Author Steve Goreham discusses the costs of wind and solar being added to the grid and how consumers pay in two ways – for subsidies and through much higher electricity rates. In the US, electric power rates in 9 of 12 wind states went up 12 to 35% from 2008 to 2015, while in the same time overall US power prices rose only 4.8%. He explains that South Australia is now seeing wide area blackouts due to unreliability related to wind power on the grid and simultaneous coal phase-out. Steve’s full presentation can be seen at: Climate Science and the Myths of Renewable Energy: https://youtu.be/mtHreJbr2WM ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt6DuVMPDAo

AMA, the Alberta Motor Association, is planting a little forest to celebrate its upcoming centennial. Michelle Stirling, our Communications Manager, questions the rationale behind it, while lauding the fact that they seem to be working with an organization that will also monitor and maintain the planted trees. That's important because our forestry consultant says that some 30% of newly planted trees fail in the first year. They die. AMA also indicated that some 80% of their members are concerned about climate change, so that's why they chose tree planting. Michelle questioned that as, anecdotally, in a recent meeting, none of the people she spoke with (who were AMA members) were concerned about climate change. Tree planting seems to just be a social contagion these days. You can buy a bra and they will plant a tree for you! It used to be that there was something special about planting a tree to remember a loved one, or to celebrate a new baby or a marriage - now there's nothing special about and it certainly doesn't cover off the emissions of modern society to plant trees! Canada's recent GHG inventory report shows no success in reducing emissions, despite crushing carbon taxes and other regulations. While National Observer claims that oil, gas and transportation are the obstacles to emissions reduction... in fact, modern life is the obstacle. We need oil and gas, and transportation, so that modern society can thrive, otherwise we will all just be living in caves. There's no climate crisis - see our website for details. And happy tree planting... just remember, you aren't saving the planet or turning down the global temperature just because you planted a tree. Join Friends of Science and become a booster of common sense on climate and energy policies. http://www.friendsofscience.org to Donate on line or by etransfer: contact@friendsofscience.org or call the office if you prefer to not use your card online. Many thanks to all our supporters and subscribers! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibl5vSKVBok