Today’s top five climate change stories chosen by RTCC
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(Pic: Pixabay)
1. China plans for 50% growth in wind
“China has embarked on the greatest push for renewable energy the world has ever seen” reports the BBC’s David Shukman. He says the country aims to boost capacity from 75 gigawatts (GW) to 200GW by 2020. The EU currently has 90GW installed. In 2012 wind contributed 2% to the country’s energy mix compared to 75% for coal.
2. Keystone protestors accused of terrorism
Climate activists who unveiled a ‘Hunger Games’ style banner in Oklahoma City warning against the expansion of the Keystone XL pipeline stand accused of a terrorism hoax, says the Motherboard website. “It is the first time that any of these statutes in Oklahoma have been used with regard to protest activity,” attorney Douglas Parr is quoted as saying.
3. Why is the US freezing?
As parts of the US shiver in -51C, experts are busy trying to work out why the country has got so cold. The New Scientist says it’s not the result of a ‘Polar Vortex’ of winds as many suggest. Rather the big freeze is a consequence of a slow jet stream, allowing cold air to escape the North Pole and head South.
4. Geoengineering could cause ‘climate chaos’
That’s the warning in today’s Independent, based on a study by scientists at Reading University. Their models indicate the widespread injection of sulphates into the air to block out the sun’s rays and cool the planet could also change rainfall patterns over Africa, South America and Asia. “The risks from this kind of geo-engineering are huge,” Andrew Charlton-Perez of the University of Reading is quoted as saying.
5. Australia starts wind health check
Prime Minister Tony Abbott shows little sign of stopping his attack on climate policies and clean energy. The Australian newspaper reports his government plans new research into the impact the giant turbines have on local residents, despite a similar study three years ago finding no evidence of adverse health impacts.