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Nuclear Energy – Runaway Global warming Tipping Point

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THIS is John Howard’s revenge on the greenies. It will drive the Left mad. It compels Labor to another anti-Howard scare campaign to save Australia. And it guarantees a passionate anti-nuclear power crusade in Australia.

Ziggy Switkowski’s draft report puts nuclear power firmly on Australia’s agenda. It is a confronting document. It will test Howard’s nerve, his political judgment and his ability to successfully set our energy policy agenda.

Howard wanted the nuclear option on the table and Switkowski’s committee has obliged him. At one stroke its impact is to unite the Labor premiers, the city mayors, the Kim Beazley-led federal ALP, the trade unions, the Democrats and the Greens in a crusade against nuclear power. It will become a grassroots movement.

The message from Switkowski’s report is that nuclear power is coming. It is a “practical option for Australian electricity production”. This is the conclusion Howard wanted. It mirrors his mantra for the past several months. Howard has frequently said public opinion on nuclear power was changing. The catch, for all sides, is that nuclear power becomes practical only when “the costs of greenhouse gas emissions are explicitly recognised”.

Switkowski spelt it out at the National Press Club yesterday: You think nuclear only if the community has “a conviction about climate change“. It is the vital nexus in his report: greenhouse gas solutions lead to nuclear power in Australia and in the world. The trend is global.

The report pivots on carbon pricing. Without it, you can forget nuclear. But, Switkowski says, with carbon pricing “nuclear becomes not only competitive but quite attractive”.

He specifies the price range of $15 to $40 a tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent as the level needed to “make nuclear electricity competitive” in Australia.

The political and economic key to the report lies in this conundrum. Its logic cuts both ways. It means Howard’s nuclear option has no economic credibility without his acceptance of carbon price signals. But it means Labor’s greenhouse policy has no credibility if it refuses to allow nuclear power as a market-based solution. How will Howard and Beazley respond? Like politicians. Both will be reluctant in the 2007 election year to resolve the contradictions in their stances.There is a superficial and a substantial view of this report.

The superficial is that Switkowski’s committee has written a 152-page death sentence for the Government. It highlights the scenario of 25 nuclear reactors from 2020 rolling out across the landscape to produce one-third of the nation’s electricity by 2050.

Where will these reactors be located? Switkowski’s criteria are: near population centres, waterways and perhaps existing power stations. Welcome to Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Geelong and most other cities. Think of Labor’s television ads: stop Howard bringing Chernobyl to your neighbourhood.

What about waste disposal? “Take your pick,” Switkowski said when asked what parts of Australia were suitable. The point is that “just about every part of the continent” meets the criteria. So, if you’re unlucky enough to miss one of the 25 power stations, don’t worry, you may still get a waste repository near you (though they won’t be needed until 2050). Beazley could hardly contain himself. Howard, he said, had an obligation to tell Australians where the 25 reactors would go and where the waste dumps would go.

As for Labor, it opposed nuclear power and opposed carbon taxes. The timing is exquisite. As industrial relations fades as a scare, Labor has got a high-geared substitute. The Switkowski report documents the huge gulf between Australia today and a nuclear future. Although it says nuclear power is practical, the conditions that make it practical are daunting.

Nuclear doesn’t make financial sense at present prices. It is between 20 and 50 per cent more costly than our cheap coal and gas-fired power. It needs an entirely new regulatory regime and nuclear industry skills that Australia doesn’t possess. It demands a national repository for the burial of waste. It requires sufficient political consensus and trust that commonwealth, state and local governments can agree. Remember, the building of power plants is an intense local issue.

Switkowski conceded that political bipartisanship was vital, given the long-term investments required.

His report further concedes that getting the first reactor built in Australia “may require some form of government support or directive”.

How much financial support? What sort of directive? Remember, history shows government funding has been critical to getting nuclear power established in many nations. Switkowski’s report is realistic in identifying the scale of the transition to nuclear as well as the consequences of ruling out the nuclear option.

Australia’s electricity demand will more than double by 2050. At that time 75 per cent of power will come from plants not built today. So Australia faces huge new investment decisions about energy sources. In much of the world there is a shift to nuclear, not as the solution but as part of the solution. This is the philosophy of Switkowski’s report. He speculated on a scenario for Australia at 2050 of a 30-20-50 per cent divide relying on nuclear, renewables and fossil fuels respectively.

The critical choice for Australia is whether it really wants to shift to low-emission electricity generation. The politicians still hedge on this. It is little wonder given that Australia’s comparative advantage in fossil fuels means it has the fourth cheapest electricity in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Reading between the lines, the real message is apparent: if Australia doesn’t plan to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions, then it can forget nuclear. But if it does introduce carbon pricing, then it must allow nuclear power to compete with other low-emission technologies and, in this situation, Switkowski says, nuclear power will be competitive.

This kills the old politics of climate change. That long debate between believers and non-believers is over. The new debate is about energy solutions. This was Howard’s plan.

What will Howard do when he gets the final report at year’s end? My guess is he will accept its framework. He will expand the mining and export of Australia’s uranium. He will be careful about uranium conversion and enrichment, since the report warns there are few opportunities here.

And he will advance a framework that allows Australia to have nuclear power down the track if and when the market permits this. Howard will keep the door open and Beazley will keep it shut. That is the choice

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Eco-Business

How Social Media Can Benefit from Blockchain Technology

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Blockchain technology has become increasingly popular of the last two or so years. It was initially designed as a framework for aiding cryptocurrency trade but has now shown potential to transform other numerous sectors. What particularly makes this technology attractive is its highly secure, solidly temper-proof and massively decentralized framework, that’s capable of recording transactions and exchanging data with greater precision. And these are some of the attributes that most of our social media platforms lack.

Here are major ways through which blockchain can transform the use of social media:

Verification of Information and News

Social media platforms have no doubt made sharing information and experiences all over the world easier, quicker and more seamless. But the creation of false accounts and spread of fake news in a problem most of the platforms have not been able to deal with completely. It is only recently that Facebook launched an offensive campaign of digging into and deleting false accounts that have been spreading fake news on the platform for years. It did manage to control this menace but is yet guarantee zeros cases.

The problem with masked accounts and fake news often stems from the various platforms’ inability to thoroughly carry out thorough verification. And this is a problem blockchain will promise to address once and for all.

A blockchain-based framework can:

  • Allow developers to build powerful decentralized apps.
  • Enable every platform user to easily authenticate and manage both their digital and real-world assets.
  • Help in gathering and verifying all forms of data shared online including news items.
  • Eliminate, completely, cases of account hackings.

User Control

Social media platforms usually gather lots of information about users. Right from what you post, to what you like all through to the type of ads you click on and the websites your search online, Facebook for instance, uses the data to manipulate or rather determine what makes it to your newsfeed.

No user knows how the information is collected, whom it’s sold to and at what cost still remains a mystery. Blockchain can help seal all these loopholes with utmost certainty. With this technology, social media users will have total control of their information and where it goes. That means there will be no shady third parties or advertisers preying and/or manipulating data to make money from information gathered from your profile.

Social Media-Based Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding through token sales or Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) has become a reliable method for startups to raise capital online. And a social media platform that rides on a blockchain framework can allow users to raise money with utmost privacy and transparency. ICOs, for instance, are built to protect investors’ information while complying with the anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Also, all the records of transactions remain authentic, untouched and accessible by investors from any point in the world. The experience will actually be more like when you choose to invest in cryptocurrencies.

In Conclusion

As things stand, blockchain technology remains the only reliable solution that will reset the current menace in social media platforms one and for all. The technology is not only temper-proof but also transparent and decentralized. That means social media users can enjoy better privacy and convenient access to smart apps and contracts that will make the experience online even more rewarding.

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Free Stuff to Help You and Our Environment

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I love this part! Who doesn’t like free stuff? These freebies are excellent little gems that can save you money, make life a little easier and help reduce global warming.

And…I offer all this to you for FREE! Check them out. If a couple of ideas are useful, I’ve done my job! If you’ve got some ideas, tell us! Let’s share them with the world! My goal is to constantly expand this page and the ACTION HEROES page to include everyone’s ideas.

Freebie 1: Fine Print

This freebie is awesome! I do a lot of printing! I love E-Books! It’s a pleasure to take my E-Book and my coffee and lounge in an overstuffed chair. The downside to that moment of paradise is the cost of paper and ink!

Our little freebie savior – Fine Print! This simple shareware program is easy to install. It gives you the option of printing up to four pages of text on one page! A hundred page E-Book is now only twenty-five pages – or thirteen double-sided pages!

Freebie 2: Free Energy Audit

One simple phone call to your electric company can save you money every month! This energy audit:

  • checks air conditioning units and filters
  • checks hot water heaters and thermostats
  • suggests best ideas for insulating your home
  • offers the best ways for using energy-saving devices and appliances
  • checks for air leaks around windows, doors, outlets and switches

All this information for free and it takes about an hour! Not bad!

Freebie 3: Toilet Rebate

If it’s time a say goodbye to ole faithful, a rebate will make saying “Bye” easier. Most home improvement stores offer a full rebate on your purchase of an energy-saver toliet.

Yes, a FREE toilet! Most stores will even install it for you, but you pay for the installation. At Home Depot, they guarantee their installations for one year. I’ll bet most other stores offer the same guarantee.

Freebie 4: Free Trees

Yep! A FREE tree! What better way to curb CO2! More trees mean more CO2 absorbed into the trees and more oxygen released into the air.

Here’s a win-win-win:

  • Free tree or plant, but you pay for the shipping and processing. These are trees, scrubs, plants thrown away by the nurseries – usually still high-quality!
  • Each reserved tree or plant ensures paid work for people with disabilities!
  • Help the planet big time!

Freebie 5: Hybrid Cars Tax Credit

Thinking about buying a new car? The government is offering an incentive to car buyers: reduce your tax bill by going green! Many auto companies are changing their tune and jumping on the fast moving bandwagon. How much are we talking? The lowest tax credit is $650 if you buy a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid or Saturn Vue Green Line. The most you can get is $2,600 for a Ford Escape Hybrid (2WD).

If you already bought a hybrid, check the list and see if you can qualify for an even higher incentive – upwards $3,100! If you live outside the States, check to see what rebates or incentives your government is offering. If you find out anything, let us know.

Freebie 6: Home Improvement Tax Credit

Thinking about doing some energy-saving home repair? Time for an update? Already did some tinkering?

Here’s some info you can use:

  • Improvements to your windows, doors and insulation can give you up to $500 in tax credit over a three-year period.
  • Consider updating your air conditioning unit, water heater or furnace for credit up to $300.
  • Go Solar and receive up to $2,000 in tax credits! If you�re ready to really make a difference, Uncle Sam will reward you. This includes solar panels, solar water heating systems and using fuel cell power.
  • Also, check your local bank for possible low-interest loans for energy improvements to your home.

Freebie 7: FreeStickers

Polar bears are beautiful animals and are highly sensitive to the changing environment. Warmth in the Artic areas are already creating havoc. As they struggle to addapt, many are suffering. If we continue increasing global warming, polar bears will not survive.

Thanks to the one million plus members of the Natural Resources Defense Council(NRDC), many legal steps have been successful in helping the polar bears. NRDC has won fights in the courts and in Congress. Their goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% before 2020 and 80% reduction by 2050.

These little stickers can make a big impact. They’re great reminders for using energy effeciently. They will also help increase awareness and hopefully increase support to making a difference. Great for teachers looking for ideas to give their students!

Freebie 8: FreeLesson Plans

Speaking of teachers… here are some great ideas to implement in your classroom. This gem offers grade level as well as a brief description of the lesson. You can choose subjects such as air quality, recycling, global warming, etc.

Each lesson has a step-by-step plan and a materials list. They are easy to use and flexible enough to gear it to your students’ needs. Hey Parents and Kids! This is great stuff for you too!

Parents 

  • Looking for some ideas to share with your child about global warming?
  • Want to be more involved in your child’s education?
  • Want to create some activities for your family?

Kids 

  • Need to do a research paper?
  • Need some ideas for a science or social studies project?
  • Want to be more active in your school or community?

Total ESL Resource Page is a great resource. This site is chocked with freebies for teachers, parents and kids!!! This is especially useful for teachers who are sometimes lost for new ideas. Enjoy!!!

Also if you’re looking for some of the coolest, mind-boggling puzzles on the planet, CHECK THIS OUT! The puzzles are cool and new stuff is being added every day.

Freebie 9: Free EBooks

There are many opportunities now to get the word out, but most don’t feel comfortable writing or don’t feel they have much to offer. Everyone has personal experiences and a unique voice that we all can learn from. This 40+page freebie takes that scary writing stuff you learned in school and makes the process easy and kinda fun.

Whenever you’re doing something you’re passonate about, it shows in your writing and the experience is enjoyable and helps more people than you could ever realize.

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Environment

If You Are Seeking To Live An Eco Friendly Lifestyle Here Are Some Suggestions

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Green living is something everyone is able to accomplish to help heal our planet. Many of us damage the environment each day without giving it any thought and the consequences are starting to appear. Just by driving your car or truck everyday, not setting recyclable’s in the correct place and abusing the amount of electrical power you use are all resulting in damage to the earth. If you’d like to help make a difference, it’s not necessary to go overboard, if every person just changes a few little things, we can all safeguard the earth. You can certainly begin by following the simple ideas below.

If you keep a light on for long time frames consider changing the bulb over to a fluorescent one, as opposed to the regular incandescent light bulbs. Despite the fact that these light bulbs are a little bit higher priced than the standard light bulbs they cost significantly less to use. Simply because fluorescent bulbs produce a lot more light per watt and last a whole lot longer than regular light bulbs.

Switch off and unplug any electronic products that arent being used at the time. You may even be wasting electrical energy without even knowing it. When you have even a small light on, on a product that is turned off, it is wasting electricity. You can also be wasting electrical power by leaving your cellular phone plugged in after is has been charged.

Reduce your thermostat a degree or even two, you can save yourself loads of wasted fuel. One or two degrees can in fact make a massive difference particularly with time.

Before you turn up the heating if you are chilly, you should, as an alternative add an additional layer of clothing. Put on a jumper or even a coat. Youll help save energy as well as cash.

Obtain a laptop computer rather than a Personal computer, as laptops use just half the energy a regular desktop pc uses. And naturally every time a notebook computer is being run off its battery pack it isn’t wasting any electricity.

Keep all your vehicles tuned up and running good. Obviously its better to walk or cycle, or even to hop the train, but if you do have to make use of your car then make sure its in full working order. Be sure to replace your air and oil filters regularly, this will keep your automobile working at maximum fuel capacity. Following these simple measures for your automobiles maintenance will assist you to help the world and reduce your fuel expenses concurrently.

Using the bathroom and flushing continuously as well as doing your laundry are only two ways water is being wasted. I do understand that these things really are a necessity and you are unable to go without them, but you can purchase products that could help you save water and money. It will save you a lot of cash on utility bills by cutting down on water as well. Many toilet models give you two flush modes; regular and also gentle. The regular flush uses the standard amount of water and the light flush utilizes less water.

More than likely you have heard about the 3 R’ s. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. There are tons of household items that don’t belong in the trash can, like glass and paper as well as metals are recyclable, so recycle them. And since the majority of rubbish companies provide you recyclable bins, keeping every thing separated isn’t really that hard. You also might want to consider reusing plastic cups and also plastic plates as well as the plastic silverware, you will certainly save money and be helping to recycle.

Some Organic Gardening Hints Can Help

The organic craze that’s currently sweeping the nation is a good thing in many ways. However, there is one area where organic foods are failing the average person, and that’s with the incredibly high price of the produce. If you want to produce some home-grown organic food, these tips will help you do it.

Choose a site for fruit trees depending on their specific requirements. Most fruit trees require 8 hours of sun per day. Morning sun is important, as it dries dew rapidly, helping to prevent fungus. Avoid planting fruit trees in a low spot in the garden where frost or cold air can collect. Some fruit trees are especially susceptible to late frost damage, and are better planted on a north-facing slope. This is especially true for peach, plum, cherry and apricot trees.

It’s all about the mulch. try mulching all of your flower beds and trees with at least 3″ of the organic material. It will conserve water, add some humus and other nutrients, and it will also discourage weed growth. It will also give the beds a nicer, more finished appearance.

If you are having a problem with aphids in your garden, spray your plants leaves with a very diluted mixture of soap and water. Then rinse with clear water. You may have to reapply the mixture every few weeks. Make sure that you use dish soap and not dish detergent. Detergent is too strong and will cause damage to the plant.

Organic gardens are perfect for gourmet cooking. If you plan to use some your garden for this type of cooking, try growing your own organic herbs. They make great landscaping plants too. They can add fresh flavors to foods, provide natural medicinal products, and provide fragrances. Most don’t even require attention to grow.

When first growing a plant you should make sure that it has all the nutrition and water that it needs. The sprouting stage for most plants is the time when it is most vulnerable to drying out or dying. With proper care, a sprout will mature into a full adult plant which is much more resistant to environmental and animal threats.

If you find yourself battling annoying clumps of weeds, one solution is to use a concentrated spritz of water and vinegar to the most choked areas. Adjust the nozzle on the sprayer so that it is easier to target only the affected areas. This is most effective when used on a sunny day. You should add mulch to your garden and flower bed using at least three inches of organic material. This will help your garden by adding nourishment to the soil, holding in moisture levels, inhibiting the growth of unsightly weeds, and creating a noticeably more tidy appearance and overall professional look.

As mentioned at the start of this article, organic food is very pricey. Even something like a simple bundle of celery can cost upwards of 150 percent more if it’s organic. Make sure you’re always able to save money if you need to by using these tips. Whatever your needs are, the tips you’ve just read can help.

Some things may require a little effort but they can really make a difference. You might not believe that it makes an impact but it does, especially when millions of individuals also do exactly the same thing.

Is success yours 100% of the time with cheap office desk lamps? It is true that men and women can fail so many times they actually get used to it. floor lamps is simply one impressive piece of information that is clear and uncomplicated.

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