Sunday, February 18, 2007

Sequestration CO2; EU/Renditions Report; Iran; Arab Nuclear; Justice Dept/ Money Laundering; FBI/Edward Said; Seed Protector; Green China

New Rules Allow Sequestration of CO2 Under Seabed
EU Endorses Damning Report on Renditions
Iran Doesn't Fear U.S. Attack
Arab States to Develope Nuclear Energy
Justice Department on Money Laundering Manuals
FBI File on the Late Edward Said
Obituary for Seed Protector
The Greening of a China Mountainside

22 comments:

Rice Farmer said...

Arab states develop nuclear energy: Well, I suppose it is a way of preparing for the inevitable decline of their oil reserves. But uranium supply is already lagging far behind demand. One can imagine what effect this new demand will have.

Rice Farmer said...

This article
http://www.321energy.com/editorials/kirtley/kirtley021407.html
sounds very upbeat, at least for people investing in uranium. And the graphs show a startling difference in the energy cost to China, depending on whether its power comes from oil or nuclear. But don't be fooled. This article is only about making money on uranium stocks, and the "cost" shown here is only that of buying uranium fuel. The real costs of nuclear come later with the dismantling of decommissioned reactors and the management of spent fuel and other deadly wastes. And that does not even include the costs of accident cleanup.

On a human timescale, nuclear wastes must be managed in perpetuity. Some years ago at an international conference on nuclear power, a Swedish geologist assured me that NO PLACE on Earth is geologically stable. That means you can't just dump the wastes underground and forget about them. They require constant and never-ending management. Obviously, the cost to human society will be incalculably high.

Rice Farmer said...

"All gatherings banned in Zimbabwe"
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/20070219-013345-1308r/

Rice Farmer said...

"Ruble May Gain as Putin Uses Oil, Gas to Lift Exports "
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aD2G_T4rbWzA&refer=home

"Corn Farms Replace London Flats, Soho Lofts as Hottest Property"
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a4C7n_GCfjYw&refer=home

Rice Farmer said...

"Bill would require ISPs to track users"
http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/439

David Cutter said...

There's a great scientific review of facts regarding biofuels by Dale Allen Pfeiffer at
http://carolynbaker.org/archives/pfeiffer-dirty-biofuels

He points out how biofuels require more energy to produce than they provide in your vehicle. As a result biofuels are an unsustainable option for replacing oil. Great facts and all footnoted to arm yourself when talking to biofuel proponents.

Rice Farmer said...

"CERA’s peak oil critique has a credibility problem"
http://www.energybulletin.net/26270.html

"Environment Ministry Makes Drastic Cuts to Its Office Heating, Lighting"
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1634-e

Rice Farmer said...

The New Iraqi Oil: Leaked
http://raedinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2007/02/new-iraqi-oil-leaked.html

Pandabonium said...

Rice Farmer - thanks for the link on your blog to the article on US Military oil use. I've had an eye out for that information for quite some time, but didn't know where to find it.

Regards the uranium article, I fear that future costs will be pushed aside in the rush, and higher uranium prices may just drive governments (like Japan) toward breeder reactors.

Pandabonium said...

Asia Times Article: "Future shock: Asia is running out of gas" - by Alan Boyd.

He discusses climate change and "the energy crisis" and takes a sober look at alternative energy including solar, wind, nuclear, and biofuels, with a focus on the impact to Southeast Asia.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IB17Ae01.html

Rice Farmer said...

"Reorganization of Japanese Nuclear Industry"
http://cnic.jp/english/newsletter/nit116/nit116articles/nit116industry.html

"Japanese Nuclear Industry Eyes
New Nuclear Power Plants in Asia"
http://cnic.jp/english/newsletter/nit116/nit116articles/nit116asianukeplan.html

Rice Farmer said...

Pandabonium -- Yea, I think breeder reactors will become more attractive as uranium rises in price. Just wonderful! Even more deadly poison.

David -- That's a great article, isn't it? In fact, Carolyn Baker has a more-or-less daily mailing list that is free. Each mailing is a veritable smorgasbord of good stuff. And she adds insightful comments to some items, too.

Jenna -- Any news on Mike? Just wondering how he's doing.

Jenna Orkin said...

rice farmer

mike says he's having a hard time finding a buyer of the 4000 books that remain in storage. his agent, ken levine is handling that. ken's email is ken@bighula.com phone: 818-414-6002. the objective is to save the books and not have them be lost or thrown out as a result of approximately 1700$ in past due storage fees which we're not able to send.
mike's also very depressed over the wreckage that has been left behind by the people who deliberately put his company out of business.
he's trying to raise enough money through paypal contributions to keep the website going and to help pay for ongoing medical treatment.
apart from that he's hanging in and thanks blogreaders and everyone who's emailled with their expressions of love and support.

Rice Farmer said...

Thanks for that news. The sabotage must be incredibly disheartening, but I'm sure Mike knows that his supporters far outnumber those who wish him harm. I will contact Ken about making a donation toward saving the books.

A peon said...

For anyone who is interested,here is some interesting information on (maintaing)health.Scroll down for more videos on the lefthand side of the screen. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=105468649&MyToken=dfd2e54f-a44e-441f-9ac0-1e640094ac6e

Rice Farmer said...

"Oily truth emerges in Iraq"
http://www.nydailynews.com/02-21-2007/news/story/499341p-421044c.html

Amazingly, some people still claim that the US invaded Iraq purely to do the will of the Zionist lobby, and that the oil companies were never interested. Here that view is proved a fantasy once again.

Rice Farmer said...

Saw a Hummer today -- I was right behind one on the road. Those things are huge! Other than the conspicuous consumption, what came to mind was how such a tank-sized vehicle is likely unable to negotiate many Japanese streets, which would be too narrow for it.

Rice Farmer said...

So far it looks as though my peak oil article is on track for publication. Wednesday the journal editor sent me a few suggestions for changes, which all turned out to be stylistic, so apparently they have no bones to pick with the content. Will keep everyone informed.

I started it with a discussion of what peak oil means, as there is a lot of confusion, which is further compounded by debunkers calling it a "lobby" or implying it means the Earth is literally running out of oil. Then I go into the implications for modern economies (including "globalization") and military forces, and explain why there is no substitute for oil. Needless to say, I come down hard on biofuels.

Rice Farmer said...

Russia warns US not to take military action against Iran

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20070221-100238-7697r

It will be interesting to see if China speaks up, too.

Rice Farmer said...

White House Rehearses for a Domestic Attack
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17302994/site/newsweek

Rice Farmer said...

Bush bikes during bomb drill

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/24/AR2007022400617.html

Rice Farmer said...

UK energy production
http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/2299

The figures are in, and the news is not good.