Interesting Links for Friday, 23 March
Because there was interest in global warming, here is an interview with Hans von Storch is one of Germany’s leading researchers on climate change. One of the main points made is this:
At best, limiting the temperature rise to two degrees is just about possible, according to optimistic estimates. That’s why we should spend more time talking about adjusting to the inevitable and not about reducing CO2 emissions. We have to take away people’s fear of climate change.
What do you think about Mr. von Storch’s views?
Another article, titled Germany Plans Boom in Coal-Fired Power Plants — Despite High Emissions, gives background on a situation that has similarities to Australia. What’s the most interesting fact or statement you found in the article? What about this quote?
While emissions are practically zero in the case of nuclear energy, and while a natural gas-fired plant produces just 428 grams of CO2 emissions per kilowatt hour, a black coal power plant churns a solid 949 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere. The figure for lignite or brown coal — 1,153 grams — is even worse.
On the water pollution fron, the story, The Not-so-Blue Danube, paints a drab picture for Europe’s longest river. Many people see dam’s as a problem. Did you know that:
Only 21 of the planet’s 177 longest rivers run unhindered by dams and other human alterations from their source to the sea.
Finally, you might want to take a look at these sites in German:
- Klima & Energie
(Kids) - from GreenPeace 4 Kids - Eine unbequeme Wahrheit - Offizielle Website (deutsch)
- Erneuerbare Energien in Deutschland (Renewable Energies in Germany, in English)
Here are some interesting political cartoons as well:
I think this guy’s an idiot,we can’t just sit back and do nothing to reduce the CO2 emissions, Australia itself doesn’t contribute much compared to other countrie but it is because of the amount of coal we sell to those other countries that is making the majority of the CO2 emissions. Australia needs to shape up and start to fix it problems before they are unfixable!