QUICK NEWS, May 21: Extinction And The Climate Crisis; Tomorrow’s Solar Today

Extinction And The Climate Crisis Humanity Faces a Biodiversity Crisis. Climate Change Makes It Worse. People are destroying the world’s natural wealth so fast that society must change radically to meet development goals, the UN says in a landmark scientific report.

Sabrina Shankman, Georgina Gustin, John H. Cushman Jr, May 6, 2019 (Inside Climate News)

“…[A million species are on the brink of extinction and the climate crisis role] in exacerbating the losses is accelerating…[A new report] warns of potentially irreversible economic, social and environmental calamities if the whole world doesn't [make urgent and concerted efforts to] change tracks by mid-century…The impacts would fall especially hard on the poor and in several frail regions, but no part of the planet would escape them…Because climate plays such a significant role, avoiding the collapse of ecosystems entails rapidly cutting net emissions of carbon dioxide to zero in the next few decades…This goes even beyond the complete and rapid shift from uncontrolled use of fossil fuels to clean energy that scientists say is needed to avoid unacceptable climate risks.

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…The rising seas and increased extreme weather events of climate change—fires, floods, pestilence and drought—have already caused widespread harm to biodiversity…Even at 1.5°C to 2°C of warming—the goals of the Paris climate agreement—the report warns that the ranges of most of the world's species on land will shrink significantly. At 2°C of warming, the report warns that 5 percent of species will be at risk of extinction. At 4.3°C—our current track of warming—that rises to 16 percent of species…To make the changes required to save biodiversity and the climate, the report…urges a global revolution—a shift in the way humans consume material goods, how we value the natural world, and how we account for nature in the way we develop our businesses and economies…” click here for more

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Tomorrow’s Solar Today Energy Department Selects Five Winning Teams for Solar in Your Community Challenge Prizes

May 15, 2019 (U.S. Dept of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

“…The five winners of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar in Your Community Challenge demonstrate innovative business and financial models to expand solar access for nonprofits, faith-based organizations, state and local governments, and low- and moderate-income communities, all of which face unique barriers to adopting solar…[The winners developed] replicable, innovative, and sustainable models for profitably expanding the use of solar power…In total, the winning teams proposed 25.7 megawatts of solar energy projects across the country by 2020, benefitting more than 1,200 households and 18 nonprofit organizations. On average, winners were able to save customers between 15% and 25% of their electricity bills…

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…[The Grand Prize of $500,000 went to The CARE Project from Denver, Colorado and] was led by the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver. Partners included GRID Alternatives, Ensight Energy, Xcel Energy, and SolarTAC…The $200,000 Runner-Up prize went to] The Community Solar for Community Action team from Backus, Minnesota…[It was] led by the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance. Partners included the American Indian Community Housing Organization, Leech Lake Energy Assistance Program, and Southeast Vermont Community Action…[Prizes of $100,000 went to the] Kerrville Area Solar Partners…[and the] Fellowship Energy team…More than 170 teams from 40 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico participated…” click here for more

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