DMC’s Recent Comments

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  Renewables don't lower energy use

  Energy use doesn't decline because more renewables are used. They are simply another source of energy.

  Energy use declines when we become more efficient, or when the economy slows and we don't have as many energy-using tasks to accomplish, or for a number of other reasonsOn U.S. energy consumption decreased from 2005 to 2006 posted 2 years, 3 months ago 5 Responses

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  No Power for the Impotent

  I lived in Beijing in 2001-2002.  On my first day there, in August 2001, I looked up at the beautiful blue skies and asked my friend who had already been living there, "Where is all this pollution you told me about?"  He said, "I promise, today is the first day it's been like this.  I don't understand."   On the second day of blue skies, I actually started to seriously doubt him.  On the third straight day of blue skies I was convinced he'd exaggerated. But then we ran into a journalist that afternoon, and my friend asked her about it and she said, "Oh, the intercollegiate olympics are in town and the track events have been going on for the last three days and they shut down a number of power plants."  It was that simple.  Keep a good image.  Ruin the week for tens of thousands of poor people. The fourth day, and every day thereafter, the pollution, was back, hard core.  Then, in February 2002, when the air was worse than in summer and the sky essentially black from coal-burning heat, President Bush came to town for two days. Presto: perfect blue skies for those two days, and, I presume, no power for thousands without a voice.
  So I have no doubt the running events at the Olympics will be fine, but it won't be fine for many many Beijingers.On Will bikes or cars win? posted 2 years, 3 months ago 6 Responses