General News

I’m headed out of the country this coming week with Debbie and eventually meeting up with the kids for an extended trip so I won’t be writing again for a while. Before we depart, I am sending this one last message to you for the year. So much of what is going on now is causing a great deal of…

In the blog I sent shortly after the election I mentioned several reasons to not despair about the incoming Trump Administration. I mentioned that there would be Republican or Business support for continuing to implement the IRA, the EV $7,500 credit and to NOT “Drill Baby Drill”. Since then there have been several articles supporting what I said. Below is…

It’s hard to know where to start given the outcome of the election. That said, I think I’m just going to stay on message and report environmental news and my perspectives in this regard. While not unusual or surprising, climate change and the environment did not rise up to the top of issues that drove the decision of who to…

I was in Greece kayaking along the south shore of Crete and then visiting Santorini, Paros and Athens with Zack and Debbie when the back to back hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Florida and the SE US. We had a magical and fabulous time in warm, sometimes hot, but perfect weather. Meanwhile, so many people were suffering and some were…

I am going to follow two themes today. First, a series of headlines with links to the articles providing specifics about some consequences of global warming that we may not have been considering, or realized previously. Then, some others that reiterate topics that I have been following with you for some time. Secondly, I am going to cover the continuing…

For decades, I have been predicting the types of weather type repercussions that were going to happen that we are now seeing such as drought, fires, floods, hurricanes, excessive rain events, etc. These are happening so frequently every day that it is mind numbing. I’ve also tried to alert you to how all this is going to effect us in…

It’s been a while since my last post and I know I have been very irregular recently. As I’ve run into some of you, you bring this up. Not to worry. I’m fine. I’ve been traveling some and otherwise just enjoying the summer. And there hasn’t been a ton of pressing news to report that you aren’t seeing on your…

“A republic, if you can keep it.” –Benjamin Franklin’s response to Elizabeth Willing Powel’s question: “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Being that this is Memorial Day weekend, I want to take a moment to reflect on this and recognize how fortunate we are that for almost 250 years Americans, and immigrants that were not…

The only theme for today is that there is no central theme. I am going to present to you a wide variety of news that reports on what’s happening. They cover some of the various topics upon which I try to keep you informed. Included in these are: disconcerting changes to the planet, impacts of climate change on our human…

I am going to start today with the economics of climate change. Over the years you may have read articles deriding the cost of doing what scientists claim it will take to transition from a fossil fuel economy to one based on one free of climate change causing emissions. My response has always been that what is claimed to be…

I’ve been astonished the last couple of weeks at the number of disastrous weather events occurring around the world pretty much at the same time. And the consequences are horrific. While it may be beautiful and sunny outside your window this morning, it’s not that way in many other places around the globe. And sooner or later we will all…

Today’s focus will mostly be about EV’s and Insurance. If you’ve been following the mass media news about auto and light duty truck sales you’ve been hearing about the slowdown in EV sales. And yes, some of the auto manufacturers have moderated their production of them and their outlook. What is happening is that the PACE of growth of EVs…

In case you haven’t heard, the climate is changing. It’s getting warmer. It is obvious in my own yard. Flowers are blooming four to six weeks early. Buds on the trees are coming out. Bushes are blooming yellow. This winter there was only one kinda snowfall where we got maybe 2 or 3 inches. And other than one week of…

This week I am going to start with an article that reenforces the crisis that climate change is foisting on real estate. More and more states are requiring flood disclosures. This is obviously depressing values and making it harder to sell one’s home. Some time ago I presented you with an article about how home sellers in Florida who were…

Granted, it is unusual for me to send you a publication midweek. Or, to include the full article. But this article came out last week and should scare the bejeezus out of everyone. I doubt anyone reading my newsletter still questions how we humans are warming the atmosphere with our CO2 and methane emissions. But this article shows how bad…

I am going to start today where I left off last edition, with more on how climate change is impacting the insurance business. And then I will cover a variety of other subjects. The second article is about a topic I’ve written about very little and that is how climate change is effecting mental health. Unfortunately, this may be about…

I am going to cover a couple of my usual topics today. I hope you’ll scroll through and see if there’s something that captures your interest. Mostly today are updates on the transition to an all electric fleet of vehicles and then, how losses from climate induced events are impacting the insurance business. Following are articles about the automotive industry.…

Let’s get one thing straight. Much of the news media is spinning EV sales in a way that is a misconception. They are trying to say that EV sales are faltering. That is NOT accurate. They have seized upon the fact that the days supply of Electric Vehicles on dealers’ lots has risen. True. But so has the days supply…

Our worldwide society is lurching forward like a drunken sailor. We are on a collision course with the climate. We’re creating a train wreck in slow motion. And while it may be slow motion now, this freight train is speeding up and gaining momentum. Pretty soon, a lot sooner than later, there will be nothing we can do to slow…

This is a very personal and hard article to write. One that I had hoped for almost two years not to have to author. And as much as I have personally struggled with this, I feel I have no alternative but to do so. In 1976 I joined Sierra Club. I did so primarily to help protect the wild places…

In case last week’s edition of Frankly Talking didn’t make you alerted to the weather and climate changes maybe a few headlines and articles will make you take notice this week. Why a Sudden Surge of Broken Heat Records is Scaring Scientists Scientists say to brace for more extreme weather and probably a record-warm 2023 amid unprecedented temperatures By Scott Dance…

Thanks to all of you who noticed that you had not heard from me for about a year and checked in to see if something was wrong. Nope. Just needed a break. There was a combination of burn out (pandemic related) and life getting too busy for a while. But here I am again to keep you informed on so…

Maybe you noticed that you haven’t heard from me for a while.  As I had mentioned, we went on a vacation and had a great time.  And I took a vacation from writing this blog as well.  Now I’m back and will try to get into the groove again of putting these together but it is summer…so probably won’t be…

As I’ve said over and over, and you’ve heard elsewhere, “follow the money”.  Following the money reveals what things happen and why.  The bottom line is (and yes, pun intended) that when peoples’ incomes and business profits are impacted things change.  People and businesses, and governments too, will change when there is opportunity to increase income and profits or when these…

Happy Mother’s Day to you all.  I hope you get a chance to celebrate the Moms in your life.   Somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 years ago our human ancestors began to develop into the species we have now become.  (I recently read James Michener’s 1965 book The Source which begins human history within this timeframe.) But it was only about 10,000 years…

There are two primary articles I want to highlight today pertaining to a couple of topics I have covered regularly over the years. After that, I will throw at you a several headlines about the auto industry and the environmental impact of climate change. Let’s start with economics.  I have been writing about for a couple of decades now that there is not…

I’ve titled this message “Inevitable” to make clear to anyone who may still doubt that the future of automotive transportation, actually ALL transportation, will be powered by electrons, not fossils.  The pace of transformation continues to accelerate exponentially.  The issues of range, charging times and cost are rapidly being conquered and after a few initial articles on other topics I will…

First let me wish a happy Passover or Easter if you celebrate either one.  After two seder dinners I’m certainly going to have to be more restrained this week in my eating.  As I ate plenty I reflected on how my direct relatives thousands of years ago were slaves and had to rely on others for food and manna from…

Going Faster in Both Directions   Going Faster in Both Directions Once again it’s been a few weeks since I sent you my report on what’s going on.  Busy with grandsons and traveling. But the news and the message is pretty much the same.   The climate gets hotter.  The weather gets worse.  Both, faster and faster and more quickly…

Sonny and Cher: The beat goes on (HQ Version) – YouTube Enjoy some music as you read today. For newer readers, some of what I am going to cover today may be new to you.  But for those of you who have been getting this newsletter for longer, I am simply going to provide you with the current status on…

To start off today I want to share with you some information that may be of great interest to you or someone you know.  Many of you know that my wife Debbie has asthma.  For some time now we have been receiving from Sierra Club text messages when the air quality is dangerous for her so she can act accordingly…stay inside and…

You probably didn’t notice that I didn’t send a post last week.  We had the grandsons here and that consumed all our attention! In looking over the recent news I didn’t see any single item that I want to highlight this week so I thought I’d update you on a plethora of ones that I regularly bring to your attention.  So…

Happy New Year!  As we start 2022 I think back a few weeks to my last article of 2021 and reflect on how we started last year and where we ended up.  I am reminded that every year progress towards a new future happens more rapidly and dramatically than is expected by common perception. Remember this time next year that I am…

I am going to take some time off with my family so this will be my last post in 2021.  I’ll list some recent news at the end, as usual, but I want to reflect and share some thoughts about this past year in order that we grasp how much and how quickly our circumstances have changed, are changing and…

I am not going to dwell on any one particular issue today but rather thought that I would simply present you with some news on events that are happening that inform and update you on how and what things are changing relative to some of my usual subjects. I want to start though with giving you a link to a…

I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and for all my Jewish readers, a very happy Chanukah starting at sundown tonight.  We are having our Chanukah party tonight! Reflecting on what I am most thankful for it is the same this year as always: my family and health of all of us.  I and my family have all been…

The title says, Forget Glasgow.  I don’t really mean that.  Glasgow is important.  And I know that some, or even many, will think I’m off my rocker for saying this, but it’s not the most critical factor on how quickly and how far we implement changes to our society that will mitigate climate change to allow our civilization to function with some semblance of…

Every week there is so much news that is published about so many of the topics relating to climate change upon which I attempt to keep you abreast.  This week is no different.  The primary one upon which I will dwell today is very revealing as to why it is so important to keep warming below 1.5 degrees celsius and how the…

Every week brings a wide array of articles that relate to and provide updated information and developments regarding many of the topics about which I report to you.  Sometimes I will feature one subject in more detail while also now providing you with headlines and a brief quote from the featured article and others so you get the salient point(s)…

Those of you who have been getting and receiving my postings know that I make a lot of predictions based on data but using my premonitions and judgement to forecast what is coming often long before the “experts” will.  And when what I have projected comes to pass, I love to say “I told you so!”.  Sure, I have an…

Besides my showing you the science of climate change and the actual real world physical consequences of it (i.e. more and stronger hurricanes, more intense storms, melting glaciers, changes in the jet and gulf streams, tropical diseases moving north, flooding, mud slides, drought, fires, etc.) I have tried to alert you to the impact that a warmer climate is having…

Last week I presented you with a smorgasbord of environmental news.  This week I’m going to display a variety of good and bad news that has been published in the last number of days.  I’ll start with the good news that should give us some level of optimism that we have the ability to do something effective to alter our society in order to…

Today’s messaging is going to be a smorgasbord.  I am going to display for you a variety of items pertaining to several of the topics I cover.  Transportation, insurance, real estate (primarily housing), water shortages and biodiversity.   Since the last few blogs have been about the auto industry let me start there.  If there is still any doubt in your mind as…

Most of you know that my career was mostly in the automobile business basically my whole life but full time from 1976 to 2009.  That is why I have a keen interest and insight into the industry.  That shows up in this blog as I continue to read the Automotive News weekly and follow the business in other ways as…

The focus of today’s commentary is about the insurance industry and the role and the consequences that the warming planet is having on the industry and how this is and will effect your daily life.  There are two principal aspects that I am going to address.  First, how climate change is impacting insurance and the implications to each of us…

It’s been a few weeks since you’ve heard from me as I was on vacation.  My son Zack (35) and I went on a wilderness kayaking trip on the Allagash River in very northern Maine with a group from Sierra Club.  We had a great time.  It was so very nice to get removed from civilization for 8 days and just relax.…

Today’s post will be mostly about current news/headlines to keep you current on some of the themes upon which I report.  Of course, a great deal is happening. First, though, I want to share a rather upbeat article so that I contest my reputation for being Mr. Doom and Gloom.  The message is from one of the authors of the…

It’s been a few weeks since my last post as I took some time off to enjoy the summer as it quickly slips away from us all.  Unfortunately, the deteriorating climate doesn’t take a vacation.  You’ve undoubtedly heard about the UN report that documents how dire and irreversible the climate circumstances are.  (See the long article posted at the end of my portion.)…

I was listening to the radio yesterday and the “disk jockey” asked the listeners what covid habit you got into you were going to get ride of/change now that restrictions are being lifted a bit.  I realized that one that I have fallen into is writing this article pretty much every Sunday.  You may have noticed, but probably not, that I missed…

It is hard to comprehend that we are around half way through summer.  It sure doesn’t seem like it to me.  It’s going by so quickly and for some reason I feel like I’m missing out.  Maybe because of the weather?  Too hot, too dry, too wet, too cool, too windy (meaning being unsuitable to kayak on Lake Michigan).  But…

As usual, it’s been a busy week for environmental news.  This week I am going to stay focused on what’s going on in the automotive realm and on the transition to an EV future.  Before I do, though, I want to start with some good news.  Having been rightfully accused of being the bearer of doom and gloom in many…

Happy 4th of July!  Boy, where is this year going?  I hope you have a great holiday weekend and enjoy a new sense of independence as the pandemic restrictions lift as more and more people get vaccinated.  I know though that some of you receiving this are not yet vaccinated so please go do it now.  You don’t want to…

It is a shame, but not surprising, that things have to be this bad to wake up people to the fact that “we ARE there” already. In case you have any doubts, the following headlines from this week should provide a sobering jolt to your consciousness.   We all know people who either don’t get that there is a problem or don’t comprehend…

Happy Father’s Day and first day of summer!   Today’s article is about science and a new way of measuring what we humans are doing to our atmosphere and subsequently the climate.  Here’s a fundamental premise of the piece that follows.   “The miracle of life on Earth hinges on a delicate balance. The sun’s rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere, warming the planet. At the…

Recently, I’ve mostly been writing about what is going to happen to our society as a result of a warmer climate.  Real estate, insurance, finance, fossil fuel industry, carbon taxes, transportation (especially cars and trucks), etc. I decided today to remind everyone why these consequences are all going to happen.  Paraphrasing what someone once said, It’s the Climate Stupid.  As CO2…

I start today by reiterating my long standing prediction that by 2030 all new cars (and increasingly it looks like light duty trucks and maybe even some heavy duty ones too) sold in the U.S. will be fully electric or drive 95% of the time on electricity.  Back in 2014 when I first made a bet on this it was pretty…

Boy oh boy.  A guy can’t go on vacation for a couple of weeks without the world turning up side down.  Yeah, after a year and a half barely leaving my house and now that the whole family is fully vaccinated, we took a nice break on the beach for a couple of weeks.  It sure felt good!  Fishing, tennis,…

I am trying something a little different today.  I want to see if this is an improvement from what I have done in the past. Let me know what you think after you’ve had a chance to check it out.  Email me back with a thumbs up or down, yes or no, or some such indicator.  I am going to go…

Back to my usual format this week.  I am going to focus on a single topic and a single article.  This time energy; solar to be specific.     I will admit that my ego is soothed when what I have been telling you for well over a decade comes to pass.  And so I will simply let the following…

After a couple of weeks of posting current headlines about what is happening around the country and globe relating to climate change, I was thinking that this week I’d tackle just one topic, one article, and get into it in more depth.  But as I reviewed the articles that I had read and saved for this publication I was once…

MANY years ago when my kids were little (the youngest is 31 now) we had a Beetlejuice doll.  It was about 18 inches tall and when you pulled a string it would say “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” and its head would spin around.  It would freak out our dog and at one point he tore the thing apart leaving only the head and…

You probably didn’t notice that I didn’t write an article last week.  I just needed a break.  But in the last two weeks, the news has not stopped.  So this week, I am simply going to recap some headlines of what has occurred recently.  These headlines, and maybe one brief passage from the article, cover a broad swath of the…

Almost a year ago, May 2020, I wrote the following article. How Many Fingers Do You Have? https://franklytalking.com/how-many-fingers-do-you-have/ The point I was making, and have been predicting all along for many years if you’ve been paying attention, is that our transition from a world reliant on fossil fuels to one that has essentially eliminated the emission of CO2, methane and…

This past week I gave a presentation to a group on climate change.  This was a group that was not fundamentally focussed on this issue but seemed to have a general interest and awareness of it.  The theme I decided to follow was to give an overview of all the ways that a changing, warming climate was already altering so…

I received some great feedback on the post I sent out last week about the possibility of a fee on carbon.  The following is a great summary of what I heard. Just flagging that a carbon tax unless set extraordinarily high – likely drives little progress outside of the power sector, e.g. in bldgs, transport and industry. And with coal only 20%…

I can’t remember how long ago people started asking me what I thought would be the best way to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels.  I always said it would be with a fee on carbon.  Economists have been saying this for a long time as well.   There has been one truism in American politics that the third rail has…

You all know the story about the frog and the boiling pot of water.  If you threw a frog into a pot of hot water it would immediately jump out.  But if it were in a pot of water that was at a temperature that it found normal and gradually turned up the heat it would slowly boil to death.…

Above: Michael Greenstone of the University of Chicago testifies before Congress on the Social Cost of Carbon In the past I have alerted you to how seemingly little insignificant things can actually have enormous impact.  I’ve written several times about NSR, New Source Review, which has a huge impact on many things but especially on whether a coal fired power…

Today is Valentine’s Day.  It’s a time to think about and appreciate all those in your life that you love.  Those that know me know that my wife and family are the core of my life.  Thus, today’s message is about the future…their future.  I have been, and still am, terrified about the planet that my kids and their kids…

I know that I am constantly pointing out how right I have been for years and years when it comes to predicting what would (and has) happened concerning the subjects which I cover.  AND, that it would be worse than the conventional media was reporting.  My kids tell me that I overdo that aspect of my messages.  OK, I get it.  But…

I am starting today on a personal note.  I have been shamelessly promoting the virtual outing presentation that I made last Thursday.  It was very well attended in fact setting a new record for our group’s presentations.  It went very well from my perspective and I have received very favorable feedback.  In case you missed it and may be interested to see…

There’s been several articles this week that describe how we are inexorably headed for a carbon free, mostly, electric future in transportation.  There have been, and still are, skeptics that don’t believe that we will get to the point by 2030, or 2035 at the latest, when every mass produced car in the US will be fully electric much less light duty…

We are not just headed for but are in the middle of a triple storm: Insurrection, COVID and Climate.  All three for the same reason.  Denial.  Denial of fact and truth.  Unfortunately, this is pervasive and insidious.   How this came to be and what is the solution I do not pretend to know.  I do know that resolution, if…

It is impossible for me to write a post today without saying anything about the insurrection/coup attempt at the Capital Building on Wednesday.  Debbie and I have been talking and worrying for a very long time about if there would be violence in the streets if Trump lost the election.  While we did not foresee the assault on our nation’s Capital Building, with ALL…

Happy New Year.  I hope that you all had a safe, restful and pleasant holiday season.  While we face distressing situations right in front of us let’s have confidence that 2021 will see improved outcomes than we’ve experienced last year. I thought rather than starting out 2021 with the BIG picture I’d start with the SMALL picture.  As I’ve written about in the…

I hope you had a wonderful holiday however you may celebrate.  And let’s hope that we survive until noon on January 20th and that after that 2021 is a better year than this one.   As we end 2020 I am astounded and delighted by the change that has occurred since the 2018 midterm election. The change in the public’s…

The time has come,’ the Walrus said,       To talk of many things: Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —       Of cabbages — and kings — And why the sea is boiling hot —       And whether pigs have wings.’ This week is a continuation of last weeks post about the end of the fossil fuel industry.  This week is specifically focused on…

“This rather old saying, ‘chickens have come home to roost’, is normally used to mean that the bad things that someone has done in the past have come back to bite or haunt the individual. In other words, you are telling someone that he has to face the consequences of the deeds done in the past — though he may…

I listened to a webinar this week about the future of the energy industry.  It reminded me of a panel discussion I attended at the University of Chicago’s Annual Economic Outlook luncheon in 2012 when a Toyota executive was predicting that the majority of vehicles in 2050 would still be burning gas even if many of them might be hybrids.  My view then was that…

The Federal Reserve is finally proclaiming the obvious and what I’ve been warning you of for years.     “The Fed said storms, floods, droughts and wildfires are among the “acute hazards” that could upend stable economic conditions.”   While this article is primarily about the threat of climate change to commercial and residential real estate and their underlying assets (mortgages and mortgage backed securities)…

Last week I wrote about electric vehicles and why some people are more inclined than others to be interested in buying one.  This week I am going to stay on the electricity theme and show how the way EV’s are charged is changing. The message is that the cost of wind and solar have dropped so fast and so far that it now…

Let’s talk cars.  There’s a bunch of news recently on several fronts.  Two states are passing legislation requiring all sales of new cars to be electric by 2035.  (That’s only five years after I bet on 2030 quite a few years ago.  The world is finally catching up to me!)   ELECTRIC VEHICLES: N.J. calls for 100% EVs by 2035,…

In the last week or two, there has been a great deal of news about the science and impact of climate change.  There are many new studies and research that has occurred and articles reporting the results. Many of these are about the topics I have been writing you about for a long time.  Today I will focus on real…

You know that I’ve been warning for a very long time that investments in fossil fuel assets are going to lose their value and do so much sooner and faster than “conventional” wisdom.  Of course, there were some that didn’t even agree that fossil fuel investments were even risky.   I posited that major oil companies’ investments in enormous development projects…

Today’s message is that small, sometimes nearly invisible things matter in a BIG way.  Previously I’ve alerted you to NSR (New Source Review: https://franklytalking.com/altering-nsr-can-kill-you-concerned/) and how what might be an obscure adjustment to a regulation can have an enormous impact on your personal health and that of the planet. In addition, I wrote about the CRA (Congressional Review Act: https://franklytalking.com/what-the-hell-is-cra-and-why-should-you-care/) and how its…

Last week I wrote about the multitude of articles showing how our country is waking up to the climate crisis and beginning to react.  None too soon because the consequences are becoming not only worse but converging.  Or, as the following article describes, cascading.   The article from the NYT is a bit long and honestly, scary and depressing as…

Over the decades that I have been writing these articles I have reported on a number  of themes most of which relate to climate change.  Of course, when writing about different themes referring to the same topic they logically compliment each other.  I thought that today, rather than featuring one topic, I’d highlight several that are all intertwined.  Thus, I am…

As you know, I have been writing about the adaptation of electric vehicles forever and predicting the conversion to an all electric fleet long before the “experts” have been prognosticating.  One of the primary reasons is that I have faith that battery technology and competitive costs will occur quantum times faster than conventional “wisdom”. Facts on the ground continue to support my…

As you well know, I mostly focus on climate change in my postings.  Not today.  With the climate change crisis growing exponentially every minute, it’s easy to forget about all the other environmental issues that are a mortal threat to our personal health and that of the planet.  I presume that you know that plastics mostly do not degrade and can…

I started going to the mountains as a little kid back in the 50’s when my family would spend summer vacations at Sun Valley, Idaho.  I started camping and canoeing when I was 9 and backpacking when I was 19.  I’ve never stopped.   1971 – My First Backpacking Trip: Shenandoah National Park along the Appalachian Trail Recently in Idaho It used to be…

Last December I wrote about creating electricity from nuclear fusion.  I’m not going to describe what that is again but suggest you click on this link to review what I wrote back then if you want a refresher.   Fission or Fusion: What is the Difference? My purpose today is to keep you informed and updated on the fact that…

After sending my last message to you incapsulating some of my themes and perspectives I thought that today I would send you the highlights of some recent articles that summarize and reiterate several topics about which I’ve been writing.   I’ll leave it up to you to look up the articles if you want more details.   Phoenix Hits 114 F for…

I recently received some feedback that there’s enough bad news from the media everyday and that it would be nice if I were more positive in my messaging.  Yes, there is some negativity in my writing. But mostly, I think I have been encouraging optimism.  In considering this I hope that my themes are coming through: 1.  Negative: The Climate…

Last week I wrote to you about the decline in the rate of loss of bumblebees last year.  Still a loss and a big one but just not as steep as it has been.  Here’s the back story of how badly the bumblebee population is doing.  It’s a very disturbing phenomenon.     “A federal review of existing data unveils an…

  I imagine that many, if not most or all, of you know that the populations of pollinators have plummeted dramatically over the last couple of decades all over the world.  Bees and monarch butterflies are the canaries in the coal mine so to speak.    The dramatic decimation of their populations dramatize how what may appear to be minor changes in climate…

  Back in June 2018 I sent out this piece:  Altering NSR Can Kill You.  Concerned??   (https://franklytalking.com/altering-nsr-can-kill-you-concerned/) Well, NSR (New Source Review) is back in the news.  I’m really delighted to send you this article today.  You probably know that I am a life member of Sierra Club having joined the Club in 1976.  I have been actively engaged…

I hope you listened to my warnings over the past few years and divested yourself from any asset in any way tied to fossil fuels not just for moral reasons but for your own financial security.   A great deal of the asset values supporting the prices of a fossil fuel extraction company’s financial instruments is the capitalized cost of the proven…

I am going to write about some topics other than climate change and other directly related issues for a while and spotlight different environmental issues of grave concern.  You can read in the mainstream media about the temperature in Siberia above the Arctic Circle being over 100 degrees and at the bottom of the Grand Canyon over 115 degrees and melting peoples’ boots. Today I…

Let’s stay on the topic of the demise of fossil fuels to boil water to create steam to run the turbines that create electricity for the power grid.  In a recent article I sent you I said “it’s clear that fossil fuels are toast.”  And the hits keep rolling.   You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure this…

I have been writing for a long time about following the money as it relates to climate change.  More recently I’ve been revealing how more and more finance entities have been committing to begin redirecting their capital away from fossil fuel projects and into renewable energy assets.  This started with a trickle and becoming a torrent.  When this started it was tentative and…

As I have been writing about for years and in many of my most recent articles, follow the money.  Fossil fuels are being abandon like a hot potato.  As predicted, costs of renewables have dropped more than dramatically.  In 10 years solar has gone from $300 a megawatt hour to $38 in China today.  And wind in the last 10 years…

Before I get to the topic of this article, I want to recognize that we are still in the grip of a terrible pandemic and that, in my humble opinion, we are not “over it” as some might have you believe.  Based on the chaos and lack of a coherent plan to tame this beast it appears to me that the worst is…

In case you haven’t been paying attention, it’s becoming more and more clear that the horse is out of the barn:  we’ve passed a tipping point.  When you can read this in Forbes, things have changed.   “After all the suffering of the pandemic, let’s make investments that will preserve life as we know in this planet and strengthen our…

  On February 9th I sent you an article about a Supreme Court case that would have tangible consequences for the quality of the water that we drink, play in and use for all the other things for which we depend on clean water.     Clean Water Crisis Well, the decision came down and from what I gather the Court revised…

I am staying on the finances of climate change.  The last post related to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) warning that:   “nations must do all they can to promote a recovery that also fights against the climate-change crisis” IMF Gets On Board More and more pressure is coming to bear on investors to take into consideration the risk of directing capital…

Short but sweet today.  Following up on my last two messages to you to reveal the widening acceptance and understanding that we should learn and take advantage of our current circumstances regarding the COVID – 19 pandemic as relates to climate chaos.  The two concepts to which I am referring are: 1.  There is a connection from this pandemic to…

The last couple of messages weren’t particularly encouraging.  This one brings a better message:  The message is getting through.   The message is that climate change is REAL, something to be concerned about and will have a personal impact.     “Nearly three-quarters of respondents also said they were worried about the current global climate, with 34 percent saying they…

The following Newsweek opinion piece’s principal message is that the current COVID-19 pandemic should teach us the lesson about the cost of failing to recognize foreseeable disasters and take actions to mitigate them.  Denying the science behind pending catastrophes doesn’t make them go away.   “The real discussion we should be having is not about the age-old debate of big government versus small…

Before I start my overview of the attached article I want to address the feedback I received from many of you about my format.  Thanks to all of you who responded.  The first point was that almost everyone liked it and encouraged me not to change it.  That said, there was some confusion on the overall scheme.  So let me try to…

“Georgia regulators this month halted the last proposed coal plant in the United States.” “”This represents the end of a bad idea,””   VICTORY!  FINALLY!  The seeds of the campaign to stop any new coal plants from being built and put into operation started here in Chicago back in the mid 90’s with the Sierra Club Northern Illinois Air Quality…

I have been warning of the impending collapse of the fossil fuel business especially oil.  And, with it the devaluation of value of the oil companies’ stock price.  I expected it to happen quickly when it occurred but I certainly didn’t expect it to happen due to a global pandemic.  But here we are. As predicted, it ain’t pretty.  And after we get past…

Several of my recent posts have been focused mostly on renewable energy.  Today, I am going back to what we can expect from a warming climate and the implications thereof.  As readers you know that I have been preaching about how projections of the horrid outcomes of warming the atmosphere of our planet will be much worse and come faster than the “experts”…

First of all, click on the video below and enjoy some Bee Gees music while you read this.  You’ll get the connection.   As I wrote about in my last post, renewable energy is blowing away fossil fuels.  It’s not only a prediction any more.  It’s reality.   “Renewable energy beat coal for generating electricity for the first quarter of…

I am thinking of all of you that receive and read my posts.  I am confident that, while it make take much longer than any of us would like, we will emerge from the pandemic in time.  I certainly hope and pray that we and all of our loved ones and friends are healthy and sound now and at that time. I imagine…

In light of the health crisis we are all now experiencing it feels disjointed to be focusing on anything else.  So far I, Debbie and the rest of my immediate family are all feeling good and hunkered down in isolation and working from home.  I certainly hope that you are doing as well also and imploring everyone you can influence…

The winds of change are blowing.   I’ve alerted you too many times to count that the energy industry is changing rapidly and is nearing a tipping point.  Actually, given the current situation, may have been pushed permanently beyond the tipping point and into a new reality.   Here’s some more evidence of how the rapidly evolving future is currently…

As if we don’t have enough to be stressed about, we are facing “The Perfect Storm”.  For those who read the book or saw the movie, you know that this is when three separate storm fronts crash together creating complete chaos.  And that’s what we are now facing: The Corona Virus, Climate Chaos and a completely inept government that has…

I’ve over the years, and recently also, mentioned positive feedback loops.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_feedback)  Certainly the melting of the Arctic, Antarctic and Greenland ice is one that is very frightening.  But there is another one that has been extremely worrisome to me and which has gotten little public attention but could be the dagger in the heart to being able to stop runaway climate…

Following up on the post I wrote on Monday (https://franklytalking.com/is-the-coronavirus-pandemic-sending-us-a-wake-up-call-on-climate/) I am attaching two more articles about how ill prepared the U.S. is for anticipating and preparing for a rapid change in the climate and the consequences thereof.  Just look at the title of this post and think of how totally incompetently the current Administration is in dealing with the current Pandemic to…

The world around us is changing fast.  And as much change as we’ve seen in the last week, especially since Wednesday, it’s going to accelerate and it’s hard to imagine what life will be like a week from now much less in a month.  I hope you are taking this pandemic extremely seriously and staying home and isolated.  Even if…

I hope you have been paying attention to what I have been telling you was coming for many years.  Seems the inevitability of the future of energy is finally beginning to not only take hold but take OVER.  And investors are sniffing it out and the flee from fossil fuels is starting and only going to gain momentum.  Values for any fossil fuel assets…

Recently I wrote about what you can personally do to help protect the planet from the worst possible outcomes of climate chaos and leave our descendants a more hospitable and livable environment.   https://franklytalking.com/quitting-your-hamburger-addiction-aint-gonna-cut-it/ One of the things I suggested was joining Sierra Club and helping in these pursuits.  (Full disclosure, as  you probably know, I have been a Club member since…

For years I have been saying that scientists and other climate “experts” were under estimating the likelihood and degree (pun intended) of a warming planet.  The reason for this I said was because they were worried about public perception of being alarmist and possibly of “getting out over their skis.” And if in fact that their more extreme predictions didn’t come to…

I have been predicting for years that an alternative technology would eventually replace the lithium-ion battery that is now used in electric vehicles.  Some of the reasons being weight, cost, range and, the availability and cost of cobalt.   The following article describes a promising development that could make a huge difference in EV adoption.   We’re getting closer and closer to…

I am often asked by people, “what can and should I be doing to help curb climate catastrophe?”  Many people feel guilty about their lifestyle and/or simply want to do what they can to be a part of the solution to prevent the worst consequences of a warming planet.  My answer is not always what people want to hear. I…

Getting away from climate issues for a moment, the following article reminds us once again that elections really matter to our personal lives and health.  Who sits on the benches of our courts directly determines the quality and nature of the air we breath and the water we drink and in which we play.     “The U.S. Supreme Court is set…

Almost 40 years ago, 1982, a book was published called “Megatrends”.  The author had been an intelligence officer in WWII and was using a technique that had been developed during the war to intuit what was happening to society, primarily in Germany, at that time.  The general concept was to count the number of lines in the local papers that various…

In my last few messages I’ve been writing about some encouraging developments that have been occurring recently that give hope that despite the current administration in DC right now (I can’t get myself to say it’s name) there is reason to think our society is waking up to the urgent need to act with expediency to blunt the worst impacts…

It’s real easy to be overwhelmingly pessimistic about what the future of our planet and civilization will look like due to all the planet heating chemicals we’re putting into the atmosphere.  I’ve read a couple of articles recently lamenting the negative psychological impact that a bleak/apocalyptic  vision of the future is now having on youth around the world.  That’s easy to comprehend because…

Staying on the technology theme for one more article, this one is about nuclear power.  As a teenager my best friend’s father was very engaged in the topic and indoctrinated me early. Therefore, I have opposed nuclear power from fission since the 60’s. (Yea, I’m old enough for that to have happened.) While power from nuclear fission does not emit global warming…

No matter what we do now, we’ve already baked in increasingly severe consequences from a warming climate.  That said, if we do nothing and stay on the trajectory upon which we are currently headed, the future of our civilization is in extreme jeopardy.  As it stands right now, we will unquestionably have to adopt to some changes but by being proactive…

In the past I have written about potential pivotal technology advances that will change the paradigm for electric vehicles (including planes and ships).  We have all read many announcements with hope, only to never see these come into commercial fruition.  (Although in an upcoming post I am going to be following up on one that I wrote about not too long ago that actually IS going into full…

The planet is already experiencing huge impacts from the increasing heat caused by our emitting heat trapping gasses, primarily CO2 and methane.  The consequences are going to get much worse due to the amount of these compounds we’ve already emitted but also what we will inevitably put into the atmosphere in the next 10 years and beyond.  And while we have and opportunity to mitigate the worse…

Back in the 80’s when it was obvious to me that the science of global warming was clear and convincing I began trying to get others to believe it was happening as well.  That has been a long, gradual and uphill process.  Nevertheless, in the last two years or so it seems like a critical mass has been achieved here in…

Last April I told you for a second time not to worry about the proposed fuel economy standards (CAFE) rollbacks because even if the Trump Administration did issue lower regulations that most likely they wouldn’t be implemented and if they were, the auto manufacturers would not adhere to them.     10 Months Later the Story’s Still the Same: Trump is Irrelevant You’ve seen that…

Undoubtedly you read or heard about the power shutoff that occurred in California recently by PG & E due to wildfires.  Most likely, though, you may not have thought about some of the implications of this beyond the immediate concern of the people effected by this event. The ongoing issues are very disconcerting and cannot be resolved overnight.  In fact, they may…

The following article is long and primarily focused on the risk of investments in fossil fuels.  While I have been cautioning you about this for years the chickens are now coming home to roost.  The financial markets are finally seeing the signs of a fundamental shift in where energy production is going.  And the markets are reacting.  While this is…

Reading the following article from Rolling Stone Magazine, I don’t know where to begin.  If you’ve ever read one of their feature articles you know how long they are.  So, I am reluctant to use them in my postings.  Yet, this one is so compelling.  It is about the impact of extreme heat that is coming as a result of climate change.…

The last post I sent you emphasized how dramatically the earth is heating up and consistently smashing heat records worldwide by huge margins at a vastly higher pace than anytime in the past.  This is one of the results.    “What was once exceptional is becoming more frequent today.”   “The melting has reached parts of Greenland that typically stay frozen all year…

I ran into a friend at a party a short while ago who I hadn’t seen in quite a while.  He gets this newsletter and remarked to me that he appreciated getting the info and my passion for the subject matter.  And then he asked me if we were really in any big trouble.   Of course I answered with a…

On June 15th I sent you this article:  Can Concrete Really Save the Planet?  As a follow up to this is the following article which describes the pressure that investors are placing on cement companies to reduce and ultimately eliminate their CO2 emissions.   “Members of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate change and the Climate Action 100+, a coalition…

  The last article I sent focused on dangerous heat events occurring all over the world but especially devastatingly in SE Asia.  This article delves into developing knowledge and research into the complications of how the changing climate is not linear but rather causing multiple factors of climate change to interact making climate disaster events exponentially worse.  Scientists are learning more and…

Our youngest of 4, our daughter Melanie, got married last weekend.  What a spectacular, magical event.  We had hoped to hold the ceremony outside on the shore overlooking Lake Michigan.  Thank goodness we had an indoor backup plan.  The country was baking under a massive heat wave and the temperature that day was 96 degrees.     But this weather,…

Continuing on the theme of how the growing climate crisis is being recognized by the financial community as an existential threat, the following article describes the growing recognition (can I say panic?) that has finally dawned on the financial world.  With this financial constituency now crying out for action maybe we have a chance of finally recognizing the urgency of action…

Normally I wouldn’t send you another piece of news so soon after my last post but this article was simply too compelling and extreme for me to wait. All I can say is read the whole thing.  It is horrifying.  And it’s coming to your city or town eventually. Especially if you are in Phoenix, LA, Las Vegas, Atlanta or…

  On several occasions over the years I’ve written about “stranded assets”.  These can be categorized in more than one way. The article below discusses the cost that is on the books of companies of physical assets above ground such as plants and equipment that will become worthless as renewable energy pushes fossil fuel burning plants out of business.  There is also…

  The last several articles that I’ve sent you were about how the warming climate is creating unprecedented weather events around the U.S. and the world.  CO2 levels have shattered concentrations such that it’s now, around 415 ppm, at a concentration that has never existed during human existence.  Or, for millions of years before that.  We are heading into new uncharted territory at a pace…

  I’ve been telling you for years and years that our warming planet was headed for consequences much greater than was being predicted by main stream scientists and reported by the main stream media.  I warned that consequences would happen faster and with more impact than most people were willing to say to the public.  But as I’ve delineated in the last…

“India last week was in the grip of its worst heat wave… The capital, Delhi, reached a daily record of 118 degrees Fahrenheit, or 48 degrees Celsius, on June 10.” “San Francisco peaked at 100 degrees Fahrenheit on June 12, also a daily record” “Even Helsinki, Finland, way up north on the Baltic Sea, practically turned into an outdoor sauna when…

From the following article: “The United States has experienced 412 consecutive months with temperatures, at least nominally, above the 20th-century average, according to NOAA. Climate disasters have also been on the rise, with three of the four most active disaster years coming in 2016, 2017 and 2018.” It is becoming more and more obvious that extreme weather is getting worse…

In my last post the other day I wrote about how a new method of producing concrete has the potential of removing massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere if adopted as the only way of cement production on a world wide scale.  It is becoming increasingly certain that to keep the climate from destroying our way of life we not only need…

For many years I’ve been hearing about schemes to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere.  I always thought they were nuts. Rube Goldberg type of stuff. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg) Since the Paris Climate Accord I’ve been hearing some prominent scientists saying that unless we find ways to suck CO2 out of the air there is no practical way that we are going to keep…

A couple of decades ago, there was a lot of concern about how the ESA (Endangered Species Act) was hampering industry.  One example was about the spotted owl.  Because this bird had been placed on the endangered list large swaths of old growth forest in the Pacific Northwest was banned from logging or otherwise being disturbed.  That is because in order to…

Just as technology that will accelerate the transition to a carbon emissions free future is developing more rapidly than most experts could imagine even five years ago it turns out that we are shooting at a moving target.  We need to develop and adopt solutions much more quickly than thought necessary because our planet’s climate is deteriorating materially more rapidly than we conceived.  This is…

In my last post I wrote about the cost of battery technology dropping dramatically and faster and faster.  So now I want to address the other big barrier to EV adaptation and that is speed of charging.  Due out this year is a car that will charge 60 miles in 4 minutes.  That’s 360 miles in 24 minutes.  OK.  Yea, it’s a Porsche…

Following up on my last posting about the fuel economy standards that the Trump Administration is attempting to reduce, I want to remind you of another theme that I have harped on for years:  that technology is progressing, and going to continue to do so, much more rapidly than “conventional wisdom” perpetrated by mainstream sources would have you believe.  Battery capacity, size, price…

Last June after the Trump Administration announced that is was going to roll back the Obama era fuel economy standards I told you not to worry about that.  Here’s the link to that posting.  Don’t Fret CAFE Rollbacks 10 months later the message is still the same and what I said then is being reiterated again now…   “”It’s a global…

It is easy to look out the window and think that climate change is just a theory that is not happening because everything seems kinda the same where I live.  And hey, what about that polar vortex last winter with -23 degree temperatures.  But increasingly, more and more people are looking out the window and seeing something drastically different.  And…

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal came with a supplement magazine.  When I opened it up I saw a couple of ads for private islands for sale.  The properties looked serene and gorgeous surrounded by crystal blue water.  The two I glanced at were priced at over $15,000,000.  I said to myself, who in their right mind would pay a penny for one of…

Earth is now the warmest it’s been in some 120,000 years. Eighteen of the last 19 years have been the warmest on record. And concentrations of carbon dioxide — a potent greenhouse gas — are likely the highest they’ve been in 15 million years. The consequences of such a globally-disrupted climate are many, and it’s understandably difficult to keep track. To help, here’s a list…

Those of you that live in the middle of the country, like I do near Chicago, may be thinking that since we don’t live on an ocean coast that a warmer climate due to man made climate change won’t affect us much.  Here in Chicago I sometimes hear people saying how winters here have changed since we were kids in the…

Continuing on the theme of changes in the weather due to a warmer planet, this article points out how climate change is affecting people in ways that are not obviously clear.  Take a guess what kills more people worldwide than alcohol use, kidney failure or too much salt.  Smog.   I know that quite a number of you reading this…

I know.  I know.  I keep sending you articles about extreme weather and its consequences.  It’s because it’s my perception that most people, especially those in the US, haven’t yet come to grips with how bad the circumstances are that we are already experiencing around the planet due to the increased heat in the atmosphere .  And, therefore, how much worse it is…

If you are still thinking that extreme weather from a warming planet is still years away and that we have time to react, you’d better start paying attention to what is already happening all over the globe.  It’s time to listen carefully to the scientists and start making dramatic changes NOW before things get really out of hand or we move past…

In the last article I sent out it mentions the world’s ‘Third Pole”.  That region is the Hindu Kush Himalayan mountains.  And a warmer climate is melting it as well.   “Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, which spans eight countries in South Asia from Afghanistan to Myanmar, could lose more than a third of their volume by the end…

There is so much quotable news in the article below I don’t know where to start.  Basically, this piece consolidates many of the warnings I’ve been writing about forever.  The main points: A warming planet will melt glaciers and ice sheets around the world. This will lead to sea level rise that will put costal communities in grave danger in a multitude of ways. Changing…

There have been a great deal of articles recently with information and developments which I want to share with you.  My practice has been not to deluge you with emails from me and limit my posts to 2 or 3 a week.  I’ve decided to alter that practice for the time being and write to you more often, if I can find the time.…

  The data from scientists just gets scarier and scarier.  Despite the fact that you may look out your window and not see much change in your immediate landscape, massive changes are happening around the globe that are already having a significant impact on our planet and many other people around the globe are already feeling the pain.  The recent…

For those of you living in Illinois and surrounding areas, you know how cold it is outside today being minus 6 this morning.  It’s expected to go down to -15F in a few days.  So after posting my last article about the horrible heat wave hitting Australia with record breaking temperatures one of you emailed me back suggesting that the climate…

In my last two posts (https://franklytalking.com/6049-2/  &  https://franklytalking.com/climate-change-costs-allstate-3-billion-in-9-days/)  one was about record breaking heat in Australia and the other referenced “Our own Pentagon has sited climate change as the biggest threat to the planet and peace”.  In the last couple of days, two additional articles have been published which relate to these two posts and reiterate the point.   First is a new…

In my last post (https://franklytalking.com/co2-emissions-hiccup/) I wrote, “Our own Pentagon has sited climate change as the biggest threat to the planet and peace.”  I have mentioned this before over the years. Today, another article came out that reiterates this fact.  While this piece does not mention the Pentagon reports that have been published, it does discuss the Pentagon’s fears of the risk…

I’m sure you are aware that over half of US coal fired power plants have been closed since 2002 when the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign began.  (281 retired and 249 to go) And almost no new ones have been permitted for construction.  This has not only reduced significant amounts of CO2 but also small particulate matter and other emissions…

One of the first consequences of a warming climate that I said would occur is now happening and being confirmed by data. Scientists predicted that the snow pack in the Rocky Mountains would shrink as a result of shorter and warmer winters.  The principal problem that was foreseen was less water flowing into the rivers which flow into the Great Plains that provide irrigation for…

The following headlines and articles are becoming more and more frequent as the consequences of a warming climate are becoming increasingly evident and consequential.  It’s one thing to say, “get used to these headlines”.  It’s an altogether different thing to get used to what is and going to happen.  The frequency of the headlines is only a small sampling of…

For decades, many people said that the cost of doing something, anything to fight climate change was simply too much and uneconomical.  I have always said that there is no evidence of this and that there is not one shred of data to support this contention.  Not one single study.  In fact, all the research shows that doing what is…

Still not convinced that the climate is getting warmer and that the outcomes will be no big deal? Well, Australia is now suffering unheard of heat and the following article describes an outcome of climate change that is truly frightening.  What the “alarmists” have been predicting is not occurring at some vague time in the future but RIGHT NOW and in a…

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and this one is out of my normal lane.  As you know, mostly I write about environmental news that is not reported in the mainstream media that is important to knowing and understanding about how we citizens are being effected by events.  I try to alert you early on to trends that…

Recently, I’ve been writing quite a bit about the financial risk climate change presents to the capital markets and insurance companies. And the last post was about the consequences to people who live in the path of hurricanes that cause catastrophic rain and storm surge and other weather events that create climate refugees. Now, I want to turn to the…

I’ve been writing quite a bit about the economic consequences of climate change. Less and less we’re hearing the outcry that doing anything about climate change will have negative, if not devastating impact, on the economy. Besides the fact that there is not ONE study that shows this to be true, actually the opposite, what is overlooked by those that…

Two themes that I have written about a great deal come together in this article. One is that risk of climate change is increasingly becoming factored into financial markets and financial decisions. I’ve cautioned about being invested in fossil fuel industry assets especially those companies that have trillions of dollars of fossil fuels on their balance sheets that could end…

This post reverts back to the one I sent recently about peak oil growth. In that post I highlighted this point:  “Investors are increasingly sitting up and taking notice”. The following article, maybe not unintentionally published on 9/11, a day that changed the world, is about the financial consequences of the shift away from oil (and other fossil fuels).  As the article title indicates, energy companies…

As the flood waters recede in the Carolinas, the cleanup begins.  And billions of our tax payer money will be used to help the victims of Hurricane Florence recover.  My guess is that most of us want to help our fellow citizens in their time of great need get back on their feet and using our tax dollars is a…

Two reoccurring themes in my posts are that mainstream thinking is wrong and that changes are going to happen much, much faster than the experts project.  One of those changes is how fast the transition from a fossil fuel economy to one that is powered by renewable energy will happen.  Usually when I make some bold statement about how fast things will…

In following up on my last post about how insurance companies are retreating from providing coverage for the coal industry, here is information published by Sierra Club reaffirming that the retirement of coal plants is continuing unabated by anything that is happening in Washington right now.  The information presented below speaks for itself but here are some of the highlights.  …

The retreat from coal is not only gaining momentum but beginning to become a tsunami.  Literally, TRILLIONS of dollars are being syphoned away from anything having to do with coal and there is nothing Donald Trump can do about this.  Once again I’ll say, Coal is a dead man walking.  With examples such as so many insurance companies divesting I wonder why others continue…

The tangible consequences of climate change are occurring and no amount of denial is going to stop this. I posted about this recently and here’s another article about the same thing of how real estate values are being affected.  People are becoming more and more aware of and sensitive to how the changes in climate are affecting our lives.  When we consistently see…

The urgency of fighting to limit the affects of climate change is becoming quite clear in the consequences that are already occurring.  In the last post I described the impact to real estate that is near the ocean coastlines.  Continuing on the same theme this article describes just some of the consequences from forest fires that are becoming more frequent…

One of the reasons that I write this blog is to provide information on the consequences of climate change early on that you may miss in the main stream media.  I try to keep it relevant to people so you can use it to make smart decisions under changing circumstances.  This post is another pertaining to protecting the value of…

The last post I sent you the other day was about what will shape up as a titanic battle between oil companies and electric utilities as cars and trucks switch from gas to electric. So, following up on that theme the following article is a fairly deep dive into the kind of investment and opportunity there exists in the transition.…

I’m sure that many of you read the New York Times and Thomas Friedman’s articles. This one I found particularly interesting not so much for the political commentary but for how he describes the current status of the climate. It’s worth a quick read of the entire article but here’s the most poignant parts for me. “it’s as if Mother…

“While electric-vehicle adoption remains small globally, and is expected to rise gradually, the prospect of a large-scale shift is setting up a showdown between oil companies and utilities over who will power tomorrow’s cars.”   I am doing something a little different today.  I am quoting the punch line above.  Transition from fossil fueled vehicles to those powered by electricity (hopefully,…

  As I have written about on many occasions, the world is increasingly moving on from fossil fuels to renewable and distributed energy.  One of the reasons is that renewable energy now is cost competitive or cheaper that fossil fuels.  This is especially true if the fossil fuel energy is from a new plant.  Secondly, more and more it is being…

In case you or someone you know still has any doubts about the fact of human caused climate change or of its devastating consequences and effects this article should make you think twice a hundred times. Events are unfolding along the lines that have been predicted for a few decades now. Have you seen any of the articles about how…

The following article appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently. It reveals how energy companies are viewing the future of automotive transportation. It also describes some of the investments that are being made in encouraging and preparing for a world full of electric vehicles (EV’s). While conventional wisdom continues to predict that a sizable portion of the market will still…

The map below does not copy well to this posting.  The title is “The World: 4 degrees C Warmer”.  And it notes, “No one knows exactly what this world will look like, but models provide insights into forced human migrations and our future power generation.”  Another notation is: “Amazon: desert”.  How accurate this might be if we are unable to…

Here’s some news you may have missed. Ireland is divesting of its fossil fuel investments. More and more individuals and institutions are realizing that holding and investing in fossil fuel companies is bad for the planet, bad economics and bad for their reputation and brand. Thus, they are all dumping their fossil fuel securities. And the movement is spreading: individuals,…

As time goes on we continue to learn more and more about how complex our climate is. So many factors contribute to how things change. Research constantly unfolds new understanding of how our human activities are exacerbating global warming which is in turn changing the climate both locally and globally. The following article is certainly eye opening. It is commonly…

The following article is kinda long and detailed. But the point is profound. Humans are depleting the groundwater aquifer under the California farmland. This is not simply a climate change issue but a warming planet is contributing to the crisis. Less rain in the area and less snow melting from the Sierra Nevada mountains is exacerbating the depleting water supply.…

If you go to my website, franklytalking.com, and look back over the years of posts, you’ll see quite a few are pointing out the economic and investment risk that climate change threatens. Gradually, over the past years, the alarm has been growing and growing. Undoubtedly, there is going to be disruption to “business as usual.” Enormous shifts of capital are…

When you think of climate change what do you think of? Do you think about how it will affect you personally? Or how it may affect others? Do you worry about hurricanes? Tornados? Flooding? Sea level rise? Storm surge? Fires? Drought? Mud slides? Heat waves? Travel delays? Economic impact? Refugees? War? All of our lives are most likely are going…

There are some small obscure items that fly way under the public’s radar that can have an enormous impact on individuals and society. One of those is a regulation called NSR. That stands for New Source Review and falls under the Clean Air Act. This regulation for coal fired power plants controls the definition of what constitutes general maintenance and…

There are untold numbers of articles reiterating the fact that regardless of what the Trump Administration does about reducing the current CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards it would be insane for the auto manufacturers NOT to continue pushing forward on maximum fuel economy for their ICE’s (Internal Combustion Engines) and rollout of electric vehicles.  The article below is one…

Sierra Club Board of Directors Meeting Oakland, CA May 18 – 19, 2018 Our recent May face to face meeting I found to be rather routine.  I do not mean in any way to diminish its importance whatsoever.  I only mean that I didn’t find that there was anything that occurred that would qualify as something that would change the…

It can be hard to imagine the catastrophic impact that climate change can create.  While the US has seen impacts, somehow when droughts dissipate, hurricanes die out, mud slides get cleaned up, fires are doused, flood waters recede and temperatures drop most of the public forgets about these events.  Not, of course, those who’s lives are severely impacted.  But most of the public puts…

I’d love to be wrong on my prognostications about the consequences of a warming climate as that would mean that the future is not so bleak as I’ve often made it out to be. And I guess it’s a bit braggadocios to be an “I told you so”. But, as has been the case over and over, the early warnings…

Here is another example of how our youth are standing up and advocating for their own future. There are several lawsuits that may seem problematic and far fetched at first but are gaining traction in court. Each one continues to move forward step by step. At their core, they are based on the constitutional right of children to have a…

Since I’ve been writing about how horrible the impact of Global Climate Change is likely to be, I thought I’d pass on a more optimistic view.  Besides, some of you have been responding to me siting information showing that things aren’t as dire as I make them out to be.  Let’s hope that I am over inflating our grim future.  I…

I know.  I said that the last post would be the last about how the warming climate is impacting our society.  But I just couldn’t help myself with this article since it dovetails perfectly with my previous message.   “That river is drying up. This winter, snow in the Rocky Mountains, which feeds the Colorado, was 70% lower than average.” “the…

I am continuing one more time with my messaging about the impact on the physical impact that a warmer climate will increasingly have on our society due to climate change.  While skiers and the towns and businesses around the world that rely on an adequate snowfall and snowpack are well aware of the impact of a lack of snow in…

The following report that was published this morning simply confirms all that I’ve been writing about recently.  The atmosphere is rapidly being altered by our combustion of fossil fuels which is releasing CO2 and causing unprecedented weather events. This revelation should focus our attention and efforts on an all out effort to initiate transition away from fossil fuel consumption to create…

This is very scary stuff.  And I think this article says it all.  Usually, I only highlight the salient items of articles I send out so that you can find the most important info quickly and easily if you don’t want to take the time to read the entire piece.  This time I find myself highlighting  almost the entire article!…

The warming atmosphere is creating more and more weather turmoil and disasters.  For those who decry what climate mitigation will cost they should consider the cost of NOT doing everything we possibly can to minimize the impact some of which is already baked into our future.   Of course it’s not just the direct cost of cleaning up after a disaster. There…

Continuing on the climate and weather are both changing theme, I hope you are not sticking your head in the sand and thinking that “I’m not being affected.”  We are ALL paying the cost of our fossil fuel addition ways.  Right here in Chicagoland, the flooding is getting worse and worse and more and more frequent.  The property damage is but…

Here’s more evidence of a warming climate and the affect it is having on our ecosystem the conclusion of which reflects the theme of most of my messages to you: “It is essential that we take action now to reduce emissions and move toward a low-carbon economy and climate-resilient world. It is our shared responsibility to safeguard the Arctic and…

Continuing on the theme of showing the evidence and impact of a warming planet, here’s more on how the melting of the glaciers in Greenland is speeding up.  This, of course, will raise sea levels.  The impact of that will be enormous especially for all the human (and plant and animal life as well) life and infrastructure along coastlines.  Not…

I am continuing on with a series of messages about how the climate is warming and what the impact is on the ground.  The next several articles are designed to provide a broad overview of the many ways a warming planet is changing and the science behind this phenomenon.   One particular trend to note is that all the changes are happening…

I am going to be sending you a few posts to insure that you don’t get complacent about the climate.  It is changing dramatically and fast and costing hundreds of billions of $$$$$$$ not to mention the human suffering.   Usually I highlight the most salient parts but it will take you only about a minute to read the whole thing.…

The following article is kind of long and detailed about how a plant that will be producing state of the art silicon wafers for solar photovoltaic cells and create 1000 workers in upstate New York is now going to built overseas due to financing guarantees from the Department of Energy falling through.  And while that in itself is sad and disappointing,…

I’ve had a few people get in touch to see if I am OK since I hadn’t sent anything since December.  Well, I’m fine but just took some time off from blogging.  But in that time I’ve been stockpiling material.   I’d like to start out the year reminding you about what is happening to our Earth, just in case you think…

Following is an informative article about the status of lithium production and how its supply is critical to the growth of the EV market.  Here are the critical passages…   “In the last two years, lithium production has not been enough to meet demand. As a result, lithium stockpiles have diminished,” said James Frith, an energy storage analyst at Bloomberg…

It’s hard to find things to be positive and excited about these days.  The assault on so many of the values to which we hold dear from what feels like every direction can feel overwhelming.  Listening to the daily barrage of news is almost overwhelming.  Two items occurred this past week that are especially distressing to me. One is the…

My articles have continuously reported to you the dramatic development of electric vehicles and predicted that their adaptation will be much more rapid than is being predicted by the mainstream media and prognosticators.  I’ll repeat my belief: By 2030 all mass marketed light duty vehicles in the US will be either fully electric or drive 80% of the time on electricity.  It…

Investment firms that manage TRILLIONS of dollars are well aware of how climate change challenges the financial risk of their investments. Even if our federal government says they are pro business, their actions to address climate change in any way and alleviate the enormous economic cost to business as the climate warms up, is contrary to this reality.  They are totally…

With a warming planet raising sea levels at unprecedented levels, costal communities are already trying to cope with their property being inundated with water.     “It’s not clear where relocated communities should go to remain safe, said Steven Bingler, president of Concordia, an urban planning group. He’s working with Louisiana officials on moving people off Isle de Jean Charles,…

The Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is under attack again to be opened up for drilling for oil.  Oil companies, and their surrogates in Congress, and now, the White House, just can’t help themselves.  They have to rape and destroy every and any spectacular landscape on the planet… in the name of short term profits.   In a world that is quickly moving…

We adults who are fighting to save our Planet Earth from the worst effects of climate change are want to say it’s for our kids and grandkids that we do this.  While we are already experiencing the beginning consequences of a warmer climate, it is the next generations that will feel the worst impacts.  If I live another 20 or…

Remember in the old movie, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, when Humphrey Bogart is pinned down by the bandits and they say they are the Federales?  Bogart asks to see their badges.  The head bandit says, “Badges?  We don’t need no badges?” https://youtu.be/XT8hE7_8BCY Well, under the Trump Administration that’s where we’re headed…nobody with badges.  Let’s gut the EPA both locally and…

In case you need a reminder of how fast things are changing in the energy markets here’s another article projecting the future success of solar energy.  I hope you’ve noticed a continuing theme that prices continue to fall faster than predicted and adaptation progresses at a growing pace beyond what anyone is willing to stick their neck out and project.  …

I’ve run into several of you recently and heard the comment that I haven’t written an article in some time.  Actually, it’s been almost two months.  It’s not for a lack of material.  Just been busy.  So, I’m back now for a while before an extended vacation over the holidays.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday.  I…

As I reflect on each meeting of your National Board of Directors I try to see if there is a theme that threads its way through the agenda.  I find that in this recently concluded meeting one emerged for me.  Primarily, I call it, “the inside game”.  There was a clear consensus that for us to be able to maximize…

Harvey, Irma, Maria, two massive earthquakes in Mexico and a small one that hit Los Angeles recently, multiple large fires in the West and drought.  OMG!!  It really does feel like the sky is falling.   Here in Chicago the weather has been wonderful.  Dry, sunny, warm.  I feel a sense of guilt as I see so many of our fellow citizens…

You may be aware that several of the Detroit auto manufacturers have lobbied the Trump Administration to revisit the fuel economy standards that were put in place by the Obama Administration. While these regulations are a bit complicated due to there being a couple of different standards, generally the regs require substantial and continued fleet average increases in fuel economy for…

Experimentation continues to evolve in the evolution of car sharing programs.  GM owns Maven and is trying new ways to fully utilize vehicle assets in ways that shares ownership and revenue streams to maximize utilization and income.  The following article provides insight into what General Motors is trying in this regard.  It is quite innovative and cutting edge.   “dealerships…

Some time ago in the not so distant past, someone suggested to me that with climate change a warmer planet would actually be a benefit to mankind.  The idea was that there would be a longer growing season and regions in the northern climates would now be more agriculturally productive.  While there may be some truth to those two factors…

Those of you who have been following my messages know that I am exceptionally more optimistic about how quickly the auto market will transition from ICEs (internal combustion engines) to electric.  I have said for a long time that conventional wisdom is way to conservative.  I am not sure what criteria that is being used but I have a different…

In case you have ANY doubts about the planet warming up there are three items which follow that should alleviate any misconceptions that may still remain.  First check out this amazing 35 second graphic.  It is simply, scary.  And then the additional short two articles will provide antidotal examples that are happening right now.   This should provide more than…

We’re cooked…literally.  Click on this link to read the USA Today article, Global Warming: Atmosphere to Warm By at Least Another 2 Degrees. Click Here for the Article Here are some highlights…   “A scientific study released Monday said that the Earth’s atmosphere will warm by at least another 2 degrees C (3.8 degrees F) — regardless of what we do in…

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is $25 BILLION in the hole.  Since this program is funded by OUR tax dollars, it is we citizen tax payers that pay for these natural disasters.  We should all be supportive that this program is in place to help and support those that suffer from weather…

If you click on the link below you will be able to read the New York Times article referenced below.  I am unable to copy and paste the shocking graphics that clearly demonstrate how dramatically our climate is changing especially as it relates to summer temperatures so you’ll have to click over.  If you haven’t been scared about what is already occurring (think fires and…

This is another post along the lines of how a changing climate will impact financial and economic interests.  The article below points out that financial institutions are waking up to the costs in real dollars and cents that the warming climate will have.  Not having read the study I surmise that the only aspect that has been evaluated is strictly focused on…

In several previous posts  I have pointed out the financial risk that climate change poses to the world economy.  Increasingly the world is waking up to how climate change will affect corporate stability and by extension, capital markets.  Insurance companies are on the front line of this issue.  And as I pointed out, so is the government flood insurance program…

A few days ago I brought to your attention that flooding caused by storm surge is becoming more frequent and severe due to rising ocean levels caused by climate change.  In that message I pointed out that regardless of where you live in the US or, whether YOU have flooding, we are all going to pay for this phenomenon.  The following article details…

Following up on my last post about the impact of the enormous iceberg that calved off of Antartica last week, today I am sending you an article about how the impact of melting ice could affect the United States (and the rest of the world as well) in terms of the flooding and its associated costs.  This should be a wake…

You may have heard about the massive iceberg that broke off from Antartica last week.  The following article will answer many basic questions about the impact of this event.  Here are some of the relevant points: “The massive iceberg holds twice as much water used in the United States every year. It weighs about 1.1 trillion tons and measures 2,200 square miles.…

Over the past decade or so, I have been somewhat engaged at my alma mater, The University of Chicago, with their EPIC (Energy Policy Institute Chicago) program. I had been told of a new tool that was being developed that would be able to model future climate impacts on a very localized basis.  The initial product from this endeavor is now public with…

There’s not much I can say that will add to the following article.  I am posting it here in its entirety since I know that most of you don’t actually click through to read the underlying articles on which I base my posts. For the skeptics and so called experts that have been grossly underestimating the growth of renewable energy…

As I was sitting on my back deck this morning drinking my coffee, relaxing and listening to the symphony of chirping birds I heard the growl of airplanes flying by overhead.  Not an unusual sound for any of us almost anywhere in the world.  And faintly in the background, I could hear the sound of traffic on the highway that…

As always, follow the money.   The good news is that at more and more companies, shareholders are putting forward a significantly increased number of proposals at corporate annual meetings.  In many cases, they are being passed.  Even at Exxon Mobil.  The effects of climate change especially is causing shareholders alarm for the future profits and viability of the companies…

Here’s another article in this series of blogs that will show that conventional wisdom is outdated and just simply, wrong.  The pace of change in the energy “environment” is gaining more and more momentum…   Solar Power Will Kill Coal Faster Than You Think Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s outlook shows renewables will be cheaper almost everywhere in just a few…

Solar technology is moving ahead so much faster than most people comprehend.  It is gaining scale and the price is dropping.  Unfortunately, we are ceding leadership in this arena to the Chinese.  Sad.  The rest of the  world will leave us in the dust if we’re not careful.   Watch this one minute video.  You’ll be amazed.      This…

In 1969, as part of the musical Hair, the Fifth Dimension recorded this song.  Enjoy the music as you read more about the solar revolution that is coming… Support for clean energy driven by economics — report Maxine Joselow, E&E News reporter Thursday, June 15, 2017 Demand for clean energy is no longer a political issue — it’s an economic…

First of all, a happy Father’s Day to you all.  I am so incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful family all of which live close.  It is worthwhile today to take a minute out and be thankful for all the blessings we enjoy and, especially here in the United States, the freedom we have to express ourselves and stand…

OK.  So the movie is actually 310 to Yuma but that is fiction and this is reality.  That movie is violent and our weather is getting more so too as the climate gets warmer.  It was once described to me how CO2 warms our planet.  Emitting CO2 into the atmosphere is like putting a blanket around the earth.  The more…

  As you can see from the photo above, I marched in the Peoples Climate March yesterday in Chicago with 5000 others.  It was wet and cold but who cares when the fate of science and our planet are at stake.   I know that most of those that read my blog agree with me that Climate Change is real…

The following article from yesterday’s Huffington Post boggles the mind. All I can say is, watch what Trump does not what he says. It is incomprehensible, given all that we know about how he is attempting to not just slash environmental budgets but to actually eliminate the programs that are protecting our air, water, wild lands and wildlife, to fathom his Earth…

The good news is that over the last decade, going back to the Bush Administration, legislation backed by funding for environmental work has produced dramatically positive results for U.S. air quality.  According to the first of three following articles: “Toxic air releases are down by half over the last 10 years…. Reported toxic air releases were down 56 percent As…

The first 100 days of the new Administration are not even over and yet we have already seen success in efforts to RESIST efforts and actions taken by Trump.  The travel ban hasn’t happened and the ACA is still the law of the land.  While a new Supreme Court Justice is on the court, it took a nuclear option to do…

Surveys continually show that the American population is becoming increasingly convinced of and concerned about the changing climate and global warming.  The principal cause being the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere along with methane.  The two primary sources comprising about 80% of these emissions are from the production of electricity from coal and natural gas and burning oil in the…

Since the election on November 8, I have been asked countless times “what is the Sierra Club going to do to protect our environment?”  And this: “What can I do to prevent our natural resources and climate to be devastated by actions of the Trump Administration?”  The simple answer is to RESIST.  We simply cannot allow this new reality become acceptable.…

Here in the Midwest Great Lakes states, our congressional delegations have successfully fought for and created the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a $300-million-per-year program that began in 2010 and was made official last year by Congress.  It is making a HUGE difference in restoring the health of the Great Lakes and the communities along their shores.  One local site is…

Every day of the Trump presidency brings a new or contined shocking event or revelation.  This is remarkable history in real time.  This week saw Dan Rather write on his Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/theDanRather/?refid=52&__tn__=C) about Trump being labeled a “loser”.  Then, a bastion of Conservative thought, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, challenged Trump’s credibility and said “Yet the President clings to his…

Last week I wrote about the work of Congresman Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, and what the Committee under his Chairmanship is attempting to do to scientific research.  This past Wednesday he penned this OpEd piece in the Wall Street Journal.  I do have concerns with anyone who might try to intimidate…

Sierra Club Board of Directors Meeting February 24 – 25, 2017 Atlanta, GA Overview: This was a significant meeting.  My perspective is that there were two principle topics that required special attention beyond the normal and routine work of guiding and managing the Club’s affairs.  While both items are closely  tied together and related, I consider them to be separate.…

When the new President (I can’t even mention his name) took office in January, it wasn’t the beginning of the challenge to climate science and action in DC.  If it weren’t actually happening, I would not be able to imagine that well educated leaders in a free society would actually not only deny that the climate is changing and humans…

We had dinner with some old friends last night.  The conversation inevitably turned to politics (ugh).  I brought up my recent blog about CRA and the overturning of the Stream Protection Rule.  I tried to explain why anyone (read Republicans and a couple of Democrats) would want to permit (encourage?) blowing the tops off of mountains and then dump the…

If you have no idea what CRA is don’t feel bad.  Until very recently I’d never heard of it either.  Since the election I’ve been hearing many of my Sierra Club associates talking about how the Republicans are going to use the CRA to reverse much of what the Obama Administration put in place.   CRA stands for Congressional Review Act.  It is described…

Maybe I should have entitled this piece after the Talking Heads song “Once in a Lifetime” with the famous lyrics of “You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?” (https://youtu.be/I1wg1DNHbNU)  But we’re not going to ruminate on the insanity of what’s already happened but look forward to our mutual future.  So instead, click on this url, https://youtu.be/VuAZTWGfQTs and listen…

We discovered on November 8th that history does not progress in a straight line.  The arc of progress, the road of history, twists and turns and sometimes bends back on itself…just like in our own lives.  I’ve paddled a few wilderness creeks like this.  Back and forth never being sure where you’re going and if or when this frustrating endeavor will end.…

As a follow up to yesterday‘s piece, I am copying Automotive News’ editorial from last week.  This article points out that 2016 was the year of the EV and asks: “What changed? “It’s a move that is driven primarily by the customer,” Speth told us. “Customers see this type of vehicle as cool and sexy, especially younger customers” As a former…

The onslaught of fully electric cars that are competitively priced, get over 200 miles on a full charge and drive better and have more features than their ICE (internal combustion engine) counterparts continues to gain steam (another outdated form of power).  You probably recall that I own and drive a Chevy Volt and Debbie has a Tesla S.  And now, the…

For many years now I’ve been driving electric probably over 90% of the time.  I’ve had my Chevy Volt for over 5 years and in that, I use electric mode for around 80% of my miles.  For two and a half years Debbie has been driving a Tesla S which, of course, is 100% electric.  Combined we’re probably over 90% electric.…

The end of the summer and fall were extremely busy for me.  Thus, I failed to publish a report of the September Annual Sierra Club meeting. Therefore, I am going to do a twofer now and provide an overview of both the September and November meetings. This is not the report that I had anticipated prior to November 8th.  We…

As I have been predicting, there are going to be developments that we don’t see coming and will turn conventional wisdom on its head.  Well, here it comes!!! Buckle up.  Change is going to happen faster and faster.  Here‘s the key point: ” a then-audacious campaign to make solar power as cheap as electricity from coal. “Frank van Mierlo holds his…

OK.  So this article is kind of wonky and I don’t really get all the science in it.  But, what it says is that at Stanford they have developed an apparently simple and inexpensive way to make all kinds of plastic biodegradable.  This could be an enormous development for the health of the planet. “researchers at Stanford and IBM Research…

Considering how much financial damage is now already occurring around the globe due to a changing climate, it is surprising to see how so many investors continue to ignore the implications on their own financial security.  Or maybe it is encouraging to view this in the opposite way and see how many investors are waking up to the fact that a changing climate…

“If the Rain Comes They Run and Hide Their Heads” said the Beatles 50 years ago in their song Rain.  And now it is coming in much greater quantities over shorter periods of time much more frequently. Unfortunately, our infrastructure has not been constructed with this new normal in mind.   It’s too late now for our current systems to handle what is…

136.  That’s how many years that the global temperature has been measured.  And this is going to be the hottest one since 1880.   This post continues to follow the theme of what a changing, warming climate means to YOU and other humans around the globe.  My recent article about Rain Bombs seems to be playing out in Louisiana unfortunately.  It is…

Those of you who have been receiving my blogs for some time know that I firmly believe that by 2025 virtually all mass produced new cars that are being sold will be either fully electric or drive 90% or more on electricity.  This report continues to support that concept.   Sooner, rather than later, one of the major psychological barriers, range anxiety,…

So many of the incredible technologies and medical breakthroughs we enjoy today and are making our lives better have either been due to basic research done by the our Federal government or funded by it.  Some of this has been done by the DOE (Department of Energy).  The following is a very exciting example.  If successful, the results of this…

As the planet heats up the impact of climate change is going to become more and more obvious to people in very personal ways.  One is described in this article that ran in the Washington Post last week. Scientists have been predicting and warning for 20 years that infectious diseases that have until this time been restricted to warmer and…

In the past there has been discussion amongst our transportation groupies about the use of precious metals and the restraint that it could have on the mass adaptation of electric vehicles and battery power storage.  Therefore, this development sited below from Honda is a potential game changer.   “Honda Motor Co. has developed a new electric motor for hybrid vehicles that tackles…

My recent post talked about increasing and record setting temperatures around the planet.  Continuing on the theme of extreme weather that is being caused by human activity that is causing climate change, this post explains “Rain Bombs”.  This is a new term for me and you too, most likely.  And while we may not recognize the term, many of us…

Out of the blue, this appears to me to be pretty big news.  No one seems to have seen this important development coming.  We’ll have to watch and see how it plays out and the impact it will have on fuel economy and the industry.  It seems like it could be a major driver (pun intended) of decision making at…

There are some people that still do not believe that the planet is getting warmer, that it is being caused by human behavior and that the consequences on human civilization will have horrible effects.  Some of those people are receiving this blog. I am not going to mention in this blog the impact that a hotter climate will have on…

Being from Chicago myself, (actually, Highland Park) I find this article to be of special interest.  And since so many of the people who get this blog are also from this area, I figured that it would also be worth sending it around.  Besides, the project is designed to be a model for the rest of the country.    …

As the Republican Convention starts tonight and will culminate with the nomination of two blatant climate change deniers, it seems like a good time to review what has happened in the past 10 years to our planet compared to the predictions in Al Gore’s movie from  2006. Of course, no predictions are perfect.  We wouldn’t want them to be as…

Hello to all my transportation friends.  Hope your summer is going well.  I thought this news would be of some interest. Nissan develops e-bio fuel cells for 2020 Tech is safer, cheaper, automaker says June 20, 2016 Hans GreimelTwitter   YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan Motor Co. has developed a new kind of fuel cell technology it says is safer, cheaper…

  First Meeting of the Sierra Club Board of Directors at the New Oakland Headquarters May 14, 2016 Every May the Sierra Club Board of Directors says good bye to Directors who’s terms have expired and welcome new Directors who have been elected or reelected.  We also choose our Officers (Executive Committee) and other leadership positions.  In addition, we hold…

  This Might Get the World to Finally Pay Attention to Climate Change Alissa Walker Yesterday 7:20pm The Royal Navy’s HMS Defender, one of six Type 45 Defenders. (Image: Getty Images News) Six British warships stationed in the Persian Gulf are breaking down because the water is too hot. This week, members of the British Navy testified to the UK’s…

Many of you are most likely not aware that I have another blog that focuses strictly on transportation issues.  If you are interested in being on that list simply email me and let me know.  That said, I considered posting this message there but felt that this topic would be of a more general interest so decided to post it…

This week’s Automotive News featured an article about the Chevy Bolt and other EV’s that are about to hit the market that, like the Tesla, are designed from scratch and are changing the paradigm for electric vehicles and all vehicles.  There are some interesting data points in the following that will help understand how this market is changing.   The…

There are now nine states (18%) with either with no coal fired power plants left in state (or never had any plants) – RI, VT, ME, ID, CA – or phasing out: OR, WA, MA  and now NY.  With the NY State announcement below we are over 50% of the way home in seeing all the coal fired power plants in the…

Electric Vehicles (EV’s) are inherently better than ones with a gas powered ICE (Internal Combustion Engine).  EV’s perform better with a lower center of gravity and better acceleration making them fun to drive.  (Ask a Tesla owner.)  With almost no moving parts, they are much less costly to maintain and provide way more room for passengers and storage on a…

From the following article: “It’s not a question of whether the industrials are gonna be regulated, it’s when and what does it look like.” Recognizing that change is coming, some of the biggest companies in the world (Shell, Monsanto, United Technologies, International Paper, Lafarge North America, a cement maker, )  are getting engaged in shaping what the future will look like.  Resistance is crumbling…

2016 Candidate On Line Forum Questionnaire 1.  The mission of the Sierra Club is “to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out…

In case you didn’t see this news, you might want to take note of the following.  Crafting a climate treaty deal is only as good as the world’s ability to achieve the goals. One thing that I have found disappointing and dismaying is research and reports that talk about how we will never be able to achieve the goals that scientists…

It seems that every week there is another major economic authority warning of the risk that investing in fossil fuels entails.  This time it is from the largest investor in the world, BlackRock, Inc.  Their outlook is not based on if the science of climate change is correct or not.  Rather, it’s based on the fact that governments worldwide are…

Starting next week, the Paris Climate Negotiations will occur.  World leaders and their representatives will come together once again to attempt to craft an agreement or treaty that will begin to curve the trajectory of climate warming gases back to a level that will save the planet from devastating consequences.   The following article is a good summary of what will be happening…

In case you somehow missed it, President Obama on Friday denied the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline ending 7 years of uncertainty.  Below are links to two videos.  First is his 9 minute statement and the second is a shorter video from the Sierra Club thanking him. I have discussed this controversy with many of you over the years…

I try to keep abreast of the development of battery technology and publish groundbreaking information as it occurs.  The following article is kinda wonky and will interest the more technical of you getting this.   The important takeaway is the conclusion: “Frankel said he is optimistic that energy storage will cross the tipping points needed to take root on the grid…

The shift to renewable energy is happening and gaining momentum worldwide.  This is putting the value of companies that mine, sell, transport or support the fossil fuel industry at great peril.  We’re already seeing the effects of dropping market prices of oil, coal and natural gas on the stock prices of fossil fuel industry company stocks.  There is another huge risk lurking…

The following article covers a variety topics about which I have written in the past including: The current and coming impact of climate change on people around the world. The lack of adequate measures to mitigate the worst impacts of a warming planet. The movement to divest portfolios of fossil fuels. The recognition by business leaders, especially those either currently or…

It can be very confusing trying to cut through all the various sources of information and what appears to be conflicting data regarding what is the cost of alternative forms of energy.   Here’s another article adding to that dialog.   One of the questions that you need to answer for yourself when you think about this topic is what…

Many will complain that if we are going to avoid the worst consequences of climate change we need to do much more right away.  I totally agree. That said, I am extremely heartened by what is happening as the world heads to Paris in December to craft a new climate treaty.  Every major country, except Saudi Arabia, is on record…

Increasingly, people and businesses that are the most exposed to the effects of a warming planet are already experiencing the economic costs in a substantial way.  Take the insurance industry for example: “The volume of weather-related losses has more than tripled since the 1980s, from an average of $10 billion then to about $50 billion annually in the past decade”.…

The following article points out that no matter how successful the negotiations are in Paris in December, they will be totally insufficient to limit the impacts a warming climate will have on civilization to a tolerable level.  But progress is progress. It is very significant that there is beginning to be a worldwide consensus that we must make commitments to…

Sierra Club Board Meeting Notes September 10 – 12, 2015 San Francisco It has been a very busy several months for both the Sierra Club and me personally. This spring and fall I spent a large amount of time with my family mostly traveling and enjoying the summer outdoors. The Georgia coast, Martha’s Vineyard, fishing in the Ontario wilderness, backpacking…

As I’ve said repeatedly, it’s business that will change the climate dynamic and drive progress.  We certainly can’t depend on a Republican controlled Congress that is subservient to the fossil fuel industry to lead us forward.  But thankfully there are some CEO’s that care about their descendants’  future.  And, in this case, the supply of raw materials that the company needs to succeed.…

Over the summer I’ve taken some time off from writing while paddling, fishing and backpacking.  During this time a great deal has occurred that present an interesting picture of multiple trends that are interacting.  This is causing increased alarm and hope at the same time.  Below is a listing of some recent developments and news.  Much of this you may have…

“An age-old myth that should be shut down is that all regulation is bad for the economy and only environmentalists care about climate change,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, the sustainable investing advocacy group that coordinated the letters… “We really see economic opportunity in addressing climate change, and it’s important to change the narrative that’s been out there for…

Most of us, especially those of us in our comfortable homes in Chicago’s Quiet North Shore Suburbs, feel quite safe and secure.  We can’t imagine an enormous explosion that could destroy our homes, lives and communities like what happened in the small Quebec town of Lac-Mégantic as described below in Mike Brune’s Blog.  Think again.   Many receiving this may remember…

There is no doubt that we have not moved quickly enough to avoid the horrible consequences that we are already experiencing from a rapidly changing climate.  And it is only going to get worse for the next several decades based on the CO2 and methane that is building up in the atmosphere and will continue to do so for the…

Elections matter.  It amazes and disappoints me that the Supreme Court could find that the EPA failed to take into consideration the costs that industry, principally the coal industry, would endure in order to cause: “the lifelong neurological damage brought on by exposure to toxic mercury, and prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks…

Great blog today from Sierra Club President Aaron Mair.  It has irritated the hell out of me for decades  that the coal industry has insisted that if they are forced to clean up their emissions our lives will suffer.  They claim it will cost everyone more money and jobs will vanish.  And, of course, they deny that climate change is…

Despite the fact that the US Congress refuses to accept that climate change is real and being caused by emissions from human activity, the rest of the world is moving ahead to try and address the issue.  At the recent G-7 Summit climate change was a high priority on the agenda. They recognize that the consequences of not acting to abate…

In case you’ve missed this great news…   Kansas City bids to become EV mecca Who’s doing it: Kansas City Power & Light Partners: Nissan and ChargePoint Charging stations planned: 1,001 240-volt stations; 15 Nissan-branded fast-charging stations Cost to install: $20 million Cost to consumers to charge vehicles: Free for the first 2 years. Nissan will cover electricity costs at…

This past week, something amazing has happened.  Several sources have reported that major financing institutions are embracing renewable energy and seeing it as the way of the future.  When the big money moves watch how fast things change.   I’ve been predicting this for some time now.  It finally appears to be happening.  We may actually be reaching the tipping point.  …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Contacts: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Meghan Womack, meghan@bloomberg.org, 212-205-0176 Sierra Club, Maggie Kao, maggie.kao@sierraclub.org, 202-675-2384 Bloomberg Philanthropies Boosts Investment in Sierra Club to Retire U.S. Coal Fleet & Transition the Nation Towards Clean Energy Sources Efforts aim to improve public health, slash carbon emissions and allow U.S. to take action as leader in fighting climate…

Coming Clean: The blog of Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune April 3, 2015 AddUp: Technology + Activism “Technology is nothing.” So said the man behind some of the most successful and influential technologies of the past three decades. But then Apple founder Steve Jobs elaborated: “What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good…

Sierra Club Board of Directors Meeting, Santa Fe, New Mexico February 26 – 28, 2015 Chuck Frank making a point at the working session.  Board Secretary Lane Boldman and Sierra Club Chief of Staff Jesse Simons in background.  Photo by Dean Wallraff Introduction: It is an exciting time to be on the Sierra Club Board of Directors. We are working…

Information continues to come out of China that the leadership there is engineering an about face when it comes to fossil fuels AND transportation.  China is beginning to head in a new direction… and relatively fast.  And the rest of the world had better take heed.   While I have been informing you of China’s moves to clear their air…

I guess the sky isn’t falling after all.  Looks like the auto industry can meet government regulations AND sell lots of cars and truck and make record profits.   This happens every time new regulations are proposed.  They cry that they can’t do it, that nobody will buy the vehicles and they’ll go broke. Then they go out and meet…

I hate say I told ya so (not really) but…..     Battery costs for electric vehicles are falling faster than industry estimates — study Umair Irfan, E&E reporter Costs of battery packs in electric vehicles are declining faster than expected, according to a new report. While industry analysts predicted battery pack costs would decline from $1,000 per kilowatt-hour to…

And the hits just keep on coming…  Every bit of data continues to confirm that humans are warming the planet by burning fossil fuels.  The theory and computer models work.  Even though there are still skeptics that refuse to accept this they are getting left in the dustpan of history.   What baffles me is why some very smart people continue…

The future is coming fast…   Tesla CEO vows Model S will drive hands free in 3 months Katherine Ling, E&E reporter Published: Thursday, March 19, 2015 Tesla Motors’ Model S luxury sedan will be able to steer itself on highways after a software update in about three months, CEO Elon Musk said today. Speaking in a media call, Musk…

Using China as an excuse for not taking action on Climate Change is no longer a valid reason (as if it ever was).  As I have been writing about for a couple of years now, they get it and have been taking steps to reign in their particulate and CO2 emissions.  And now the facts are in and the results…

For those of you who have been following my posts for some time, you will recall that I have been occasionally sending you information that indicates that China “gets it”.  Those posts have indicated that China’s leaders realize that they have a pollution problem that impacts public concern and public health. Furthermore, they are not oblivious to climate change and the impact it will have…

This article presents more information on how quickly we are adding energy storage capacity in the U.S.  This development will help accelerate the exponential growth of renewable energy by making it more reliable.  The economic opportunity of this growing industry is enormous further fueling our economy. (Pun intended.) Last night I attended an event of my alma mater, the University of…

I often hear people say that it is useless for us in the United States to do anything about climate disruption since the Chinese are opening a new coal fired power plant at the rate of one a week.  This, they say, makes anything we do irrelevant.  My response is that they do not know and actually understand what is going…

A big concern about solar and wind power’s ability to take over electricity production is the intermittent nature of the source.  To ensure that there is  power when and where we need it it is necessary to be able to have adequate storage of this type of power.  The following article is very informative about the current status of our…

The following article appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business on February 9, 2015.  It is a look at the future that is here now.  Many people question if we are able to not only build our homes and businesses to be carbon neutral but also whether we can convert the current building stock to be carbon neutral by 2050.  The fact…

Cost and reliability are the two major objections I regularly hear as to why people don’t believe we will ever get off of fossil fuels, and certainly, not any time soon.  The following article addresses both issues as it relates to the cost and availability of solar energy storage. I firmly believe that green energy will completely take over energy production long…

The following article is a good summary on where things stand on EV development as we head into 2015.   Industry ‘can’t give up on EVs’ Despite cheap gas, developers press on Automakers remain under regulatory pressure to make giant gains in the average fuel economy and emissions of their U.S. fleets by the 2025 model year. Automotive News January…

2015: We stand on the precipice.  We have come a long, long way in the last 30 years.  Finally the dialog has changed from skepticism that the planet is really warming and that humans are the cause to what, if anything, can and/or should be done about it and the commensurate social and economic consequences of various alternatives. Increasingly the debate is…

Let my last post of the year bring a little sunshine into your world.  We are finally “there”.  The pace of change is about to rock your world. “Solar has already reached grid parity in 10 states that are responsible for 90 percent of U.S. solar electricity production.” Buckle Up!   While You Were Getting Worked Up Over Oil Prices,…

One of the push backs I occasionally receive when predicting mass adaptation of EV’s is how charging will work in multi family buildings and where people use street parking. And being the eternal optimist that I am, I’ve voiced my faith that we will find solutions. And here they come. This is really an exciting development. Check it out. EV…

At our last Sierra Club Board Meeting in November we voted unequivocally to oppose hydraulic fracturing commonly known as fracking.  I enthusiastically support this position and policy. My personal opinion is that we are not going to realistically be able to stop all fracking in the U.S. tomorrow.  But the sooner the better.  Before we destroy our water tables, poison…

I am extremely honored that an article that I wrote appeared in the Words of the Wild Newsletter of the Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Wilderness Committee on page 10. If you care to read it, click here and you’ll go to the full newsletter and check out page 10.  There are also many other wonderful pieces here including one by Bruce…

Here’s some current news: Tesla expects 50% jump in deliveries this year But crossover delayed until Q3 next year “There are a whole bunch of things we could do to stimulate demand if that were our problem.” — Elon Musk Automotive News November 10, 2014 SAN FRANCISCO — Tesla Motors Inc. said last week it expects to deliver 33,000 units…

In case you were wondering what all the fuss about climate change is about and if it is really happening here are the numbers.  This is quite definitive and, in my opinion, pretty scary.  And things are, excuse the pun, just heating up.  We’ve already locked in increasing consequences for decades to come.   I made a business presentation last…

One again, evidence for what I have been projecting all along.  The doom and gloom prognosticators are simply wrong.  The research is consistently showing the TRILLIONS of $$$$$$ that will be made switching to a carbon free/fossil free electric grid.  And this analysis doesn’t even take into account the social benefits not the least of which is public health.  And, antidotally, I have…

It has been a while since I wrote about automotive news and how we are going to move Beyond Oil (the name of the Sierra Club Campaign to get the U.S. off of oil by 2050).  In fact, the Sierra Club Board of Directors, of which I am one, voted last week at our November Board meeting, to officially adopt…

Due to the People’s Climate March in NYC in September, the Sierra Club Board of Director’s meeting for that weekend was postponed to October.  And since it was scheduled to be our Annual Meeting, that aspect of the meeting was rescheduled for our November meeting.   This post will cover both meetings.  Sorry for including so much in one post…

I have been debating in my mind as to whether to write about the new US-China climate deal that President Obama announced last week.  After all, it’s been all over the main stream media and you’ve probably read enough about it such that you don’t need another article about it from me.  But then I read the following piece that…

Last December 16th I published an article indicating that when a new technology reached 1% market share it was half way to 100%, as counterintuitive as that may sound. (http://www.franklytalking.com.php53-7.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/3315) That article was about electric cars.  But that applies to the solar industry as well and the following charts and data show that, once again, we are close to a tipping…

It’s now several months later since the following article was written and we know that the Tesla Battery Gigafactory will be built in Nevada.  The following article details what the intent of this factory will be and how Tesla plans to make battery powered vehicles price competitive with those of ICE’s (Internal Combustion Engines).  Elon Musk, Tesla’s owner and founder, expects that…

Some of you that have been receiving my emails since I began sending them in the mid 90’s may recall one back then that referenced the initial report from the Pentagon declaring that climate change was their biggest concern for the threat to long term world security.  And over 15 years later, their initial perceptions have only become more solidified as,…

The following article reports that  a “sea change” appears to be occurring.  As I have previously mentioned, we are moving beyond the point where it’s necessary to convince people that the climate is changing, temperatures worldwide are getting hotter and that humans are the major cause of this phenomena.  While there are still climate skeptics, there are less and less of…

For me and many others, divesting their investment portfolio from fossil fuel companies is a moral issue.  Like the Sierra Club Foundation, that manages a $35 million investment portfolio, we did not want to be deriving our incomes from an industry who’s output was destroying the climate.   Sure, we still need gasoline and fossil fuel powered energy, at least…

A couple years ago there began a movement for investors to divest from coal and other fossil fuels similar to the movement 40 years ago to divest from South Africa stocks and products to protest apartheid.  I will admit that initially I didn’t think much of this effort as I didn’t believe it would gain any traction or have any impact…

Internet’s down. Let’s use the Volt! Automotive News September 29, 2014 Things ground to a halt one morning this month at Buff Whelan Chevrolet in suburban Detroit after the dealership’s Internet connection went dead. Staffers couldn’t run lease payments, find cars in inventory or report sales to the factory. Then a light bulb came on for Matthew Oleszczuk. The new-car…

In a recent message to you I copied an article from the Wall Street Journal which said that while the climate is warming up and that man is responsible for at least some of this phenomenon there was still debate amongst the scientific community about exactly how the buildup of CO2 and other heat trapping elements were interacting with the…

I love the following article because it really portrays how the efforts to combat climate change (warming, disruption or whatever other name you prefer) are taking hold.  While I believe in the science and evidence that I have seen that indicates that adding CO2, methane and other elements to our atmosphere is heating up the planet and only beginning to cause…

Last Saturday the following article appeared in the Wall Street Journal.  I found this to be a legitimate analysis of the state of where climate science is today.  I’ve highlighted, as usual, the passages which I believe captures the essence of this piece.  But this is the core of it… “Nor is the crucial question whether humans are influencing the climate. That is no hoax:…

The Tide is Finally Changing? There is so much exciting news occurring right now that I look forward to sharing with you.  Over the next couple of weeks I will be sending out this information that I hope will convince you that things are finally beginning to change the tide for meaningful and immediate action to prevent the worst consequences…

This is not a normal time in the auto business.  While many are thinking that ICEs (internal combustion engines) will be with us for a long time, I believe that they are dead wrong.  Why would anyone buy anything BUT an electric vehicle when the price is competitive, performance is better, you can drive 200 miles on a charge and…

There’s not much that I can add to this incredible announcement.  As I have been reporting, burning coal for power in the USA is on its way to extinction.  We’re well over a third of the way there just as renewables and conservation are filling the gap. I’m so proud to be associated with this program from its inception and…

It has been some time since I have published any articles.  It was a busy summer of travel including some great fishing and backpacking (Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho and Wind River Mountains in Wyoming).  But now I’m back and will once again be sending out information that will help you understand what is happening to our planet that most likely…

Canyonlands National Park, October 23 – 28, 1998 Friday, 10/23/98. 7:15 PM A small crescent of moon is glowing over the black ridge of rock not far from us. Other large rock formations are silhouetted against an increasingly dark sky. The first stars are out and it won’t be long until it is very dark. And as the stars arrive…

  When I turned 16 back in the late 60’s everyone went to get their driver’s license immediately.  We didn’t even have to have taken and passed Driver’s Education then.  Just show up and take the test and hope you passed, as I did.  It was status then and a right of passage.   As the following article delineates, once…

Too often I hear skeptics tell me that it doesn’t matter what we do about eliminating our carbon emissions here in the US because China is opening a new coal plant every week.   While that was true at one point, it is not the case anymore.   And not only have China’s coal plant openings slowed, but the Chinese…

As we contemplate how we reduce our use of fossil fuels and convert to creating electricity from entirely green sources over the next couple of decades, one of the key factors is not to use as much energy. We have the technology to do that today and as time rolls on, it will only get better and less expensive. About…

Here’s some Sierra Club news that might be of interest to you this morning. Sierra Club launches ads against Duke Energy Manuel Quiñones, E&E reporter Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 The Sierra Club will begin airing two television ads today criticizing Duke Energy Corp. for its response to a large spill in February at the utility’s coal ash pond on…