Steve GannThe Wisdom of Knowing When You Are Wrong
February 6th 2007 02:42
We can examine this in two aspects. The first is admitting to yourself that you might have made a mistake. The second is being willing to admit this to others. Now John Howard is not strong in either department.
Take for example the way he has tied himself to the Nuclear Bandwagon. It may be that sometime in the future, nuclear reactors become more viable. They may become safer and better engineered. The problem is that Nuclear Power Stations operate at high temperatures with systems that are operating in high level of criticality. No it doesn't mean that they are likely to explode, but they are prone to failure and causing accidents. Sweden operates with ten (10) nuclear power stations. Recently four of those stations were shut down for maintenance or because of faulty operation. Nuclear power still needs to be re-engineered. It needs to evolve to the next level where the systems and the level of safety are improved by an order of magnitude.
Now when people have come knocking on John Howard's door with demands that he address aspects of global warming he has had two reactions. One: Nuclear reactors will save the day. Two: Carbon pricing cannot be allowed to have a negative impact on Australia's economy.
Both these orientations are in error. Nuclear power is not ready. Other initiatives make more sense. We should be getting behind renewable energy, such as solar cell technology. Yes this is expensive at the moment, but economy of scale has not yet been brought into play. What if every large building with flat surfaces facing the sun, were covered in solar cells? Then the number of solar panels being produced would be increased significantly. The greater the volume, the cheaper it would be to manufacture the panels. Of course this would eat into the profits of the large power cartels, but not if they were smart enough and switched over to providing leased sheets of solar panels.
Now as to carbon pricing. John Howard is patently wrong. The argument should go thus. If industry or the end user generates green-house gases or causes it to be generated, then they should be liable for the reduction of those gases. Australia in its manufacturing industries and general practices is one of the dirtiest nations on this Earth. If we make a mess then we should be charged for cleaning it up. If this impacts negatively on our economy, then dear kind and gentle people, so it damn well should.
John, please, if we make a mess, we should be willing to raise our hands and say -- Yes sir, I did that. It's my fault. I am willing to pay whatever is necessary, to clean it up.
John Howard it is time to make the adult choice. It is time to pay for our mistakes. It is time to do whatever we can, whatever we should, to shoulder our load, and clean up the mess! Not tomorrow, not five years from now, but today to make a real beginning! And be willing to pay the price, whatever it be.
Take for example the way he has tied himself to the Nuclear Bandwagon. It may be that sometime in the future, nuclear reactors become more viable. They may become safer and better engineered. The problem is that Nuclear Power Stations operate at high temperatures with systems that are operating in high level of criticality. No it doesn't mean that they are likely to explode, but they are prone to failure and causing accidents. Sweden operates with ten (10) nuclear power stations. Recently four of those stations were shut down for maintenance or because of faulty operation. Nuclear power still needs to be re-engineered. It needs to evolve to the next level where the systems and the level of safety are improved by an order of magnitude.
Now when people have come knocking on John Howard's door with demands that he address aspects of global warming he has had two reactions. One: Nuclear reactors will save the day. Two: Carbon pricing cannot be allowed to have a negative impact on Australia's economy.
Both these orientations are in error. Nuclear power is not ready. Other initiatives make more sense. We should be getting behind renewable energy, such as solar cell technology. Yes this is expensive at the moment, but economy of scale has not yet been brought into play. What if every large building with flat surfaces facing the sun, were covered in solar cells? Then the number of solar panels being produced would be increased significantly. The greater the volume, the cheaper it would be to manufacture the panels. Of course this would eat into the profits of the large power cartels, but not if they were smart enough and switched over to providing leased sheets of solar panels.
Now as to carbon pricing. John Howard is patently wrong. The argument should go thus. If industry or the end user generates green-house gases or causes it to be generated, then they should be liable for the reduction of those gases. Australia in its manufacturing industries and general practices is one of the dirtiest nations on this Earth. If we make a mess then we should be charged for cleaning it up. If this impacts negatively on our economy, then dear kind and gentle people, so it damn well should.
John, please, if we make a mess, we should be willing to raise our hands and say -- Yes sir, I did that. It's my fault. I am willing to pay whatever is necessary, to clean it up.
John Howard it is time to make the adult choice. It is time to pay for our mistakes. It is time to do whatever we can, whatever we should, to shoulder our load, and clean up the mess! Not tomorrow, not five years from now, but today to make a real beginning! And be willing to pay the price, whatever it be.
| 81 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Anyway, I'm a advocate of alternative fuels, like Hydrogen, solar power etc, my ultimate romantic idea is to get hydrogen powered vehicles on the road, their only pollution is water vapor, thats so damn cool isn't it? Solve our drought problems too
Comment by JohnH
What we really need is a sense of urgency to start making some changes now. Politicians are often in a situation where they can make something happen. Unfortunately they are often too short sighted in their views and ineffective in their actions. John Howard is yesterday's man both in his views and his choices. There is a real need for change.
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Of ocurse it needs abit of research, hence money, ironic we know the US is far from cash strapped after spending over a trillion dollars in Iraq, they could lend a billion into alternatie fuel researcha nd make war with iraq redundant, of course the oil corps would be none too happy about that.