Weather, Water, Energy 4-24-07

• Guess what? China has a major global warming report coming out . . . oh, wait, no, it doesn't, because its politicians got hold of it. Wanna bet if it comes out good for them, not to mention the world?
• Meanwhile, 40% of Swedes say they'd even accept a lower standard of living to deal with global warming. Like we're going to have a choice if we keep screwing around in the name of economic growth.
• "Unexpected dryness and near-record warmth in March have melted much of the West's mountain snows early, worsening the potential for wildfires and extending the region's drought, federal water agencies reported Monday." Save and read about the same time next year. It'll save you the cost of the newspaper.
• Finally, one more damned if you do . . . thing. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal most easily produce their power in rural areas and then have to be transmitted to the urban areas where they're needed most . . . by power lines . . . that cut through important environmental areas. First order of business, folks. Squeeze every possible drop of energy out of conservation and minimize everything else we have to do that has these counterproductive side effects.