Without the hot air: the energy numbers

Thanks to openDemocracy, I found and downloaded Numbers, not adjectives, the first part of David MacKay's book Sustainable Energy - without the hot air.

If the rest is as interesting and readable as Chapter 1 Motivations, it could prove to be a real gem. His take on the debate about renewables versus nuclear as energy alternatives:

This heated debate is fundamentally about numbers. How much energy could each source deliver, at what economic and social cost, and with what risks? But actual numbers are rarely mentioned. In public debates, people just say “Nuclear is a money pit” or “We have a huge amount of wave and wind.” The trouble with this sort of language is that it’s not sufficient to know that something is huge: we need to know how the one “huge” compares with another “huge,” namely our huge energy consumption. To make this comparison, we need numbers, not adjectives.

Later on he claims:

I don’t want to feed you my own conclusions. Convictions are stronger if they are self-generated, rather than taught. Understanding is a creative process. When you’ve read this book I hope you’ll have reinforced the confidence that you can figure anything out.

... Debates about energy policy are often confusing and emotional because people mix together factual assertions and ethical assertions.

The rest of the book can be downloaded from his website above.

Good reading!

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End of Empire

If you don’t watch the Insiders on Sunday mornings you missed a classic this week. John Howard’s strongest media supporter, Andrew Bolt described the current situation for the PM as having an “end of empire” feel to it. This followed an interview with independent MHRs Bob Katter and Tony Windsor who dumped on the coalition mercilessly. Both see Work Choices as a key blunder by the government. Katter believes that mining workers will desert them in droves and Windsor believes that it is a sleeper (where has he been lately). If this is half true then Sharon Thiel has a much better chance of retiring Barry Haase in Kalgoorlie than the 6.3 % margin would indicate.

Asked whom they would support if it was a hung parliament and they held the balance of power, Katter put promoting ethanol as his highest priority, while Windsor nominated opposition to nuclear power amongst his electorate as very important. A new green alliance between the independents!

At times it seems that the Deputy Prime Minister has taken advice after the AWB Iraq scandal to lie low too literally. The invisible man, Mark Vaile, should have stayed missing in action this morning:

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has denied that a delay in calling the federal election makes it look like John Howard is afraid to face the voters.
Howard not afraid of electorate: Vaile (ABC, 30 September 2007)

Apparently, football takes precedence. Only the Melbourne Cup is likely to present any equine sporting reason for further delays thanks to fellow National Peter McGauran’s quarantine vigilance. AWB and the flu outbreak show that no care and no responsibility are the order of the day in the coalition.

Labor View is intended as a place for labor supporters to share ideas and opinions. When you visit please leave a COMMENT below.

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Howard's Never Never Energy Policy

We have waited 11 years for an energy policy from the Howard government. Their procrastination about renewable energy and carbon emissions and trading has now spread to their preferred solution - Nuclear Power. We will now wait for plebiscites some time in the never never.

John Howard knows that referenda nearly always get a NO answer. Who is going to vote for a nuclear reactor when everyone is already opposed to taking low level waste in their area. Howard thinks it won't happen for ten years. Is he suggesting ten years of planning and investment that can be scuttled as easily as a Queensland Council amalgamation. Costello commented that it wouldn't happen in his political life. What is he trying to tell us about his retirement plans? Thought he would wait forever for the top job.

Meanwhile wind power projects are being cancelled and the technology companies are leaving Australia (Herald Sun 23/08/07). Somewhere over the rainbow, if I can mix my metaphors!

Labor View is intended as a place for labor supporters to share ideas and opinions. When you visit please leave a COMMENT below.

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Aspiring Nationalism #1

John Howard shared his vision yesterday in Australia rising to a better future:

"My government is committed to protecting the national interest and ensuring Australia remains an anchor of peace, stability and prosperity in a turbulent world."

This follows his decision to sell uranium to India despite their refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and their intention to push on with expanding their nuclear weapons. It will be no surprise when the military government of Pakistan responds in kind.

If you who missed the SBS Dateline interview with Imran Khan the full transcript and video are essential reading. A sample:

"What is going to happen is that in the Generals will use this as a threat, India is getting stronger, so they have to have balance of power, more money will be spelt on arms, not on our human beings."

For another important interview visit the PostGlobal discussion with Taliban expert Ahmed Rashid: Bush didn’t listen

"Ahmed hopes the U.S. will start listening to people like him and take a long view in their engagement with Pakistan and Afghanistan, beyond the current 'War on Terror.' Otherwise, Ahmed says, history will keep catching up with the U.S., especially if the Americans in charge ignore it."

Labor View is intended as a place for labor supporters to share ideas and opinions. When you visit please leave a COMMENT below.

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