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No More Overseas Travel? - Running out of oil? 9-Nov-2007 At 5:41:04 PM GravityHound

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On 9/11/2007 anthonyk wrote:
>On 9/11/2007 evanbb wrote:
>>What we need to do is reduce carbon emissions RIGHT NOW. To build a nuke,
>it's about 10years,
>>during which time a butt-load (scientific term) of CO2 is emitted; making
>concrete, transport, making
>>the other extremely fancy materials, damming rivers for cooling etc.
>So much so that it will take
>>another 15 years to off-set enough coal emissions to break even. So if
>Australia decides tomorrow to
>>go fully nuke, it'll be 25 years before there are any benifits.
>

"Nuclear, for the whole lifecycle, is about 1% of the emissions from coal, 2% of emissions from gas and 10% of those from solar (due to the process for making solar cells).

Grams of CO2/kWh

Coal 970-1245 grams
Gas 450-660 grams
Solar 100-280 grams
Wind 6-29 grams
Nuclear 9-21 grams
Hydro 3-11 grams

- Ron Cameron, Chief of Operations, ANSTO"

coming from the ANSTO (Aus Nuclear Science and Tech Organiosation) chief I would say these figures are pretty selective as well. the other thing to consider about nuclear power plants is what they are made of - concrete. and what emits a large amount of CO2 in the production process (between 5 and 10% of all emissions??) - concrete. I have heard that you have to run a nuc power station (not emitting CO2) for many years to offset the carbon produced by the concrete making process alone. take into account enrichment, emissions from mining and transport of nuclear fuel. not particularly friendly. then we have disposal of radioactive waste....

i pay for 100% green energy and when i drive to my research site i cruise past the Carcoar Wind Farm where they make green energy. the turbines dont bother me (I think they are mesmerising and I am likely to have some built within a few km from my home) but i understand why they bother others.

we are about to put on solar hot water,we dont have an airconditioner (we only need them for a month a year anyway) and use gas (lucky enough to have it connected) and use a wood fire from renewable sources in winter (and autumn and spring when a front comes through). and i run my diesel ute on waste cooking oil from the pubs in town. being energy concious works. it can keep you fit (driving 15 km to work, riding another 15). it is an alternative way of living that doesnt revolve around consumption. sure, it isnt as 'comfie' as 'normal' living but i sleep better at night knowing my impact on the planet isnt as great as it could be. i guess i am a bit of a hippy (vege gardening, keeping chooks) but it can work. you just have to be open to an alternative way of living.