Global Warming?

[IslandTractor]

Interesting question. I don't know but suspect private land owners pumped their own. Anyone study this?

Wrong (again). The windmills are private, date as far back as the thirteenth century and just powered machinery to grind/mill flour. Not sure how early land reclamation was done but the massive dykes seen today are part of a huge public works project that dates back only to 1918.

 

[houstonscott]

For now it remains you who dream, wind and solar are but less than 1% of power output in this country, I'll concede the point when wind and solar are 99%. Until then you remain the duped. Burning wood produces more than wind and solar combined. LOL It's not really and industry, maybe a cottage industry at best.

HS

Keep dreaming.

 

[IslandTractor]

For now it remains you who dream, wind and solar are but less than 1% of power output in this country, I'll concede the point when wind and solar are 99%. Until then you remain the duped.

HS

Nobody thinks wind/solar/tide etc are going to be 99% ever. Remember we have water and nukes too.

The issue is when the cost of wind, solar etc come down enough to compete head to head with oil/gas and whether the "green" renewables as less polluting energy sources will continue to be favored via regulation. Still, oil and certainly natural gas are going to be a big part of the equation well after our days on planet earth are done. I am well aware that libertarians start foaming at the mouth and having seizures at the thought but it is certainly in the realm of things that many non libertarians think might reasonably be regulated if the financial/eco balance sheet justifies it. I don't know exactly how the math would work but I for one would certainly rather spend a billion upfront developing these renewable sources rather than continuously writing multi billion dollar checks to the Sheik of Araby.

Oil, gas and renewables are all going to be part of the solution. Can't we just get along?

 

[lockhaven]

I vote for tread mills, go on welfare and in order to get your check you must walk the tread mill for a wage. tread mill would be hooked to a generator.

 

[Egon]

I vote for tread mills, go on welfare and in order to get your check you must walk the tread mill for a wage. tread mill would be hooked to a generator.

Now that sounds good.

Hydrocarbons, wood and coal are all derivatives of solar power. So maybe the wind powered devices should receive more serious considerations as they act direct and do not take large numbers of years to develop.

Economics today say wind is not viable. Yet in days long past wind was viable and provided a livelihood for many a family. It also conveyed market goods to the far corners of the world. So it has been economical and provided well for many people's. It's all about local self sufficiency, manufacturing and non instant transfers of good's. :thumbsup:

 

[lockhaven]

does anyone else remember something about an element that is rare as frog fur on earth but abundant on the moon, something like an ounce of it had more energy then a rail car of coal? or was I smoking something at the time?

 

[IslandTractor]

does anyone else remember something about an element that is rare as frog fur on earth but abundant on the moon, something like an ounce of it had more energy then a rail car of coal? or was I smoking something at the time?

I think it was either Maui Wowie or Kaanapali Kickass Weed.

 

[lockhaven]

perhaps but then maybe not
Mining the Moon - Technology Review

 

[IslandTractor]

I vote for tread mills, go on welfare and in order to get your check you must walk the tread mill for a wage. tread mill would be hooked to a generator.

I used to think it would be a great idea to hook up exercycles to generators and get power that way. However, when I looked into it, you would not even be able to power a TV set and light bulb while actually cycling. A cyclist puts out no more than about 100-200 watts over an hour of steady cycling if I recall. Lance Armstrong could probably quadruple that but we won't go there. That means an hour of steady cycling for an adult is worth about four cents of electricity or less than the food energy you'd burn. I think I'll just sit and drink beer myself.

 

[IslandTractor]

perhaps but then maybe not
Mining the Moon - Technology Review

I'm pretty sure Maui Wowie puts out more than He3

 

[lockhaven]

we agree beer is a good alternative

 

[Loren49]

Interesting reading:

Saudi Arabia reveals plans to be powered entirely by renewable energy | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Saudi Arabia reveals plans to be powered entirely by renewable energy

World's biggest oil producer says it wants to make a 100% switch from fossil fuels to clean energy

"Oil is more precious for us underground than as a fuel source," he said. "If we can get to the point where we can replace fossil fuels and use oil to produce other products that are useful, that would be very good for the world. I wish that may be in my lifetime, but I don't think it will be."

------------------------
It seems that even the country with a vast supply of fossil fuels has a vusion too the future and ia looking to make the best use of its resource.

Loren

 

[IslandTractor]

Interesting reading:

Saudi Arabia reveals plans to be powered entirely by renewable energy | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Saudi Arabia reveals plans to be powered entirely by renewable energy

World's biggest oil producer says it wants to make a 100% switch from fossil fuels to clean energy

"Oil is more precious for us underground than as a fuel source," he said. "If we can get to the point where we can replace fossil fuels and use oil to produce other products that are useful, that would be very good for the world. I wish that may be in my lifetime, but I don't think it will be."

------------------------
It seems that even the country with a vast supply of fossil fuels has a vusion too the future and ia looking to make the best use of its resource.

Loren

I agree with the Sheiks of Araby on this point. Oil is the starting point for manufacture of plastics and other materials that are far more valuable than fuel. Why not preserve such resources for future use if we can substitute renewables? There is a balance point out there somewhere between Gore and Cheney.

 

[TCJatko]

Since we're kind talking about renewable energy, anybody familiar with this product? Why Powerhouse: DOW POWERHOUSE? Solar Shingle Looks interesting.

 

[skspurling]

...
Economics today say wind is not viable. Yet in days long past wind was viable and provided a livelihood for many a family. It also conveyed market goods to the far corners of the world. So it has been economical and provided well for many people's. It's all about local self sufficiency, manufacturing and non instant transfers of good's. :thumbsup:

It all has to do with what you do with the wind. You can't store the wind or sun. You have to convert it (losses), and then store it (losses). That is the main difference between the old and new economy. Now we want it now and where we want it. We are spoiled, and it looses us at least 50% or more right off the bat.

 

[RobertBrown]

It was deliberately caustic

Agreed, but I'm not offended

but his point is a good one.

Perhaps, but it is irrelevant. That's what I find boring.
There is a political thread right down the hall. I think he keeps getting off on the wrong floor so to speak. He's not the only one. Dividing this discussion along party lines makes the thread go around in circles, little circles, inside of larger ones.
Lots of companies have gone under in the past 4 years and our government wastes money, a serious problem. I for one am tired of paying for it,this should be a thread or a forum all by itself, valuable information.
The issue here is called "Global warming" not "National Warming".
The temptation to resort to politics is hard to resist, I get that, But in my opinion, for the interest of proper discussion it should be avoided. Just as it should in any thread. I haven't read the rules but it's probably in there, and there for a reason. ( another irrelevant statement)

This country is all about free enterprise, so it's no surprise that someone sees or develops a trend and gets in front of it to make .... a fortune in some cases, and huge debt in others. Whether it's Al Gore, T.Boone Pickens, Bill Gates or whomever. When it works it's great, when it doesn't....well then it's lost money, but still there is learning.

Our government subsidizes alternative energy, energy efficiency and peripheral innovations...that is as it should be.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Liberals HATE THIS. Fighting Liberals with facts is like spraying COCKROACHES with insect spray - watch em scatter.

One, from the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (nope, I’d never heard of it before either), indicates that Antarctica is now surrounded by the greatest area of sea ice ever recorded in the region — some 7.5 million square miles worth, according to satellite data.


Climate Alarmists Hate Good News


Global warming has become a pot of gold for universities — and the purpose-driven scientists and academics they employ — with the debt-ridden federal government “investing” a staggering $42 billion in climate change research and mitigation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

 

[Cat_Driver]

I vote for tread mills, go on welfare and in order to get your check you must walk the tread mill for a wage. tread mill would be hooked to a generator.

Funny and Brillaint at the same time. They need to show up at unemployment do the tread mill for 40 hours a week THEN AND ONLY THEN get paid. Watch how fast they take jobs at McDonalds, or sweeping floors

 

[RobertBrown]

Global warming has become a pot of gold for universities and the purpose-driven scientists and academics they employ with the debt-ridden federal government 妬nvesting a staggering $42 billion in climate change research and mitigation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

You have somewhat oversimplified this........

Just trying to help:dance1:

This explains the concept
It has to do with being frugal with our current energy usage, as well as finding cheaper, more sustainable sources.
Basic Information | State and Local | US EPA
This is the cost breakdown
Breakdown of Funding

 

[EE_Bota]

Agreed, but I'm not offended

Perhaps, but it is irrelevant. That's what I find boring.
There is a political thread right down the hall. I think he keeps getting off on the wrong floor so to speak. He's not the only one. Dividing this discussion along party lines makes the thread go around in circles, little circles, inside of larger ones.
Lots of companies have gone under in the past 4 years and our government wastes money, a serious problem. I for one am tired of paying for it,this should be a thread or a forum all by itself, valuable information.
The issue here is called "Global warming" not "National Warming".
The temptation to resort to politics is hard to resist, I get that, But in my opinion, for the interest of proper discussion it should be avoided. Just as it should in any thread. I haven't read the rules but it's probably in there, and there for a reason. ( another irrelevant statement)

This country is all about free enterprise, so it's no surprise that someone sees or develops a trend and gets in front of it to make .... a fortune in some cases, and huge debt in others. Whether it's Al Gore, T.Boone Pickens, Bill Gates or whomever. When it works it's great, when it doesn't....well then it's lost money, but still there is learning.

Our government subsidizes alternative energy, energy efficiency and peripheral innovations...that is as it should be.

Your final statement was political in nature, and a big battle can break out on that point alone. So, you are quite right...it is easy to slip into global warming while discussing politics.