Tidal power looks very interesting. It's being used to some degree in Europe. I'm not crazy about windmills and battery storage. Lithium mining is heinous, and the windmills have downsides, too. For better or worse, this is some of the technology we're pursuing, so I wrote about it.
Of course, all mining is horribly destructive. We're missing the low-hanging fruit. Whatever happened to the word conservation? What about encouraging good urban planning and walkable neighborhoods? Why EVs instead of clean mass transit? Money and politics, of course. What we really need is a complete societal makeover, and what we are doing (entirely inadequate) should have been happening decades ago.
You completely understand the big picture. Always always always advocate for the best policy. Never equivocate for any reason. That’s how first world countries have a great health care, great infrastructure, great public education....
80% of the worlds lithium comes from and evaporated process which is not without its environmental destruction but nothing like open pit blatant destruction or mountaintop removal. Also, the battery sector is the fastest evolving niche in the entire market economy. There will be no need for rare earth metals in the not so far distant future.
Obviously, the illumination of storage need is another drive to the tide energy extraction process. Completely justifying the expense of machine due to environmental harshness.
Thank you for sharing a small light at the end of a very dark tunnel. And also for considering the impact on marine plant and animal life. The people in control usually seem to forget that we share the planet with other species. I am hoping that all of your readers will take advantage of the opportunity to get out and vote whenever they can. If enough people make their voices heard, maybe we can get rid of some of the idiots (excuse my language) who supposedly represent us.
None of the repercussions on the environment by any renewable source at any particular location on earth does as much destruction to the bio regional eagle habitat as fossil fuels. Sit down and be quiet.
Thanks Geoff- I just heard a story about Uruguay and their insights to the power of wind in a national project in 2014. One of the populist drives was to lower the cost of energy, which has not happened due to agreements with investors to lock in long term fixed returns. I think we all need to expect higher prices in the short term to level off because the infrastructure build and use of new technology is part of the deal.
The players in the energy sector have no interest in relinquishing their power and wealth. The most benign, sensible solutions don't benefit them. They want to drill to the last drop, then mine 'til the sun don't shine. All those mines come at the expense of the poorest indigenous people of the world.
The species on the planet, land or marine, are a carefully, profoundly intertwined system that took eons to be, which we only partially understand. We live in a rare time on Earth when conditions have been just right for us. I react to the beauty, it's good for my heart and soul. This beauty is also our physical survival. Our exploitation of the natural world threatens our existence. We have lived beyond nature just briefly, and somehow forgotten she is everything we have. So many haven't experienced her, and now this artificial world we have created, has subsumed reality. It seems most of our leaders don't understand what's real and what isn't, or don't have the courage to call it out. Some, as you point out, are far worse than that. As important as voting is, making a difference wherever we can in our daily lives and conversations, looking for openings where we can educate and hopefully persuade a few minds, is essential, too. I always look for openings when I'm out and about. It's shocking how misinformed people are. Those conversations can change the vote. In close elections, that can be the difference.
Pam, I'd be interested in reading about your Uruguay story, if possible. Investors fixated on short term profits are a large part of the long term problems we are suffering from, of course. Unfortunately, I doubt short term higher prices will level off in renewable energy, it's too simple an economic model, as there are so many other forces to consider. At this point, RE is being used to augment fossil fuels, not reduce them, as energy sources for further consumption. Reducing consumption is key, not even a discussion on the table. Crazy. Oil companies are even using their renewable projects to claim its use makes their oil greener, by running a few windmills (insert expletive here). The overall picture on the path we have chosen is agricultural breakdown from floods, fires and severe weather. That is the overarching determiner of inflation, among much more troubling results, like massive, forced migration, happening. Ag breakdown is underway as well, a subject I intend to address soon. It's difficult to keep up. Today I am off my main subject, addressing the tragedy unfolding in Israel. Thank you for reading and supporting me, I know what I write isn't comforting or easy. I appreciate you and your comments. My readers keep me from giving up.
Stop using the word “agriculture” our current agrabusiness model is completely reliant on fossil fuels killing soil and most other things it comes in contact with. Shame on you.
Yes, it is agribusiness which has depleted our soil in addition to the reliance on FFs and chemicals that consequently live in our body tissues. No need for shaming. I understand your anger.
Lying agitprop about organic and biodynamic methods are simply untrue. I consistently out yield all of my conventional neighbors on every single crop but corn. Which should be removed from the human food chain and ethanol ended like yesterday. The most brown planet raping source of fuel imaginable. It takes 5 quarts of gasoline to make a gallon of ethanol
Tidal power looks very interesting. It's being used to some degree in Europe. I'm not crazy about windmills and battery storage. Lithium mining is heinous, and the windmills have downsides, too. For better or worse, this is some of the technology we're pursuing, so I wrote about it.
Here's one about lithium mining. https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/showdown-at-thacker-pass
And here's one about iron-air batteries. https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/heavy-metal-rockin-old-26-fe
Of course, all mining is horribly destructive. We're missing the low-hanging fruit. Whatever happened to the word conservation? What about encouraging good urban planning and walkable neighborhoods? Why EVs instead of clean mass transit? Money and politics, of course. What we really need is a complete societal makeover, and what we are doing (entirely inadequate) should have been happening decades ago.
You completely understand the big picture. Always always always advocate for the best policy. Never equivocate for any reason. That’s how first world countries have a great health care, great infrastructure, great public education....
They would settle for nothing less.
Sadly, this is not the 60s. We know what is happening and we do have the technology to change it. That’s the demoralizing part for me.
80% of the worlds lithium comes from and evaporated process which is not without its environmental destruction but nothing like open pit blatant destruction or mountaintop removal. Also, the battery sector is the fastest evolving niche in the entire market economy. There will be no need for rare earth metals in the not so far distant future.
Obviously, the illumination of storage need is another drive to the tide energy extraction process. Completely justifying the expense of machine due to environmental harshness.
Tidal power is the sensible solution for America’s coastline. The last thing we need is another industrial complex.
Thank you for sharing a small light at the end of a very dark tunnel. And also for considering the impact on marine plant and animal life. The people in control usually seem to forget that we share the planet with other species. I am hoping that all of your readers will take advantage of the opportunity to get out and vote whenever they can. If enough people make their voices heard, maybe we can get rid of some of the idiots (excuse my language) who supposedly represent us.
None of the repercussions on the environment by any renewable source at any particular location on earth does as much destruction to the bio regional eagle habitat as fossil fuels. Sit down and be quiet.
Thanks Geoff- I just heard a story about Uruguay and their insights to the power of wind in a national project in 2014. One of the populist drives was to lower the cost of energy, which has not happened due to agreements with investors to lock in long term fixed returns. I think we all need to expect higher prices in the short term to level off because the infrastructure build and use of new technology is part of the deal.
We need micro grids, using a renewable source that is the most logical for your area. On the coast, tidal power capture not wind farms.
We need to wake up as a collective society and not rely on the planet raping corporation or the government for things we deem and essential need.
A decentralized grid could add resiliency as well. We could take some lessons from nature in that regard, many overlapping systems.
Exactly. Texas would be incentive enough for a cognizant human.😉
The players in the energy sector have no interest in relinquishing their power and wealth. The most benign, sensible solutions don't benefit them. They want to drill to the last drop, then mine 'til the sun don't shine. All those mines come at the expense of the poorest indigenous people of the world.
The species on the planet, land or marine, are a carefully, profoundly intertwined system that took eons to be, which we only partially understand. We live in a rare time on Earth when conditions have been just right for us. I react to the beauty, it's good for my heart and soul. This beauty is also our physical survival. Our exploitation of the natural world threatens our existence. We have lived beyond nature just briefly, and somehow forgotten she is everything we have. So many haven't experienced her, and now this artificial world we have created, has subsumed reality. It seems most of our leaders don't understand what's real and what isn't, or don't have the courage to call it out. Some, as you point out, are far worse than that. As important as voting is, making a difference wherever we can in our daily lives and conversations, looking for openings where we can educate and hopefully persuade a few minds, is essential, too. I always look for openings when I'm out and about. It's shocking how misinformed people are. Those conversations can change the vote. In close elections, that can be the difference.
Beautifully said. Succinct and pointed. Thank you so much. It’s hard to appreciate nature when you’ve never seen it. You know, real wilderness.
Pam, I'd be interested in reading about your Uruguay story, if possible. Investors fixated on short term profits are a large part of the long term problems we are suffering from, of course. Unfortunately, I doubt short term higher prices will level off in renewable energy, it's too simple an economic model, as there are so many other forces to consider. At this point, RE is being used to augment fossil fuels, not reduce them, as energy sources for further consumption. Reducing consumption is key, not even a discussion on the table. Crazy. Oil companies are even using their renewable projects to claim its use makes their oil greener, by running a few windmills (insert expletive here). The overall picture on the path we have chosen is agricultural breakdown from floods, fires and severe weather. That is the overarching determiner of inflation, among much more troubling results, like massive, forced migration, happening. Ag breakdown is underway as well, a subject I intend to address soon. It's difficult to keep up. Today I am off my main subject, addressing the tragedy unfolding in Israel. Thank you for reading and supporting me, I know what I write isn't comforting or easy. I appreciate you and your comments. My readers keep me from giving up.
Stop using the word “agriculture” our current agrabusiness model is completely reliant on fossil fuels killing soil and most other things it comes in contact with. Shame on you.
Yes, it is agribusiness which has depleted our soil in addition to the reliance on FFs and chemicals that consequently live in our body tissues. No need for shaming. I understand your anger.
Sadly, I’m living proof that the Monsanto/BAYER
Lying agitprop about organic and biodynamic methods are simply untrue. I consistently out yield all of my conventional neighbors on every single crop but corn. Which should be removed from the human food chain and ethanol ended like yesterday. The most brown planet raping source of fuel imaginable. It takes 5 quarts of gasoline to make a gallon of ethanol