From this:
Three scientists on Tuesday were awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics for their “revolutionary contributions” to the world’s understanding of the climate—and how human activity, such as the emission of carbon dioxide, impacts it.
“The discoveries being recognized this year demonstrate that our knowledge about the climate rests on a solid scientific foundation.” (more…)
Here’s a video on a solar PV plant that floats on a high-altitude lake in Switzerland.
There are some physical advantages to such an arrangement:
More intense sunlight, because it passes through less atmosphere
Reflection from surrounding snow-covered mountains
Better PV efficiency at lower temperatures
But how many homes are there at perhaps 6000 feet elevation? How much more cost comes from shipping and installation in challenging terrain?
Perhaps this is more symbolic than practical.
Great article on Toyota’s (mis)adventures with hydrogen.
As we oldsters recall, hydrogen hit the energy/transportation scene in the early 1970s, when OPEC closed the oil spigot and left U.S. drivers in long gasoline lines. Toyota instantly sprung into action, and went to work designing their first fuel cell vehicle. It is from this viewpoint that the world’s largest automaker made a very sane decision. In particular, no one knew at the time that: (more…)
This really is a sad commentary on white “civilization” here in the U.S.
Elsewhere in America, we have the situation described below. I’m not a religious fellow, but do you know what I’d do if the Pope asked me to exercise mercy? Yes, that’s right, I’d do it.
Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate in economics, asks:
A reader sent me this, to which I reply:
You’re free to have whatever opinion on gun control you want, but this is complete hogs***.
Handguns were banned in Great Britain for most purposes in 1996. Nine years later, 79% of Brits called for even stricter measures.
I don’t have a problem with conservative viewpoints, but I really don’t approve of inventing harmful lies. You should feel the same way.
It’s pretty clear that the American public is getting played by the media. Of course there is the right-wing garbage in which “journalists” simply invent things that attract the Republican base of largely old, angry, and undereducated white people. But what I’m referring to is the mainstream media newspapers and cable channels.
Right now it’s all about a Trump run for president in 2024. We’re told that this is plausible, but is it really? (more…)
Good stuff here.
“This isn’t political” isn’t precisely correct, however; “This shouldn’t be political” is more accurate. Sadly, fighting COVID-19 is like so many other areas in which science is under attack for political purposes. Climate change is one that immediately comes to mind.
This proprietor is quite brave. No doubt anti-vaxxers will be leaving and never coming back.
My son sells whole-house water purification systems to home owners, and performs demos in his prospects’ kitchens. I asked him if these folks are nervous about a stranger introducing a highly transmissible disease, and if he thought a button on his shirt’s breast pocket that reads, “I’ve been vaccinated” would help. He replied that half of his prospects are COVID-deniers, and would be immediately turned off.
So terribly sad.
Norway does so many things well, which is why it comes as no surprise that they’re turning their last coal mine into an enormous national park.
A mere 2000 square miles.
Bravissimo.
“Reusing everything was a way of life.”
So was taking care of one another, behaving with kindness and decency.
