QUICK NEWS, May 1: Where Climate Science Is REALLY Missing; Are U.S. Energy Attitudes Shaped By Russian Trolls?; Big Opportunity To Clean Up Building Energy
Where Climate Science Is REALLY Missing Study finds very few pages devoted to climate change in introductory science textbooks; Less than 2 percent of pages discussed climate change in leading biology, chemistry and physics textbooks
30 April 2018 (EurekAlert)
“…When Arizona State University graduate student Rachel Yoho started pouring over introductory science textbooks, she] was surprised by the paucity of materials devoted toward subjects like global warming, climate change and renewable energy applications…[After examining] more than the 15,000 combined pages from current editions of 16 of the leading physics, biology and chemistry undergraduate textbooks published between 2013 and 2015, she and co-author Brucer Rittmann] found that less than 4 percent of pages were devoted toward discussing climate change, global warming, related environmental issues or renewable energy applications…[B]iology textbooks had on average the largest number of pages discussing the effects of climate change, but still less than 2 percent, while chemistry textbooks showed the largest variation, and physics books have an average of less than 0.5 percent of total pages…Among the three disciplines, the least emphasis was placed on renewable energy technologies in the biology textbooks examined…Going forward, they think perhaps it's time for introductory sciences to be more explicit about some of these pressing topics that span multiple disciplines…” click here for more
Are U.S. Energy Attitudes Shaped By Russian Trolls? Russian trolls are pitting Americans against energy industry
Merrill, Matthews, April 30, 2018 (The Hill)
“…Russian trolls are actively trying to disrupt U.S. energy markets…[A report from the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology focused] on the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian internet troll farm based in St. Petersburg that appears to be at the forefront of Russian cyber-meddling…[found it was exploiting American social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter,] in a concerted effort to disrupt U.S. energy markets and influence domestic energy policy…[It cited public statements from Anders Fogh Rasmussen, then-secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a former prime minister of Denmark…[and] a January 2017 assessment from the U.S. Director of the Office of National Intelligence…[Russian money reportedly has been channeled through a Bermuda-based shell company known as Klein, Ltd., to various organizations such as the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters Education Fund] to oppose fracking…According to the World Bank, oil and gas revenue accounts for about 40 percent of the Russian government’s revenues…The U.S. energy boom, made possible by fracking and other innovative drilling techniques, has helped turn the U.S. into the world leader in crude oil and natural gas production, directly threatening Russia’s oil and gas revenues and, by extension, its geopolitical influence…[This] could be shaping — or misshaping — Americans’ views about the energy industry…” click here for more
Big Opportunity To Clean Up Building Energy Electric Home Study Biased, But Shows CA Wants Clean Energy
Merrian Borgeson, April 27, 2018 Natural Resources Defense Council)
“…Building-related pollution is responsible for 25 percent of the state’s carbon emissions—on par with the industrial sector, and just behind transportation as California’s leading sources of dangerous climate pollution that fuels wildfires and heat waves. This includes the use of both electricity and natural gas…[A study from the California Building Industry Association (CBIA) seriously misrepresents the opportunity for affordable electric appliances to help reduce air pollution and climate-warming pollution from California’s buildings…[But it reveals] a need for new policy and the deep commitment of Californians to clean and renewable sources of energy…[As New Energy makes the electricity supply cleaner,] emissions from fossil fuels burnt in buildings will become one of the top barriers to achieving California's climate and clean air goals. The good news is that we have a range of solutions currently available…[But the CBIA report provides] misleading information about the cost and performance of an important solution – super-efficient electric heat pumps that can be used for heating space and water…” click here for more
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