Ever wonder why biodiversity is so important to human civilization? One reason is that the vast majority of the cures we’re developing for our wide range of diseases comes from various species of life forms, and thus mass extinction of even seemingly insignificant species is removing the possibility of developing important medicines. (more…)
A reader who goes by “Louis” notes: We won’t be 100% free of fossil fuels anytime soon, but like when you start recycling, then composting instead of putting everything in the trash, it is a great start! When I see Germany already at 30% and electricity prices FALLING because of that, I know that we can do it too.
You are correct that we are not close to being 100% free of fossil fuels anytime soon; fortunately, we really don’t have to be. (more…)
A friend of mine just called to get my reaction about an editorial in the Sunday paper here in Santa Barbara, written by one Joe Armendariz (pictured left) of the local taxpayers association. I didn’t see the article, but from what I can gather from his past efforts, Mr. Armendariz is against any effort that would curb oil extraction and/or mandate movement in the direction of clean energy, on the basis that “renewable energy is outrageously expensive” and acts as a “job-killer.”
I could tell from the tone of my friend’s voice that he thought I would be enraged. Nope. Sorry, but if every unflattering mention of renewable energy angered me, I wouldn’t last too long.
Three points: (more…)
From a colleague:
In his interview with Vox, Bernie Sanders says, “Are the scientists right or are they wrong? If they are right they’re telling us that the planet Earth will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer by the end of this century Fahrenheit. That will cause cataclysmic changes in terms of drought, weather disturbances, rising sea levels, acidification of the ocean, and international conflict. If they are right — I believe they are right — we have got to move in a very, very bold way. We have to do it yesterday.” (more…)
If I had to name the 10 thinkers on this planet whom I most admired, journalist and activist Chris Hedges would most certainly be among them. He’s been expressing his observations about the environmental and social threats facing humankind in beautifully lucid prose since the 1980s, and, best of all, they normally come along with terrific insights as to what we must do to survive them.
Sometimes, however, as in the case with this breath-taking piece on Western culture vs. the natural world, we’re left wondering where to go. (I know where I went when I got finished reading…outside for a little walk to let it sink in.) (more…)
For those looking for a summary of the issue of ocean acidification, below are two graphs that make the point with shocking clarity. The presence of unprecedented levels of CO2 in our atmosphere have brought about a precipitous drop in the pH of our oceans over a tiny sliver of geological time, and this plunge will accelerate as these atmospheric conditions get worse. (more…)
Frequent commenter SilentRunning notes: Dear Craig, you deserve a Star of Peace for allowing Dr. Cannera to pontificate against the two forms of energy, solar and wind as inefficient toys that will not significantly contribute to the global energy challenge in a meaningful way. My response is simple and straightforward. He should share all his concerns with the global investment community, as all publicized forecasts for total energy investment show by a wide margin that these two renewables garner close to 60 % or more of all the investment in new energy going forward thru 2040. Both technologies will only improve going forward. Even Shell Oil predicts 60% or more of these two energy forms by 2050. (more…)
A. J. Shaka, professor of Chemistry at the University of California at Irvine writes: I dislike CCS (carbon capture and sequestration) because, to me, it seems like a bait and switch to rationalize continued use of fossil fuels.
I’m with you. We’re so close to weaning ourselves from our last-millennium energy sources that it seems ludicrous to be even thinking about huge investments just to keep them around a bit longer. Doesn’t everyone have a sense that this is true?
Frequent commenter and renewables DIYer extraordinaire Brian McGowan writes: I know you like CSP (Concentrated Solar Power). Here is an interesting system. If only they would just use the steam to turn turbines instead of getting oil out of the ground.
Yes, it’s a shame that we’re still focused on oil, but EOR (enhanced oil recovery) will be a reality for some time to come, so it’s better done with renewable energy than with fossil fuels.
We’re living through a time of great change. Here’s one way to look at it: (more…)
A pro-nuke colleague writes in response to my piece in which I refute the anti-renewables rant of Alex Cannera: Craig, my views on renewables are laid out in: Let’s Run the Numbers – Nuclear Energy vs. Wind and Solar | The Energy Reality Project. Although much more diplomatic than Alex, I also think that wind and solar are Rube Goldberg “solutions” to powering the planet.
Thanks for this. First, while it’s true that he lacks diplomacy, that’s the least of my issues with Alex and his viewpoints on the subject. (more…)
