Originally posted by: nigahen
I'll say it. CO2 is a good gas. Methane and N20 (nitrous oxide) are the real greenhouse gases. Global warming potential of methane is 104 and for nitrous oxide its 300 vs CO2's 1 over a 100 year period.
Fracking (methane producing) needs to be banned. And nitroexplosives and nitrofertilizer (huge nitrous oxide emitters) lobby needs to be shut down to curtail climate change. But the powers that be at all these Paris COP21 and Katowice never ever talk about methane or nitrous oxide.
Taxing carbon is just another kosher money making scheme. Have people not heard of the protests against the other "Champion of the Earth" Macron? Frenchies are baying for his blood.
Carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, Fluorinated gases are all greenhouse gases causing climate change. A few decades ago fluorinated gases received a lot of attention. Eventually, they were curtailed.
Why focus on carbon dioxide and carbon taxes? Because it is the biggest elephant in the room. The 2016 US greenhouse gas emissions were 81% carbon dioxide, 10% methane, 6% nitrous oxide, and 3% fluorinated gases. (1) The numbers are not that different in other nations.
Unfortunately, carbon taxing is not cut and dry. There are the oil and petrochemical lobby and automobile lobby that are against it. Many industries high in emissions are against it. Many people reliant on fuel are against it. Any increase in gas/petrol prices and everyone freaks out. That is what is happening in France.
Originally posted by: nigahen
Do people really think solar or wind power is some permanent green alternative to "bad bad energy" (sic) coal? Look up the research. What happens on a rainy day or a non-windy day or nights in case of solar power? Yes, those times power generating stations switch over to coal and in the long run, it leads to higher costs for everyone involved.
And just in case, someone thinks "oh but at least sometimes green energy is better than no green energy'. Look up research again. Solar panels and wind turbines have a limited shelf life of some 10-15 yrs max. And their production and disposal at the end of their effective shelf life is worse for the environment than coal could ever be.
THIS in a nutshell. A money making scheme for the bankers.
Solar energy is stored in photovoltaic cells (battery). A few hours of sunlight can generate enough energy for several days. There are solar powered street lights here in the North that run easily through winter despite shorter days and long stretches of cloudy grey weather.
Solar panels degrade at 1% a year. After 20 years their capacity is 80% and not 0%.A solar grid can be built up over several years at a time. They can be then replenished a few panels at a time. This way costs can be reduced. (2)
When it comes to energy - clean is not the only thing going for solar energy.
The sun is infinite. The sun is universal (unlike oil/coal which are concentrated in certain regions). Solar energy can give people freedom to be untethered from the power grid. Electricity was slow to reach rural and low-density populations because there was no incentive to give them energy. They often were overcharged and forced to lease/own the lines and maintain them. The government had to intervene to subsidize and distribute energy. Solar allows rural and low-density populations to build their solar panels and be self-sufficient. Solar panels are also a one-time investment. Traditional energy costs you on a day to day basis.
Wind is similar. But I don't know as much detail on wind energy. I'd be happy to dig into it as well.
Edited by return_to_hades - 5 years ago
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