As we are learning that carbon dioxide is not the only danger we face as we cling to an economy based upon the burning of fuels and polluting of our living space...
Petroleum coke: The coal hiding in tar sands
"...existing analyses of the impacts of tar sands fail to account for a byproduct of the process that is a major source of climate change causing carbon emissions: petroleum coke – known as petcoke. Petcoke is the coal hiding in North America’s tar sands oil boom."
Petcoke is like coal, but dirtier. Petcoke looks and acts like coal, but it has even higher carbon emissions than already carbon-intensive coal.
Soot is no. 2 global-warming culprit study finds
"Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuel and from land-use changes remains in the No. 1 spot. But the direct effect of soot on air temperatures, as well as its indirect effect on ice and snow melt and on cloud formation and persistence, are knocking at the door.
Given the uncertainties in the estimates, black-carbon soot may even outpace CO2's warming effect, according to the 232-page study published today in the Journal of Geophysical Research–Atmospheres."
...and we learn of the potentially catastrophic, and unseen, consequences of our current choices in supporting life...
Energy, water, land intertwined, threatened says report
"'Energy projects, [including] coal-fired power, biofuel, solar farms — require varying amounts of water and land; water projects — water supply, irrigation — require energy and land; and land activities — agriculture, forestry — depend upon energy and water,' write the authors."
...it is good to see that we are starting to get better market penetration for alternatives that provide a foundation for a better environment while maintaining quality of life.
2 makers press case for electric cars
"Tesla, Nissan and Ford have received hefty government energy loans to hasten the development of electric-car technology.
Mr. Blankenship said Tesla’s progress could not be measured by early sales figures.
'This isn’t about numbers to us — it’s about a long-term vision,' he said. 'And our vision is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.'"
Along with that increase in adoption of technology should follow improvements both in the technology itself and the physical and virtual infrastructures that support the technology.
Soon you'll be able to drive from Boston to D.C. with almost no recharging time
"Your range anxiety problems are going to be considerably lessened. Thanks to two new turbo-charging stations on the East Coast, you’ll be able to drive from Boston to D.C. with just two half-hour pit stops."
Ultimately, it will take much more significant changes in the way we live our lives in order to make this a planet with equal opportunity and protection of all. Thankfully, some of those options that will make a better tomorrow are starting to become available today.
Would more drivers use mass transit if it mimicked private cars?
"In concept, an automated PRT vehicle would hold four people or fewer, mimicking the private, quiet ride of a car. Relative to all of our existing alternatives, there’d be very little emissions, no traffic congestion, no loud teenagers or offensive odors. It’s the kind of public transit – again, in theory – that holdouts in private single-occupancy cars on the highway might actually be willing to ride."
Happy Friday!
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