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02-09-2008, 04:26 AM
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The thrust of the study states that clearing land for the planting and harvesting of biofuel sources such as corn, soy, sugar cane etc actually causes more CO2 to accumulate in the atmosphere; moreso than automobiles alone. The reason being that the land cleared is a more effective carbon sink and actually ties up more CO2 than the total reduction of CO2 seen by burning biofuels rather than petroleum. |
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02-09-2008, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Skull Pilot http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/more-bad-news-f.html
The thrust of the study states that clearing land for the planting and harvesting of biofuel sources such as corn, soy, sugar cane etc actually causes more CO2 to accumulate in the atmosphere; moreso than automobiles alone. The reason being that the land cleared is a more effective carbon sink and actually ties up more CO2 than the total reduction of CO2 seen by burning biofuels rather than petroleum. | We should be moving away from fossil fuels for two reasons...one to stop the acceleration of our atmosphere's deterioration and two to stop dependance on Muslim entities.
I don't think there is a one stop, be all end all solution. I think we have to go with multiple solutions.
One fore-runner is solar power. The next would be wind followed by hydro-power. MIT has been working with turning algea into fuel and that would probably solve two problems...fuel needs and algae cleanup.
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02-09-2008, 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Taomon We should be moving away from fossil fuels for two reasons...one to stop the acceleration of our atmosphere's deterioration and two to stop dependance on Muslim entities.
I don't think there is a one stop, be all end all solution. I think we have to go with multiple solutions.
One fore-runner is solar power. The next would be wind followed by hydro-power. MIT has been working with turning algea into fuel and that would probably solve two problems...fuel needs and algae cleanup. | i don't disagree with you but if this study is proven out, burning biofuels on the scale needed to reduce petroleum emissions would actually increase our atmospheric "deterioration" And in the U.S. at least only about 10 -15% of oil used comes from Muslim countries most of our oil comes from Canada | 
02-09-2008, 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Skull Pilot i don't disagree with you but if this study is proven out, burning biofuels on the scale needed to reduce petroleum emissions would actually increase our atmospheric "deterioration" And in the U.S. at least only about 10 -15% of oil used comes from Muslim countries most of our oil comes from Canada | If that study is correct, then it would be a huge mistake to go with sugar and corn to replace petroluem & fossil fuels. But it doesn't mention algae, solar, wind & water.
Also, if we create feasible alternatives other countries will follow suit, meaning we will not need to meddle in the Middle East to control oil sales to China and Russia, which is what we are doing.
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02-11-2008, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Taomon If that study is correct, then it would be a huge mistake to go with sugar and corn to replace petroluem & fossil fuels. But it doesn't mention algae, solar, wind & water.
Also, if we create feasible alternatives other countries will follow suit, meaning we will not need to meddle in the Middle East to control oil sales to China and Russia, which is what we are doing. | I think you're both on different pages. Unless you think, solar and wind can be used as car fuel Tao, you seem to be talking about production of electricity, he seems to be talking about car fuel.
Ethanol is the biggest farce out there (although the fertilization of corn does create a lot of algae in the gulf). I would lean more toward Hydrogen or Nuclear. Nuclear would solve both issues.
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02-11-2008, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Bern80 I would lean more toward Hydrogen or Nuclear. Nuclear would solve both issues. | Unless, of course, your house is on three-mile island....
And let me know when they figure out how to dispose of the waste.
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02-11-2008, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by jillian Unless, of course, your house is on three-mile island....
And let me know when they figure out how to dispose of the waste. | Technology does and has improved over time where nuclear energy is concerned and is thus it is considerably safer. The waste to energy ratio should not be ignored.
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02-11-2008, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Bern80 Technology does and has improved over time where nuclear energy is concerned and is thus it is considerably safer. The waste to energy ratio should not be ignored. | But technology hasn't improved in this area. And even if the waste to energy ratio were better, we're still talking about nuclear waste being moved around the country in trucks -- huge security risk.
__________________ "Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen
When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman
O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare
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02-11-2008, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jillian But technology hasn't improved in this area. And even if the waste to energy ratio were better, we're still talking about nuclear waste being moved around the country in trucks -- huge security risk. | Where safety is concerned there most certainly have been improvements. Safety is the reason we aren't using more nuclear technology. http://www.uic.com.au/nip14.htm
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02-11-2008, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Bern80 Safety is the reason we aren't using more nuclear technology. | Exactly my point.
__________________ "Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen
When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman
O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare
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02-11-2008, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by jillian Exactly my point. | More accurately fear of the safety issues. Typically nuclear power conjurs up exactley what it did for you, memories of three mile island and chernobyl. The question is are those fears warranted, and based on the safety record of nuclear power plants and other nuclear devices, it isn't warranted. I probably wouldn't opt for nuclear powered cars, but there are very few legitimate concerns to converting to nuclear for production of electricity.
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02-12-2008, 05:24 AM
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Rep Power: 28 | | | nuclear power probably should be expanded if for no other reason than to stop us from using coal for power until a truly renewable power source for electricity can be implemented.
for example the use of concentrating solar collectors to produce steam to drive turbines rather than coal produced steam. if we covered just 10% of the desert in the US with these collectors we could supply all the electric power the US needs. but alas it will never be done because we can't seem to get out of our own way on these matters.
but back to biofuels:
the obvious first step is to drive more efficient cars, not necessarily hybrids but simply more efficient. the next is to reduce consumption of all fossil fuels. it's pretty simple actually. for example a solar hot water heater, even in northern states can reduce gas, oil or electric use and therefore your costs by about 30%.
if we are going to use biofuels, lets make sure that the net effect is what we want. some alternatives to corn and other large scale harvest crops that seem to do more harm than good are nut based oils. since nut trees are not grown and harvested they are a much more efficient carbon sink than harvested crops where the leftovers actually release more carbon to the atmosphere than they reduce via the fuels produced with them. | 
02-12-2008, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jillian Unless, of course, your house is on three-mile island....
And let me know when they figure out how to dispose of the waste. | I always love it when this track is taken when it comes to Nulcear waste. Do you actually know how big the nuclear rods are that are used and how much waste is involved in a nuclear reactor. Storing the waste is the simple part of this equation(if the government would allow the use of the rods for longer you could cut your wastes down). 3 mile island was a HUMAN error as was Cherynbol.
People are very misinformed when it comes to nuclear power and always bring up the "waste" "radioactivity" issues, and yet have absolutely no problem going to the hospital for a CT scan because its just "x-rays"
Our media has done a wonderful job of snowing our citizens to the perceived dangers of nuclear power.....
__________________ If you cant do something smart, Do something right!
The United States is the world's best hope, but if you fetter her in the interests and quarrels of other nations, if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her powerful good, and endanger her very existence. Leave her to march freely through the centuries to come, as in the years that have gone. Strong, generous, and confident, she has nobly served mankind. Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance — this great land of ordered liberty. For if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin-Henry Cabot Lodge 1919
If your not a Liberal in your 20's than you have no heart, If your not a Conservative in your 40's than you have no brain. Churchill 1930's | 
02-13-2008, 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by nukeman I always love it when this track is taken when it comes to Nulcear waste. Do you actually know how big the nuclear rods are that are used and how much waste is involved in a nuclear reactor. Storing the waste is the simple part of this equation(if the government would allow the use of the rods for longer you could cut your wastes down). 3 mile island was a HUMAN error as was Cherynbol.
People are very misinformed when it comes to nuclear power and always bring up the "waste" "radioactivity" issues, and yet have absolutely no problem going to the hospital for a CT scan because its just "x-rays"
Our media has done a wonderful job of snowing our citizens to the perceived dangers of nuclear power..... | I'll be sure to send your assurances to my neighbor who was at Chernobyl and who just lost his vocal chords to cancer as a result. I'm sure he'll feel quite comforted that it was only "human error".
__________________ "Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen
When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman
O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare
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02-13-2008, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by jillian I'll be sure to send your assurances to my neighbor who was at Chernobyl and who just lost his vocal chords to cancer as a result. I'm sure he'll feel quite comforted that it was only "human error". | That isn't the point and you know it!!!!!!! Our media has snowed most people about the "dangers" of nuclear power. France has the most nuclear power plants in the world and they have not had any accidents!! If your neighbor was "at" chernobyl he would still be there encased in concrete!(most only had 15 min. of life to do what they needed to do before the radiation killed them) The fallout from that reached as far away as Norway, Sweden, and Finland. They still check the milk and vegitables (I have family there not just a neighbor). The Russian Nuclear program was a major accident waiting to happen due to poor management and poor training of their personel....
Besides 3 Mile Island, and Chernobly the world has not had "Nuclear" problems. These plants are VERY safe and produce the cleanest energy second only to Solar/wind.
__________________ If you cant do something smart, Do something right!
The United States is the world's best hope, but if you fetter her in the interests and quarrels of other nations, if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her powerful good, and endanger her very existence. Leave her to march freely through the centuries to come, as in the years that have gone. Strong, generous, and confident, she has nobly served mankind. Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance — this great land of ordered liberty. For if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin-Henry Cabot Lodge 1919
If your not a Liberal in your 20's than you have no heart, If your not a Conservative in your 40's than you have no brain. Churchill 1930's | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
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