From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Sun Mar 24 2002 - 11:41:23 MST
On Sun, 24 Mar 2002 Spudboy100@aol.com wrote:
> I am guessing that with the purchase of methane (natural gas) for gas
> turbines from abundant sources, anywhere in the world; the need for nuclear
> fission power plants is not necessary.
For how long?
Burning methane is unsustainable unless you have robust systems
for recycling the carbon. There is an easy solution for this
that involves fertilizing the oceans with iron or phosphorus but
if the law of unintended consequences applies then one should look
at this as only a last resort.
The discussion is probably irrelevant if we get robust MNT in the next
20 years, but a relatively large sized rock hitting the planet could
deflect that trend and make the amount of CO2 we have put into the
atmosphere even worse. If that triggers the melting of the methane
clathrates at the ocean bottom then we *really* have a problem.
I'll admit the odds are unlikely, but as we evolve, our hazard
function is going to be determined by our ability to recognise
and avoid the uncommon hazards.
> If the political situation changes drastically in the world,
> as it can (9-11) then Europe will have some, concerns of supply again.
If the Europeans become addicted to Russian natural gas (the closest
supply), more than they currently are then they are in the same position
with regard to Russia as the U.S. is with regard to the Middle East.
Not a wise long term strategy.
Robert
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