The word of the day1 for May 24, 2007 is “alternative” — adjective 1 : ALTERNATE. 2 : offering or expressing a choice <several alternative plans>. 3 : different from the usual or conventional: as a : existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system <an alternative newspaper> <alternative lifestyles> b : of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk music c : of or relating to alternative medicine <alternative therapies>.
I wonder where one can find out what sort of pollution is created in the manufacture of solar panels. What with oil prices higher than they ever were, people are once again willing to try alternative energy sources. However “alternative” is as subjective as any other term. If we just want to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, coal is a reasonable alternative. However, if we want to go to a renewable source, we need to look into hydrogen combustion and vegetable oils.
If we really want to do the earth and our progeny a favor, we will turn to less pollution generating power—wind, solar and water. The thing is that nearly anything we do to harness that power for a mechanized society causes hazards of some sort. Wind generators disturb the migration of birds; hydroelectric plants disturb the migration of fish and create heat pollution. Batteries cannot be discarded just any old where because of the toxicity of their components. Solar panel construction must also be toxic because of the chemicals involved. We have to weigh the alternatives more carefully before we trade a bear for a wolf.
The quote2 for today is from Margaret Mead (1901–1978), U.S. anthropologist. Culture and Commitment, introduction (1970):
The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he
postulates. Not only does he picture us caught in a tremendous man-made or God-made trap from
which there is no escape, but we must also listen to him day in, day out, describe how the trap is inexorably
closing. To such prophecies the human race, as presently bred and educated and situated, is incapable
of listening. So some dance and some immolate themselves as human torches; some take drugs and some
artists spill their creativity in sets of randomly placed dots on a white ground.
;^) Jan
Tags: alternative
2 comments:
Hi Jan, Maragret Meads words are so true. Here in the UK I have just been listning to the news and they say that they are probably going to start charging us for all goods that we recycle. ie: they are putting micro chips on out wheelie bins and then when they are collected we can be charged !! I can just see overnight raids on folks bins to dump rubbish in half empty ones !! whatever next. Especially as the majority of people are trying in whatever way they can to recycle. Love Sybilsybil45
Jan,
Your argument about solar panels rang a bell with me. Where I live, they're planning a 181-turbine windfarm, 500 ft high turbines, stretching over 45 miles. Yuk. And indeed, how much pollution will be created by the manufacture, transportation and construction-on-site?
Guido
http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip
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