacts of rising tides and warmer waters. What is not generally known is that our best efforts to address climate change will likely lead to a sea level increase of about 3 feet in the next 85 years. Without aggressive efforts, the rise could be 6 feet. Even a few inches causes dramatic impacts, so we better get ready. The third most viewed post relates to climate impacts on our coast and is linked <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-coast-get-ready-for-sea.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCk0QSG9TW5tKZgoh1Fq6M2-czFmZwlHRC5GGHT2ZepEl6O1tSLZJP32z1TD9ATYupbvNXifqynhyhqdiNE3uNZmWK-41GpHbSNo5sePY4bkG2lNtkdqvph8hlbJuI-DWrCWZ3ZNcmU0/s320/ScreenClip%255B2%255D+%252816%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/15-IEPR-11/TN205514_20150724T154253_Climate_Change_Resilience_and_Preparedness.pptx" style="color: #ff3300;" target="_blank">PG&E presentation to CEC/PUC Adaptation Workshop 7/27/15</a></td></tr>
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4. <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/09/clean-coal-this-hydra-needs-to-die.html" target="_blank">Clean Coal: This Hydra Needs to Die</a></h3>
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Promoting "Clean Coal" has become a favorite energy source for many of the Republican presidential candidates and some are even distancing themselves from cleaner energy like solar and wind. The fourth most viewed post compares "clean coal" to the many-headed hydra that sprouts more heads each time you cut one off. The post is linked <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/09/clean-coal-this-hydra-needs-to-die.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB7c-ak_gRGOWS_PdzUIdlTyJIKrv573umiQtN8ih51AUaWJ-uGZsUv4XrX5q8mHhK0-FovfYBPjX0CgxRhPLnAzYOdndOIplKedKpIsOdfdK2L7quPaOIX45fuIzaQCbe2LDDWg1IpY/s320/ScreenClip%255B4%255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.592px; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hydra: Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program</span></i></td></tr>
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
5. <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-2030-climate-goals-renewable.html" target="_blank">California 2030 Climate Goals: Renewable Energy</a></h3>
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The fifth most viewed post was part of a series covering summertime workshops to assess progress towards California climate goals for 2030. The <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-2030-climate-goals-renewable.html" target="_blank">renewable energy post</a> is the only one of the series in the top five list. The other posts covered <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-climate-goals-transportation.html" target="_blank">transportation</a> (#8) and <a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-climate-goals-energy.html" target="_blank">energy efficiency</a> (#11).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fQOJr-hNfZlJNeWoiE7knlneeo3CaMpLpU2tCw85HHaEf7fPQhfpD902y-EFQJmzRHHe-hvCyd7WqibZWqg-rSZxYKzkYOUz8pssm_DWhAjESXF0lTuc4ri5kMrcTioHhhk9zJB5Hwo/s1600/slides.pdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fQOJr-hNfZlJNeWoiE7knlneeo3CaMpLpU2tCw85HHaEf7fPQhfpD902y-EFQJmzRHHe-hvCyd7WqibZWqg-rSZxYKzkYOUz8pssm_DWhAjESXF0lTuc4ri5kMrcTioHhhk9zJB5Hwo/s400/slides.pdf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>Source: <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/pillars/renewables/slides.pdf" target="_blank">E3 Dr. Nancy Ryan presentation</a></i></div>
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<div>
4. </div>
CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-74945462579072295472015-10-30T10:25:00.000-07:002015-10-30T10:26:05.224-07:00California Climate Investment Plan Draft Is Good Primer on California StrategiesCalifornia's climate strategy includes a robust <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm" target="_blank">cap and trade</a> program that is generating billions of dollars. The money is invested in climate solutions at a level surpassing climate investments by almost all national governments. The <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm" target="_blank">California Air Resources Board</a> is assisting the state <a href="http://www.dof.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Department of Finance</a> in developing the latest version of a forward-looking plan for investing future revenues.<br />
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The 2015-16 California state budget allocated over $2.2 billion in cap and trade revenue to programs, ranging from $20 million for healthy soils to $350 million for low carbon transportation and $765 million for transit and rail projects. Billions more in revenues are expected over the next few years.<br />
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The allocation of cap and trade revenue is subject to negotiations between the governor and legislature, but it is guided by an intensive review of potential climate investments in many program areas. The review is mandated by legislation signed by Governor Brown in 2012 (<a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120AB1532" target="_blank">AB1532</a>, by Assemblymember John Perez). The legislation requires regular preparation and updating of three-year climate investment plans for cap and trade auction revenues.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm" target="_blank">California Air Resources Board</a> has released the latest draft of the investment plan. The plan will serve as background for the governor and legislature as they guide the expenditure of several billion dollars in auction revenue expected from 2016 to 2019. Revenues will be used for a variety of public investments and incentives.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sbe46Dur6woVdcQ_zHjj2jih5W9KXByR8qRcISmKchw8CFplj0bIbR0m9t31zcXzCcADEnA9Cdxe_nZkg1opkKKmpHIGSPoT3wL6HhXF7n9nEjTtKydUzJAPqZBBVMgIdpgTFRRQtAg/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sbe46Dur6woVdcQ_zHjj2jih5W9KXByR8qRcISmKchw8CFplj0bIbR0m9t31zcXzCcADEnA9Cdxe_nZkg1opkKKmpHIGSPoT3wL6HhXF7n9nEjTtKydUzJAPqZBBVMgIdpgTFRRQtAg/s320/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252815%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf">http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/<br />draft-second-investment-plan.pdf</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Hearings on the plan will take place in early November and comments will be accepted until November 13. A new draft will be released in early December, followed by another comment period and a hearing before the Air Resources Board on December 17-18. The plan will be submitted to the legislature in January. (Details on the hearings <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/investmentplan.htm" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
<br />
The draft document, <i>Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Second Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19 </i>(<i>Draft)</i> (linked <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>), includes detailed background and serves as a very useful primer on the California climate program and related investments/expenditures. The plan has already been the subject of several workshops and over 200 written comments have been received to date (written comments can be viewed <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm2/bccommlog.php?listname=investplan2015-ws" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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The <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" target="_blank">draft plan</a> provides detailed background on the investment areas and programs. There is also a good discussion of how investments will target disadvantaged communities, as required by state law.<br />
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The Air Resources Board staff has done an excellent job of preparing a series of graphics that provide an overview of the California climate program and related uses of auction proceeds. Below is a selection of graphics covering the overall California strategy and summarizing expected investment areas for the next few years:<br />
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<h3>
Overview of California Climate Goals for 2030:</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Oe8ZZyxt4KfsRgqkN4H2VX86Zkey8OEHFI-rc-8AHXNCZ2YeL4zmsrKTpYjFvRF_0pp9CmJ2Vw1dRsZsCrscrTD3ctWMI4GrC9MTdECUd8ExCqT-QlW5EouWACwOgtmDYChIiYKUTEp/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Oe8ZZyxt4KfsRgqkN4H2VX86Zkey8OEHFI-rc-8AHXNCZ2YeL4zmsrKTpYjFvRF_0pp9CmJ2Vw1dRsZsCrscrTD3ctWMI4GrC9MTdECUd8ExCqT-QlW5EouWACwOgtmDYChIiYKUTEp/s400/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252813%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second <br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Additional Detail on California Climate Goals & Targets Through 2050</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB1o0-7sTFLf-mFPAJckUOVqytE3GeYr5yRiUPHeIHbdzmu6m-b4vMMj2OOfs3Yh2BGxzFcuhhnl6fmlXHXykKWLWbcNGh_8wnL1osWYYohEUGlJneZMWb14DrmPI03TehSx5UQJdxsc/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB1o0-7sTFLf-mFPAJckUOVqytE3GeYr5yRiUPHeIHbdzmu6m-b4vMMj2OOfs3Yh2BGxzFcuhhnl6fmlXHXykKWLWbcNGh_8wnL1osWYYohEUGlJneZMWb14DrmPI03TehSx5UQJdxsc/s400/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252811%2529.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
CO2 Emissions at 2020, 2030, 2050</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKSTTwesYplSTAYIwVIZlhOrv6NEk4D9_ZqEXnQa7Ou3jTFyp83xGxNj-SExHMIyqAQ3P5_HwS4KlIfwoQSQt6k-wqkS4cfgLW8WStl1g7coctbu9kpF9dIgyHQ3Xa_me3864c8cWC4w/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKSTTwesYplSTAYIwVIZlhOrv6NEk4D9_ZqEXnQa7Ou3jTFyp83xGxNj-SExHMIyqAQ3P5_HwS4KlIfwoQSQt6k-wqkS4cfgLW8WStl1g7coctbu9kpF9dIgyHQ3Xa_me3864c8cWC4w/s400/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252810%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Overview Of Proposed Investment Areas</h3>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4-WWjU3pXP-lmhnyVjdkX4UJBXnwBbZllE9-uNqnKlWK7UeTwdOe_P6z12hiRrFFkB8tV_qN2xFuGHTb11qNRYiw3DxCP3EQ7S84l9MxgmyoI5PQ3Mf-jpYkAwlEBBZW8b4_DB9ZNuxo/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4-WWjU3pXP-lmhnyVjdkX4UJBXnwBbZllE9-uNqnKlWK7UeTwdOe_P6z12hiRrFFkB8tV_qN2xFuGHTb11qNRYiw3DxCP3EQ7S84l9MxgmyoI5PQ3Mf-jpYkAwlEBBZW8b4_DB9ZNuxo/s400/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%252812%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</h3>
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Proposed Transportation Investment Concepts, Including Recipients</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMusW42c1rpB52LbkIDhaQbbrbtX9FgGKn6M0QqhaxSDxZ8pFVAI1tWnWsriqgxKRxsPmcuhf8UuRHpJacH5G7DMuNEUvCc_U1fwcj4Ya-4UJwFKKeJdSPUgjxyL2bmPQCeC_T4KnuugBQ/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMusW42c1rpB52LbkIDhaQbbrbtX9FgGKn6M0QqhaxSDxZ8pFVAI1tWnWsriqgxKRxsPmcuhf8UuRHpJacH5G7DMuNEUvCc_U1fwcj4Ya-4UJwFKKeJdSPUgjxyL2bmPQCeC_T4KnuugBQ/s640/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25286%2529.jpg" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</h3>
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</h3>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Proposed Energy Efficiency/Renewables Concepts Including Recipients</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XDXnxBXS3mAfI7Sc4rzSu4CxyKow31reJ9TbO5Iwc3zGxt-WdpBQc107KH0sVDJsrur02q3R4m8e1rfCwg-MP1LFiOImoZ4pypvqSLGZU6Xv_2ZxNnIt92be0jcrBKGGY7fbuJfzRG14/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XDXnxBXS3mAfI7Sc4rzSu4CxyKow31reJ9TbO5Iwc3zGxt-WdpBQc107KH0sVDJsrur02q3R4m8e1rfCwg-MP1LFiOImoZ4pypvqSLGZU6Xv_2ZxNnIt92be0jcrBKGGY7fbuJfzRG14/s640/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25284%2529.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3 style="clear: both;">
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<h3 style="clear: both;">
Proposed Resources/Waste Concepts Including Recipients</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6qtKfl3b4Fy4Gc-SMaXfL9jpOhl1YrE0ZImyvsrKqni6Jju4cf0NH0mbSy3Ov807yptROjo-diIiYVn4uwQCzRe0cpVxlXJhyLRkkDaZx_7ReoXIBdIEopKaZvcTdBgX77Oo4iLK_yAL/s1600/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6qtKfl3b4Fy4Gc-SMaXfL9jpOhl1YrE0ZImyvsrKqni6Jju4cf0NH0mbSy3Ov807yptROjo-diIiYVn4uwQCzRe0cpVxlXJhyLRkkDaZx_7ReoXIBdIEopKaZvcTdBgX77Oo4iLK_yAL/s640/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf+%25282%2529.jpg" width="515" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
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Proposed Transportation & Sustainable Communities Concepts Including Recipients</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">(10//27/2015 Draft) Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds </a><a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/draft-second-investment-plan.pdf" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Second<br />Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19</a></td></tr>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-26162121295502882642015-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:00:18.485-07:00Small Bits of Climate Hope from EuropeI returned last week from a vacation in Europe. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time hiking in the mountains of Tuscany and visiting our son in the Netherlands.<br />
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Climate solutions were not the intended focus of our trip, but I couldn't help but notice the many energy conservation and renewable energy efforts in the countries we visited. I came away feeling more optimistic that needed climate solutions are being implemented and can be accelerated.<br />
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Solar is much more commonplace than I expected. We spent a week in an Italian Agritourismo originally built in medieval times in a remote mountain area. It is now largely run by solar. In a neareby hillside village in the Garfagnana area north of Lucca, homes with photovoltaic panels are easily spotted.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar panels on homes in the hills of Garfagnana, Italy</td></tr>
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Even very old homes are are adding solar as they are remodeled, as the home below shows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbrd7Y2nYVLenGM-8ela2GySloPo9H0qrLPWRMwaxRHm7m-CrRK89BXMbV1x2lbV3CKgYC6ruEoX-91eyHR7yDYyOwWd688E6r3bwh4FqL3t_JKZVr-99sFn4d9DPRek9t44PW_SVKSE/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbrd7Y2nYVLenGM-8ela2GySloPo9H0qrLPWRMwaxRHm7m-CrRK89BXMbV1x2lbV3CKgYC6ruEoX-91eyHR7yDYyOwWd688E6r3bwh4FqL3t_JKZVr-99sFn4d9DPRek9t44PW_SVKSE/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the small town of Maastricht in the southeastern corner of the Netherlands, homes have many energy conservation features such as motion sensors for lights, heavy insulation, CFL and LED lighting and efficient windows. These simple features are common throughout the areas we visited in Europe. Solar is also increasing, as the roof of the home next to our Bed and Breakfast shows.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Panels on Roof in Maastricht, Netherlands</td></tr>
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Our journeys between towns were on electrified trains that were reliable and generally faster that auto travel. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are becoming much more commonplace. Paris has had an electric car-sharing program since 2011. There are now about 3000 cars in the Paris program being used for over 10,000 rentals a day (source <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/09/electric-boris-car-source-london-how-work-paris-autolib" target="_blank">here</a>). The Paris program is now rolling out to other cities. Paris also boasts a robust bicycle sharing program.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AutoLib Paris Shared Electric Cars at one of about 1000 charging locations</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesla and one other car charging in Maastricht, Netherlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cars charging at train station in Dusseldorf, Germany</td></tr>
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Often forgotten among the climate solutions are steps to reduce waste, recycle and compost. Not only are resources used more efficiently, but greenhouse gas emissions from rotting garbage can be minimized or eliminated with proper management. In Florence, Italy, there are separate streetside bins for organic waste and recyclables, offering residents a convenient way to assure proper handling of materials.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food and organic waste collection bin on street in Florence, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recyclables collection bin on street in Florence, Italy</td></tr>
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These are just a sampling of the measures we saw. Windmills were seemingly everywhere, as were larger solar installations. Passive solar design is incorporated in buildings, LED lighting is becoming widespread. Bicycle use is emphasized through workable bike lanes bike share availability.</div>
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The nations of the world will be gathering in Paris in early December to craft agreements with the goal of keeping temperature rise under about 3.6 degrees farenheit in the coming decades. To be successful, sweeping changes in our approach to energy production, transportation systems and resources utilization will be critical. But rapid implementation of the large-scale solutions will require many small scale actions by communities and individuals. </div>
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Our recent trip to Europe helped convince me that the needed steps are taking hold in many areas. With aggressive commitments and incentives for governments, it will be possible to take both the large and small steps needed to slow and eventually stop climate change.</div>
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I'll be returning to Paris for the U.N. Climate Summit in December. </div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-59934645741496536512015-09-21T07:10:00.000-07:002015-09-21T07:10:19.236-07:00California Climate Solutions: BioFuels<h3>
BioFuels Contributing to California Climate Goals</h3>
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Ethanol from sugar cane and sorghum. Diesel from waste vegetable oils. Natural gas from food and yard waste. <br />
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These are just a few of the green fuels that are in the process of commercialization in California.<br />
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A key "pillar" in Governor Brown's California plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 40% by the year 2030 is to cut fossil fuel use in the transportation sector by 50%. As I described in a prior blog post (<a href="http://www.climatedispatch.com/2015/07/california-climate-goals-transportation.html" target="_blank">California 2030 Climate Goals: Transportation Fuel Use</a>), the fossil fuel reduction goal is attainable with current technologies through a combination of electric/hydrogen vehicle deployment, efficiency improvements, expanded use of alternative transportation modes, and noticeable increases in the use of low carbon fuels.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Relative carbon intensity of current standard diesel fuel (ULSD) and <br />various substitutes. Source: <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/board/books/2015/021915/15-2-4pres.pdf" target="_blank">ARB 2/19/15 Presentation</a></span></td></tr>
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While electrification of the transportation sector remains a central policy goal of the state, there will continue to be some transportation modes that will be slower to electrify, including long haul trucks and other non-automobile vehicles and equipment. In addition, traditional and hybrid cars will continue in use for the foreseeable future. Vehicles that traditionally used fossil fuels can still contribute to the state climate goals through the use of renewable fuels.</div>
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For several years, the <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/" target="_blank">California Energy Commission</a> (CEC) has been providing strategic grants to assist in the commercialization of alternative and renewable fuels. The grants are a real climate success story. With CEC assistance, many companies are now providing low-carbon fuels for direct use or to blend with existing fuels to lower the carbon intensity and climate impacts. </div>
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Several of the projects were highlighted at a recent <a href="https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=15-MISC-04" target="_blank">workshop</a> convened by CEC Commissioner <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/commissioners/scott.html" target="_blank">Janea A. Scott</a>.</div>
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Harry Simpson of <a href="http://www.crimsonrenewable.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Renewable Energy</a> said their facility in Bakersfield is the largest biodiesel plant in California. They use used cooking oil, inedible corn oil from ethanol plants and animal fats as feedstock, but could use other sources in the future. They are in the process of expanding their plant from 10 million gallons per year capacity to 22 million gallons per year. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Harry Simpson, President<br /><a href="http://www.crimsonrenewable.com/index.php" target="_blank">Crimson Renewable Energy</a> 9/18/15</span></td></tr>
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Mr. Simpson cited state policies and incentives as key to their ability to expand production. One of the policies is the state "<a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm" target="_blank">Low Carbon Fuel Standard</a>" (LCFS). The LCFS is in the process of being renewed by the California Air Resources Board. He also said that crops could be used as a feedstock for renewable diesel, but there are challenges assuring a consistent and adequate supply. He said that some of these challenges could be overcome if there were a crop insurance program available for energy crops.</div>
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Susan Kennedy of <a href="http://ssfscavenger.com/" target="_blank">South San Francisco Scavenger Company</a> and Evan Edgar of Edgar and Associates described facilities to take food and yard waste and convert it to fuel and compost. As the graphic below illustrates, food and yard waste would go through an anaerobic digestion facility. Biogas would be processed and used by the trucks of the local waste company and displace traditional fossil-fuel based natural gas. Residual material would become compost to use on farms. The farms could grow food and the waste products from the food preparation could again be used as feedstock for fuel and compost.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: Edgar/Kennedy <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/15-MISC-04/TN206135_20150916T144243_Community_Scale_Carbon_Negative_Fleet.pdf" target="_blank">Presentation to California Energy Commission</a> 9/18/15</span></td></tr>
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Mr. Edgar said that any community of 100,000 or more people could support an economically viable facility. He said that the fuel used by the trucks would be "carbon-negative" based on the carbon calculation methodologies approved by the Air Resources Board. Using the community size of 100,000 as an example, Mr. Edgar said a facility in such a community could produce enough fuel for a fleet of 35 waste/recycling trucks that would normally use about 330,000 gallons of fuel in a year. Ms. Kennedy pointed out that, in addition to all the other benefits, their facility will help her company achieve their goal of reducing waste going to landfill.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Susan Kennedy, Evan Edgar and Paul Relis 9/18/15</span></td></tr>
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Paul Relis of southern California waste management company <a href="http://www.crrwasteservices.com/" target="_blank">CR&R</a> described their anaerobic digestion facility under construction in Perris, California (Riverside County). Their facility will be larger than the ones previously described. The gas will be used to fuel about 70 CR&R trucks and they plan to have a system in place to clean and condition the gas so it can be injected into the local natural gas pipeline for residential and commercial use.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMyd9d41dLzBFTJdipy6x7xFXPIIowKbxWFS7AqFK5remNTBuvP8aw244fsVCCLNStd62NaKeNnQ0ueMRmAXH-soOscgpnwa66ymWp3_Mfq64wcm5nZzMJT_mH2f4C01v7arxjhoPK9c/s1600/ScreenClip%255B6%255D+%25284%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMyd9d41dLzBFTJdipy6x7xFXPIIowKbxWFS7AqFK5remNTBuvP8aw244fsVCCLNStd62NaKeNnQ0ueMRmAXH-soOscgpnwa66ymWp3_Mfq64wcm5nZzMJT_mH2f4C01v7arxjhoPK9c/s400/ScreenClip%255B6%255D+%25284%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CR&R Faciity. Source: <a href="http://docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/15-MISC-04/TN206136_20150916T144244_Anaerobic_Digestion_Facility__CRR_Inc.pdf" target="_blank">CR&R CEC Presentation</a> 9/18/15</span></td></tr>
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Projects like these benefit from a range of California policies and incentives, including the Low Carbon Fuel Standard which the Air Resources Board is scheduled to update in a few days. The Energy Commission continues to put in about $20 million a year to support biofuels. As of early this year, they had supported 45 projects with $135 million. The Energy Commission expects to enter into a new funding round for projects later this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qPWJDTwzpylapnZAU4_-ThScAX8jPdUyxWFkg9eJFqzV4t23Tly2tpWEknETSe2MNj5HfqwKWct69tnG36-lAPe3SUHBkNc_ih3b_9tCeLlqy_KJrO_2SlBgdNj_DUvaTqavPYI1yaQ/s1600/ScreenClip%255B6%255D+%25286%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qPWJDTwzpylapnZAU4_-ThScAX8jPdUyxWFkg9eJFqzV4t23Tly2tpWEknETSe2MNj5HfqwKWct69tnG36-lAPe3SUHBkNc_ih3b_9tCeLlqy_KJrO_2SlBgdNj_DUvaTqavPYI1yaQ/s400/ScreenClip%255B6%255D+%25286%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/2014publications/CEC-600-2014-009/CEC-600-2014-009-CMF.pdf" target="_blank">California Energy Commission Investment Plan Update</a> April, 2015</span></td></tr>
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BioFuel proponents are hoping for additional funds to accelerate commercialization of biofuels. The source most often mentioned is the California <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm" target="_blank">Cap and Trade</a> funds.<br />
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More Information:<br />
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<a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/drive/investing/" target="_blank">California Energy Commission Renewable Fuel Program</a><br />
<a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm" target="_blank">ARB Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program</a><br />
<a href="http://www.its.ucdavis.edu/californias-low-carbon-fuel-standard/" target="_blank">UC Davis Status Review of California LCFS</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bioenergyca.org/" target="_blank">BioEnergy Association of California</a><br />
<a href="http://www.californiabiodieselalliance.org/" target="_blank">California BioDiesel Alliance</a></div>
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-865602095271265507.post-78866030254926412962015-09-07T17:01:00.000-07:002015-11-06T14:03:15.128-08:00"Clean Coal" - This Hydra Needs to Die<h3>
Presidential Candidates Promote Damaging Energy Source</h3>
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In Greek mythology, the Hydra is a creature that belches poison gas and sprays caustic blood when injured. And, every time you try to kill it by chopping off the head, two more heads grow to replace the lost one.<br />
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According to one <a href="http://www.theoi.com/Ther/DrakonHydra.html" target="_blank">description</a>, "this monster was so poisonous that she killed men with her breath, and if anyone passed by when she was sleeping, he breathed her tracks and died in greatest torment."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hydra: Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program</span></i></span></td></tr>
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"Clean coal" reminds me of the Hydra. Just when you think it has been slain in favor of better technology, the ugly head of "clean coal" resurfaces and seems to multiply. Clean or not, coal breathes noxious gas into the atmosphere and bleeds poisonous materials like mercury.<br />
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I'm not the first to see this analogy. <a href="http://www.matmcdermott.org/" target="_blank">Mat McDermott</a> discussed the clean coal hydra in 2008 <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/underground-coal-gasification-another-head-of-the-clean-coal-hydra.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm sure others have too.<br />
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"Clean coal" is a mirage created by a coal industry desperate to revive an energy source that has no role in a climate challenged world. Despite billions spent chasing the technology, it remains elusive, unproven and unreliable, while giving some a false hope that coal can be cleaned and the carbon emissions captured and stored or neutralized. The reality is that "clean coal" is a distraction from the truly clean technologies that must be deployed to address climate change.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnx4Ez2tIWnT5xnBf6KpQ0bplLr9N83PJJM8n3rP8CeqPsCwLCLMOZDPMQ8fYd6M8QMVwBSp4utWcXT-__vSow0epdJmNCZxKmh4_uXZw3uiz891kAQjgMAanDE8xHfm4xkzwWjpeelQ/s1600/ScreenClip%255B4%255D+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnx4Ez2tIWnT5xnBf6KpQ0bplLr9N83PJJM8n3rP8CeqPsCwLCLMOZDPMQ8fYd6M8QMVwBSp4utWcXT-__vSow0epdJmNCZxKmh4_uXZw3uiz891kAQjgMAanDE8xHfm4xkzwWjpeelQ/s400/ScreenClip%255B4%255D+%25283%2529.png" width="260" /></a></div>
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The latest "clean coal" hydra-head emerged from Republican Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. In response to questions about climate change, she has delighted climate deniers by dodging the issue and saying there are dozens of priorities more important than thinking about climate. She is quick to promote "clean coal" and trash other technologies like wind and solar. "To say we’re basically going to outlaw coal, which is what this administration is doing, is so self-defeating. It destroys jobs, communities," Fiorina said in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ6t7m5RlnQ" target="_blank">interview</a> with Katie Couric. She worries that China is going to get ahead of us in pursuing clean coal unless we start pushing clean coal technologies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyvJV8IWwicKZ1MHgq1f2VqAX9K1uA1wqMFf3moSi3AKVsVdn8XcLkMz4w0sAFB6sJTE4GoSrYoE4kmAXhpGd8CXz4T93doj1p5PAmEAGwhUXxQVATWcXB-i1P-too6t3Y8k36zNFTxA/s1600/Carly_Fiorina_%252813045502775%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyvJV8IWwicKZ1MHgq1f2VqAX9K1uA1wqMFf3moSi3AKVsVdn8XcLkMz4w0sAFB6sJTE4GoSrYoE4kmAXhpGd8CXz4T93doj1p5PAmEAGwhUXxQVATWcXB-i1P-too6t3Y8k36zNFTxA/s320/Carly_Fiorina_%252813045502775%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>"Carly Fiorina (13045502775)" by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America</i><br />
<i>Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carly_Fiorina_(13045502775).jpg#/media/File:Carly_Fiorina_(13045502775).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a> </i></td></tr>
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"Clean coal" isn't a new concept for Fiorina. In her failed California Senate race in 2010, she said, "We also need to use every source of energy we have, including nuclear power and natural gas to reduce our dependence on oil from other countries. At the same time, we need to build on advancements in technology that make clean coal more affordable and more realistic." (source <a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Carly_Fiorina_Energy_+_Oil.htm" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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What is new for her is a series of mis-informed attacks and outright lies about clean energy such as solar and wind (see detail from <a href="http://www.vox.com/authors/david-roberts" target="_blank">David Roberts</a> on Vox <a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/8/21/9186313/carly-fiorina-climate-wrong" target="_blank">here</a>). She says she is uncomfortable with solar because of the huge amounts of water it consumes and wind due to bird kills. (Never mind that solar panels use no water and wind technology has advanced to the point where cell phone and radio towers are 10 times more dangerous for birds.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-m8iudGvf1_HHghBRy4N_TALMtgNU7WJhBq2KrOFU_BJ-sCB2mbmQVt_H8DVDEoUBXWQylub_kKJJsaqsRuazOQipAx_MUrcLVkaLsgVOF7Ca8lQGPnfoeFeR0aKGDvQXzTEp7zh9_A/s1600/ScreenClip%255B4%255D+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-m8iudGvf1_HHghBRy4N_TALMtgNU7WJhBq2KrOFU_BJ-sCB2mbmQVt_H8DVDEoUBXWQylub_kKJJsaqsRuazOQipAx_MUrcLVkaLsgVOF7Ca8lQGPnfoeFeR0aKGDvQXzTEp7zh9_A/s400/ScreenClip%255B4%255D+%25282%2529.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Ad in Wall Street Journal May 9, 1979</i></span></td></tr>
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Fiorina isn't the only candidate promoting coal, "clean" or otherwise.<br />
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Candidate John Kasich says of coal: "we are going to dig it, we are going to clean it, and we are going to burn it in Ohio, and we are not going to apologize for it." (source <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/where-the-2016-republican-candidates-stand-on-climate-change/" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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"Obama’s war on coal is killing American jobs, making us more energy dependent on our enemies & creating a great business disadvantage" says Donald Trump (source <a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/473895061747695616" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>"Donald Trump Laconia Rally, Laconia, NH 4 by Michael Vadon July 16 2015 19" <br />by Michael Vadon - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_Laconia_Rally,_Laconia,_NH_4_by_Michael_Vadon_July_16_2015_19.jpg#/media/File:Donald_Trump_Laconia_Rally,_Laconia,_NH_4_by_Michael_Vadon_July_16_2015_19.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a> </i></span></td></tr>
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“When it comes to coal, there is no industry in this country that has been more of a target of an outright assault from the federal government than has the coal industry" said Ted Cruz in Wyoming (source <a href="http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gop-candidate-ted-cruz-defends-coal-during-wyoming-visit/article_b705aaa4-755e-5605-89f5-cd5f588254b5.html">here</a>)<br />
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"God blessed America with abundant coal, oil and natural gas. Let's open up more federal lands for safe and responsible exploration." said Marco Rubio in Iowa (source <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/an-iowa-college-students-encounters-with-the-gop-presidential-candidates/" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8dszrgJWu9i25HTogfMcv0TCGA7XPB2mcBLXLsqFX57CBbvxkYz9VZZxZD-YhoyoFTgMvLnZJvP60sh1LOPunRBbqXRw7Ws4nUCoi8hVwpz7PC732cvlLVqHJyueVZutBG5GhyZUIBQ/s1600/coalplant+usgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8dszrgJWu9i25HTogfMcv0TCGA7XPB2mcBLXLsqFX57CBbvxkYz9VZZxZD-YhoyoFTgMvLnZJvP60sh1LOPunRBbqXRw7Ws4nUCoi8hVwpz7PC732cvlLVqHJyueVZutBG5GhyZUIBQ/s320/coalplant+usgs.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Coal Plant; Source: USGS</i></span></td></tr>
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"... we should utilize our existing coal reserves
cleanly, both through our existing plants and
through the development of new cleaner coal
technologies," says Bobby Jindal in a report on energy (source <a href="http://americanext.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Organizing-Around-Abundance.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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Jeb Bush recently met with CEOs of coal companies (source <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/06/01/jeb-bush-meets-with-coal-industry-ceos-drawing-criticism-from-environmental-activists/" target="_blank">here</a>) and got a financial boost from "King Coal" (source <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-06/the-king-of-coal-made-a-hidden-1-million-bet-on-jeb-bush" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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Scott Walker "has not made climate change a focus of his campaign, but he has spoken at the Heartland Institute, a group that denies man-made climate change. Walker also joined more than a dozen other coal-reliant states suing the Environmental Protection Agency to block the so-called Clean Power Plan" (source <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1ec2c6d633e04a579def76f6affaa37a/where-they-stand-scott-walker-issues-2016-campaign" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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Like the mythical beast, the modern "clean coal" Hydra threatens the world with fumes and poison. In mythology, a giant crab defended Hydra. Today, it is a group of misguided politicians helping a desperate coal industry survive. In mythology, it took the cleverness of Hercules to slay the Hydra. Today, it will be the ingenuity of the renewable energy industry that slays coal through cost savings, environmental benefits and technology that works.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOJK90s4Skz31-ypN_Gm3YPTlvALMccBHYHPyh3f9ki04fpqyKKrmAvA1-tUcODStsr3Vxk3dQvLGqBONqqAW6RXVaAqmv4dxwVvPmMTaA128hyphenhyphenXnNsVPWPUb0qFx67es4P4wkOcHxAU/s1600/ScreenClip%255B5%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOJK90s4Skz31-ypN_Gm3YPTlvALMccBHYHPyh3f9ki04fpqyKKrmAvA1-tUcODStsr3Vxk3dQvLGqBONqqAW6RXVaAqmv4dxwVvPmMTaA128hyphenhyphenXnNsVPWPUb0qFx67es4P4wkOcHxAU/s320/ScreenClip%255B5%255D.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hercules slaying Hydra; Beham 1545; </span></i><strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.68px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">©Trustees of the British Museum</span></strong></td></tr>
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Addendum .... Despite the seriousness of climate change and the threats from continued use of coal, it is possible to maintain some humor, as evidenced in this clean coal "ad" produced by the Coen Brothers in 2009:<br />
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CalGreenFinancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09873201023383170901noreply@blogger.com0