“Campaigners also mislead. People who want to promote renewables
over nuclear, for example, say “offshore wind power could power all UK
homes;” then they say “new nuclear power stations will do little to tackle
climate change” because 10 new nuclear stations would “reduce emissions
only by about 4%.” This argument is misleading because the playing field
is switched half-way through, from the “number of homes powered” to
“reduction of emissions.” The truth is that the amount of electrical power
generated by the wonderful windmills that “could power all UK homes”
is exactly the same as the amount that would be generated by the 10 nuclear
power stations! “Powering all UK homes” accounts for just 4% of UK
emissions.” - David MacKay, Sustainable Energy-Without the Hot Air
climate change” because 10 new nuclear stations would “reduce emissions
only by about 4%.” This argument is misleading because the playing field
is switched half-way through, from the “number of homes powered” to
“reduction of emissions.” The truth is that the amount of electrical power
generated by the wonderful windmills that “could power all UK homes”
is exactly the same as the amount that would be generated by the 10 nuclear
power stations! “Powering all UK homes” accounts for just 4% of UK
emissions.” - David MacKay, Sustainable Energy-Without the Hot Air
“The point is that these natural flows in and out of the atmosphere have been almost exactly in balance for millenia. So it’s not relevant at all that these natural flows are
larger than human emissions. The natural flows cancelled themselves out. So the natural flows, large though they were, left the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and ocean constant, over the last few thousand years.” - David MacKay, Sustainable Energy-Without the Hot Air
larger than human emissions. The natural flows cancelled themselves out. So the natural flows, large though they were, left the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and ocean constant, over the last few thousand years.” - David MacKay, Sustainable Energy-Without the Hot Air
For this weeks weblog I wanted to bring to your attention two quotes from a marvelous book by David MacKay. He writes in a frank and refreshing style of climate change, fossil fuels, human influence, politics involved, and various other topics relating to sustainable energy. His British sense of humor and his tongue in cheek ways of expressing things make this that much more enjoyable to read, while being extremely informative and frank about the bare facts surrounding sustainability.
I picked the first quote out because, although I knew that you can’t always believe what politicians and other public figures tell you, I had never realized how blatantly they could twist facts around to make their idea seem so much more logical and realistic. The pure facts that MacKay presented helped me understand what was really going on with sustainable energy sources and why some ideas were presented as better than others. It’s infuriating to think of how many people, myself included, were fooled by the twists and turns of these public speakers who only want to promote the idea that will gain them the most profit. Money. Disgusting stuff.
As for the second quote, I really loved it because of the utter simplicity and logic that MacKay used. His logic is undeniable, in my eyes, and I completely agree with him. It really astounds me to think of anyone being able to argue with his statement concerning natural CO2 levels as compared to the CO2 emitted by humans and how it is causing an imbalance. The quote just flowed along beautifully, with no faulty logic or ideas.
I agree, MacKay's ability to render simple and straightforward what so many seek to complicate and confound is simultaneously refreshing and convincing. It is difficult to refute the logic of numbers and simple arithmetic. His ability to weave humor into his analysis and to approach issues without the typical ego and emotion -as problems that simply need solving- defuse the issue and make the "hot air" that usually surrounds the controversy appear ridiculous. Your focus on the ability for people to be fooled by "twists and turns" in rhetoric illustrates the crucial importance of critical analysis -of the ability to analyze and decide for oneself.
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