Blogotional

When Will They Learn?

The Wall Street Journal reported last Thursday (subscription required) the most widely sold automotive hybrid (Toyota Prius) is experiencing problems with stalling at speed.

In an initial report, the NHTSA said it has received 33 reports of alleged engine stalling in 2004 and 2005 model year Prius cars. The government said 28 complaints were received on 2004 vehicles and five on 2005 vehicles.

More than 85% of the complaints involved vehicles stalling while being driven from 35 miles per hour to 65 mph. The NHTSA opened the investigation Tuesday. It covers 75,000 vehicles.

One of the problems I have with most environmental "solutions," like hybrid cars, is that they make matters more complicated, not less. Mechanically, hybrid cars are extremely complicated which means they are 1) more expensive, and 2) more difficult to maintain. Can consumers be relied upon to maintain them in a fashion that maintains their environmental benefit?

He said that in May 2004 Toyota sent owners of those cars service warnings sending the owners to dealerships for software upgrades. Mr. Butto said he wasn't sure how many people went in to receive the hourlong repair.

In the end environmental issues are behavioral problems, not technological ones -- that is never easy to fix.

Dealing With Nuclear Waste

The New York Times reported on Sunday about a new political move afoot to deal with nuclear waste. This time using casks at shallow burial sites, on at least an interim basis until Yucca Mountain can come on line. But, Yucca Mountain has capacity problems, already.

Much as I hate to say this, the French worked all this out years ago. 'Vitrification' is a process wherein nuclear waste is further processed, and concentrated, thus reducing its volume and mass several orders of magnitude, then encased in glass for long term storage similar to what is currently proposed. With vitrification, Yucca Mountain has plenty of capacity. This technology has great disfavor in the US because it involves further processing which some think increases the possibility for release, and the glassy remnant is far more toxic than the spent fuel it comes from.

With regard to the first concern, there are plenty of places in this country sufficiently isolated to address and concerns about processing releases. With regards to issue 2, the spent fuel is already so toxic, who really cares if it moves from "kill you in a 2 hours" to "kill you in 2 minutes" -- you're dead either way. The French do have to transport the vitrified waste from processing to disposal sites, but I think we could deal with that by co-locating the two activities.

The problems with nuclear waste, and therefore nuclear power, are based almost entirely in irrational fear and power politics. We really need to get over it.

Global Nonsense

Cheat Seeking Missiles points out the selective nature of data analysis used when "confirming" global warming.

But I think I am beginning to find the true motives behind things like Kyoto and other global warming agreements.

At least 70 mayors from cities such as London, Rio de Janeiro, Tehran, Capetown, Sydney and Shanghai are scheduled to attend the five-day conference in San Francisco - the first U.S. city to host the annual event. World Environment Day, celebrated each June 5, was established in 1974, with annual conferences held since 1987.

At this year's gathering, themed "Green Cities" and running June 1-5, the mayors will trade ideas on sustainable urban living in areas such as renewable energy, recycling, public transportation, city parks and clean air and water. More than 230 community activities for World Environment Day are scheduled around the San Francisco Bay area.

JUNKETS! Need an excuse to get your employer (some government working on our taxes) to pay for your vacation? -- fire up the global warming issue and hold a conference and sign an agreement.

Here we Go Again!

"Christian Environmentalism" is once again raising it's ugly head. (HT: SmartChristian) I find this article particularly enlightening as to the true motives behind this movement.

On such issues as global climate change, endangered species, and mercury hazards to the unborn, many evangelical Christians are parting ways with conservatives.

Simply put some are using the environment as a wedge issue, a way to break the strong association between evangelicals and political conservatives. Poverty is also being used in a similar way, most notably by Sojourners.

I truly do believe that Christianity is more closely associated with conservatism than other political movements in America, even on issues like the environment and the poor -- neither of which are issues conservatives ignore, simply ones that they take a different approach to.

But having said that, it is very important that Christians know what and why the believe and think and that that inform their politics, and not the other way around.