muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
I think it's important to encourage economic growth.
I would have no objection to a steady state economy per se, but global competition is inevitable and therefore economic growth necessary.
muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
New technology by itself has spurred incredible growth in the past. How would you go with a Toyota Lexus hybrid? It's not exactly a loser car.
Lexus hybrids are not actually environmentally friendly. The Prius, which is the cause celebre of the hybrid movement, is fuel efficient (though of questionable environmental friendliness if non-carbon factors are considered) but one of the crappiest cars I've ever seen. It's slow, has tiny brakes, tiny wheels, and looks
awful.
I drive a BMW M3. It is by no means fuel efficient. I do not want to stop driving this car, nor do I want such cars to cease being made or made much more expensive. I think an "everybody wins" scenario is an increase in good mass transit options. That would people who don't want to drive, which is actually very many people, don't have to. Those who truly enjoy motoring can then continue to do so without being annoyed by point A to point B drivers.
muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
Hybrid technology is a good PR testing ground for electric vehicles, and Electric vehicles have the potential to be carbon neutral. I can tell you that they pack a punch at the traffic lights too.
Electric vehicles besides the Tesla are thus far terrible, but there is no technological barrier to them being good in the long-term. One needs battery packs capable of very rapid charging (technology exists, but too expensive at the moment) and a new infrastructure of very high power charging stations would be needed to supply 300kW+ charging power for recharging in a few minutes.
muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
First of all, I'm an Environmental Scientist, but I'm also the biggest capitalist out there. I believe in encouraging free enterprise, and if we don't do something fast, our world economy will be nada in 50 years time. The Global downturn will be insignificant by comparison.
That's nice, but I'm not making a free enterprise critique unlike perhaps some of your antagonists. I think that AGW is a scam (not based on scientific analysis, but gut feeling) but am in favor of acting anyway because reducing pollution is always desirable.
muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
Put it this way, I worked in Africa and I know how the environment is taken care of when countries are cash-strapped. We need to maintain affluence in order for this to happen.
Very true indeed. I don't even need to leave my country to see this. Observing the stewardship, or lack thereof, of Third World immigrants is proof positive.
muso wrote on Jun 16
th, 2009 at 9:42am:
Without seeming overly antagonistic, please provide some examples. The NASA paper you quoted is not at odds with AGW.
Wouldn't the most obvious example be Steve McIntyre's work?