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Pitch

use current technology to rapidly reduce use of fossil fuels.We have viable means to reduce GHG from power plants now; lets use it.


Description

Summary

The rise of economies in China, India and the emergence of industrial societies throughout the world will result in an ever increasing need for more energy. The solution lies not in a piecemeal approach but in radically rethinking the way we approach the problem of climate change. solutions to climate change must be promoted in a manner which emphasizes their benefits to individuals.As new industrial and residential areas are developed designs should focus on safe nuclear power(yes Virginia, new plant designs are not Fukishima). The minimal waste generated by newer nuclear plant designs can be safely stored and contrary to popular belief the plants are not bombs waiting to go off. With safe nuclear plants providing most power, local smaller wind turbine and solar stations could be installed in areas where it would be efficient. With a robust electrical grid electric vehicles become more practical. We will not break the grip of fossil fuels with just the wind or the sun nor even with clean nuclear, A paradigm shift in how we live is required.  I know there are myriad variations and improvements that can be made to the ideas I propose. My hope is that we will pursue energy solutions that work for everyone. We have the technology now to begin to work towards viable solutions to the problem of meeting growing energy needs. Telling a villager in Africa that he needs to keep living as his ancestors did because it's sustainable is ludicrous. A better standard of living for all is attainable if we quit using the issues we face for political gain and work together towards solutions.


Category of the action

Reducing emissions from electric power sector.


What actions do you propose?

  • Replace existing fossil fuel based power generation facilities with newer, safer nuclear reactor designs.

  • With a robust electrical grid electric vehicles become more practical .With the current electric car having a 100 to 200 mile range at most a rail system incorporating drive on cars with charging stations could allow drivers to travel from one major hub to another then drive off into an area with a full charge; alternatively it may become possible to have powered highways where vehicles pick up power using induction.  The key is clean power from Nuclear technology that is available now.

  • Design noted transportation methods noted above.

  • Reduction of energy use is not as important as efficiency of use and effective delivery. If the source of power generation is relatively sustainable as nuclear is the focus must be on education, design of efficient delivery grids and effective use of said power.

  • Extending battery life and efficiency and thereby range of electric vehicles is critical.

  • Encouraging a rethinking of how we travel over longer distances is essential. Rather than using fossil fuel powered vehicles to break the barriers that electric vehicles would hold us to the availability of means to  extend the range of said vehicles by "piggybacking" or somehow transmitting power(obviously the second proposal is much further "out there" but is not impossible. 

  • Educating the public in the effective safe use of nuclear power is critical. The petroleum industry loves solar and wind because they know they are not real competition. We must stop equating new reactor designs with failures of past designs or spectacularly bad designs like Cherynobl.

  • Articles and other use of media to confront  leadership that uses energy issues for political gain without regard to the effectiveness of their stand.

  • I understand this proposal is not "novel"; it is a call to re-examine the idea that we must pursue out of this world ideas to solve the problems of energy use and GHG generation. We have the tools to very effectively lower GHG NOW using existing designs that are proven safe. taking action in the manner I propose does not preclude further study of promising alternatives. To not use the tools we have at hand is to my mind a slap in the face to those in developing countries where the need for energy is most great. Many seem to want to design a world with a smaller population that has a generally lower standard of living. This approach is unrealistic as population growth will continue until we raise the standard of living and education . Providing the power needed to support development and doing it cleanly is critical.


Who will take these actions?

Scientist from universities and research programs must work with public relations and media experts to effect a paradigm shift in how we approach the use of nuclear power, GMO crops and other technology that frightens the general public.

Governments should re-evaluate laws governing the building of new nuclear facilities and remove restrictions based on unfounded and unscientific fears and enact new laws that require newer safer designs to be used along with incentives to build said plants.

Local governments should evaluate the creation of ever expanding electric vehicle only zones that would expand as implementation of efficient power delivery systems improves.

As the grids capability grows the profit motive should drive those in industry to create the transportation solutions proposed along with other innovative ideas to effectively employ clean energy.

If the foregoing is successful continuing media and educational campaigns can be developed by government and private industry to point out the benefits of using clean transportation on systems rather than fossil fuel powered systems.


Where will these actions be taken?

Worldwide. As stated in the summary a shift from "lets use less power" and "lets use inefficient systems to replace fossil fuels" to lets use a known safe technology, make it even safer and work out ways to efficiently distribute the power generated. We have incredible power at our fingertips now; it is senseless to bow to unfounded fears and not harness the technology we have to improve the lives of as many as possible.


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?

Theoretically the use of fossil fuels could be reduced to uses that can not be effectively powered by a use of electric generated by nuclear. Ships, Planes, and travel to extremely remote areas will most likely always be impractical for the proposed solutions but there is no reason all land based energy use in 70 to 80 percent of the United States and other large countries can not be provided by clean, safe nuclear power.


What are other key benefits?

  • Very small generation of waste.
  • As clean power becomes available in areas that are industrializing they will naturally shift away from more expensive less environmentally friendly methods of power generation.
  • A lessening of emissions from power generation and vehicle emissions will result in a healthier environment for all life.
  • Increased availability of power should contribute to the ability to more efficiently grow food crops and deliver said crops resulting in lowered malnutrition and lowered mortality rates. 


What are the proposal’s costs?

Initial cost of building plants and infrastructure are most likely in the 100's of billions but with corresponding potential gains in the form of both savings and income from sale of new technology.

Negative side effects will result from inevitable conflicts with opponents that either honestly feel the proposed ideas are unsafe or are in opposition for purposes of political gain.


Time line

Short term:

  • Govt actions as described to ease restrictions on and encourage the building of nuclear facilities.
  • Education and media campaigns as described.
  • Building of facilities.
  • Design and building of transportation and other systems developed to take advantage of the increased availability of electrical power.

Medium Term:

  • Continued improvements in efficiency and range electric vehicles 
  • Continued expansion of power generation and delivery systems to deliver power to all but the most remote areas of the world.

Long Term:

  • Design of more efficient reactors.(occurs in earlier phases as well).
  • Design of systems to allow use of electric power in new applications.
  • Design and implementation of more effective delivery systems for power.

 


Related proposals

RISE, Rapid Increase in Scientific Education.


References

Will Add(in progress).