Important Innovations Collection

Putting Big Money Behind Climate Change Fight Source:  Germany's Hydrogen Powered Green, Clean Train Funding Clean Transportation & Renewable Energy Projects For the first time, the government of Germany plans to issue $13 billion in so-called Green Bonds to fund renewable energy and clean transportation projects.  The $13 billion worth of bonds will be issued this year -2020.  Germany is tapping into the financial markets to increase its commitment to fight climate change.  This is a case of putting money up against specific environmental targets to fight climate change. Germany has a strong green commitment but it is even getting greener. September Launch The first issuance is in September 2020 of a 10 year bond or Bunds that is worth 4 billion euros in value.  The rest will be issued in the fourth quarter of 2020.  By 2023, Germany wants to spend 54 billion euros as part of its climate change agenda.  The agenda includes introducing a carbon tax...

UK and Legally Binding Environmental Targets Source:  London Tower Bridge  Fighting Climate Change Britain is rolling out legally binding environmental targets to combat climate change.  The targets include cleaner water, reduced air pollution, waste reduction and more biodiversity.  The legally mandated targets are designed to improve the environment and rebuild the economy.  The new legislation, set to be considered by Parliament, will force the current and future British governments to focus on improving the environment. Build Back Green British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to "build back green" as the British economy was cut by 20% in the second quarter of 2020 by COVID-19 lockdowns and shutdowns.  A new watchdog agency "The Office for Environmental Protection" is being established to monitor the UK's progress toward the environmental targets.  The Office will also oversee the government's progress toward its commitment to have the UK b...

April 2020 Recorded Lowest CO2 Emissions in US Source:  NYC April 2020  US Energy Information Administration Data  COVID-19 lockdowns, travel restrictions and working from home in the US have resulted in significantly reduced CO2 emissions.  Specifically, in April 2020, CO2 emissions in the US hit a record low - the lowest level since the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) started keeping CO2 emission records in 1973.  The dramatic reduction is all about significantly decreased travel by Americans to avoid exposure at work, school, on public transit and planes to the COVID-19 virus.  If there is any positive out of this horrific pandemic, the reduction in CO2 pollution is it. Gasoline and Jet Fuel Use Plummeted The ripple effect is clear.  Stay at home advisories and orders cut travel and petroleum use.  It also shifted electricity consumption from commercial and industrial users to residential users, according to the EIA.  The EIA do...

Nasty Weather Globally Source:  Napa Valley, CA AP  From California to Alaska, Greenland and China There is growing evidence that Climate Change and Global Warming are worsening.  In California, hundreds of wildfires are burning out of control.  They are being spawned by blistering heat and record numbers of lightning strikes.  There were 11,000 lighting strikes in a few days, torching trees, brush and triggering the massive wildfires.  500,000 acres have been burned, communities are threatened, buildings have been destroyed and tens of thousands are evacuating.  The Bay Area has the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday.  California Governor Gavin Newsom commented:  "If you are in denial about Climate Change, come to California." China's Torrential Rains Meanwhile, in China torrential rains and massive flooding have caused the evacuation of a million people and caused billions of dollars in damage.  China's huge Three Gorges Dam i...