Every so often we hear about how Alberta tar sands are the answer to the peak oil scenario. There are said to be 180 billion barrels of heavy crude oil mixed in with the tar sands in Alberta. But there are serious problems with this using these tar sands as a 'fix' for our oil addiction. First, NASA climate scientist James Hansen warns that we must keep Alberta tar sands in the ground rather than burn them, otherwise we will fry the planet … [Read more...]
George Schultz speaks out on climate change
George Schultz was secretary of state in the Reagan administration for seven years. He has been a part of the Republican establishment in American politics since the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Eleanor Hall, Schultz has come out with a clear acknowledgement that human-caused climate change is real: The facts are that a new ocean is being created in the arctic, and the … [Read more...]
Fukushima, the never-ending story
Although ignored for much of the time by the mainstream media, the events at Fukushima continue to reverberate. During the past few days there have been very large (for Japan) public demonstrations against nuclear power -- with estimates ranging from 20,000 to 150,000 people. See this New York Times story: In Tokyo, Thousands Protest the Restarting of a Nuclear Power Plant. For pictures and comments from the coalface, see … [Read more...]
Trees dying in south-western Australia
Thoussands of trees are dying in the forests of south-west Australia, due to insect attack and other causes. I grew up in the south-west of Australia, so the recent story on ABC's Catalyst science program about large-scale tree deaths in the Marri (Red Gum), Jarrah and Tuart forests of the south-west was more than just interesting, it was distressing. According to Prof Giles Hardy of Murdoch University: Last summer was the hottest, driest … [Read more...]
Can greater public understanding of science change opinions about climate change?
Summary: A recent study concludes that individuals with greater scientific comprehension tend to apply that skill in ways that reinforce their existing value commitments. This is an example of what is known as motivated reasoning. Ironically, a 'skeptical' climate change blogger misconstrues the study to claim that it supports the cause of climate change skeptics (read denialists), when in fact precisely the opposite is the case. Now read … [Read more...]
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