For a fascinating look at the history of water conflict, check out the Pacific Institute’s 5000 year chronology.
Peter Gleick was one of the speakers at today’s BioForum presentation at the Oakland Museum. I will post more about what was said when I get a chunk of time.
Comments that go beyond nays and praise
Pat reacts to a post on biofuels by suggesting a book, “All Flesh is Grass,†by Gene Logsdon, which apparently addresses land use.
After Emily Messner at The Debate linked to one of mine on radioactivity, two people left comments. Dr. Amme said more about hormesis. He also said something about hydrogen for fuel cells being made from nuclear power — it’s not the electricity but the heat that can be expected to create hydrogen molecules. I asked him for more information, and he left it as a comment to another post.
I don’t know enough about this subject to know if people are very sure or somewhat sure or cautiously optimistic about the role nuclear power can play. I do know that some people are cautiously optimistic on the mid-term (decades) role of fuel cells, while some are pessimistic. Creating the hydrogen is just one of the obstacles to overcome.
Jim also left a comment on the radioactivity post. He believes that US testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific Islands led to “jellyfish” babies. I have heard this before, but it would be surprising if true. All attempts to find birth defects resulting from the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing have not succeeded, and their exposures were much higher. There may be many reasons why the US should not have tested weapons in the Pacific Islands, without creating extra reasons.
Radioactivity at high doses can kill. Evidence that it kills at low doses has not been strong.
Tori said on the My Life Without a Car guest post that she wants more sidewalks and train stations. I’ve heard that many new suburban developments don’t have sidewalks, is that true?
I’ve seen many suburban settements without sidewalks. Even some of the older villages in upstate NY have only partial sidiwalks.