RE: [Paddlewise] A last turn on Global Warning

G'Day All,

Craig you're absolutely right. Theres enough readily accessible renewable
energy in the world right now in either wind or solar to run 5x humanities
present usage. And many other alternative energy options: geothermal,
geosequestration, energy management etc as well. Its a bit of a trap, however
to put all of ones eggs in one basket. How would solar perform in the event of
a major volcaic eruption? How would we cope with the "electrical variability
of wind turbines when they reach more than 20% of baseload. Current thinking
is to invest in a range of alternatives.

And fusion reactors are just 50 years away again!

Lightweight electric vehices can already be made - Anyone who uses an electric
bike would understand the potential. I've been using one for years and cut
down my petrol bills by two thirds and my doctors bills and blood pressure
tablets by a half! Its not a big step to applying the technology to light
weight cars.

And if NY can be one of the most energy efficient cities in the western world
it does provide hope for the rest of us

BTW I did indeed see a kayak with an outboard electric motor the other day. It
had about 3 hours of running time. Just enough to get it outside the South
Australian nautical mile limit and it had a sail as well to get back if the
wind was blowing in the right direction. Not sure what you'd do without the
wind. Heavens you might have to paddle! Except the SA Government wuldn't allow
that - hmmmm

Of course I wouldn't dream of encouraging controversy or tangential topics :~)
but if anyone wants to take this up off line!

All the best

________________________________

From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net on behalf of Craig Jungers
Sent: Mon 19/10/2009 2:26 PM
To: tord_at_mindless.com
Cc: al.m_at_3web.net; paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A last turn on Global Warning



Wow... the resurrection of an old thread.

There are several companies working on new (and much cheaper) methods of
producing the materials to manufacture solar cells. The methods are proven
and at least one plant has been built (right here in Moses Lake, as a matter
of fact); more are being designed.

I believe that widely distributed solar generation is the key to at least
the power problem. Get enough panels so that every rooftop in the world
produces a couple of kw of electrical power during daylight hours and you
remove the problems with darkness, clouds, etc. This will drastically reduce
the need for new power plants, at least. Needless to say, the utility
companies will do everything they can - including spreading false
information - to defeat this.

The major problem in the USA is that political will is diluted by the need
to collect money for re-election. If we could just overcome *that* hurdle we
might actually make some real progress.

Hence the Craig Jungers term-limits program: If you're in office, I vote
against you. After six or seven cycles we can re-think the situation. By
that time we might have politicians in office that will listen to the voters
and not the lobbyists.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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