 
July 10, 2008
Feedback Re – Larry Solomon interviewWhile I think that it is appropriate to retain a stance of sober objectivity, and even skepticism with respect to global warming, it seems that we are in a period of general warming, judging by the evidence of mountain glaciers and polar ice. However, this trend has been going on for over 150 years, starting long before human activity or carbon dioxide production had significant influence on the atmosphere. The longer trend extends from the last ice age. The alarmists keep forgetting that rotting garbage, rotting agricultural waste, food processing waste, restaurant waste, sewage, and rotting forestry waste contribute far more CO2 than transportation does. Much of this stuff can be captured and used before the energy is lost. The City of Edmonton already does this with methane gas from sewage and garbage. There are several projects to use the forestry and food and agricultural waste (stems, skins, straw, and stalks) in cellulosic alcohol production that are close to commercial viability on a large scale. Those ill-informed and nonexpert environmental fanatics are the same ones who pushed for the ethanol subsidies in the U.S. that are driving up food prices for everyone and bringing starvation to millions who cannot adjust to such things quickly. They are also the ones who oppose nuclear energy, offshore drilling, LNG terminals, wind turbine farms, hydroelectric dams, and the list goes on. They are also so stupid as to promote things like hydrogen fuel cells. It may eventually be the case that they can, along with the stored hydrogen, be a substitute for batteries. However, at this point they are a complete boondoggle, since the hydrogen can only be produced in two ways, at this time: by stripping it from methane (natural gas), or using electricity to electrolyse water. It would also require an entirely new, extensive infrastructure to deploy it on a large scale. It is notable that the REAL envrionmental, alternative energy, and ecological experts, the scientists and engineers, rarely make any extreme statements or definitive projections of dire events. The huge increase in oil prices will have the effects that are needed to greatly reduce oil demand growth from this point on, and make more viable many other sources of energy that to this point had negative potential returns. Capitalism is endless adaptiable, resilient, and dynamic. So are people, given the opportunity. - E-mail from Kolkatta, India  Related Items:
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