What will come out of Copenhagen?

[theoldwolf]

John Gibbons of the Irish Times gives us 6 reasons Why the world won't cope for long.

His thesis is that "a political fudge that ducks science is the likeliest outcome at Copenhagen." I submit that if you spoonerize that, you'll be closer to the truth.

Comments

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

Do you believe what he says? The data in the climate models are built into the code for the models.

[fearciuil.livejournal.com]

Argh.

"In the US, it is estimated every calorie of food energy requires 10 calories of fossil fuel energy." And yet, the politicos still seem to think that corn-based ethanol, which only produces about 10% more energy than the energy it takes to produce it, is a viable fossil-fuel substitute.

We need those hydrogen-cell engines, and we need them widely available. Now. :-(

(I'll put the soapbox away, now.)

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

The best type of ethanol is the type made from switch grass. It produces nearly 50x more energy than corn would.

[fearciuil.livejournal.com]

*looks that up*

As I understand it, sugarcane-based ethanol is also quite good (but not particularly viable for the U.S.) Switchgrass ... we could make a go of switchgrass-based ethanol. Thanks for the tip!

Still think hydrogen-cell tech is the next step forward.

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

I also think that hydrogen-cell tech is best. I won't buy a hybrid ever, because you're not really doing anything to help, particularly with those nickel based batteries the Prius has.

If I want an alternate fuel vehicle, I'm gonna wait until hydrogen is more mainstream. Honda is taking a step with its FCX Clarity.

[fearciuil.livejournal.com]

I saw the Clarity on Top Gear, which was actually my first clue that the technology is ... well, in production, actually. The TG guys seemed quite favorably disposed toward it. (I want one.)

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

I think I saw the Clarity on Motorweek.

[kelloggs2066.livejournal.com]

You realize that fuel cells require large amounts of platinum in their manufacture? Don't expect an affordable one any time soon.

[kusanagi-sama.livejournal.com]

No, I wasn't aware of that.