clair031

Summary: Global average temperatures have been at record levels month by month up to the time of writing (August 2016), and for most years since 2000.   When attention focuses on the U.S. , the number of days in a year above 100ºF (37.8ºC) is forecast to grow dramatically, for example by 2060 and 2100. Contrary to the operating strategies of large fossil fuel companies, we present here examples of two companies and an industry that embrace the changes demanded by the growing global warming crisis.   A large electricity generating utility, NRG Energy, is developing renewable energy sources as part of its electricity portfolio.   The American trucking industry embraces the regulations just issued requiring trucks to be more fuel efficient and to emit lower amounts of greenhouse gases.   Apple, following examples set by Walmart and Google, is contracting with renewable energy providers for long-term supplies of electricity to fulfill its growing needs. When confronti...

Summary: Exxon’s scientists conducted extensive research in the 1970’s and 1980’s showing that use of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases that warm the planet.   These results were accepted by the company’s management.   By the 1990’s, however, the fossil fuel industry changed its message.   It began a campaign to plant doubts in the minds of the public about the reality of manmade global warming and its effects. Although many large American companies have prospered because they embodied an optimistic culture, a “can-do” spirit, by the end of the 20 th century the fossil fuel companies adopted a “won’t change” attitude.   They resisted the scientific reality of manmade global warming, seeking to continue their business model of producing fossil fuels to supply the world’s energy. Yet objective climate science shows that continued atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide will lead to large increases in the global average temperature. ...

Summary.   The growth of the U.S. from an agricultural society to an industrial power was driven in important ways by ambition, a positive attitude, and an ability to see opportunities and develop them.   Examples of changes that contributed to this growth include new means of transportation and communication. As our economy grew and matured, however, unforeseen harmful effects of some activities became apparent.   Acid rain from electric generation was identified as the cause of dying forests.   Synthetic refrigerants were flagged as the cause of the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.   Increased carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels for energy was marked as the cause of global warming and its harms. The industries in question ignored the science behind these findings, and fought the need to change their business activities. Global warming remains an unresolved problem.   Because of the vast size of the fossil fuel industry and the major changes...

Summary: The author recently participated in a tour of Connecticut ’s first wind farm.   Operation of the wind farm represents the success of its campaign to gain permitting and financing, and to complete construction. Wind generation capacity has grown dramatically, but erratically, in the U. S. in response to the cyclical operation or expiration of a series of production tax credits.   The current credit, in place for five years until the end of 2019, will provide a more stable investment and business environment for wind development. The Department of Energy foresees major expansion of wind energy by 2030, and even more by 2050.   Wind could provide a significant fraction of U. S. demand for electricity by then.   On a beautiful sunny day at the end of June 2016 I joined a group of interested citizens on an organized tour of the state of Connecticut ’s first wind farm.   Our guide was Gregory Zupkus, the CEO of BNE Energy, the business venture that bui...