A round-up of the top climate and energy news. Please post additional links below.
The European Union hosts this week what could be one of the most significant meetings of the year on climate change. [BBC]
The government does a poor job of estimating what it will cost to tear down a nuclear reactor, Congressional auditors say, and it may not be overseeing plant owners well enough to assure that they set aside enough money to do the job. [New York Times]
Major U.S. and German automakers have agreed on a common electric-car charging standard that will speed the recharging of batteries in as little as 20 minutes. [USA Today]
Onshore wind farms, recently under attack from leading conservationists for damaging the countryside, can bring significant economic benefits locally and nationally, as well as contributing to the fight against climate change, a new study claims. [The Independent]
Aspen Ski Area hosted a ski race without snow Saturday to highlight the effect climate change has on the outdoor recreation industry. [Washington Post]
Free access to emerging renewable energy markets such as Brazil, China and India will be a major factor in helping the European Union maintain its lead in green energy, according to draft documents seen by Reuters. [Reuters]
Japan is shutting down its last working nuclear reactor as part of the safety drive imposed after the March 2011 tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima plant. [Guardian]
Previous in TP Climate Progress
Language Intelligence: Lessons on persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga
The estimated 520 million tonnes of dino gas was methane.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17953792
Dinosaur Gases “Warmed the Earth”
Giant dinosaurs could have warmed the planet with their flatulence, say researchers.
British scientists have calculated the methane output of sauropods, including the species known as Brontosaurus.
By scaling up the digestive wind of cows, they estimate that the population of dinosaurs – as a whole – produced 520 million tonnes of gas annually.
They suggest the gas could have been a key factor in the warm climate 150 million years ago. (go to BBC link for full article)
Link to Current Biology abstract:
http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2812%2900329-6
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This news will certainly renew the conversation about cutting back on meat production.
However, the EPA reports that, “Globally, ruminant livestock produce about 80 million metric tons of methane annually,”
http://www.epa.gov/rlep/faq.html
That’s far less than the dino gas factor in Mesozoic climate.
I’m trying to remember which gasoline company used a dinosaur toy as a promotional item. Does anyone remember?
I think it was the Sinclair Dino. I had the inflatable Bronto as a kid.
Only three gas explosions so far in the US today, rather typical but no deaths yet !
Report of small natural gas explosion at Grandville Olive Garden ( http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/05/report_of_small_natural_gas_ex.html )
Gas Leak, Small Explosion, Force Evacuation at Bronstein ( http://nashua.patch.com/articles/gas-leak-small-explosion-forces-evacuation-at-bronstein )
Explosion rocks gas plant near Boeing Field ( http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Explosion-rocks-gas-plant-near-Boeing-Field-150495695.html ) That might just be just regular gasoline?!