tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9487055.post1511928881425934979..comments2024-03-26T05:56:59.938+11:00Comments on THE PSYCHOLOGIST : BOMBSHELL: Solar and Wind Power Would Speed Up, Not Reduce, Global WarmingJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829082699850674281noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9487055.post-15259425011224323532011-10-08T01:40:00.964+11:002011-10-08T01:40:00.964+11:00Great title.... However, the "real story"...Great title.... However, the "real story" is not the beneficial secondary effect of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, but rather that coal and natural gas are equally deficient when it comes to their life cycle GHG emissions and harmful environmental and social impacts. The article in the Times does bring attention to the very real issue of methane that escapes during extraction, transportation, and processing of natural gas -- particularly from shale -- but it is important to consider energy options holistically. When wind power is currently cost-competitive with coal, and the cost to consumer for solar PV is relatively expensive but commercially viable, why not support the development of clean, renewable sources of energy along side legacy fossil fuels, which, along with all the development and technological advancements they bring, remain the root cause of many of our greatest ecological and social troubles, not to mention climate change? Furthermore, if the externalities of fossil fuels were effectively captured in retail pricing (in the U.S.) and not placed upon society through increased health care costs, loss of worker efficiency, lower real estate values, environmental degradation (for future generations), etc. we would already have transitioned to renewables... because they make long-term sense in every aspect save for their intermittency, which is a technological hurdle being addressed by a variety of strategies, including combined-cycle natural gas. <br /><br />Thanks for reading! <br /><br />PS. I love America, but Australia is a wonderful country too. I spent 2 weeks in Sydney during the early 90's and dream of seeing more of the majestic land and its warmhearted people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com