Our planet on Netflix - please contribute!

[papilio28570]

I mentioned some time ago that Germany was abandoning wind energy projects only to be denied here by the "true believers". Here is an update and seems solar is also on the chopping block now:

Germany has belatedly but finally come to the realization that renewable energy is a failure, that it cannot power Germany or the German civilization. The reason is very straight forward: renewable energy wasn’t designed to power modern civilization.

Writing about Germany’s renewable energy transition, the Energiewende, as an environmental model for the world, four reporters for the German newspaper Der Spiegel said in a lengthy article earlier this month that Germany acknowledged last year that it was delaying its phase-out of coal and that it would not meet its greenhouse gas reduction commitments for 2020.

Because its renewable energy emissions have flat-lined since 2009.

Announcing last year that it was delaying its phase out of coal, the reporters also said Germany would bulldoze an ancient church and forest to get the coal underneath.

Titled “A Botched Job in Germany,” the reporters said the Energiewende — Germany’ biggest political project since reunification — has cost Germany $36 billion annually, and opposition to renewable energy is growing in the German countryside.

“The politicians fear citizen resistance,” they said. “There is hardly a wind energy project that is not fought.”

Reporting the Der Spiegel story, Michael Shellenberger, a Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” Green Book Award winner and president of Environmental Progress, a research and policy organization, said the poor physics of resource-intensive and land-intensive renewables have meant the end of Germany’s rush to renewable energy.

“Solar farms take 450 times more land than nuclear plants,” he said, “and wind farms take 700 times more land than natural gas wells to produce the same amount of energy.”

Of the 7,000 new kilometers of transmission lines needed in Germany, only 8% have been built, while large scale electricity storage remains inefficient and expensive. “A large part of the energy used is lost,” the Der Spiegel reporters said, noting a much hyped hydrogen gas project, “and the efficiency is bellow 40%. … No viable business model can be developed from this.”

As the German government’s subsidies to wind, solar and biogas since 2000 end in 2020 — without which none of the country’s renewable energy would have been built because they’re too expensive — the renewable energy idea in Germany is over.

Pointing out that the Energiewende has become an excuse for the destruction of natural landscapes and local communities, Mr. Shellenberger said: “Tragically, many Germans appear to have believed that the billions they spend on renewables would redeem them. He quoted a reporter who wrote: “Germans would than at last feel that they have gone from being world destroyers in the 20th century to world saviors in the 21st.”

“Many Germans will claim the renewable transition was merely botched,” Mr. Shellenberger continued, “but it wasn’t. The transition to renewables was doomed because modern industrial people, no matter how Romantic [when Germany’s society was agrarian] they are, do not want to return to pre-modern life.

“The reason renewables can’t power modern civilization is because they were never meant to.” He added: “One interesting question is why anybody ever thought they would.”

It’s a question begging for an answer. Particularly in the United States.

[leptraps]

I have read more about energy and energy-efficient use than many. The reason I stopped reading was the lack of science.

I lived in Watseka, Illinois in 2005/2006. During that time windmill farms were built along both side of I-65 in Indiana between the 150 to 210 MM. Besides producing cheap electricity, they decreased the accident rate along that portion of I-65 by 85%. A study claimed that drivers relaxed as they drove through the slowly turning windmills.

However, during the construction of the Wind Mill's, environmentalists claim tens of thousands of bird would fly into the rotating blades and be killed. That never occurred.

Here in central Kentucky the cost of geothermal heat in homes was a booming business until KU's two Nuclear Power Plants went on line. I live in a 3600 square foot brick home that is extremely well insulated. I keep the house at 72° year round. My home is all electric. My electric bill is about $180 a month on average. Due to electric heat and A/C my home is bone dry.

Contrary to common belief, my home is not heated by "my" natural gas.

My home is too dry. If I walk around my house with Sock Feet, I generate enough Static Electricity to give my kittens a good jolt. To prevent me from electrocuting my kittens, I wear rubber sole house slippers.

There are numerous land fills that reached capacity and were closed. However, the decomposition produces natural gas and many old land fills are tapped and the gas sold to utilities.

As for me, I truly enjoy natural gas. I can eat some good Mexican food, a Beef Chimichanga with Refried Beans and then go to the theater for a good flick. Most of the guys sitting around me get blamed.

I got a great gag present one year for Christmas. A bag of extra large corks. Ms Betty had a great sense of humor.

Here is my question: How many of you have broke wind in church?

[phanaeus1]

May The Lord be with you and May You Be With The BRAAAAAAAP!!!

[wollastoni]

As entomologists we all know how much Homo sapiens is destroying nearly all natural habitats.
When I was in the jungle in the mountains of New Guinea, I could hear the chainsaws all night long... for the wood we are using in developed countries.
And we have all witnessed that destruction in our own countries during our life ! Hundreds of great entomological spots are now under concrete.

Paradoxally, medecine has "killed" the future : we are now 7 billions on Earth and we will soon be 15 billions... the world won't collapse, it will just be Hell.
What will happen when Human will understand that overpopulation will kill our future ? Massive genocides ?

The following trend on that graphic is NOT SUSTAINABLE for peace, and for the survival of most species on Earth.


If you've never read the novel "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, read it, it is a great novel... and I am afraid it will be the future of a generation in the 22nd or 23rd century..

Then I agree with Jan, there are tons of things we can do to limit our impact on Earth, but as long as the demography issue is not fixed, we may gain few years of peace, but we won't save the future.

[Paul K]

The graph is incorrect.
The line in developing countries will soon flatten.
The contraceptions are becoming widely available there and families don’t have as many children as they were have one generation ago.
Actually the medicine unbalanced the graph as the mortality in early ages is lower and the live span is longer but people are also having less children as they are more likely to survive to reproductive age so this problem will correct its self.
Nevertheless the impact of population on Earth is huge and we should do all to minimize it.

[wollastoni]

The graph goes until 2050 only and I doubt demography in Africa, South America and SE Asia will really change in the next 20 years.
The graph comes from scientific sources, not done by me.

Unfortunately... as what you say would be a good news.

Another point : China has recently stopped the one-child policy. What will be the impact on global population in the future, if China goes from 1 child to 1.5 or 2 children per women. A HUGE impact !

[Paul K]

May 23, 2019 3:19:40 GMT -8 wollastoni said:

I doubt demography in Africa, South America and SE Asia will really change in the next 20 years.

It is changing already, I have family and friends there, previous generation used to have 5-8 kids, my generation 3-4 and young generation tends to have 1-3.
Humans are creatures of comfort and raising 8 children is definitely not the comfort. Young people have alternatives to entertain them selves too ( seating and playing in front of tv/computer is a good contraception ). Similar to developed countries they look to achieve more than just a poor living with a bunch of hungry kids.

China has imbalanced sex ratio, there are more males than females and population is predicted to grow slower in the next couple of decades, they also becoming wealthy and are looking for comfort living with all toys that civilization brings to us.


The major problem is the deforestation if this can be stopped or at least slower down the future may not be that apocalyptic. 

[Adam Cotton]

In Thailand most families now consist of about 2 children, unlike when I first arrived here almost 40 years ago, when 7 or 8 was the norm. Back then people believed that it was better to have a large family to ensure that some of them survive to adulthood to take care of the ageing parents.

Nowadays people here are much less worried about the possibility of their children dying in infancy, and they have been taught that having a few but sending them to school and university will be much better for the parents in the long run.

Adam.

[wingedwishes]

Just checking in to see if Jan is still posting videos rather than actually doing anything to help.......yup. Emotion over logic, feelings over substance. Irrelevant videos rather than rational/real discussion. You are ruining your world for your children.

Ty

[leptraps]

I stopped participating in this topic after I was sent an email with a video of two "Young Lesbian Lover". He claimed I was a bigot and a sexual pervert and that I should change my attiude towards life.

I still cannot determine why he became so up set at my response to his email and the video. All I ask him if those young girls in the video were his daughters or Grand daughters.

And by the way, I only watched a few seconds of the video and deleted both the video and the email.

I personally find pornography disgusting.

[exoticimports]

Jun 18, 2019 3:26:08 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I stopped participating in this topic after I was sent an email with a video of two "Young Lesbian Lover". He claimed I was a bigot and a sexual pervert and that I should change my attiude towards life.

I still cannot determine why he became so up set at my response to his email and the video. All I ask him if those young girls in the video were his daughters or Grand daughters.

And by the way, I only watched a few seconds of the video and deleted both the video and the email.

I personally find pornography disgusting.

Most forums would ban anyone who sends an unsolicited sexual video.

[wingedwishes]

Still can't or won't answer my questions. Use ingrained strawman arguments to change the conversation and then use character assassination. A fantastic way to destroy the planet rather than build up or suggest behavior helpful or beneficial to the planet. A good demonstration of hate for children. That kind of behavior doesn't "hit" a nerve. It causes pity for the shallow callousness for the planet.


Leptraps showed us how others insult rather than help the situation. Thank you.

Anyone else have a positive that they can share on things they do rather than the name calling to tear down others who question?

[wingedwishes]

How about recycling styrofoam or paper? I have a few things that I DO rather than complain about it.

[wingedwishes]

You still refuse to answer any of what has been asked and follow the pattern of baseless character assassination followed by a strawman argument. Its ok. Many children do that. However, you are not a child. You are my age. When you mature and put away childish behaviors such as broad false assumptions, you will maybe realize how destructive you have been and change accordingly. Maybe you won't though. You are either a liar or just ignorant. I won't assume. Ask me for the proof. I dare you.

Your hypocrisy of negative rantings about negative rantings needs to stop. It won't..... But until it does, you will contribute to the destruction of the planet. Ask me how you are doing it. I double dare you.

Ty

[wingedwishes]

Strange....... I tried to quote Jan in a 2nd post and see if a truce and restart was warranted when, and I am not exaggerating, would make no difference if I were, when the most bizarre thing happened. I have only myself, one of my daughters, and the neighbors across the way as witnesses. We SAW BIGFOOT! LOL! Actually, we saw ball lightning - blue and white - move between our properties. Looked about 18 inches across and lasted maybe 3 seconds. moved just slow enough to see its form. Tripped the breaker and knocked a Holstein unconscious. Just wow.

[777]

Review your actions every day. Jan, what have you done to make this arguement happen? Wingedwishes, what have you done to make this arguement happen? What will you gain from this arguement? Both of you are adults, but I don’t think you two are acting like one. I will not say anything else.

[wingedwishes]

Please clarify 777.

Are you desiring answers to the questions you posed? I'm very prepared to provide the answers to those questions. I have gained much in this thread. You did state you will not say (write) anything else (on this thread) so unless prompted by you, I will not print my answers to them.



I have to appreciate being asked rather than.....well, read the thread. Questions are a mark of intellect.



Thanks,
Ty

[leptraps]

I did not make up the porn video. It was sent to me to get a rise out of me. I have been sent other videos of the same type by the same individual. I just delete them. I seldom read the emails with those attachments. The individual who sends them is not an active participant in the forum. Not even sure who he/she is. I do not respond to emails from someone who will not identify themselves.

Also, I was sent some racist humor by someone on this forum. That is another touchy subject with me. I lived in Greenwood, Mississippi from 1993 to 1998. I could not believe the haterd that people live with.

I am a man of faith. I attend church every Sunday and I am active in my church (Buck Run Baptist Church of Frankfort, KY). I am known in my community for several reasons. My faith and being an active Lepidopterists.

And remember this about me. I was married to one woman for 53 years. I met my wife at in a Sunday School Class. I was a blest man. I would not trade my life, not one minute of it. Well, maybe a couple of minutes when I met some real unpleasant people.

If you do not like me or who I am, then do not read my posts. There are several of you that I decline to Inter act with. That is just me.

[777]

Jun 18, 2019 21:57:34 GMT -8 wingedwishes said:

Please clarify 777.

Are you desiring answers to the questions you posed? I'm very prepared to provide the answers to those questions. I have gained much in this thread. You did state you will not say (write) anything else (on this thread) so unless prompted by you, I will not print my answers to them.



I have to appreciate being asked rather than.....well, read the thread. Questions are a mark of intellect.



Thanks,
Ty

I do not seek answers from my questions in my previous post. I am leaving my question for you to think about. I am not here to bother you and Jan, but there are times when people need to be reminded that certain actions are not appropriate in a certain place (or at all).

[wingedwishes]

So noted 777. Not bothered. Thanks for your civility.

Ty

[777]

Jun 19, 2019 10:43:27 GMT -8 wingedwishes said:

So noted 777. Not bothered. Thanks for your civility.

Ty

You’re welcome. I hope you have a good day.

[gaspipe]

I stopped commenting on the other alarmist nonsense thread on global warming or whatever it’s now called . As for David Attenborough; a British accent doesn’t make someone an expert on the natural world . His private helicopter flights surveying the damage have contributed more to emissions than a small city . Typical hypocrite. As for me I wouldn’t give a red cent . My donations go to veterans causes and protection of my constitutional rights . Stop and take a breath!

[gaspipe]

Oct 8, 2019 14:56:59 GMT -8 skandinavisk said:

Each to their own. This series and also the above video does not exclusively talk about climate change. It also talk about plastic, pollution, farming and soil degradation, forest destruction, loss of habitats, etc. Problems that are all invariably connected. Just as important, above video especially talk about possible solutions to these problems. As the saying goes, if you are not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem. Being part of the solution and maybe even make a living from it on the way sounds pretty darn good to me.

I do not think that David Attenborough has a private helicopter though..... maybe you got him confused with Tronald Dumb?

Jan

Nice insult . I never said it was his helicopter.Why do you bring President Trump into the discussion? What does he have to do with my opinions? Since you know seem to know everything I’ll assume you’ll realize these are rhetorical questions.

[wingedwishes]

Gaspipe. You should understand that Jan in sweden does not understand that impugning is often an insult in English. There is a language barrier [won't use a translator] and a eurocentric cultural one as well. Once you get that then you will understand Jan differently. Hence the cut and paste of videos of 16 year old girls like the eco killer and user of fossil fools [far more than most] Grindal Tonneborg (HARD FACT ask me for the details). Should instead be talking of the 16 year old Swede Boyan Slat who is actually helping without calling for government to do it for him instead.


I think I was able to squeeze 13 or 14 examples of impugning into this post to use for teaching purposes. I truly hope I did not touch any nerves. Waddayaknow.....15...

My students will enjoy searching for them.

Gotta get to bed as we have a long day recycling styro tomorrow.

Ty

jwna smi fai

[bobw]

Oct 8, 2019 13:45:39 GMT -8 gaspipe said:

I stopped commenting on the other alarmist nonsense thread on global warming or whatever it’s now called . As for David Attenborough; a British accent doesn’t make someone an expert on the natural world . His private helicopter flights surveying the damage have contributed more to emissions than a small city . Typical hypocrite. As for me I wouldn’t give a red cent . My donations go to veterans causes and protection of my constitutional rights . Stop and take a breath!

I can't believe that somebody would attempt to impugn the reputation of the great man!  And as for mentioning him in the same sentence as the moron in the White House...