loquasagacious said:
Be realistic not idealistic, nuclear power is clean energy lets use it.
Do you not think the idea of nuclear power is slightly idealistic.
For one, contrary to being seen as the cheap alternative energy option, nuclear power is incredibly expensive. To set up a large-scale nuclear power industry in Australia would be very expensive, and furthermore we have never done anything like it.
For it to work we'd have to put alot of money into research and waste disposal.
You say that it is clean!
I find it hard to believe that someone would say this. Far from being clean, the bi-product is an extremely hazardous waste product that is costly to dispose of.
So why are we placing so much emphasis on nuclear energy when Australia has so little experience in the effective disposal of its waste and in the production of it.
Surely to set up any form of nuclear industry in Australia, vast amounts of money would have to be invested. And even with the advancements that have been made concerning this 'clean' energy source....there is always the possibility for catastrophic disaster.
To another matter, the Stern repost was released around the world today.
For those that are unaware of it, i reccomend you read the following article:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/stern-warning-on-climate/2006/10/30/1162056926610.html
And for the few remaining sceptics on global warming, not only is this yet again confirmation of the effects of greenhouse gas pollution on the global climate, but it is one of the first economic analyses of what global warming/climate change means for us in our everyday lives. Stern says the costs of not taking action far outweigh those of doing nothing.
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I've been hearing alot about 'clean coal' and 'carbon sequestration,' yet it is interesting to note that contrary to the belief of many, that it is the only way forward, scientists interviewed on Virginia Trioli's morning prgram this morning comprehensively stated that the technology has yet to be developed. And of those that have already tried to develop carbon sequestration systems, all have failed completely. It's not to say that in an age where today's scientific problems are tomorrow's old news, the technology won't be developed in the future. Yet it is once again frustrating to have a government, whose focus seems to be on unfounded and untested technologies for environmental and climatological sustainability.
I have hope that yes, these technologies will be developed in the future, yet climate change is real and requires practical solutions, as apposed to more money for research.
Although as people have said before in this post, Wind, solar and hydroelectric energy will not be able to support australia's base load of power in the future. For now at least all our efforts should be on reducing our reliance on dirty coal, and building a network of green energy technologies that are currently available.
In many european countries such as germany, france and sweden, wind power constitutes 40% of the required energy. Britain has also just announced that they are aiming for the same target of 40%.
Frankly the governement's environmental policy is founded on smoke and mirrors, and if it does not listen to the desires of big business (who in fact WANT the introduction of a carbon trading scheme and the transition to an alternative energy market) and the growing public sentiment, the 10-15 year window for change will be closed before we know it, and we will be left to bare the brunt of catastrophic economic and environmental mismanagement.
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All that's needed now is for open minds and change. 1% of global GDP would fix the problem now. Twenty years from now, if left unabated, the task of salvaging the Earth from global warming could cost 20% or more of global GDP.
Howard needs to wake up to what needs to be done. And if he can't, it's our job to find someone who can.