2 Eco-technologies I don't understand
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 12:08PM I'm into the new discovery show Project Earth, which is an 8 episode series that tests some promising theories that could save the planet from global warming. It's an ambitious subject to tackle, and they've done a solid job so far explaining the limits of what each series of experiments can do. At the end of each show they talk about why the theories, even if proved possible by their experiments, may or may not be good ideas.
So, along those lines, I have some relatively obvious misgivings about some mainstream eco-technologies. I'm wondering where's the "may not" opinions on technologies we've already accepted as good and if a professional climatologist could enlighten me.
1) Everyone loves to talk about wind power these days. But, wind turbines (high altitude and low) deflect the wind or at least lessen its flow in the direction it travels. Do wind turbines ultimately affect weather patterns if they reach a certain saturation point in a localized area? Seems like they would to me. Maybe that saturation point is not within any near term time horizon, but I've never heard anyone talk about weather pattern changes as a possible undesired effect.
2) Hydrogen cars seem problematic as well. I often read articles singing the virtues of cars that "have water as their only emissions." Huh? It's not C02, but that sounds like a terrible idea. In a world where hydrogen cars are the standard, I can't understand how releasing that much water vapor into the air, particularly in urban areas, is a good idea. Dry climates would become more humid, and humid climates would get worse. Sounds like it's another climate catastrophe waiting to happen.
But, I'm not a climatologist, so if there are some out there reading my blog, feel free to take shots :)
Reader Comments (1)
(2) H2O emissions are the lesser evil... much nicer than all the pollutants coming from burning gas. Unfortunately the usual method of generating H2 also generates LOTS of CO2. recharging hybrid/electric cars from the grid is probably better, because power plants can do things to mitigate CO2 and pollutants -- if we force them to.
(1) the heat retention of concrete and buildings in cities has already generated changes in localized weather patterns. However, I don't think wind turbines are built close together enough to do much to change wind patterns -- I expect less of an effect than what a city full of tall buildings do, and that is not much outside of the local area.