Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
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In both cases there were viable alternatives.
That's the current problem with fossil fuels. TINA. Even the most aggressive carbon reduction programs acknowledge that a lot of carbon-based fuel still needs to be consumed.
Switching to NG from coal will help tremendously. Renewable is mostly useless. Hydro has its own problems, and is probably next on the TIDES list of power sources to vilify.
Nuclear power would help a lot, but that's not happening.
This is the premise people keep thinking:
"I can maintain my current lifestyle, everything will just be electrified instead."
Which of course is patently false, and will always be false.
No one is going to stop plane travel, for instance. The world is totally dependent on computers, which demands continuous, stable 24/7 power.
Once again, I present this:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...m-and-em-coal/