Weather, Water, Energy 7-10-07

Remember a while back when Russia started making noises about the Arctic waters as global warming opens up resources and shipping lanes? A Russia-Canada war, maybe?? . . . Think I’m kidding about resource wars? This study of history in eastern China just verifies what we already know—tensions will rise as the weather, water, energy world changes. Time to fasten your seatbelts, folks. . . . Ford is claiming it will have plug-in hybrids ready in 5-10 years. Which, of course, means Toyota will have them in 3-6. . . . More help on global warming from those beneficent Australians. A campaign claiming that the long distance jet flights for tourists there don’t affect greenhouse gases. By all means, let’s fight global warming as long as nobody has to sacrifice. Let’s see how that works out. . . . Largest solar power farm in the world going up near Fresno, CA. The real importance is its impact on the economy of scales necessary to make solar viable. Good luck to them. . . . Good news. David Roberts is back from vacation at Grist. His view of the South, which is solid but I’m surprised by his surprise, here. It’s worth it.