..Can we have your views on this please? You don't seem shy about giving us your views on everything else
Meanwhile what's probably going to happen is an attempt at a graduated change over, using up the last of the fossil fuel, whilst hopefully developing clean technologies in the background to a level they can be effective in our current economic system which is based on growth. When/if that fails and economic panic ensues (the energy trap: http://physics.ucsd.edu/do-the-math/2011/10/the-energy-trap/), it might be the signal to move to a different economic system.
..Well the alternative to getting everyone to co-operate and reduce carbon emissions is to just let things carry on and get worse... Unfortunately for us - the climate system has considerable lags in its response to changes in CO2 levels - so our governments and politicans (and many people) will not know to stop - until things are already bad or its too late (ie we push the system beyond a reversible point).
Quote from: tomtom on January 16, 2014, 11:40:39 am..Well the alternative to getting everyone to co-operate and reduce carbon emissions is to just let things carry on and get worse... Unfortunately for us - the climate system has considerable lags in its response to changes in CO2 levels - so our governments and politicans (and many people) will not know to stop - until things are already bad or its too late (ie we push the system beyond a reversible point).I think if you believe that this will actually happen, in our current economic system, then you may as well also believe in a supernatural benevolent spirit, or unicorns or something.
Debate on these matters seems to a be a lot less about science and more about proclaiming your gut instinct.
If anyone's interested, the prices the government guarantees to large scale renewables projects are in the document on this page; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investing-in-renewable-technologies-cfd-contract-terms-and-strike-priceon page 7. The price for new nuclear seems to be £92.50/MWh according to the bbc, whilst a quick google suggests the wholesale prices are approx £60/MWh on our current grid. I'm unsure about how this ties into other possible government funding approaches for these kinds of projects - whether this is 'it' so to speak, or whether there are many other sources of funding for large projects in addition. Anyone know? Also, does anyone know who funds the storage of waste from nuclear and the decommissioning - is it the company who own the plant or the gov?
Barrows, I believe the price includes decommissioning - but is quite a bit above the market rate (ie what the French pay for the same).
Quote from: Johnny Brown on January 16, 2014, 12:59:15 pm Debate on these matters seems to a be a lot less about science and more about proclaiming your gut instinct.I think the issue with this debate is that it stretches far beyond science and is tied up with people's perceptions (as you say) and government policy. No government is going to have the minerals to say (for example) 'right we are going all in for micro generation and all new affordable housing will be fitted with PV and we are going to retrofit all council owned properties over the new five years. Oh by the way this will add 10% to your tax bill but you'll see the returns in cheaper energy.'
As for the whingeing watermelon twats blocking the road
I'm sure the cunts in charge will just abolish the law anyway.
Other changes reversed on Monday included residents being notified on an individual basis of shale gas operations in their area, gas leaks other than methane being recorded and a legal requirement for environmental impact assessments at sites.
On Radio 6 earlier the news was implying it wasn't a proper ban, only that they won't grant further licences unless further evidence emerges of the benefits.The cynic in me feels like the timing of this, with an election looming, isn't a coincidence... Though hopefully I'm wrong!