[TheClimate.Vote] June 20, 2019 - Daily Global Warming News Digest

Richard Pauli richard at theclimate.vote
Thu Jun 20 07:46:42 EDT 2019 

/June 20, 2019/

[Dig it. Free, clean energy]
*GeoVision*
There is enormous untapped potential for geothermal. It is a renewable 
and diverse energy solution for the United States--providing reliable 
and flexible electricity generation and delivering unique technology 
solutions for America's heating and cooling demands. Geothermal 
resources can be found nationwide, are "always on," and represent vast 
domestic energy potential. Only a fraction of this potential has been 
realized, however, because of technical and non-technical barriers that 
constrain industry growth. For example, through regulatory reforms 
alone, geothermal capacity could double. With technology improvements 
that focus on exploring, discovering, developing, and managing 
geothermal resources, geothermal electric power generation could 
increase nearly 26-fold from today.
- - -
View the underlying data from the GeoVision Study. 
https://openei.org/apps/geovision/
Increasing Geothermal Electricity Generation 26-Fold by 2050
GeoVision
To evaluate the potential for geothermal energy to contribute to 
America's energy future, the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal 
Technologies Office initiated the GeoVision analysis--a detailed 
research effort to explore opportunities for increased geothermal 
deployment and the pathways necessary to overcome technical and 
non-technical barriers to such deployment. The analysis evaluated 
opportunities for successful geothermal deployment based on three key 
objectives:

    Increased access to geothermal resources
    Reduced costs and improved economics for geothermal projects
    Improved education and outreach about geothermal energy.

The GeoVision analysis used rigorous quantitative models to assess 
geothermal deployment potential under scenarios that considered a range 
of technologies, market conditions, and barriers. The analysis 
determined that achieving all three key objectives can reduce risk and 
costs for geothermal developers, increase growth potential for 
geothermal energy, and provide the United States with secure, flexible 
energy that offers economic benefits to the geothermal industry and 
environmental benefits nationwide. The analysis projected that, through 
technology improvements, geothermal electricity generation capacity has 
the potential to increase to more than 60 gigawatts by 2050--providing 
8.5% of all U.S. electricity generation.
Benefits of Geothermal Energy

To realize geothermal energy's full potential, stakeholders must reduce 
risk and costs by overcoming significant technical and non-technical 
barriers. The GeoVision analysis calculated the opportunities for 
increasing geothermal deployment by reducing these barriers. Such 
increased deployment can leverage the capabilities and unique features 
of geothermal energy, including:
Secure, "always-on" renewable electricity generation with flexible and 
load-following capabilities that provide essential services to support 
the grid of the future

    Nationwide, affordable solutions for electricity generation and for
    heating and cooling at residential, commercial, and district levels
    Existing commercial technologies that are already proven in the
    market, augmented by innovative technologies with vast potential to
    increase electricity generation and heating and cooling solutions
    Economic benefits to the geothermal industry and environmental
    benefits for the nation
    Revenue potential for federal, state, and local stakeholders, as
    well as royalty potential for leaseholders.

The GeoVision analysis confirmed that improving the tools, technologies, 
and methodologies used to explore, discover, access, and manage 
geothermal resources would reduce costs and risks associated with 
geothermal developments and facilitate access to previously untapped 
sources of geothermal energy. In addition, optimizing permitting 
timelines alone could double geothermal capacity by 2050.Contact us at 
GeoVision at ee.doe.gov with comments and questions related to the GeoVision.
https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/geovision
- -
[Explore the Data]
*GeoVision*
*Harnessing the Heat Beneath our Feet*
https://openei.org/apps/geovision/



[spooky dead trees]
*Ghost forests are sprouting up along the Atlantic Coast*
And they're as scary as they sound.
- - -
Ghost forests are the best indicator of climate change on the East 
Coast," says Matthew Kirwan, a professor at William & Mary's Virginia 
Institute of Marine Science studying coastal landscape evolution and 
author of a recent review in Nature Climate Change on the appearance of 
these forests. "In rural, low-lying areas, there are so many dead trees 
and farmland that's either stressed or abandoned that the signs of sea 
level rise are obvious."

Sea level is expected to increase between 0.4 and 1.2 meters (that's 1.3 
to 3.9 feet) by 2100. And on the East Coast between Massachusetts and 
North Carolina, sea level is currently rising three times faster than 
the global average. This is due in part to a long-term geologic 
processes: when ice sheets weighed down northern areas of the country 
during the last Ice Age, land adjacent to the ice rose up in a see-saw 
effect. Since the ice melted, that ice-adjacent land--including the 
Mid-Atlantic coast--has been sinking back down. It's also related to a 
slowing Gulf Stream; as a result, less water is being moved away from 
the Atlantic coast.
- -
more at- https://www.popsci.com/ghost-forests-sea-level-rise/
- - -
See also - 
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0488-7.epdf?referrer_access_token=Z6pIpP5750i2aJNkRuuVDtRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0N1jXaDAQl4BTe04KysKXolh7mn0RPblKQMk8ygjFqUsbCkwPDp__mBdqokRZSs2-hrxwBtUOP2bGDu7EuKnPghbnpgj2pcQTyja4F6TqwKI5z8lmbL14lbz83LiVu95O_vdEyqWRD-dYcuOywExEQLXlEByxTxIfbCbdkatPUlOzPOfZh_SPu6UVk6XTmOb84%3D&tracking_referrer=www.popsci.com



[many millions]
*India's sixth biggest city is almost entirely out of water*
By Jessie Yeung, Helen Regan and Swati Gupta - June 20, 2019
New Delhi (CNN)The floor of the Chembarambakkam reservoir is cracked 
open, dry and sun-baked. About 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away, in 
Chennai, India's sixth largest city, millions of people are running out 
of water.
Chembarambakkam and the three other reservoirs that have traditionally 
supplied Chennai are nearly all dry, leaving the city suffering from an 
acute water shortage, said Jayaram Venkatesan, an activist in the city.
Srini Swaminathan, who took this photograph of Chembarambakkam reservoir 
from a plane, told CNN: "I have been living here since 1992 and have 
never seen anything like this before."
Due to an inability to collect sufficient rain water combined with low 
groundwater levels, the Tamil Nadu state government has been struggling 
to provide water to residents.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rain-likely-in-chennai-in-2-3-days-met-department/articleshow/69866782.cms
- - - -
[Heatwave India]
*Rain likely in Chennai in 2-3 days: Met department*
Monsoon rains in Chennai (File photo)
CHENNAI: After a record-breaking dry spell this year, the weathermen 
finally have some good news. A system over the Bay of Bengal is likely 
to lead to a change in wind direction and bring some rain in two to 
three days in the city.
Regional meteorological centre officials say a low pressure area is 
likely to develop over north Bay of Bengal in 2-3 days, while conditions 
are favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into more parts of 
central and north Bay of Bengal and remaining parts of south Bay. 
"Southwesterly winds will gather strength in the next 2-3 days as the 
low pressure develops. The system won't intensify into a cyclone," said 
N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC.
Chennai suffers rainless days since December 5, 2018
"It will also bring a change in the moisture levels that may bring rain 
to some parts of the city," said N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone 
Warning Centre, RMC.
Chennai has been recording temperatures above 40C due to hot dry winds 
from the north and northwest. "Once southwesterly winds increase, 
seabreeze will set in as early as 11.30am and will bring down the 
temperature by 2 to 3 degrees," he said. Since December 5, 2018, the 
city has gone without rainfall for 196 days, apart from the mild drizzle 
in a few city suburbs last week.
With the reservoirs dry, water is being brought directly into Chennai 
neighborhoods in trucks. Every day, hundreds of thousands of residents 
have no choice but to stand in line for hours in soaring summer 
temperatures, filling dozens of cans and plastic containers...
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rain-likely-in-chennai-in-2-3-days-met-department/articleshow/69866782.cms
- - -
*India's sixth biggest city is almost entirely out of water*
Most of India relies on groundwater for its water needs, instead of 
traditional water harvesting systems. Decades of drilling into the earth 
to reach water has led to severe ground water depletion.
"This is primarily because of poor management of water bodies. We are 
completely dependent on the rain. The government should ensure that 
there is water harvesting," said Venkatesan.
One hundred million people, including those in the large cities of 
Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, will soon be living in zero groundwater 
cities, according to the Niti Aayog report. This number will likely 
continue increasing, as the United Nations recently estimated that 
India's population will surge by almost 300 million by 2050, and it will 
become the world's most populous country.

Complicating the issue are the devastating effects of climate change. 
Monsoon rains have been more erratic and droughts more common, 
threatening farmer's harvests. This could cripple livelihoods across the 
predominantly agricultural country, where 80% of water is used to 
irrigate thirsty crops such as sugar cane and rice.
"Unless we adapt our water storage to suit the change in rain intensity, 
we're going to suffer really badly," said Sharma. "All parts of India -- 
rural, urban, everybody."
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/19/india/chennai-water-crisis-intl-hnk/index.html
- - -
[video - distressing data on dangerous heat]
*Fatal Wetbulb Temperatures Reached at Pakistan-India Border*
Paul Beckwith
Published on Jun 19, 2019
Analyzing data from the Meteologix website for India suggests that 
present extremely hot temperatures combined with high humidities exceed 
the 35 C (95F) wetbulb temperature threshold of human survivability 
(even sitting naked in the shade, in a gale, covered in sweat, your 
survive 6-8 hours at most). It doesn't matter how healthy, fit, and 
strong you are; the physics is fatal. Luckily, the worst conditions seen 
on the Pakistan-India border (mostly in Pakistan) are for a few hours, 
and not the full day, but death rates in this region must be huge (and 
are currently unreported).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4nud3-ncRI
- - -
[Another video -- blood flow loss when it is needed most.]
*Twenty-Seven Ways to Die from Wetbulb 35 C (95 F) Temperatures on the 
Pakistan-India Border*
Paul Beckwith
Published on Jun 19, 2019
Since our average human core body temperature is 37 C (98.6 F) (with 
some variation) and our skin temperature is a few degrees C cooler than 
this, a wetbulb temperature of 35 C (95 F) is the limit for human 
shedding of heat and thus survival. This is true for other mammal 
species as well, dependent on their specific core body temperatures. How 
do we die with these conditions, even the very healthiest among us? It 
turns out there are 7 major organs that can crap out, each essentially 
by 5 different mechanisms. Luckily, some of these 7x5 combinations are 
not possible, so there are only 27 different ways to die; not 35:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axoIWmB97uw
---
[news from India -- HotSpots H2O:]
*Violence Flares in India Amid Record Heat and Delayed Monsoon Rains*
Kayla Ritter - June 16, 2019
India's monsoon, essential for the country's water supply, arrived a 
week late this year, testing the patience of a country where extreme 
weather is fraying the social fabric.

Delayed rains are accompanied by scorching heat, with temperatures 
topping 48 C (118 F) in the capital Delhi-a record high for June-and 
50.8 C (123 F) in Churu, Rajasthan. The tardy monsoon, further disrupted 
by Cyclone Vayu, which skirted the country's western coast this weekend, 
has led to conflicts over water supply across the country.

A clash broke out in the southern city of Chennai last week when a man 
tried to run an electric water pump near his home. Neighbors protested, 
and the situation culminated in a neighbor stabbing the man's wife.

Near the city of Thanjavur, a man was beaten to death after he 
complained that his neighbors were hoarding large quantities of the 
village's water. The man was hit with logs and sharp objects, and 
ultimately died from the injuries.

Drought is widespread in the neighboring states of Karnataka and 
Maharashtra, where tensions are also high. The region is home to 8 
million farmers, all vying for an increasingly limited water supply, 
some of which is shared between the two states. As a result, 
water-related conflicts are unfolding at both government and local levels.

Similar unrest has swept across Madhya Pradesh, in central India. A 
water fight in the town of Panna left eight injured, and a tanker driver 
was beaten in Khajrana at the beginning of June. In response to these 
and other attacks, state officials ordered police to guard water sources.

"We will keep a watch in every district to check untoward incidents 
during water supply. We are developing a network to collect 
information," legislator Bala Bachchan told local media. Bachchan said 
that police will also be escorting water tankers through "sensitive places."

The country-wide clashes are reminiscent of conflicts last year, when 
three people were killed and dozens injured over water battles in New 
Delhi and beyond.

Officials and residents hope that the much-anticipated monsoon rains 
will bring relief to the thirsty nation. T N Hariharan, managing 
director of the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, said that 
a healthy monsoon season should replenish the regional water supply. The 
monsoon supplies approximately 70 percent of India's annual rainfall.
https://www.circleofblue.org/2019/hotspots/hotspots-h2o-violence-flares-in-india-amid-record-heat-and-delayed-monsoon-rains/
- - -
[India Pakistan region heatwave]
*Delhi records all-time high of 48 degrees Celsius in June, heatwave to 
continue*
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-records-all-time-high-of-48-degrees-celsius-heat-wave-to-continue/articleshow/69727572.cms
- - -
[Letter to theGuardian*]*
*Shocking suffering in drought-hit India*
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/16/shocking-suffering-in-drought-hit-india
- - -
[Heat Waves]
Tens of Thousands Flee Extreme Heatwave in India as Temperatures Topping 
120F Kill Dozens Across Country
https://www.ecowatch.com/india-deadly-heat-wave-2638904417.html


*This Day in Climate History - June 20, 1979 - from D.R. Tucker*
June 20, 1979: Solar heaters are installed on the roof of the White 
House by President Carter. The panels would be yanked down by President 
Reagan in August 1986.
http://youtu.be/_88idk1VJGU
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------/

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