On 8/11/2011 6:52 AM, Leon wrote:
On 8/11/2011 7:11 AM, Han wrote:
wrote in
news
On 8/10/2011 6:02 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Han" wrote:

As has been pointed out before, more coal workers have died per year
than
all the people who have died from nuke accidents.

---------------------------------
Does that include the long term (25 years) effects of both coal as
well as nukes?

BTW, helps to make the case to wean ourselves from fossil fuels as
quickly as possible.

Lew



And replace them with what, Lew?
Horses?

Reminds me why the automobile was hailed as the solution to horse manure
pollution in (at least) New York City.

There is nothing in the wings that has near the power and portability
as gasoline. I would add that our problem is that we are 50 years late
deciding to make internal combustion effecent and clean. But we didn't
have the computer technology back then to do it.

Apart from nuclear, there is water, wind, solar and more renewable
sources. Battery technology is now so far along that even tugboats are
equipped and are saving (in hybrid mode) 40-60% of their diesel
consumption.

So when you mention battery technology being so far along, do you
consider the down side that it is a nasty business to be disposing of
the spent batteries? Typically the battery cars life cycle from
beginning to end today use more energy and pollute more during the
manufacturing, consumer operation, and disposal process than the Hummer.

The electrics look good if you only consider the consumer benefit. They
are not any better for the environment during manufacture and disposal.


Q. What happens when you battery runs down?
A. You have to recharge it.
Q. Where does the electricity come from to recharge it?
A. Mostly from power plants using coal, oil, and gas.

For most practical purposes, electrical energy is fossil fuel energy,
just one step removed.