I don’t think this ‘toon is far-fetched at all. We Americans insist on cheap energy - regardless of the cost, but we are also the world’s worst NIMBYs.
Coal-fired plants (air pollution, water polluiton, CO2, mercury)
Oil (dependence on foreign/unreliable supplies)
Nuclear (spent fuel storage / disposition, uranium supplies, radiation concerns)
Hydroelectric (no additional capacity - The Army CoE has already dammed every feasible river)
Solar (insufficient capacity, inefficient batteries for storage)
Wind (insufficient capacity, inefficient batteries for storage)
Conservation (not a realistic alternative unless a war or catastrophe occurs)
This comic doesn’t have a point. The sun cannot become a supernova, as it is under the Chandrasekhar limit. Only stars that are 1.4 solar masses or larger have the capability of going nova or supernova.
Don’t frighten the people, baslim! I looked up some data: The Sun’s luminosity will significantly alter the Earth’s atmosphere and thus its habitability within the next 1.1-3.5 gigayears (Kasting 1988). So we have another billion years before we really have to start worrying about it, which for a species only 100,000 years old is rather a long time!
Motivemagus about 13 years ago
Okay, this is funny.
Bluejayz about 13 years ago
I don’t think this ‘toon is far-fetched at all. We Americans insist on cheap energy - regardless of the cost, but we are also the world’s worst NIMBYs.
Coal-fired plants (air pollution, water polluiton, CO2, mercury) Oil (dependence on foreign/unreliable supplies) Nuclear (spent fuel storage / disposition, uranium supplies, radiation concerns) Hydroelectric (no additional capacity - The Army CoE has already dammed every feasible river) Solar (insufficient capacity, inefficient batteries for storage) Wind (insufficient capacity, inefficient batteries for storage) Conservation (not a realistic alternative unless a war or catastrophe occurs)
So what’s your pick? Down with NIMBYism!
wxman927 about 13 years ago
Next, they’re gonna bad those little gerbils in spinning wheels in cages…and those little fellas DO need the excercise!
Jaedabee Premium Member about 13 years ago
This comic has a point.
runar about 13 years ago
This comic doesn’t have a point. The sun cannot become a supernova, as it is under the Chandrasekhar limit. Only stars that are 1.4 solar masses or larger have the capability of going nova or supernova.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member about 13 years ago
How about wind or are we afraid of hurricanes & tornadoes ?
pirate227 about 13 years ago
Three out of four made sense.
Motivemagus about 13 years ago
Don’t frighten the people, baslim! I looked up some data: The Sun’s luminosity will significantly alter the Earth’s atmosphere and thus its habitability within the next 1.1-3.5 gigayears (Kasting 1988). So we have another billion years before we really have to start worrying about it, which for a species only 100,000 years old is rather a long time!