It's still been very unseasonably warm and dry most of the past month where I live. I wonder if we are going to end up with something like Mexico's current climate here in CA
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One point to remember, however, is that while coal is relatively abundant, so is tar in the tar sands.
It is one thing to have a supply and quite another to be able to extract it at the neccessary rates (I think this is a pretty second-hand distinction for most here). I am not saying that coal is not a specter, especially in terms of dealing with global warming, because it can still be used and burned despite a lower-than-hoped rate of extraction. However, just like the tar sands, it will not be able to be extracted at a quick enough rate to offset the energy depletion caused by the depletion of oil. Hence, a gap will be created.
It is this gap that either wind energy, or gas, will strive to fill. But even if gas wins part of the day, wind will get the kind of major push it needs, perhaps even to become, in the eyes of the skeptics, the single best, most secure, and cheapest alternative there is. How much do you want to bet that anyone won't think twice when wanting to invest in coal? (not even considering the kind of regulations that will be in place).
It is one thing to have a supply and quite another to be able to extract it at the neccessary rates (I think this is a pretty second-hand distinction for most here). I am not saying that coal is not a specter, especially in terms of dealing with global warming, because it can still be used and burned despite a lower-than-hoped rate of extraction. However, just like the tar sands, it will not be able to be extracted at a quick enough rate to offset the energy depletion caused by the depletion of oil. Hence, a gap will be created.
It is this gap that either wind energy, or gas, will strive to fill. But even if gas wins part of the day, wind will get the kind of major push it needs, perhaps even to become, in the eyes of the skeptics, the single best, most secure, and cheapest alternative there is. How much do you want to bet that anyone won't think twice when wanting to invest in coal? (not even considering the kind of regulations that will be in place).
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