Screw Global Warming, Bring it on!

I'm listening to one of the latest episodes of Exploration with amazing Michio Kaku (astrophysicist), wonderful as usual. On the topic of global warming and sea level rise, I actually wrote a short article on my site and did the math as well as I can see it. If all of my variables are at least close to accurate, we would merely see a rise in sea level of roughly 250 feet.

While that is enough to wipe out coastal communities like New York, Venice, Boston, Rio, London, and many other massive population centers around the world, the majority of continents would simply lose some of their total area, but humanity would survive. Waterworld is simply not possible even if all of the polar ice caps melted and it never rained again (Solarbabies).

That's not even enough to have the Gulf Coast move halfway to San Antonio. If it took global warming 10,000 years to get this far, it must be humanity's fault. Nothing changed until we said we changed it. What a logical fallacy. And we'll likely nuke ourselves long before that...

Bring on December 21st! It's the new Y2k! From collapse comes rebirth. We need a Lion Day event.

Al Gore and EROI

A recent Al Gore reference in a forum caught my attention because of the recent news of the arrest of Jill Stein at the recent presidential debate (Green Party candidate arrested outside debate site), so I am still not convinced that government is the best champion of environmental issues. Al Gore probably gained most of his attention during his crusade for green efforts simply due to his position in the Clinton presidency, and he rode that wave to champion a cause he was dedicated to, though likely more than a bit of corporate favoritism and government special interest have been the driving force behind Gore's successes.

I agree with some "green" initiatives, but I am also a supporter of free market economics which do not require the use of force through the state to promote (so I guess I'm a bit of a Green Libertarian in that regard), and rely on people's tendency to do what is in their best interest (which in voluntary exchanges is in the interest of both parties). I look critically at most issues, and on those in the realm of energy or environment I often consider how efficient solutions are to environmental issues.

I often find myself thinking of the idea of efficiency through EROI (Energy Returned on Energy Invested), or basically that if more energy is put into a process than is generated at the end of the process, it produces a net energy loss and is inefficient. In regards to many traditional fossil fuel energy sources, there has been a shift in the EROI of those resources toward a much less efficient return on energy inputs (the concept is pretty well described in There's No Tomorrow). Despite a ratio of barely over 5:1, sources like oil shale are significantly less efficient than crude oil from maybe a hundred years ago. Yet the trend continues toward decreased returns on investment, and I wonder if alternative energies will be efficient enough to displace declining energy sources.

Spirits for the Environment, Energy from Waste

 

Whiskey in the Car-O?

OK, for the most part, the distilling process is pretty much environmentally unfriendly. The spirits industry comes in for a serious beating with Gin, tequila, and rum being the worst for the environment. The problem is that the distillation process requires loads of energy. American bourbons are aged in virgin-oak barrels that are used only once, most of those barrels end up being reused by other liquor makers. And while some of those liquor makers may produce single malts, think of the energy involved in distilling the liquor and transporting it. In terms of distillation, vodka requires more energy and water than most spirits. Now, it seems that the Speyside distilleries byproducts will fuel a local biomass energy plan.

Ironically, fuel cells are some of the more promising technologies to be used as portable power for cars.  So it may turn out one day that distilleries, breweries, and other industries which unload nutrient-rich waste water, might also produce the fuel to power your car.  The politics surrounding this will be entertaining.  Will there be restrictions for cars driven across borders powered by alcohol waste by states that already severely restrict importing alcohol across borders, like Utah and Texas? The whiskey itself can’t be used in your gas tank (yet). There appear to be no limitations to transporting E85 gasoline, which is ethanol (alcohol) based fuel produced from corn. However, why waste food in the form of corn to run your car and still generate carbon dioxide, when you can alternatively make whiskey and use the waste to power your car? And the whiskey also limits greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Seems like an obvious choice. 

Fortunately, there is no drilling required to get to the whiskey.  Therefore, a ‘spill’ at the whiskey distillery would not result in such environmental, economic, or political catastrophes that BP and the Gulf Coast are now enduring.  But imagine the social unrest should there be a leak at the distillery - the horror, the horror!

I'm thrilled to see articles supporting green energy that don't include taking swings at life's pleasures. 

The £50m Rothes project is the latest bioenergy venture from the Scotch whisky industry, but it is believed to be the first to provide electricity for public use. A bioenergy plant at Scotland’s largest distillery in Fife is close to completion. The project by Diageo will provide 98% of the thermal steam and 80% of the electrical power used at the Cameronbridge distillery. And last year, scientists at Napier University announced they had developed a method of producing biofuel from the by-products of the whisky distilling process which could power cars and even aircraft. The new fuel, they said, could be available at petrol pumps within a few years.

I'll drink to that! Biomass fuels from what was at one time wasted byproducts is a great idea.

 

Whiskey to Energy Project in Scotland Gets the Green Light for Construction

The by-products of the distilling process – called draff, are used grains and pot ale (residue from copper stills) – will power the plant. The new power plant will recycle the draff into electricity, by burning it with woodchips. Some conservationists are concerned because some of the woodchips will be trucked in, but the project calls for as many locally sourced woodchips as possible.

The £40 milllion, 7.2 megawatt plant will produce as much power as two wind turbines, and is part of Scotland’s green energy pledge to use 100% renewable energy by 2020. Studies are also being conducted to convert the distillery waste further into biofuel to power cars.

It’s good to see that the distilling industry is trying to be more environmentally conscious. It’s even better to see that waste from the distilling process is being used to offset the processes environmentally unfriendly aspects. As I said in a previous post, I strongly suggest when buying distilled spirit products from enviornmentally friendly distillers if you choose to drink spirits. It also might be a good idea to write your fav distiller and ask them what they are doing to cut their carbon footprint?

A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions might not be significant for biomass over petroleum fuels, but the thought at filling up you and your car from the same source might make you think before you drink!

• Whisky for the Environment
• Scotland toasts new whisky-powered bioenergy plant
• IS IT GREEN?: Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
• Ruining your Christmas spirit!
• Whiskey for the Environment

Magnitude-6.4 Quake Strikes Off of Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck Friday off the coast of British Columbia, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake struck 12:41 p.m. PDT (1941 GMT) at a depth of 14.3 miles (23 kilometers) about 173 miles (279 kilometers) west of Vancouver, the USGS said. The quake was initially reported to have a magnitude of 6.7 but was later downgraded by the USGS.

The quake’s epicenter just off the west coast of Vancouver Island, south of Port Hardy.

Stephen Halchuck, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, said the quake lasted for 20-30 seconds and rattled buildings across Vancouver Island and the southwest portion of British Columbia. He said there has been no immediate reports of damage in the region.

According to the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center no tsunami was expected.

“This event was not the type to generate a tsunami. It’s size was not large enough and the mechanism of the earthquake would not have generated a significant tsunami,” said Halchuck.

More

101 Ranch Fire Burn Scar : Image of the Day

acquired September 3, 2011 download large image (4 MB, JPEG)

acquired September 3, 2011 download GeoTIFF file (8 MB, TIFF)

The 101 Ranch Fire began on August 30, 2011, south of Possum Kingdom Lake in Palo Pinto County, Texas. By September 6, the fire had scorched 6,555 acres (2,653 hectares), according to the Incident Information System.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this false-color image of the Ranch 101 burn scar on September 3, 2011. The burn scar is gray, vegetation is red, and bare or sparsely vegetated ground is tan. Water is navy blue.
Just south of the easternmost curve of Possum Kingdom Lake is a network of residential streets, some of which lie within the burn scar. The Texas Forest Service reported that 39 homes and nine RVs had been destroyed. Although dozens of homes had been lost, firefighters saved nearly 200 others.
As of September 6, the 101 Ranch Fire was 85 percent contained. News sources said that winds had died down, and some firefighters had been released to battle other blazes in the state. The same day, the Texas Forest Service reported that it had responded to 22 new fires in the past 24 hours, and 181 fires over the past week. The surge of wildfire in the region burned a total of 118,413 acres (47,920 hectares), and more than 700 homes had likely been lost in just 48 hours.
The fires came in the midst of high temperatures and low humidity. Large parts of Texas have suffered from severe drought in the summer of 2011.

1. References

2. Hanna, B. (2011, September 6). Wildfire focus shifts to Central Texas. Star-Telegram. Accessed September 6, 2011.
3. Incident Information System. (2011, September 6). 101 Ranch. Accessed September 6, 2011.
4. Magditch, D. (2011, September 4). Pilots fight 101 Ranch wildfire from above. KDAF TV. Accessed September 6, 2011.
5. Texas Forest Service. (2011, September 6). Texas Wildfire Situation. Texas A&M University. Accessed September 6, 2011.

NASA Earth Observatory image created by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using data provided courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Caption by Michon Scott.

Instrument: 

Terra - ASTER

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION - 7th September 2011

Another quake for the tragically beaten country. 

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has struck Hokkaido, Japan Region at a depth of just 1,5 km (0 miles), the quake hit at 13:29:41 UTC Wednesday 7th September 2011.

The epicenter was 131 km (82 miles) Southeast of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

No Tsunami Warning Issued - No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Source

Texas in Flames

Witnessing the places of disaster is the best way of coping with fear and anxiety. After months of severe drought in Texas, and record temperatures almost every day and up to 112 F, massive wildfire was only to be expected. Climate change activists are angry with the denial of history and science, fossil politics, fossil corporations. 

As we approach the growing disaster area, we see the cars of refugees, trucks, tractors fleeing a wall of smoke. An old black settler tells us: never seen a drought like this in my life, born here raised here… Reminds me of numerous refugees flows I saw in war zone areas: same blank frightened faces, and a stubborn will not to depart from the scene of crime. 

An agitated girl approaches the police car that blocks off a back road: I must go in there, I have a dog…after a pause she says in a lower voice, and a house… 

More

A Series of Major Earthquakes in a Single Day

I think that the Earth is trying to tell us something...

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has struck the Philippine Islands Region at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles), the quake hit at 16:15:51 UTC Tuesday 30th August 2011.
The epicenter was 115 km ( 71 miles) West of Basco, Batan Islands, Philippines
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/49-magnitude-earthquake-philippine.html

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has struck Vanuatu at a depth of 204.2 km (126.9 miles), the quake hit at 18:57:39 UTC Monday 29th August 2011.

The epicenter was 127 km ( 79 miles) Southeast of Santo (Luganville), Vanuatu
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/56-magnitude-earthquake-vanuatu-29th.html

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake has struck Poland at a depth of just 2 km (1.2 miles), the quake hit at 09:37:56 UTC Tuesday 30 th August 2011.
The epicenter was 6 km (3.7 miles) East of Polkowice, Poland
No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/40-magnitude-earthquake-poland-30th.html

This is starting to get a little silly now. Another quake?

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck North of Macquarie Island at a depth of 9.8 km (6.1 miles), the quake hit at 11:36:51 UTC Tuesday 30th August 2011.
The epicenter was 354 km ( 220 miles) WNW of Auckland Island, New Zealand
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/50-magnitude-earthquake-north-of.html

And another...

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck the Hindu Kush Region, Afghanistan at a depth of 109.9 km (68.3 miles), the quake hit at 13:21:49 UTC Tuesday 30th August 2011.
The epicenter was 16 km ( 9 miles) ESE of Jalalabad, Afghanistan
No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/50-magnitude-earthquake-hindu-kush.html

And another...

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has struck Eastern New Guinea Region, Papua New Guinea at a depth of 43 km (26.7 miles), the quake hit at 15:00:47 UTC Tuesday 30th August 2011.
The epicenter was 76 km ( 47 miles) North of Lae, New Guinea, Papua New Guinea
No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/53-magnitude-earthquake-eastern-new.html

I think that the Earth is trying to tell us something. 

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has struck Eastern Honshu, Japan at a depth of 146.4 km (91 miles), the quake hit at 13:44:34 UTC Tuesday 30th August 2011.
The epicenter was 65 km ( 40 miles) SSE of Akita, Honshu, Japan
No reports of Damage or Injuries at this time.

http://thecomingcrisis.blogspot.com/2011/08/49-magnitude-earthquake-eastern-honshu.html

Maybe Obama and Gore can save the planet through fiat?

Dufus of the day–Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY)

Ackerman lectures global warming skeptics and Congressional Republicans on thedifference between "science" and "belief".   He then gives you his version of the "science" that he "believes" proves his point

 

Yes, folks, fogged glasses prove it, he believes it and that settles it.

He is right about one thing – there is global climate change – just as there has been for millions and millions of years.   In the end his plea is for a few measly million dollars to "save the planet."

What's wrong with you people – after that elegant and eloquent speech, how can you not pitch a half billion his way?

I'm just happy to see someone else pointing out that global climate change is an ongoing cycle, and that humans are simply along for the ride. We might as well burn those dollars to keep warm, since this idiot is not going to do anything more productive with it. 

http://www.qando.net/?p=11151

Global Climate Change vs the Ego of Man

My main qualm with global warming, El Niño, and climate change is an ego thing. Man believes that because we are now able to measure, observe, and quantify climate change that it is now an issue. I feel that this is a very narrow and short-sighted position to take. Did nothing exist before we were here to see it?

Global climate change is a massive and cyclical process that takes no heed of the presence of Man, but is a result of forces well beyond the scope and perception of most people. Yes, the world's climate does change, but is it something that has only recently occurred?

Give a monkey a brain and he'll swear he's the center of the universe.

Potential Rise in Sea Level from Melting Ice Caps

I had a challenging equation I needed to sort out in a recent math class. I was tasked with estimating how much the sea level might rise if either the Arctic or Antarctic ice caps were to completely melt. I started to do the math, not thinking about the end result immediately. Once I had finished, the numbers were startling. I then realized that I live in a location that would be about only half as close to sea level if such an event occurred.


I should also add that I am not sold on the idea of global warming at it's face value, only certain aspects of it.

Let's do the math.

The average radius of the earth is 3,960 miles. We find the surface area of Earth using the formula 4πr2. The result is ~197,054,985 sq. mi.

Since 71% of Earth's surface is water, that would be ~139,909,039 sq. mi.

To approximate the potential rise in sea level, we divide the total volume of ice cap (~680,000 cu. mi.) by the surface area of the oceans (~ 139,909,039 sq. mi.), which gives us a potential rise of ~28.29 ft. in sea level.

The impact of this rise in sea level would overtake all existing coastline and create new coasts where the land currently resides around 25 ft. above sea level. Looking at topographical maps of Boston, New Orleans and San Diego, I am certain that these cities would be forever changed by an event such as this. In places like Florida where much of the land is relatively close to sea level, the impact could be massive. In other locations like the American West coast, the less land might be claimed by the sea.

If the Antarctic ice cap were to melt as well, it could have a much greater impact. To approximate the potential rise in sea level, we divide the total volume of ice cap (~6,300,000 cu. mi.) by the surface area of the oceans (~ 139,909,039 sq. mi.), which gives us a potential rise of ~237.75 ft. in sea level.