NEW SCIENTIST - 8 April 2017
The
worst-case scenario for sea-level rise just got even worse. If the latest
numbers are correct, oceans could rise almost 3 metres by 2100. The new figure
includes rapid loss of mass from the Antarctic ice sheet, and tops the 2013
IPCC estimate by 2 metres (Environmental Research Letters, doi.org/b46w)
******
Warming
drives Alaskan glacier to its lowest point in 900 years
“A
small temperature increase of less than 2°C is sufficient to destabilise a
glacier”
A
MAJOR glacier in Alaska has retreated to its lowest point in 900 years.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2075093-el-nino-means-glaciers-in-the-andes-are-melting-at-record-rates/ around
the world are in retreat. But the Columbia glacier is one of the most dramatic
and well-documented cases, as well as the largest contributor to sea level rise
out of the 50 or so glaciers that descend to the sea in Alaska.
To
put the current ebb in the context of the past millennium, Anders Carlson at
Oregon State University and his colleagues bored down into the mud at the
bottom of the bay that the glacier flows into, Prince William Sound, on the
southern coast of Alaska. They then examined the layers of sediment deposited
over the past 1600 years or so, and also looked at the age of tree trunks left
on the surface by the retreating glacier. From this, they worked out that the
last time the glacier was this low was 900 years ago
(Geology, http://dx.doi.org/b46k).
*****
23
March 2017 by David Weston, Be the first to comment
UK:
Norwegian developer Statkraft has exited the Forewind consortium developing the
four 1.2GW projects in the Dogger Bank zone.
The
Dogger Bank zone ls located 130 kilometres from the UK's coast
The
Dogger Bank zone ls located 130 kilometres from the UK's coast
Two
of the consortium partners have taken on a greater share in the developments.
Compatriot Statoil and Scottish utility SSE have increased their stakes from
25% to 37.5% each upon Statkrafts exit.
Fellow
consortium partner Innogy (formerly RWE Innogy) has kept its 25% stake in the
projects.
SSE's
director of development, Mike Seaton, said: "This acquisition represents
the next step in the development of the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind development,
SSE will continue to work alongside the remaining partners in the Forewind
consortium to progress these projects."
"By
increasing our share, we strengthen Statoil's long-term portfolio materiality
and gain additional optionality. This is in line with our strategy to gradually
complement Statoil's oil and gas portfolio with profitable renewable energy and
other low-carbon solutions," said Stephen Bull, Statoil's senior vice
president for offshore wind.
Dogger
Bank comprises four 1.2GW projects, located 130km from the UK's east coast. The
four projects, to be built in two phases, were permited in 2015.
In
September 2016, Statkraft announced plans to divest from its offshore
activities entirely, claiming the industry was "too capital
intensive".
It
agreed with regular project partner Statoil to transfer its 40% share and
operatorship of the 317MW Sheringham Shoal project.
Statoil
originally also had a 40% stake in the project, the remaining 20% is owned by
the Green Investment Bank.
Statkraft
also said it was considering withdrawing from the under-construction 402MW
Dudgeon site. Dudgeon is also part-owned by renewable energy firm Masdar and
Statoil, which is also acting as the project operator.
Statkraft
said at the time it would continue developing the permitted 900MW Triton Knoll
offshore wind project with Innogy to a final investment decision before selling
its share.
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GLOBAL WARMING - SUMMER READING
Prime Minister
Rt. Hon David Cameron MP
By Email
12 June 2015.
Dear Mr Cameron,
SEA LEVEL RISE & BRITISH MARINE
ENGINEERING
Congratulations on winning a second
term.
I wrote to you on 15 June 2013,
encouraging UK investment in marine–engineering to build large floating cities.
E.G. Florida, Boston and Amsterdam will buy one.
Today, New Scientist magazine, Page 8,
“Five Metres & Counting” by Michael Le Page, says sea level will rise 20
metres. 5 years ago, science predicted sea-level rise of “5mm within the next
century”. That scientific consensus was 4,000 times too small. And, in my
“futurist’s” view, was decades out on timing. I think a 20 metres rise is still
several times too little.
http://www.newscientist.com/special/worse-climate (I
don’t know how you avoid the Persil Ad pop-up).
Please re-read my 15th June
2013 letter and blog (link) and
mobilise the UK’s formidable, world class, marine engineering industry to
specialise in building amphibious homes and permanently floating major cities.
The whole world will need this highly profitable industry – and it is the most
efficient and pro-active way to re-house drowned London.
Your colleague, Mayor Boris Johnson MP,
was right to propose an island /floating Thames Estuary airport. It is
practical, necessary and economic.
Yours truly
Noel Hodson
PS – And, I would be grateful if you
could persuade the MoT to fund our green freight transport project, which is
both flood proof and simple technology, and far cheaper than any existing
freight transport, using only 10% of the energy. Their horrified reaction to
date is “But its NEW! Mr Hodson. Its NEW!”
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