Climate change could bring stronger winds, more wind power

A new study by the British Antarctic Survey, the University of Oxford and the University of Bristol looked at what effect a warmer world would have on winds, specifically across the UK and Northern Europe where wind power is already becoming a major source of energy. In a world that is on average 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer, winds would be stronger and as a result, wind power would make up a significantly larger chunk of the electricity produced in that part of the world.

A warmer world brings with it more wind.

Using data from 282 onshore wind turbines over a span of 11 years paired with climate model data for that 1.5 degree increase in global temperature, the researchers found that in the UK alone there could be a 10 percent increase in wind energy generation. That's equivalent to meeting the energy demands of an additional 700,000 homes based on the current wind power capacity. The UK is quickly increases wind power installations, so that number would likely be even higher in the future.

Germany, Poland and Lithuania would also see major gains in wind energy production, but the UK stood out from the rest.

Read the story from Treehugger by Megan Treacy - “Climate change could bring stronger winds, more wind power.”

How an isolated city is creating a climate-friendly ride-sharing service

Long before Uber and Lyft, the small, primarily Latino city of Huron, California already had an informal ridesharing service.

It's all clear ahead for an informal ride
sharing service in Huron, California.

Leon: “It’s been happening for as long as I can recall.”

Lifelong resident Rey León says the drivers, known as “Raiteros,” are mostly retired farm workers.

They use their own vehicles to drive carless residents to doctor’s visits and other appointments in Fresno, which is about 50 miles away and hard to reach by bus. León says the Raiteros provide a critical way to connect the town’s low-income residents with the services of the larger city.

Read Eileen Mignoni’s story from Yale Climate Connections - “How an isolated city is creating a climate-friendly ride-sharing service.”

A group of prominent scientists says we have three years to save the planet from irreversible destruction

Leanna Garfield.

A planet devastated by climate change may seem like a distant future. But Earth is already experiencing effects today.

Globally, the mean rate of sea level rise increased 50% in the last two decades. In 2017, temperatures have already reached their highest levels in history in some areas, from California to Vietnam. And the past three years were the hottest on record. 

In a new open letter, six prominent scientists and diplomats, including former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres and physicist Stefan Rahmstorf, wrote that the world has approximately three years before the worst effects of climate change take hold. Published June 28, the letter urges governments, businesses, scientists, and citizens to address the world's greenhouse-gas emissions now.

Read the Business Insider story by Leanna Garfield - “A group of prominent scientists says we have three years to save the planet from irreversible destruction.”