Comments on: Out of Sight, Out of Trouble http://permaculture.org.au/2010/05/24/out-of-sight-out-of-trouble/ Permaculture News, Commentary and Worldwide Projects. Tue, 22 May 2012 06:34:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Thomas Fischbacher http://permaculture.org.au/2010/05/24/out-of-sight-out-of-trouble/#comment-48349 Thomas Fischbacher Tue, 25 May 2010 09:41:03 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=3157#comment-48349 Considering what I learned from talking to colleagues, the situation in the 70s/80s must have been that there was quite some research done with the (maybe implicit) intent "to show that maritime hydropower does not work". This was, in part, motivated by the political desire to have nuclear power plants - after all, this was the cold war era, and a number of governments were keen on producing plutonium. I think it might be a good idea to dig through the old research literature once more, with this thought in mind. Now that we gained a bit of distance from the cold war era, finding out to what extend political fears and desires may have clouded the scientific perspective back then should help us to better assess our options. Considering what I learned from talking to colleagues, the situation in the 70s/80s must have been that there was quite some research done with the (maybe implicit) intent “to show that maritime hydropower does not work”. This was, in part, motivated by the political desire to have nuclear power plants – after all, this was the cold war era, and a number of governments were keen on producing plutonium.

I think it might be a good idea to dig through the old research literature once more, with this thought in mind. Now that we gained a bit of distance from the cold war era, finding out to what extend political fears and desires may have clouded the scientific perspective back then should help us to better assess our options.

]]> By: Aslanded http://permaculture.org.au/2010/05/24/out-of-sight-out-of-trouble/#comment-48330 Aslanded Tue, 25 May 2010 00:54:15 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=3157#comment-48330 Once again we have a situation where the technology is there, the will power of the people is there, and the resources are there but our so called democratic governments, even though they might attempt to create change, have their hands tied by the 'opposition', who oppose everything they do on principal and the existing big industries which are threatened and use their power to oppose the change. I cant see the new UK Government achieving anything good until a decisive election is made, and unfortunately in the West the looming economic crisis, and maintaining our extravagant pampered lifestyle will always get more votes than protecting ourselves from catastrophic change in the future. Are people intelligent and informed enough to see through the smokescreens, see the misappropriation and bribery for what it is (ie Carbon Sequestration) and focus as a collective on what we know is really the most important issue our generation will have to overcome? Just think of the employment opportunities! Once again we have a situation where the technology is there, the will power of the people is there, and the resources are there but our so called democratic governments, even though they might attempt to create change, have their hands tied by the ‘opposition’, who oppose everything they do on principal and the existing big industries which are threatened and use their power to oppose the change. I cant see the new UK Government achieving anything good until a decisive election is made, and unfortunately in the West the looming economic crisis, and maintaining our extravagant pampered lifestyle will always get more votes than protecting ourselves from catastrophic change in the future. Are people intelligent and informed enough to see through the smokescreens, see the misappropriation and bribery for what it is (ie Carbon Sequestration) and focus as a collective on what we know is really the most important issue our generation will have to overcome? Just think of the employment opportunities!

]]> By: craig gerlach http://permaculture.org.au/2010/05/24/out-of-sight-out-of-trouble/#comment-48325 craig gerlach Mon, 24 May 2010 20:54:17 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=3157#comment-48325 Spectacular. Finally a report (not done by any government), ((obviously)) which is reality. Due to our mortgage we have, myself and my wife are still working in the main stream jobs which are paying our wages here in Italy. It is not an easy situation, to build or Permaculture project in this country. It is four years we have been wating for our project to be approved. If a project which was descibed in this article actually happens, I ( a qualified construction manager with lots of other qualifications) would be happy to make a sacrifice to help make a project of such importance come to reality, close to home. It is a report which brings a calm to my life, through my experiences her in Europe (Im Australian), to actualy realise that there are other countries hare in Euope (mainly involving the general population interests) showing a path for the future. Here in Italy, they talk a lot but there are no reactions, unless you have five or more years to wait. Our biggest development here in Italy is to go nuclear! What a great decision!!! If all goes well, after this article, there will be an option for the Italians to end up buying their engy from the windfarms built in the UK. Us as a family, Permaculurists, we will be self sufficient. My hopes are for the general population in Italy, which is as of today a nuclear fee country. Lets hope with the slow beaurocracy in Italy and with the future opportunities available, there is still a possibility here for the Italians (a strong culture now and historically to nature) ((the more you adventure into the country side))(((Permaculture has just started , 8 years, but there is soooo much to learn as a Permaculurist as the Italian grandparents live as a permaculturist, as was tradion. Has been lost in the last two generations))) to return to their historical roots. Great artical, made my day!!! Ciao for now, Craig Spectacular. Finally a report (not done by any government), ((obviously)) which is reality. Due to our mortgage we have, myself and my wife are still working in the main stream jobs which are paying our wages here in Italy. It is not an easy situation, to build or Permaculture project in this country. It is four years we have been wating for our project to be approved. If a project which was descibed in this article actually happens, I ( a qualified construction manager with lots of other qualifications) would be happy to make a sacrifice to help make a project of such importance come to reality, close to home. It is a report which brings a calm to my life, through my experiences her in Europe (Im Australian), to actualy realise that there are other countries hare in Euope (mainly involving the general population interests) showing a path for the future. Here in Italy, they talk a lot but there are no reactions, unless you have five or more years to wait. Our biggest development here in Italy is to go nuclear! What a great decision!!! If all goes well, after this article, there will be an option for the Italians to end up buying their engy from the windfarms built in the UK. Us as a family, Permaculurists, we will be self sufficient. My hopes are for the general population in Italy, which is as of today a nuclear fee country. Lets hope with the slow beaurocracy in Italy and with the future opportunities available, there is still a possibility here for the Italians (a strong culture now and historically to nature) ((the more you adventure into the country side))(((Permaculture has just started , 8 years, but there is soooo much to learn as a Permaculurist as the Italian grandparents live as a permaculturist, as was tradion. Has been lost in the last two generations))) to return to their historical roots. Great artical, made my day!!! Ciao for now, Craig

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