World’s Lost Forest Regions May Never Regenerate – The Energy Mix: “Forests cover 30% of the planet’s land surface, and yet, as humans heat the atmosphere, some locations where they would have grown now appear too dry or hot to support them,” reports The Guardian.

A 2013 analysis of wildfire sites in the Rocky Mountains found that almost one-third of areas burned since 2000 showed no regeneration “whatsoever,” with flowers and shrubs still remaining where tree seedlings were expected.  

“In the Rocky Mountains, estimates hold that by 2050, about 15% of the forests would not grow back if felled by fire because the climate would no longer suit them,” The Guardian writes, reeling off a devastating forecast. “In Alberta, Canada, about half of existing forests could vanish by 2100.”

World’s Lost Forest Regions May Never Regenerate – The Energy Mix: “Forests cover 30% of the planet’s land surface, and yet, as humans heat the atmosphere, some locations where they would have grown now appear too dry or hot to support them,” reports The Guardian.A 2013 analysis of wildfire sites in the Rocky Mountains found that almost one-third of areas burned since 2000 showed no regeneration “whatsoever,” with flowers and shrubs still remaining where tree seedlings were expected.  “In the Rocky Mountains, estimates hold that by 2050, about 15% of the forests would not grow back if felled by fire because the climate would no longer suit them,” The Guardian writes, reeling off a devastating forecast. “In Alberta, Canada, about half of existing forests could vanish by 2100.”Read More

Fort Nelson First Nation Nabs Federal Funding for 15-MW Geothermal Project – The Energy Mix: The money will be spent on the Clarke Lake field near the community
of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of
production, The Canadian Press reports. That, combined with low natural gas prices, has reduced investment and employment from the resource.

The first full-size geothermal well will be drilled early this year
and commercial operation is expected by late 2024. The project is
expected to generate up to 15 megawatts of green energy, enough to power
up to 14,000 households and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000
tonnes.

The project is entirely owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation, with
involvement from the Saulteau First Nation. Fort Nelson Chief Sharleen
Gale said the project will use the skills local workers already have,
redirecting them from fossil fuels to geothermal.

Fort Nelson First Nation Nabs Federal Funding for 15-MW Geothermal Project – The Energy Mix: The money will be spent on the Clarke Lake field near the community
of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of
production, The Canadian Press reports. That, combined with low natural gas prices, has reduced investment and employment from the resource.The first full-size geothermal well will be drilled early this year
and commercial operation is expected by late 2024. The project is
expected to generate up to 15 megawatts of green energy, enough to power
up to 14,000 households and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000
tonnes.The project is entirely owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation, with
involvement from the Saulteau First Nation. Fort Nelson Chief Sharleen
Gale said the project will use the skills local workers already have,
redirecting them from fossil fuels to geothermal.Read More

Analysts See ‘Marathon’ Ahead as China’s Five-Year Plan ‘Defers Heavy Lifting on Decarbonization’ – The Energy Mix:

The five-year plan, released by Premier Li Kequiang at a National
People’s Congress session “as heavy smog settled over Beijing,” contains
“no target for limiting total energy consumption and no overall carbon
emissions cap, which campaigners had been calling for,” Climate Home
News reports.
“This leaves room for emissions to continue to increase to 2025,
deferring the heavy lifting on decarbonization until later this decade.”

Analysts See ‘Marathon’ Ahead as China’s Five-Year Plan ‘Defers Heavy Lifting on Decarbonization’ – The Energy Mix: The five-year plan, released by Premier Li Kequiang at a National
People’s Congress session “as heavy smog settled over Beijing,” contains
“no target for limiting total energy consumption and no overall carbon
emissions cap, which campaigners had been calling for,” Climate Home
News reports.
“This leaves room for emissions to continue to increase to 2025,
deferring the heavy lifting on decarbonization until later this decade.”Read More